What do you think?
Rate this book
Pride and Persistence
“On Cobra Kai, we strive to showcase the positive influence martial arts can have on people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or background. Joe Chianakas’ Singlets and Secrets was clearly conceived in that same spirit. This LGBTQ martial arts story is equal parts fresh, heartfelt, entertaining, and important." —JON HURWITZ, Co-Creator of the Hit Netflix Series Cobra Kai
After a roller coaster of ups and downs last year, Aiden Rothe starts sophomore year on a high. After all, he’s dating the boy of his dreams. What else matters? But Aiden’s hopes for a drama-free school year are thrown aside when a new student captures everyone’s Michelle, an incredibly athletic, transgender black belt.
Fearing a repeat of last year’s bullying, Aiden’s karate club reaches out to Michelle, hoping to recruit her. To their surprise, she already has a team. Michelle is training with local police Captain Decker at his MMA studio, the epicenter of LGBTQ+ hatred in and around Washington High. Soon after, Decker and his notorious partner, Washington High Wrestling Coach Krake, announce a new tournament with a $25k college scholarship as the grand prize. For some, like Mateo, it’s a crucial opportunity—he lost his scholarship chances when he came out and quit the wrestling team the year before.
Can the true meaning of martial arts heal the divisions in this town, or will fighting only make things worse? A rousing story of love versus hate, where hidden truths and life-altering decisions lay behind every corner, Pride and Persistence celebrates the indomitable spirit within us all—the fighter that refuses to stay down, no matter how many times one falls.
After a roller coaster of ups and downs last year, Aiden Rothe starts sophomore year on a high. After all, he’s dating the boy of his dreams. What else matters? But Aiden’s hopes for a drama-free school year are thrown aside when a new student captures everyone’s Michelle, an incredibly athletic, transgender black belt.
Fearing a repeat of last year’s bullying, Aiden’s karate club reaches out to Michelle, hoping to recruit her. To their surprise, she already has a team. Michelle is training with local police Captain Decker at his MMA studio, the epicenter of LGBTQ+ hatred in and around Washington High. Soon after, Decker and his notorious partner, Washington High Wrestling Coach Krake, announce a new tournament with a $25k college scholarship as the grand prize. For some, like Mateo, it’s a crucial opportunity—he lost his scholarship chances when he came out and quit the wrestling team the year before.
Can the true meaning of martial arts heal the divisions in this town, or will fighting only make things worse? A rousing story of love versus hate, where hidden truths and life-altering decisions lay behind every corner, Pride and Persistence celebrates the indomitable spirit within us all—the fighter that refuses to stay down, no matter how many times one falls.
- GenresLGBT
314 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2024
4 people are currently reading
2340 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 7, 2024
Fantastic! Love all of the characters and such a unique plot.
December 2, 2024
Pride and Persistence, The Empire Strikes Back. Same difference, just less lightsabers and a bit gayer. Action, distinct characters, love, and...heart break. The sequel that gives you an emotional rollercoaster.
Took me a long time to read this, partially because I have to constantly write things out page numbers and make annotations to prepare for a book discussion at work (Saturday, March 29th, 2025, 2:30-4:00 p.m. with the author ya'll!) I wanted to make sure I took my time with it. The book carries on with a lot of the previous characters and even introduces one big new character, Michelle, whom I think and hope we'll see a lot more of as the series goes on. If you've read any of Joe's books before, you'll know that one area he's great at is creating a distinct cast of characters. This gives that 80s film teen drama/action vibe which I love. If you liked elements of the first book, you'll certainly enjoy this one too as Joe does a good job at keeping the same tone. I will note however that I did find there to be an increase of humor at certain points in the book to the point that I wrote some of them down to discuss later. The book ends in a way that the reader has a basic understanding of the direction we can expect the next book to go which I appreciate. The author also did something I wasn't prepared for at the end that made me shocked which gives me the The Empire Strikes Back energy. I didn't know Joe had it in him but damn that ending got me. I have big questions about the series going forward but I'm grateful he didn't pull his punches with it. (Karate pun intended.)
As always, the best part of reading this is knowing it's being used to advocate for our local LGBTQ+ youth, bring community together, and get people to read. If you follow Joe on social media, you'll see he's a busy guy using it as a vessel to create discussions which why you should support local artists. That's the power of fiction!
Took me a long time to read this, partially because I have to constantly write things out page numbers and make annotations to prepare for a book discussion at work (Saturday, March 29th, 2025, 2:30-4:00 p.m. with the author ya'll!) I wanted to make sure I took my time with it. The book carries on with a lot of the previous characters and even introduces one big new character, Michelle, whom I think and hope we'll see a lot more of as the series goes on. If you've read any of Joe's books before, you'll know that one area he's great at is creating a distinct cast of characters. This gives that 80s film teen drama/action vibe which I love. If you liked elements of the first book, you'll certainly enjoy this one too as Joe does a good job at keeping the same tone. I will note however that I did find there to be an increase of humor at certain points in the book to the point that I wrote some of them down to discuss later. The book ends in a way that the reader has a basic understanding of the direction we can expect the next book to go which I appreciate. The author also did something I wasn't prepared for at the end that made me shocked which gives me the The Empire Strikes Back energy. I didn't know Joe had it in him but damn that ending got me. I have big questions about the series going forward but I'm grateful he didn't pull his punches with it. (Karate pun intended.)
As always, the best part of reading this is knowing it's being used to advocate for our local LGBTQ+ youth, bring community together, and get people to read. If you follow Joe on social media, you'll see he's a busy guy using it as a vessel to create discussions which why you should support local artists. That's the power of fiction!
