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On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 4.24 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price:

Paperback: $12.00 (USD) / $16.00 (CAD)

Length:

126 pages

Review:

The Barnes and Noble associate told me this book was "very popular" when I purchased it. I knew it was, seeing as it was all over TikTok and Instagram.

I understand now that I've read it. I understand more and more as each news day goes by.

The best time to read On Tyranny was prior to November 5, 2024. The next best time to read On Tyranny is now.

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Wolves and Daggers: A Red Riding Hood Retelling, by Melanie Karsak

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.72 ⭐️

My Rating: 2.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: No

Kindle E-book: Free

Paperback: $9.99

Length:

174 pages

Review:

Clemeny "Little Red" Louvel is a member of The Red Cape Society. A group commissioned by Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria to take care of supernatural events, all while keeping it hidden from the general public.

Business is booming for her organization...unfortunately it comes at the cost of a pack of werewolves kidnapping all manner of academics for nefarious but as yet unknown purposes.

And when her partner is kidnapped and injured, The Queen assigns her a new partner: a werewolf, Sir Richard Lionheart. Sir Lionheart isn't like other werewolves: he's intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and in no manner a brute. It makes Clemeny maybe want to find a gentleman caller...

But before she can do that, she has to stop the wolf packs from uniting for this less than stellar purpose, and when an ancient enemy of the crown emerges at the center of the controversy, Clemeny needs to work twice as hard to keep her loved ones safe.

Will Clemeny be able take down the alpha? Or is she just another damsel in distress?

You'd think this book would've had a higher rating. I was hoping it would. But, the longer the story went on, and it didn't go on very long, the more I thought of the question in this post's title card: What are we doing here?

Turns out, we are subverting subverted expectations. And while I do try to avoid this, there is no avoiding it now: ⛔️ SPOILERS BELOW ⛔️

So, we have Clemeny, an agent for a secret society. Decidedly telling us that she's focused on her work and family and doesn't want any distractions. That's great, except barely one-third of the way through the book we have Clemeny saying "I need a man," for her, presumably, Victorian era bosom heaving levels of lust.

Okay, then what about Sir Lionheart? He's a werewolf. That's sure to add some intrigue to the tale. One would think; he's a nonentity in the plot. When we do see him, we relearn what we already know: he's a werewolf, but not like other werewolves, because he's kind and genteel. He's also a knight, loyal to the crown. Even at the end, when Lionheart and the rest of the knights arrive for the final battle, we don't get to see him fight.

Okay, well what werewolves themselves? If they're supposed to be a secret to people outside of The Society, then Karsak must have written them to be somewhat interesting. She did not. Male werewolves, save Lionheart and the big bad, are categorized as criminals and brutes with no redeeming qualities.

Female werewolves have it worse, being the lowest on the totem pole of society. They're written as being extremely weak and good for nothing but sex. The only female werewolf our characters interact with is both the owner and "performer" at a brothel who Clemeny immediately compares herself to. Clemeny decides that while the she-wolf is better endowed, she is morally superior.

What about the big bad? Yeah, there's barely a fight with him. He's deus ex machina-ed by another character who's in the book for barely five minutes. But don't worry! Clemeny does get her fight with a villain! That leaves her scarred and worried that she's now too ugly to find a man...

Somewhere between the internalized misogyny and speciesism I realized whatever hook Karsak was trying for did not catch me. Luckily, this series starter is free. I will not be reading the rest of "The Red Cape Society."

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The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.88 ⭐️

My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: No

Paperback (found on book): $18.00 (USD) / $24.95 (CAD)

Length:

370 pages

Review:

The calm of Cooper's Chase, a British retirement village, is suddenly broken by news of a murder. Tony Curran, a developer for the village has been found bludgeoned to death in his home.

Word spreads fast in the retirement village, and four seniors specifically, Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce, all members of Japanese Opera: A Discussion, are hungrier for information than most.

Except, no, they're not actually part of an opera discussion group. That's a ruse created by these four seniors. They're actually part of a group called The Thursday Murder Club. And they're willing to use everything at their disposal to solve the case themselves...even if their methods are seemingly senile subterfuge.

But when more bodies turn up, can these septuagenarians solve the case? Or are they about to stick their other foot in the grave?

