Well what a ride!
To be completely honest the opening had me a little worried, we’re getting married to someone we hate but he’s devastatingly handsome etc but worry I need not!
This is a TRUE enemies to lovers, the fmc isn’t a simpering young girl coming into her abilities, the humour is actually funny and not cringe, this was so enjoyable I read it in nearly a day and although I’ve read plenty of vampire/fantasy/romance books I haven’t read one like this before.
Can hand on my heart say I can’t wait for the next book in the series now!
Loved the narrator

This book was a fun, quick read (or listen). Both FMC and MMC were morally grey, which was different. She is a badass assassin, and he is a vampire mafia prince. Ended on a good cliffhanger. Will be reading the next one.

The audiobook narrator was good. My only complaint was that the female narrator trying to do a male voice takes you out of the story. But there's only so much she can do about that.

Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky, and Bookouture for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

If a lusty enemies to lovers story about a shape shifting assassin mermaid fae (not kidding) impersonating a bride to get revenge on a vampire crime lord (also not kidding) sounds interesting to you…you’ll probably enjoy this.

This book kind of reminds me of the Never After series by Emily McIntyre (but its actual dark romance fantasy instead of dark romance inspired by fantasy stories). It’s spicy, fast paced, dark, and a pretty cheesy. But that’s fine! Sometimes you need a quick, fun, sexy, dark book that’s not that deep and that has lots of random magical elements mixed together but still somehow very minimal world building.

I enjoyed this listen and I was mostly engaged the whole time. I would have enjoyed a dual narration for this one, but the narrator did a wonderful job voicing the characters. The story follows a fae shifter (FMC) out for vengeance on the vampire clan that murdered her family. She infiltrate the clan by posing as the MMCs bride. By getting close to him and his family, she hopes to kill off the whole family and their followers. But, can she resist the sexy vampire who she married? Is there more to the story than what she thinks she knows?

4.5✨

Kathryn Ann Kingsley... you had me hooked with that first encounter with Raziel. A shapeshifter assassin and a morally grey vampire mafia boss was intriguing to start with. They both have compelling dimension while not being overly complicated. Definitely a slow burn that turns scorching hot. Hits the nail on the head for the true enemies to lovers trope. On top of all of that, the cut throat tension throughout. Ticks every box for me even with that torturing cliffhanger.

With a dual perspective, I personally prefer two narrators. Desireé Ketchum did an amazing job with taking on both while bringing out the atmospheric elements. A fast paced dark fantasy romance that had a great flow to it. Nothing felt out of place or extremely random. I was completely enthralled.

Thank you to Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Second Sky Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars, light to medium spice but dark romance vibes. I really enjoyed this fast paced, dark romantasy book. Nadi, a shapeshifting Fae, wants to avenge her familys deaths by taking down the infamous vampire Nostrom family, starting with Raziel, who single handly killed them all. But as she spends more time with Raziel the more her [unwanted] attraction and magnetic pull to him grows. Nadi is ruthless and full of female rage and I am here for it! Raziel is a prick and sometimes it made it hard to root for the romance that you [hope to] see coming. The world building is very easy to understand as it's more urban fantasy. I found the ending to be the perfect cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read the 2nd book!

I was lucky enough to read the book and listen to the audibook, and I'd give the audiobook a 3 for performance. The narrartor sounded a bit robotic/AI-ish and didn't sound like I pictured Nadi.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of The Serpents Bride in exchange for an honest review!

"Now and again, isn't it nice be who we truly are without pretenses?"

Vampires. Fae. Mafia. Sworn enemies.
Do I even need to say anything else?!

The pacing was a tiny bit slow at times, but the writing was excellent ... sharp, immersive, and full of personality. The banter? On point. The story? Fresh and unique.

And Raziel… yeah, I’m going to need a lot more of him in my life.

3.5🌟 this was a quick, fun listen, a dark romance between a shape shifting fae looking for revenge on vampire and disguises herself as his bride. This book had a good balance between plot and romance with a lot of tension! Looking forward to the rest of the series

An enemies to lovers done well. A shapeshifting fae, Nadi is out for revenge. The vampire Raziel, prince of the most powerful mafia clan is her target. He is set to wed a human, which whom Nadi has replaced herself as. Will her plan for revenge succeed?

This book just had me from the start. The bond that forms between our MC's is steaming off the pages. A marriage of convenience with morally grey characters. Secrets & lies that keep the story suspenseful. It's dark & spicy with a plot twist you won't see coming. I just ate this all up. This was my first book by the author & I truly loved it. I can't wait for the next book.

** I was given this as an ALC by NetGalley. I truly enjoyed the narrator's performance. In my personal opinion, I feel this would have been best as a duet. I am a huge duet lover, but I felt Desireé Ketchum did an amazing job playing both characters. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio & Second Sky Books for this great opportunity.**

This was my first book from Kathryn Ann Kingsley and I throughly enjoyed it, the author has such an intriguing premise it really grabs your attention in the beginning!

