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Pride: A Novel
Ben Bennett treasures the cozy rhythm of his running his beloved bookstore, curling up with his sassy cat Ziggy, and putting up with his spirited sister Mal. He’s not exactly searching for love—despite the occasional swipe on Grindr—and he’s definitely not interested in anyone messing with his hard-won peace, even if he could use an extra set of hands around the shop. But everything changes the moment he crosses paths with Avery Fitzgerald, Mal’s new boyfriend's infuriatingly handsome, ridiculously wealthy friend. Avery’s a business developer with a knack for getting under Ben’s skin—and when he buys the building next door, Ben’s world starts to unravel in ways he never expected.
As much as Ben tries to resist, Avery keeps finding new ways to weave himself into Ben’s life, challenging everything he thought he knew about love, business, and himself. In this modern, queer twist on Pride and Prejudice, sparks fly and hearts collide in a story that’s as cozy as it is unpredictable—a perfect exploration of love in a world that doesn’t always make room for it.
As much as Ben tries to resist, Avery keeps finding new ways to weave himself into Ben’s life, challenging everything he thought he knew about love, business, and himself. In this modern, queer twist on Pride and Prejudice, sparks fly and hearts collide in a story that’s as cozy as it is unpredictable—a perfect exploration of love in a world that doesn’t always make room for it.
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Published April 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 1, 2024
First off, I think nobody should ever set someone up on a blind date with a pastor. 😂😂😂I feel like that's the sort of first date where you'd rather have this detail prior.
And so chatty, too!
'I hoped he would find a nice man who was either an incredibly good listener—or potentially hard of hearing.'💀💀💀
This is a really sweet romance featuring two 40-ish MCs. Ben, who's known he was gay since he was 12, and Avery, who's seemingly very straight.
And them two rub each other- the wrong way, almost from the instant they meet. Until things begin to shift.
We only get Ben's POV, so we have a lot about him spiraling over falling for YET another straight guy, and agonizing whether it's worth ruining the friendship to confess his doomed feelings.
Ben legitimately believing that if he told Avery about his feelings and got rejected, he'd die is very relatable to me.😂
Because what do you mean I've told someone about my feelings and they now continue to exist but also, other people know about them now?
The angst revolves around that but through it all is a man so in love that he's willing to walk away if it means keeping a friendship that's become so important to him, and another that's so in love he's willing to face his lifelong fears if it means getting a chance at happiness.
And when Avery was having imposter syndrome about feeling like he belongs at Pride....
"Just remember, we’ve slept together. It doesn’t get gayer than that."
💀
Well....
Overall a sweet, mild enemies to lovers (much in the same way as Elizabeth and Darcy in that nobody can figure out what on earth they have against each other —including them) with low angst.
And I loved how the title could be interpreted in many contexts, given the story.
I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And so chatty, too!
'I hoped he would find a nice man who was either an incredibly good listener—or potentially hard of hearing.'💀💀💀
This is a really sweet romance featuring two 40-ish MCs. Ben, who's known he was gay since he was 12, and Avery, who's seemingly very straight.
And them two rub each other- the wrong way, almost from the instant they meet. Until things begin to shift.
We only get Ben's POV, so we have a lot about him spiraling over falling for YET another straight guy, and agonizing whether it's worth ruining the friendship to confess his doomed feelings.
Ben legitimately believing that if he told Avery about his feelings and got rejected, he'd die is very relatable to me.😂
Because what do you mean I've told someone about my feelings and they now continue to exist but also, other people know about them now?
The angst revolves around that but through it all is a man so in love that he's willing to walk away if it means keeping a friendship that's become so important to him, and another that's so in love he's willing to face his lifelong fears if it means getting a chance at happiness.
And when Avery was having imposter syndrome about feeling like he belongs at Pride....
"Just remember, we’ve slept together. It doesn’t get gayer than that."
💀
Well....
Overall a sweet, mild enemies to lovers (much in the same way as Elizabeth and Darcy in that nobody can figure out what on earth they have against each other —including them) with low angst.
And I loved how the title could be interpreted in many contexts, given the story.
I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2025
Ah, no, sorry.
A romance one of whose MCs, Avery, is the billionaire scion of an oil company (and no, he isn't conflicted about it) has dug itself a deep hole to begin with. Someone oblivious to the evils of the fossil fuel industry could let it pass, I guess, but a writer would have to do some fancy footwork to make me sympathize with the guy. Oh yeah, he's also a developer. Oil production and real estate development are not morally neutral activities.