Now, I don't read too many mysteries. So while I cannot speak to how well the mystery is written, I can say that I was somewhat dissatisfied with the ending. The mystery is solved...but :/

However: this story, at its heart, is not about a murder mystery. The murders are the vehicle used to discuss grief, and the love at the center of that grief.

While I don't think I can recommend The Thursday Murder Club as a mystery book, I can tell say it's a heartfelt, laugh out loud story that makes me feel good about getting old.

So, if you're looking for a funny book that might remind you of your grandmother or grandfather, I doubt you'd find a better choice...in the murder mystery section of your local bookstore.

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Thank you to everyone who got me to 100 likes!

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Non-Romance Masterlist

Graphic Novels:

The Unfortunate Life of Worms, by Noemi Vola

Mystery Novels:

The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

Political Science

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder

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The Unfortunate Life of Worms, by Noemi Vola

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 4.48 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: No

Hardcover: $24.99 (USD) / $33.99 (CAD)

Length:

264 pages

Review:

I bought this book with no idea what it contained. Though the title mentions worms, there was no summary on the back, or anywhere else on the book, so could I really be sure this book had worms? Well, I can tell you one thing: this book has worms.

And that's really all I can say without giving anything away. You don't really see it at the start, but there is a story here, a story about dealing with life... and worms.

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That Time I Took Down A Cult, by Rebel Carter

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.57 ⭐️

My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $4.99

Paperback: $17.15

Length:

379 pages

Review:

Buffy Martinez (yes, that is her real name) is a Blossom in the Cult of Wrath. She has been trained her entire life to smile, keep sweet, and be the perfect wife for her eventual husband.

And while it might've been smart to think about that whole "Cult of Wrath" thing, she doesn't; can't really, it's her wedding day, and after all, stress is bad for the bride! But before she joins her fellow Blossom brides, they're all getting married today, the local Witch of the Woods issues her a dire warning. A warning she really wished she'd listened to, as now she's on the run from would be murderer/fiancé.

But help comes to Buffy in an unexpected form: Wrath, the god her cult worships. Except, he's not a god, he's a demon, and, as Buffy quickly learns, there's more going on with her cult than she could ever imagine.

Also, she and Wrath are married now.

Will Buffy and her beau escape the clutches of the cult? Or will greater powers force Buffy to submit to them once more?

One thing about Carter's story that surprised me was the blasé attitude toward the cult. Usually, in stories about cults, the MC finds out they were raised in a cult and wrestles with that throughout the story. Buffy knows she's in a cult from page one. She's not defensive about it, she's not worried, she’s just in a cult and fine with that. Though there is dialogue referencing other cults outside of Buffy's, we don't have enough information to know if cults are the way of world in this universe.

Another thing that caught me off guard was Carter's use of secondary characters. People that Buffy and Wrath help throughout the book don't just disappear. They are used to flesh out the landscape of Sweet Tooth, and I think most, if not all, of them come back in the climax of the story. I wasn't expecting that for this story and it was refreshing to see.

And while there isn't a big "OMG I'M IN A CULT" moment I expected from the story, I think this book could be somewhat cathartic for someone who was in a cult/strict religious community. Buffy is a pretty neat character, who, though terrified at first, doesn't run from the actions she has to take, and actually revels in what she has to do to save her and her friend's lives. It's interesting to hear her inner monologue compare and contrast her thoughts from before and after finding out her cult wasn't the cheery place she thought it was. And that maybe she isn't the person she was raised to be.

Those thoughts, however, are a bit disjointed at times. I think Carter should have done one more once over of the story to give it that final bit of polish that would have made the story shine. As, there were instances where I had to stop and reread a few sentences to figure out what was going on.

And, don't be fooled by the spice rating: though "That Time I Took Down A Cult" deserves its four flame rating, the spicier romance takes a backseat to the "taking out the cult" stuff. It's more of an action oriented romance than a romance with action on the side.

Overall, Rebel Carter's "That Time I Took Down A Cult" was an enjoyable read, and fun way to end my 2024. If you like action, demon romance, and quests for bloody vengeance, put this on your 2025 TBR!

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Poorly Wired Circuit, by Cate Page

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.88 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $4.99

Paperback: $10.17

Length:

417 pages

Review:

Alejandro Alvarez is many things: a superhero, a single father, a widower. One thing he is not is a computer expert, so when, on the anniversary of his wife's death, his powers overload and destroy his office, he has no choice but to call the Heroes IT Department.