While I did find the premise interesting and captivating in the beginning I did feel like the plot lacked a little in the middle - just a bit of repetition that you already get from the beginning of the book and even from the synopsis that feels as if it’s dragging a bit. However, my attention was caught again in the last few chapters and it genuinely made me gasp - felt as if it came to the end too soon then!

The FMC is made out to be tough but honestly you kind of don’t see that and the MMC is pretty morally-grey he never really changes his sentiments somewhat until the end. Also not sure if I would call this true hate-to-lovers given the FMC is disguised, but the tension was really nice, I love good tension! A++

I was fortunate enough to receive an audiobook version of this book and I feel like it really allowed me to picture the story and details of each character Kingsley describes. The narrator does a great job of adding small afflictions and such during, you can feel the emotion of the FMC.

While I enjoyed the narrator, I do however feel as though I would’ve enjoyed it a tad bit more if there would’ve been two narrators simply because there is dual POV and while the MMC POV isn’t as long as the FMC, sometimes it could get a little confusing when the switch would happen because it would occur in the same chapter.

If it hadn’t been for the beginning and the ending (and a few in between scenes) I’m not sure if I would’ve continued this series but it ended on a cliffhanger and honestly left me with even more questions I know I need answers to! So I will definitely be awaiting the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for gifting me this copy!

This was a pleasant surprise!

I didn't realise I was getting back into my vampire era, but this book is definitely bringing me back in as well. This had everything I want from an enemies to lovers; true hatred from both parties being forced into a marriage of convenience, while the fmc is secretly plotting to kill the mmc, as a way to take revenge for her dead family.

The beginning was a bit slow, which had me worried, but then the plot really picked up. I kept giggling from the way the fmc kept trying to kill him and failing. If you like enemies to lovers, with political/court intrigue and secret revenge plots, this book is definitely for you. Overall, really enjoyed the writing.

My only critique is that I read this as an ALC, and the narrator felt a bit robotic in tone to me. I would have liked slightly more emotion, as her tone at times took me out of the storyline. If given the choice, I probably would have personally read this as a normal book or ebook.

Also the tension and the spice between the mcs?? Chef's kiss! I really liked both of them as main characters, and I enjoyed them even more together. The ending has me frothing at the mouth for book 2.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts 🫶🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – Morally gray, dangerously addictive, and utterly unputdownable.

Vampires, shapeshifters, and fae — oh my. If there’s one thing that will hook me instantly, it’s morally gray characters dripping with secrets, and The Serpent’s Bride serves them up like a decadent midnight feast. Kathryn Ann Kingsley spins a dark, delicious web of enemies-to-lovers tension, political intrigue, and slow-burn temptation that’s as seductive as it is dangerous.

The audiobook narrator? Chef’s kiss. Smooth, magnetic, and perfectly matched to the story’s bite. They pulled me in so effortlessly that even at 1.5x–1.75x speed, every word landed sharp and clear — no confusion, just pure immersion.

And then… that ending. That shameless, audacious, “how dare you leave me hanging like this” cliffhanger. I need book two in my hands yesterday.

Vibe: A gothic ballroom drenched in moonlight, where every dance step might be a kiss… or a kill.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Second Sky Books for this ALC — I thoroughly enjoyed every dark, twisted, beautiful second.

OH MY GOD!! I need the next book already! How can the book end there?!! I have so many questions. I wasn't ready for the book to finish. I was merrily going my way, and then the narrator said...to be continued!

I MEAN WTF!!!!!

This book is beyond epic and most definitely one of my favourites this year! I adore Kathryn Ann Kingsley's writing anyway. I first "met" her when I read the Mask of Under series (which I need to finish), and then this gorgeous-looking book hit my screen. The blurb was the second, and then I was sucked in straight with Nadi! I LOVE HER!! And Raziel, you have to hate him, but man, you can't and the things he does! Oh delish!

This book hooked me in, tore my heart out and stomped on me all the while laughing in my face, knowing I have to wait what feels like YEARS AND YEARS before I can find out what happens next. Who can I pay to give me the answers I crave now?!?!! Anyone!?!?!!? PLEASE!

A toxic family, vampires for the added bonus, a lot of Fae, and so much chemistry *sizzling is what I think, right off the page! The action was great. The inner conflict for Nadi was fascinating to read as we see her conflict of Monica, and how much everything was taking its toll on her.

It was everything I didn't realise I needed and so much more! It was addictive, like humans to a vampire; it left me wanting more. I can't tell you anything more about the story because I don't want to spoil it, but Nadi is one bad ass fae. Despite knowing her days were numbered, she does everything in her power to keep going and to take as many people down with her! The kidnapping after the wedding, well,l despite knowing it was deserved (the death scene) it was still sad.