We are treated to rich people showing off their money: "Oh, Mal, I forgot, I was going to show you the Degas," says Avery's best buddy, Beck. This is the kind of thing that brings out a reader's inner Robespierre, if you know what I'm saying.
I tried, therefore, to assess "Pride" on a purely technical level, and unfortunately it fails.
- Characterization. There's the showing-off-money thing, but also this: Early on, we learn that Avery's favorite book is Italo Calvino's "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler," which okay, not bad, not bad, though it might be nice if he had something to say about it besides naming it, but anyway ... later the other MC, Ben, "wanted to ask Avery how he would even know what was good or bad writing." Which. Calvino's pretty good? A taste for Calvino might suggest that a person reads around sort of widely? And we can argue all day about "good taste" and gatekeeping and so on but we can probably agree that a person who reads a lot is liable to have some thought-through opinions? It's a detail, sure, but it's one among many; it just happens to be the one that brought me up shortest.
- Exposition. It's clunky.
- General credibility. Ben's bookstore is apparently in danger of failing -- a point is made of how few customers he gets -- but somehow he can afford to fly off on a posh ski weekend with Avery and some other richies. Dude's credit cards must be maxed.
Also: Ben's sister dates Beck for months and months and yet somehow they still haven't decided whether they're seeing each other. Nobody seems to find this odd.
- Dialogue. Within a few paragraphs: " 'There must be some mistake,' Nathan gushed ... Nathan suggested ... Nathan added quickly ... I conceded ... Nathan mumbled." That is to say, the verb "said" puts in many fewer appearances than it should.
Throw in a little gender stereotyping:
Aaaaaaaaaaaand toss that with a little subtle, or not so subtle, fatphobia. I won't quote the whole passage, but the tl;dr is that Ben's sister is looking good, and we immediately learn that she's lost weight since her divorce. But it's "healthy," so that's okay.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rattling Good Yarns Press for the ARC.
A romance one of whose MCs, Avery, is the billionaire scion of an oil company (and no, he isn't conflicted about it) has dug itself a deep hole to begin with. Someone oblivious to the evils of the fossil fuel industry could let it pass, I guess, but a writer would have to do some fancy footwork to make me sympathize with the guy. Oh yeah, he's also a developer. Oil production and real estate development are not morally neutral activities.
We are treated to rich people showing off their money: "Oh, Mal, I forgot, I was going to show you the Degas," says Avery's best buddy, Beck. This is the kind of thing that brings out a reader's inner Robespierre, if you know what I'm saying.
I tried, therefore, to assess "Pride" on a purely technical level, and unfortunately it fails.
- Characterization. There's the showing-off-money thing, but also this: Early on, we learn that Avery's favorite book is Italo Calvino's "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler," which okay, not bad, not bad, though it might be nice if he had something to say about it besides naming it, but anyway ... later the other MC, Ben, "wanted to ask Avery how he would even know what was good or bad writing." Which. Calvino's pretty good? A taste for Calvino might suggest that a person reads around sort of widely? And we can argue all day about "good taste" and gatekeeping and so on but we can probably agree that a person who reads a lot is liable to have some thought-through opinions? It's a detail, sure, but it's one among many; it just happens to be the one that brought me up shortest.
- Exposition. It's clunky.
- General credibility. Ben's bookstore is apparently in danger of failing -- a point is made of how few customers he gets -- but somehow he can afford to fly off on a posh ski weekend with Avery and some other richies. Dude's credit cards must be maxed.
Also: Ben's sister dates Beck for months and months and yet somehow they still haven't decided whether they're seeing each other. Nobody seems to find this odd.
- Dialogue. Within a few paragraphs: " 'There must be some mistake,' Nathan gushed ... Nathan suggested ... Nathan added quickly ... I conceded ... Nathan mumbled." That is to say, the verb "said" puts in many fewer appearances than it should.
Throw in a little gender stereotyping:
“Where are the girls?” Avery asked, leaning back in his seat."Boy stuff" turns out to be ax throwing. I can't even.
“Spa day. So we’re going to go do boy stuff.”
Avery laughed. “What is boy stuff?”
Aaaaaaaaaaaand toss that with a little subtle, or not so subtle, fatphobia. I won't quote the whole passage, but the tl;dr is that Ben's sister is looking good, and we immediately learn that she's lost weight since her divorce. But it's "healthy," so that's okay.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rattling Good Yarns Press for the ARC.