Sarah Bailey answers the call. Quick witted, fixer oriented, and nomadic, Sarah has applied for an IT position at the Heroes Organization on a whim. She never expected to meet its leader...or that said leader's power would cause every piece of technology in his office to explode. Still, Sarah is undaunted, and gets to work.

Sparks from broken electronics aren't the only kind flying as Sarah works. She and Alejandro have undeniably instant chemistry. But is that enough to combat Sarah's transient nature and the disparate parts of Alejandro's life that he desperately tries to protect her from?

Poorly Wired Circuit is a wonderful read. The relationship between Sarah and Alejandro is believable and their reactions to the situations they find themselves in are understandable. Alejandro's powers are not used by Page as a crutch or a plot device...after that first meeting. Sarah's struggle with settling down is realistic and her growth as a character is well earned and delightful.

That being said, the secondary, action oriented plot, the non-romance focused part doesn't take precedence in the story until halfway through the book. There's little hints of it sprinkled here and there, but it doesn't hit you until later in the story. So if you are expecting an action packed superhero romance, this is not the read for you.

However, if you are looking for a book that is rich in its descriptions with a sucker punch second act, Poorly Wired Circuit should earn your steel of approval.

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Superhero Romance Masterlist:

Poorly Wired Circuit, by Cate Page

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Contemporary Romance Masterlist

Welcome to Carnage, by Selena Winters

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Welcome to Carnage, by Selena Winters

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.68 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $2.99

Paperback: $9.99

Length:

142 pages

Review:

‼️NOTE: THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!!‼️

Two years ago, at her town's Halloween carnival, Avina was sexually assaulted had a ✨totally consensual encounter✨ with a masked man. During the encounter, he told her that she belonged to him, and he would kill anyone who tried to take her from him.

Two years and two first dates later, the masked man's statement's are truer than she'd like. Both of the boys she's dated died after the first date: murdered in cold blood.

Now, Avina's best friend is suggesting they all go to Carnage's Halloween Carnival. Surely, a night of fun will quell her worries.

Meanwhile, Nyx, her brother's best friend, lurks in the shadows, watching and being watched. The "darkness" he exudes attracts Avina, no matter how hard she resists. And Nyx, for his part, can't wait to finish the "game" they started two years ago.

Now, as l've said in some other posts: I would not call myself a dark romance reader. So, I might be missing something that seasoned dark romance readers wouldn't, because, if a friend gave me this book to try and get me into dark romance, I would never touch the genre again.

First, let's talk about Nyx, the "romantic" lead for our FMC. Nyx would be the type of guy that everyone knew in grade school: that guy who tries to be edgy because it's what people think is cool. But then, as you get older, you realize that same guy, who never grew out of his "dark" phase, is a loser. And yes, Winters tries to give us reasons behind Nyx's propensity for murder, but, well, I couldn't bring myself to care.

Not only do we only find these things out at the end of the book, by the time we find out that he had an abusive father who murdered his sister when she was three years old, and that he burned the house down to kill his father, killing his mother by accident, Nyx has already killed three people because he thinks he and Avina belong together. That Avina belongs to him.

He claims to love Avina, and that the "darkness" in him is compatible with the "darkness" in her, but c'mon. We're all old enough to see through this shit: it's pathetic. The book would've been better if Nyx had been arrested.

Which brings me to Avina. Now again, as I don't often read the genre, l'm not sure how other dark romance heroines behave, but god dammit if Avina isn't dumo as a rock. She is, surprisingly, somewhat quick to put together that Nyx murdered her dates...and then does nothing with that information. She could have gone to the police, the police actually interview her because of the murders. They suggest she go into witness protection, or that she be used as bait in a sting operation to catch the killer.

But Avina does neither of those things. Instead saying she has no idea who the murderer is, and then spending the rest of the book trying to manage Nyx's "darkness" so he doesn't end up murdering her brother or her best friend.

And why does she do this? She does this because allegedly there is a "twisted darkness" inside of her, a "twisted darkness" that only Nyx will understand. Although we don't even understand what that "twisted darkness" is. We are never privy to any of Avina's dark thoughts, and other than not going to the police, it seems the only darkness she contains is the space between her ears where her brain should be.

