The Brides, Charlotte Cross (Review by Heather Drake)

Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

I went into The Brides by Charlotte Cross feeling genuinely excited, and it absolutely delivered a unique and memorable reading experience. I’d like to sincerely thank the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and The Gloss Blogger for granting me the privilege of serving as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) reviewer for this compelling work. It’s always a privilege to explore a story early, and this one was especially meaningful to me. I’m giving the book a solid 4.25 stars.

I’ve been a fan of Count Dracula for as long as I can remember—honestly, it goes back to when I was about five years old, watching my father dress up as Dracula for Halloween. That early fascination stuck with me, so discovering a story centered on the brides—who are only briefly mentioned in Bram Stoker’s original novel—felt like a long-overdue treat. In my opinion, these characters have always deserved more attention, and this book finally gives them a voice.

What I really enjoyed about The Brides is how it feels like a lost piece of the original Dracula story. The narrative is told through letters and journal entries, which creates a very immersive and almost intimate reading experience, like you’re uncovering something that’s been hidden away for years. The story blends themes of love, friendship, family, and healing, while also capturing the trauma and horror tied to Count Dracula. That balance between emotional depth and gothic tension works very well.

I will say, the story takes its time getting started. There’s a lot of background given for characters like Lucy, Mafalda, Eliza, and the doctors connected to them. While this slower buildup made the book take me a little longer to read, I actually appreciated it. It allowed me to really understand how all the characters are connected and why their journeys matter. The shifting timelines also required some attention, but they added depth once everything started to come together.

At the center of the story is Sir John Seward, who is trying to help Mrs. Lowell heal mentally. Through her story and the collection of writings, we gradually learn how the brides came to be and how their paths crossed with Dracula and Seward’s group. I won’t get into specific plot points because part of the fun is discovering those connections yourself.

The ending stood out to me in a positive way. After everything the characters go through, there’s a sense of peace and closure that feels well-earned. At the same time, it leaves just enough open that you can imagine more stories coming from these characters.

I would definitely recommend this book to horror fans, especially those who already love Dracula lore. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a gothic atmosphere and a fresh take on familiar legends, this is absolutely worth the read.