October 5, 2024
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
“You don’t know if you’re making the right decision unless you have all the information in front of you.”
Apart from the namesake, soon-to-be-forty Benjamin Bennett did not share many similarities with his counterpart. It was not so much a retelling of Jane Austen's beloved novel, as much as a mix and mash up of Ryan and Hank's beloved take of the classical romance, as well. But, what I can tell you that it was very much about taking Pride in yourself, and to be happy in accepting what it is you want and who you know yourself to be. 🥺 To celebrate & be proud of whatever letter you represent and not to take any hassle or hate from anyone who is too much of a simpleton or a prejudiced bigot to not treat someone with the respect that everyone is entitled to. 🌈
“I wanted to tell Avery that this could be our life—safe together, protecting one another from the outside world. Us against everyone else.”
This was a fun read; yes, it is not quite original or anything, but the characters were a likeable sort that I was able to get into it & enjoyed watching the romance between Ben and Avery unfold. I was pleasantly surprised that it did not start off with the enemies to lovers vibe, more one that slowly dug its heels into their lives as their relationship deepened into something more. For it is that notion, in which Ben did not quite mind striking up a friendship with the slightly older, devilishly handsome salt-and-pepper Avery Fitzgerald, longtime best friend to his older sister's intended beau, Ben and Avery's friendship developed nicely and a smooth and steady pace. 🥰 There was a softness to their interactions that I liked, and how Avery patiently listened to Ben - earnest and deep with his affection for him. Despite how it somehow felt that Ben spent most of his time reasoning his being gay, while also sharing his own experiences of the difficulty in being able to express himself as openly as he would like to, simply because of how people would react or judge him. 😢
“You have no idea how much I want this.”
When that fierce ache did stir up, the tension and the desire was tangible. There was an intensity to their chemistry that was both rewarding and heartwarming and pleasant to watch unfold. Avery's adamant trust in Ben's potential - never knacking him, even when Ben's inner demons made him feel so inferior - so weak - '—boys don’t cry, don’t be a sissy, don’t be so weak, don’t do this, don’t do that. Just. Don’t. Be. Gay.' 😟 It was hard to get an exact hold on what Avery's deal was, considering how closed-off he was about his personal life - you were never quite certain what he wanted from his friendship with Ben.
And yet, I never did not feel that he cared for Ben, just never quite apparent of what reason he could have for not really being with him. And I did feel for Ben and the restrain he had to hold on numerous occasions to prevent his real feelings from surfacing. 😟 It was heartbreaking, too, especially when his mind and heart was in constant turmoil that he simply cannot crush on a friend that is straight, for he would lose a friendship that he loves and holds very dear. Willing to protect it rather than risk losing it for the sake of his own happiness.
“I remembered that feeling—the first time I was able to be myself so naked in front of someone else in the way that I had always wanted to.”
The conflict, however - came out of left-field - simply as a reason for it would lead to a fall-out between the two. So much so that I was blindsided by it. Not a build-up, not a word, not even a glimpse into the potential of it becoming a problem; that particular aspect needed better development. I haven't read P&P in awhile, so maybe there is some relation to the abrupt appearance of it, but for me, it literally threw me for a loop - in not the best way. 🙅🏻♀️ I had been wondering what was the significance and relevance of Benjamin's occupation, but I never quite expected it in that light. I also felt the resolution was a bit too forgiving and lenient - for my part - and the groveling could have been written in a slightly more convincing manner - but, I think I'm just rather petty that way. 😅
“I would allow space in my life for one person, and when that person showed any kind of interest in me, would cling to them like a life raft.”
The writing had a friendly cadence to it - a levity that made it easy to read - if that makes sense. 😊 It translated in the way that each of the characters were a likeable sort, although I do have certain choice words for Ben's mother, and it was easy to see that while they did not bear complete similarities to their respective counterparts, there were distinctive differences that made me glad that they were not. Ben and Mal had a strong sibling dynamic and it was nice to see their concern for each other felt genuine and sincere. 🫂
However, when the scenes consisted of a slightly larger gathering, I had trouble following the dialogue. It's easier to avoid who is speaking when there are only two parties involved, but when it was more than two, I think it was unwise not to have it spelled out who was speaking and when. I get that it was meant to depict how conversation is overlapping amongst the guests, but I was not a fan of this particular format. 🙂↔️ 🙂↔️
“It still usually surprised me, though, that people felt like they could so casually make hateful comments about gay people without any second thoughts about how absolutely shitty it was to do so.”
