Ali Hazelwood, whose past rom coms were STEM-focused and set in academia and the aerospace industry, sinks her teeth into paranormal romance with her latest book, BRIDE.  I have loved all her previous novels with strong, nerdy, intelligent female characters fighting for their place in male-dominated fields. BRIDE is set in contemporary America where Vampyres, Werewolves, and Humans live in adjoining territories. Fragile peace exists by each government sending a child closely connected to the leader to live with the "enemy" as a collateral hostage to be killed if the other side breaks the truce. The balance is upset when a new human is elected who intends to change the status quo causing the Vampyres and Weres to arrange a marriage between the daughter of the Vampyre Council Chair to Lowe Moreland, Alpha of the Southwest Pack.  Computer expert Misery Lark will do anything to find her foster sister including leaving her safe existence living among humans and allowing her father to use her again as a political pawn.  Ali Hazelwood builds a world with new cultural rules for recognizable species and sexy, complex characters. The fast-paced story is full of espionage, intrigue, action, and sexual tension as the newlyweds determine where their loyalties lie. I can't tell if this is a stand-alone book but I hope the author will set another in this universe.