December 31, 2024
I absolutely loved the first book in this series and felt very much understood in my own skin and life experience. The second book does not disappoint. Although it comes across almost “whiney” in the beginning, it all evens out and there are a lot of last second “WOAH” moments and and ending that will get you SOOOO deep in the feels. Great Read! Joe has done it again!
August 28, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book just as much as the first book! Young Aiden has come a long way, but him and his friends aren't done yet! In this 2nd book him and his friends are put through new challenges. A new friend arrives at school, and Aiden and his friends want to make sure she feels welcome. Only to find out their old bully is back and convinces their new friend that Aiden and his group are the bully's 😱 Aiden and his friend work to prove they are not and Aiden and Mateo are faced with many challenges with their relationship one being Mat's parents! As always, Aidens' mom is his and his friends biggest hero as she defends her son, his friends, and their rights! Definitely pick up this book. The author writes short chapters, but each chapter has the perfect amount of story in it! Take a chance and see if this book is for you as well!
August 27, 2024
Joseph Chianakas' new novel, Pride and Persistence, does not disappoint. After Singlets and Secrets, it seemed impossible to outdo his own success, but Chianakas has done it. With more action, drama, and, of course, love, this book will have you turning the pages, just aching to see what happens next. The story is down-to-earth, with dialogue so natural it feels like something you or a friend might say. The themes are handled with care and precision, clearly showing that the author poured his heart and soul into this work. Pride and Persistence is a must-read for everyone’s summer reading list!
September 4, 2024
A rollercoaster of emotions, heartache, tears, smiling, and cheering await you
After re-reading Singlets and Secrets, I had to continue with Pride and Persistence. Reading this was a journey. It brought me back to high school days of friendship, crushes, and the rush of first love. It made me want to strive to be the type of mother Susan is to Aiden. The growth of the characters, not just in body, but in mind is very apparent. I can't wait to see what the Author has in store for these characters!
After re-reading Singlets and Secrets, I had to continue with Pride and Persistence. Reading this was a journey. It brought me back to high school days of friendship, crushes, and the rush of first love. It made me want to strive to be the type of mother Susan is to Aiden. The growth of the characters, not just in body, but in mind is very apparent. I can't wait to see what the Author has in store for these characters!
August 17, 2025
Another five stars! That ending 😭. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
August 29, 2025
WOW!!!!
August 23, 2025
Totally depressing.
The marketing blurb here compares the book with Cobra Kai, so I will do the same. And there are lots of similarities there. Over the top, nidicolous fights with too much on the line are certainly a thing, cringe love "triangles" as well. But there is one thing where this books differs from Cobra Kai - the overall feel of it.
In Cobra Kai despite what I already mentioned this is handled in a quite upbeat note. There is always some lightness and humor there. This book lacks that, which is why overall it is a terribly depressing read. Everything feels hopeless pretty much throughout the book, nobody is allowed to be happy even for a second. The two main characters are supposedly in love but spend more time bickering with each other or getting attacked, than actually doing something and being happy.
I just cannot recommend this book to anyone. Unless you really want to feel depressed and hopeless. But even then, there are better books to do this - ones where the story is not nidicolous over the top mess. And not to even mention how repetitive everything feels. The first book was actually similar, but at least it didn't feel this depressing. There was some hope there and the ending was at least more upbeat. Here we didn't even get that.
The marketing blurb here compares the book with Cobra Kai, so I will do the same. And there are lots of similarities there. Over the top, nidicolous fights with too much on the line are certainly a thing, cringe love "triangles" as well. But there is one thing where this books differs from Cobra Kai - the overall feel of it.
In Cobra Kai despite what I already mentioned this is handled in a quite upbeat note. There is always some lightness and humor there. This book lacks that, which is why overall it is a terribly depressing read. Everything feels hopeless pretty much throughout the book, nobody is allowed to be happy even for a second. The two main characters are supposedly in love but spend more time bickering with each other or getting attacked, than actually doing something and being happy.
I just cannot recommend this book to anyone. Unless you really want to feel depressed and hopeless. But even then, there are better books to do this - ones where the story is not nidicolous over the top mess. And not to even mention how repetitive everything feels. The first book was actually similar, but at least it didn't feel this depressing. There was some hope there and the ending was at least more upbeat. Here we didn't even get that.
February 6, 2025
Wow. This book was so good. I am currently obsessed with this series right now and for good reason. It is so freaking good.
I didn't think it was possible for it to be better than the first book but it WAS.
While Aiden's journey is still in its infancy here, Joe Chianakas is playing a long game that is so satisfying. Aiden's journey is in the first book was about coming to his gay identity and the second book is him coming to grips with that.
It not only examines Aiden's journey but the journeys of other characters's sexual identity affirmations. The drama intensifies from there
I love how in the first book it is a very much a straight forward adaptation of the Karate Kid and this really takes in a positive direction. I feel it combines Karate Kid Part 3 aspects as well as some Cobra Kai. I really loved it.
The series is really taking off and cannot wait to read more of it.
I didn't think it was possible for it to be better than the first book but it WAS.
While Aiden's journey is still in its infancy here, Joe Chianakas is playing a long game that is so satisfying. Aiden's journey is in the first book was about coming to his gay identity and the second book is him coming to grips with that.
It not only examines Aiden's journey but the journeys of other characters's sexual identity affirmations. The drama intensifies from there
I love how in the first book it is a very much a straight forward adaptation of the Karate Kid and this really takes in a positive direction. I feel it combines Karate Kid Part 3 aspects as well as some Cobra Kai. I really loved it.
The series is really taking off and cannot wait to read more of it.
January 15, 2025
Such a great book. The story is filled with so many trials and tribulations. It really makes you root for the protagonists. I just love Joe’s writing style. I have recommended this to many, and I highly encourage this great LGBTQ series.
August 27, 2024
Joe has absolutely done it again! I love this series and can't get enough.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews