witchbuns

Ali Hazelwood, 2024

5 Stars, of course

On re-read, this a five-star read and I’m 100% going to buy for keepsies. This is a story with a smart ass vampire who cares an awful lot for the werewolves who show her compassion and it’s a sly thriller because she’s solving the mysterious disappearance of her human sister by living with the Weres. I had forgotten how deadpan Misery is with her absurd humour and how noble and selfless Lowe is for his pack. I appreciate that Lowe’s attractiveness is based on being a strong leader and diplomat, it’s not his forearms and I don’t think he even wears a henley t-shirt. Misery loves how deeply he cares for other people and they band together to help save her sister, with a slow burn that feels very earned. 

In my first read, I was skeptical that she didn’t immediately realize she was his mate, but now I credit the narrative for being clear that she’s not used to having attachments to people, and has zero experience in sexual relationships, so she gets to be a little dense on the m word or the l word. The world building also more than makes up for it, with her relationship with her twin, the politics between societies, her frigid-ass dad villain, and the well-drawn Were characters. 

This book really sings, and how does Ali do it? I dunno, but I’m diving into Mate.