I think if I were Nadi, I would be so frustrated, too. You have no idea who to trust, and everyone is just playing games with your head! Complete mind f**k.

Well, I think you need to go and buy this now, go on now. Well, only if you love morally grey MMC that leave you swooning in a dark fantasy world of humans, Faes and Vampires.

Now I will wait (I'm)patiently for the next one!

I highly enjoyed this story! It was so different from the fantasy I have been reading, and I did not see the ending coming. There were a few ick things that the male character said a lot through the book that kept me from giving it 5 stars, but it truly was a fabulous read. I will say I did this as an audiobook, I do feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I read it myself, but I am particular about narration so that may be why. Can’t wait for the next book!

This has truly grown on me.

Initially, I was not particularly fond of the narrator, which made it difficult for me to continue with the story. Fortunately, a long drive compelled me to listen, and I am pleased that I persevered. The tension between the characters is great and the story line very different from the usual fae/vampire trope.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of the Audiobook for The Serpents Bride in exchange for a review.

2.5 ⭐️ I realllllly thought I would love this based on the description. Vampire Romantasy ✔️ Enemies to lovers ✔️ Morally Grey MMC ✔️ Marriage of convenience ✔️

Something just didn’t land and I found myself unable to stay focused. I couldn’t connect with the FMC, she was quite annoying actually - how can she be so hell bent on revenge for over 80 years but waver after 5 minutes of being around the guy who killed her whole family? She literally trained to be an assassin for this whole point. Girls got no back bone. It would have been good to see her gradually unravel but she just full on forgot why she was there.

The story dragged a bit which I don’t think I would have minded had I managed to engage with the main characters. I wasn’t expecting the ending however I wasn’t totally shocked by it either. All in all, it was fine, listenable and plenty of spice which maybe would have been more enjoyable as a physical read or dual narration. Will I continue the series? I’m not sure.

4 stars

I loved this book and it's world. Both main characters were very complex, dynamic and they're relationship always had me excited for what would come next. Even the side characters I found quite memorable and I imagine some of them will become more important in future book/s? The romance is slow burn at first but once it lights it never cools off it is passionate and intense I enjoyed it a lot. Ultimately if you want a fast paced dark romance this will fill your need in a mostly satisfying way.

Thank you Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Bookouture Audio, Second Sky Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for an honest review.

I seem to keep finding books where the FMC is trying to kill the MMC and is using marriage to get close enough to achieve that goal. This book is not an exception to this.

This book is easy to read, so I’m happy about that. I tore through it despite my efforts to pace myself. Not my best moment, to be sure. lol I guess it’s also a point in Kathryn’s favor that I tore through it quicker than I normally would.

I find the eye color of the vampires and the fae both to be really fascinating. I’ve never read a book where a vampire’s eye color could be orange. (I believe the eye color is orange, anyway.)

I also find the description of the fae to be interesting on its own. I love the idea of our FMC having a mermaid tail. At least, that’s how it’s described, anyway. I also like the idea of iridescent eyes. That’s just me, though.

The most annoying thing for me was the narrator (female throughout) voicing the male lines in a falsetto voice. This has always annoyed me but it was worse this time. I’m not sure why.

I’d also love more background on the Wild and the fae in particular. I have always loved the fae being mentioned in stories but it’s not always looked into more deeply and this book isn’t an exception.

And, what the hell was that cliffhanger??? I think that was honestly my favorite part of the entire book. I’m almost glad Raviel figured out who Nadi is in the end and that just made the cliffhanger even juicier.

Yes, I’d obviously recommend this book. It was so good and kept me riveted right from the beginning. I’m going to read it again before the sequel comes out because I want to find out what happens next.

4.5! I got this as an ARC from NetGalley and loved it. I did the audiobook and it was performed so well!

This book features the enemies to lovers trope done, PERFECTLY. Truly. The story and characters are captivating from the first chapter and I was completely caught off guard by the ending! I will very impatiently be waiting for the next book! In the mean time, I’ll definitely check out more from this author!

I had the opportunity to listen to The Serpent’s Bride on audiobook, and overall, I thought it was well-paced. The narration was clear and easy to follow, even when adjusting the playback speed. That’s something I really appreciate some audiobooks become garbled at higher speeds, but this one stayed clear, which helps me focus.

It was a single-narrator performance, and while I personally would have preferred a dual narration, the delivery was still strong and entertaining.

As for the story itself, this is a vampire romance, but it had a strong mafia feel but with vampires, fae, and humans in the mix. The plot took a while to build, and the most exciting chapters were toward the end. Once it picked up, I was curious to see where it would go, especially knowing this is part one of a series.

In terms of characters, I felt the female lead was sometimes repetitive in her thoughts or dialogue, and the male lead could have used more depth. At times it felt like there was no chemistry among them.

For me, this landed between 2.5 and 3 stars.