Oh, yeah, and I think she's conflating darkness with horniness. For reasons known only to Avina, Nyx is so attractive. I'm not sure if it's actual attraction since, based on the way he's written, I can only see him as a tool, or if it's attraction due to propinquity since he is her brother's best friend.

What Avina really needs is for someone to tell her that feeling horny is not bad, no feeling is bad, it's the actions you do and do not take in response to those feelings that makes you good or bad. Then after that, Avina needs is to go to therapy to get over her parents' death, and then call the police and get Nyx arrested.

If you haven't read dark romance, but want to give the genre a try, pick another book. If you are a dark romance reader, don't waste your time.

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Trick or Beast: The Beasts of Blackmoor Book One, by Sarah Spade

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.40 ⭐️

My Rating: 2.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $2.99

Paperback: $7.99

Length:

96 pages

Review:

Layla Smith walks the dark forest of Blackmoor thanks to her red hair. That's what her guide tells her, anyway, that the Council wanted someone whose hair was more red orange than orange red. Layla for her part, is simply glad to have been chosen. She's spent too long researching Blackmoor to turn back now.

Blackmoor, Layla reasons, is the answer to her problems. She wants her forever. She's tired of watching her friends move on to milestones that she can't reach alone. If she can survive three days in the Blackmoor forest, she'll be granted a wish, and with it, she will seize her forever. And if it turns out the whole wish thing is bullshit the $1,000 cash payout isn't bad either.

But, she will admit, it was kind of weird her guide made her take birth control before entering the forest.

Will Layla get her "forever"? Or will she wish she never entered Blackmoor.

First thing's first: do not let the 2.5 ⭐️ rating keep you from reading this book if the premise interests you. This is, for the most part, a competent story. However, there were some things, for me, that made the story less compelling.

The biggest thing being Layla herself. She states her goal was to find her one true love, her "forever." At which point I stated, "Okay...and?" It's fine to have a character that wants to find love, but I need a bit more than that.

Okay, Layla wants to find her "forever." Okay, what does that entail? Someone that won't abandon her. That's a given. What else? Someone that she can feel connected to...through sex. That's the only way she's been able to feel even the slightest "connection" to anyone these past few years. Well, yeah...l'm sure most people would like to feel "seen" during intimate moments with their partner.

And that's pretty much all we get. We never learn what Layla wants in a partner. We never learn what kind of future she envisions with a partner. It more or less feels like, even if Layla hadn't been selected for the Blackmoor forest event, she would have found someone eventually. She is desperate enough to settle for anyone who'll pay attention and give her decent sex.

Which, yes, I know, sounds harsh, but I am, in general, not a fan of the "pick me, choose me, love me" types of characters. They're pathetic. And unfortunately, that attitude, exuded by Layla, soured my reading. Again, I don't think this book is bad, I just wish Spade had done a little more with Layla's character.

That being said, if you're looking for a Halloween read that's full of treats without tricks "Trick or Beast" won't disappoint in that regard.

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Jack (Monster Ever After #1), by Layla Fae

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.44⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $3.99

Paperback: $8.99

Length:

48 pages

Review:

It's Halloween, and Suzy is kind of over it; she's spent all day reading the cards and telling her clients about their future love lives, but when she tries to read the cards, to see how she can get laid...the answer is less than ideal. When she gets that same less than ideal answer a second time, she decides to interpret the cards literally.

Spurred on by that literal interpretation, a little bit of wine, and slightly supernatural happenings, Suzy decides to cast a spell to summon a lover.

The spell works! But...a large, pumpkin headed demon with a large pumpkin cock wasn't what Suzy was expecting...

Will Suzy get all she desires from her summon? Or will Jack smash her like a pumpkin?

The first Halloween read!! It's short, sweet, and to the point. What you see is exactly what you get and then some. Though I will admit, the breeding kink was a surprise.

If you think you'd be a fan of a fiery pumpkin headed man with a huge pumpkin cock this short read will definitely lendsome mischief to your night.

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The Sea Witch: A Little Mermaid Retelling (Beloved Villains Book 1), by Rebecca F. Kenney

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 4.12 ⭐️

My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $3.99

Paperback: $19.99

Hardcover: $29.99

Length:

428 pages

Review:

Averil, youngest daughter of Tarion, King of the Sea, has broken an ancient rule: you do not save who the ocean claims. Averil, however, could not resist. When she saw the helpless sailor cast adrift and drowning, she felt the fabled Soul Echo. This man may be her one True Mate. She cannot miss this opportunity to save his life.

The Sea Witch knows an opportunity when he sees one.

Watching Averil, the young, virginal, daughter of his enemy, saving Prince Kerrin, son of Perindal, his other enemy and King of the lands bordering the Sea fills with thoughts of vengeance. Mostly. But he will not allow his wandering thoughts to cloud his judgment...even if this little mermaid is more tantalizing than she first appeared. A deal is a deal. And the man is going to keep it.

Will Averil be able to seize her happily ever after? Will she be able to acclimate to humanity's—to Kerrin's expectations? Or will a Sea Witch call off the farce and sweep her off her new feet?

The Sea Witch is described as a "dark romance." I am not one that readily reads dark romances, as I find some of their tropes uncomfortable. And there was one particular thing that did make me uncomfortable in the first several pages of this book. However, I am pleased to report that Averil's virginity, which is first brought up by the Sea Witch, is not brought up to declare her as virginal and pure and worth the corruption of mind blowing sex...after the first few times.

Instead, after those first few times, Averil's virginity was used as foil to Prince Kerrin and an explanation/ exploration of purity culture. This fish purity culture then leads into the family dynamic, and the reshaping and erasure of culture.

Another heavy theme in this book is abusive relationships. I don't want to go into too much detail, too many spoilers, but there are quotes and descriptions of that relationship that could be troubling to someone who was in an abusive relationship, so if that is something you're sensitive to, be cautious when picking up this book. As this toxic relationship leads to state sanctioned torture.

Overall, The Sea Witch was an enjoyable read that had a lot to say. If you're looking to read a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid", this could be a good fit. Just make sure you read the author's warnings and make your choice wisely.

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Pushin’ Cushions: A Political Sentient Object Romance, by Unfortunate Reads and Vera Valentine

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 4.43 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $2.99

Paperback: $8.99

Length:

44 pages

Review:

Dennis J. Rance should feel like a million bucks. After swallowing his pride, dignity, and morals he's been selected to be Trent Donaldson's running mate. And, Donaldson's health being what it is, Rance is envisioning his quick inheriting of the title of President.

Unfortunately, his wife has left him, his press docket leaves him drained, and his running mate is a blathering moron. On top of all that, he hasn't had a moment to himself since this whole soon-to-be-VP thing began.

So, on his weekly obligatory day off, he decides he deserves some relief, from his stress. But when his masturbation is interrupted by some (frankly, un-American) stray cats, he finds himself reminded of, and drawn to, a fixation from his past: his couch. Using it as a fleshlight helped satisfied him in college, it'll satisfy him now. The more he thinks about his luscious leather loveseat, the harder it is turn away.

Little does Rance know, fixations can possess you in more ways than one.

Before we begin: political satire has been a genre as long as politics and politicians have been around. And we all know there's no way a real politician actually fucked a couch. But, the joke works. And if a couch joke is a bridge too far for you, given literally everything, leave.

For those of you still here, "Pushin' Cushions" is something. There has never been a book before where I've reread lines thinking, "Wait, what did it say?" Clearly, Unfortunate Reads and Valentine nailed the weird factor. I imagine the way I felt while reading some of the descriptions of dolphin porn and couch carnality mirrored the way most people felt when learning the real story behind the parody. This fact, I think, enhances the work. I could not put it down.

Parody or no, this story takes couch fucking seriously, as it should, but readers who think Unfortunate Reads and Valentine aren't serious in their endeavors may be unpleasantly surprised. So, if you don't think these two are going to go all the way with this story, maybe sit this one out.

Further, toward the end of the book, there are element of dub/non-con and a humiliation fetish that may make some readers uncomfortable. But if you aren't one of those, take a seat...and enjoy the schadenfreude.

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Aliens Abducted My Heart (Awakened Womb Book 1), by Hawke Oakley

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 3.80 ⭐️

My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

On Kindle Unlimited?: Yes

Kindle E-book: $3.99

Paperback: $12.99

Length:

174 pages

Review:

It's Levi's first stint as captain. Doesn't matter that it's a simple, diplomatic, first contact mission. Doesn't matter that his crew consists of three people, counting himself. What matters is his ability to appear cool, confident, and in control.

