Kindle Readers Are Going Wild For A Hot New Paranormal Romance Book
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It's no secret that romance makes up a major slice of the publishing industry, with dozens of tropes and niches to satisfy every reader. Among these, the paranormal romance subgenre is one that attracts a lot of diehard fans. Now, these spooky and amorous readers have a new title to swoon over: the freshly released novel "Bride" by celebrated romance author Ali Hazelwood.
Hazelwood is normally known for her witty and spicy STEM romances, which follow sassy scientists and star-crossed intellectuals. With "Bride," the author is stepping out of her usual wheelhouse to try her hand at paranormal romance — and it seems like readers are here for it. Quickly, "Bride" has earned a spot on the Amazon Best Sellers list, sharing space with such titanically popular romance novels as "Fourth Wing," the first book in the beloved "Knockemout" series, and various titles from Sarah J. Maas.
"Bride" is also gaining steam online, with readers flocking to share their reactions. In a matter of days, the book's Goodreads listing has attracted over 2,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, while the hashtag #bridealihazelwood has garnered views into the millions on TikTok. With all this attention around the novel's release, some curious romance lovers may be wondering what all the fuss is about. If you've yet to pick up a copy of "Bride" for your own Kindle, e-reader, or real-world bookshelf, here's what to know about this breakout paranormal romance.
Bride pits vampires vs. shifters in a classic enemies-to-lovers plotline
Vampires and werewolves had a big moment after "Twilight" was released. While they may have faded from the romance limelight in recent years, Ali Hazelwood's new novel has readers gobbling up this pairing like it's 2008 all over again.
"Bride" follows Misery Lark, the daughter of an important Vampyre councilman. After years spent living among humans and keeping out of the council's politics, she's being used as a bargaining chip in an important treaty between her people and the Weres — a treaty that, naturally, requires her hand in marriage. Her partner-to-be is none other than Lowe Moreland, the Weres' iron-fisted Alpha. The two have no reason to trust each other, and certainly no reason to find any love or happiness in their arranged union. But despite their differences — and despite Misery's own secret agenda — readers are left wondering whether this paranormal Romeo and Juliet can bridge the gap between their cultures and their hearts.
Already, book lovers and critics alike are taking notice of Hazelwood's work in "Bride," and mere days after its release, the book's been singled out as February 2024's #1 Indie Next Read and has also been named a Hall of Fame pick by LibraryReads. But, perhaps more importantly than critical reception, we want to know: What are readers saying?
How readers are gushing over Bride
Regular consumers of romance know that an interesting premise is a good start, but it won't carry an entire love story. For a romance novel to really snag your attention, it requires tension, emotional depth, well-rounded characters, and a lot of heart. Depending on readers' tastes, they can also benefit from a dash of spice — a hallmark of Ali Hazelwood's back catalog. Happily, readers have found all these qualities and more in the pages of "Bride," resulting in a growing base of ecstatic reviews.
One Amazon reviewer waxes poetic over the book's genuine relationship-building and believable characterization, saying, "Ali has always been so incredibly good at creating realistic characters with realistic flaws that aren't explicitly stated. ... She creates genuine human connections between her characters. It's what makes her one of my absolute favorites and this book was no exception! ... Hands down one of the best reads for me of 2024."
Another reader praises Hazelwood's skillful banter, writing, "The dialogue between these two characters sparkles. It's steamy and sweet and all of the things you want from the genre." Finally, one reviewer sums up the experience of "Bride" with a pithy, succinct remark: "That moment when you're reading a book and you realize nothing this year will top it." In short, if you're looking for steamy books to get your heart racing, Hazelwood's readers seem to think that "Bride" is a worthy contender for your to-read list.