Which is why he chooses to ignore a blinking red light on his Captain's console.

Unfortunately, Levi's cool factor, his captain's credibility, and the ship comes crashing down. That red light was more important than he wanted to admit. Luckily, there's planet close enough for them to make a "safe" landing.

When Zat'tor sees smoke coming from the Sweetfields, he assumes the worst. But to burn the Sweetfields is a sin on Eukaria, which requires a severe punishment. But such thoughts fade from Zat'tor's mind once he sees the strange creatures who started the fire...one of whom has the cutest tuft of yellow fur, and beautiful green eyes.

Will Levi be able to fix his ship and continue on his mission? Or will Zat'tor give him a reason to stay on Eukaria forever?

Aliens Abducted My Heart was so much fun! That's not to say it made the most sense, but with the story's meta moments and break neck pace, the sense of the story doesn't really matter. We're here for a good time.

And what a good time it is! The human/alien romance starts and keeps cranking itself up. Levi and Zat'tor, though very different find many and varied way to fuck each other. Rather, Zat’tor finds varied ways to fuck Levi. He makes it his personal mission to get Levi to allow himself to enjoy himself and the pleasure only Zat’tor can provide…with no ulterior motives, of course.

That being said, if you are not into pregnancy in fiction, this is not for you. Pregnancy is a major theme in this story. If you start reading the book expecting it to be a secondary theme, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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Bride, by Ali Hazelwood

Ratings:

GoodReads Rating: 4.05 ⭐️

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Purchasing:

Can be found at most bookstores in various formats. Prices vary.

Length:

399 pages

Review:

Misery Lark (yes, that is her real name) has been there, done that as a symbol of peace between humans and vampires…sorry, Vampyres. Essentially abandoned by her kind, she has made a life for herself among the humans that is instantly shattered when a Vampyre takes her back to her father.

Things have been difficult for Misery’s father. The Vampyre councilman sees trouble on the horizon: the humans have elected a new governor, and she will not meet with him. But she has met with the Alpha of the Werewolves. An alliance between humans and Werewolves would be devastating for the Vampyres…so her father is proposing an alliance of his own: an alliance between Vampyres and Werewolves, through marriage.

Misery is 0.3 seconds away from saying “no.” Then she notices the name of the Werewolf Alpha matches a name she found in the apartment of her (only) human friend Serena, who has vanished, without a trace.

Misery needs to find her friend. And if she has to go into the territory of her people’s greatest foe, she’ll do it. Even if her new husband thinks she stinks.

Misery’s story reminds me of the story of Icarus, son of Daedalus. In case you need a reminder, Icarus and Daedalus were held captive in a tower in order to keep the secret of the Minotaur’s maze. In order to escape, they must fly out of the tower, and over the sea, using wings made of feathers and wax. Both Misery’s story and Icarus’ wings fall apart through the sustained application of heat.

And it’s unfortunate. I went to an actual store, the local Barnes and Noble, to buy this book. I’d heard good things. I read the back, and was interested in the idea, I read the first several chapters and enjoyed where it was going…but, and I could not tell you when, at some point, Bride became a bore.

It’s a shame, really, because Bride had a lot of good ideas: political marriage between enemies, supernatural factions on the verge of war, a societal outcast trying to save their friend, a missing person mystery, it’s all there! Unfortunately, Hazelwood’s focus on the relationship between Misery and Lowe, the Werewolf Alpha, puts everything else to the wayside. These ideas are then left underdeveloped.

Misery too feels underdeveloped. She tells us a lot but we see very little of anything that happens/happened to her. Anything seemingly building toward problems and tension is hand waved/deus ex machina-ed away. Even the final confrontation with the final villain is left unseen by the reader.

I will give “Bride” this: it has one of, if not the best, conversations about knotting I have ever read.

Seriously, Hazelwood goes to great lengths to discuss how a Vampyre and a Werewolf might not be sexually compatible. Spoiler alert: they totally are. And, as Misery’s werewolf husband is *so* concerned she won’t be able to handle his knot, he satisfies her needs with several non-penetrative sex acts. We love to see it.

So, while I can’t say Bride is for everyone, I can say if someone has read Hazelwood’s other works, enjoyed them, and wants to give monster romance a try, this could be for them.