There was one particular scene that stood out for me when a closed-off simpleton was very judgmental and harsh towards Ben - 'Everyone has to be woke now. I’m sick of this woke shit. I can’t keep track of LBGTLMNOP'. I was offended and hurt and rather upset. 😥 How Avery and Ben both reacted differently to this rash treatment was a thought-provoking one that even forced me to look at myself and assess my own stance and views. It was powerful, in a quiet way; that it evoked an understanding within myself to be more respectful and not be afraid into silence. 😔🏳️🌈
The message the story essentially captures is the importance to love yourself and believe in your heart that you are not alone. That as much as you are afraid to be yourself, there is someone who sees you as someone worth fighting for - worth living for - worth caring for. For all of Ben's self-deprecating thoughts about himself and the whiplash of a sudden twist, it was rewarding to see him get the happily ever after that he most rightfully deserved. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“You don’t know if you’re making the right decision unless you have all the information in front of you.”
Apart from the namesake, soon-to-be-forty Benjamin Bennett did not share many similarities with his counterpart. It was not so much a retelling of Jane Austen's beloved novel, as much as a mix and mash up of Ryan and Hank's beloved take of the classical romance, as well. But, what I can tell you that it was very much about taking Pride in yourself, and to be happy in accepting what it is you want and who you know yourself to be. 🥺 To celebrate & be proud of whatever letter you represent and not to take any hassle or hate from anyone who is too much of a simpleton or a prejudiced bigot to not treat someone with the respect that everyone is entitled to. 🌈
“I wanted to tell Avery that this could be our life—safe together, protecting one another from the outside world. Us against everyone else.”
This was a fun read; yes, it is not quite original or anything, but the characters were a likeable sort that I was able to get into it & enjoyed watching the romance between Ben and Avery unfold. I was pleasantly surprised that it did not start off with the enemies to lovers vibe, more one that slowly dug its heels into their lives as their relationship deepened into something more. For it is that notion, in which Ben did not quite mind striking up a friendship with the slightly older, devilishly handsome salt-and-pepper Avery Fitzgerald, longtime best friend to his older sister's intended beau, Ben and Avery's friendship developed nicely and a smooth and steady pace. 🥰 There was a softness to their interactions that I liked, and how Avery patiently listened to Ben - earnest and deep with his affection for him. Despite how it somehow felt that Ben spent most of his time reasoning his being gay, while also sharing his own experiences of the difficulty in being able to express himself as openly as he would like to, simply because of how people would react or judge him. 😢
“You have no idea how much I want this.”
When that fierce ache did stir up, the tension and the desire was tangible. There was an intensity to their chemistry that was both rewarding and heartwarming and pleasant to watch unfold. Avery's adamant trust in Ben's potential - never knacking him, even when Ben's inner demons made him feel so inferior - so weak - '—boys don’t cry, don’t be a sissy, don’t be so weak, don’t do this, don’t do that. Just. Don’t. Be. Gay.' 😟 It was hard to get an exact hold on what Avery's deal was, considering how closed-off he was about his personal life - you were never quite certain what he wanted from his friendship with Ben.
And yet, I never did not feel that he cared for Ben, just never quite apparent of what reason he could have for not really being with him. And I did feel for Ben and the restrain he had to hold on numerous occasions to prevent his real feelings from surfacing. 😟 It was heartbreaking, too, especially when his mind and heart was in constant turmoil that he simply cannot crush on a friend that is straight, for he would lose a friendship that he loves and holds very dear. Willing to protect it rather than risk losing it for the sake of his own happiness.
“I remembered that feeling—the first time I was able to be myself so naked in front of someone else in the way that I had always wanted to.”
The conflict, however - came out of left-field - simply as a reason for it would lead to a fall-out between the two. So much so that I was blindsided by it. Not a build-up, not a word, not even a glimpse into the potential of it becoming a problem; that particular aspect needed better development. I haven't read P&P in awhile, so maybe there is some relation to the abrupt appearance of it, but for me, it literally threw me for a loop - in not the best way. 🙅🏻♀️ I had been wondering what was the significance and relevance of Benjamin's occupation, but I never quite expected it in that light. I also felt the resolution was a bit too forgiving and lenient - for my part - and the groveling could have been written in a slightly more convincing manner - but, I think I'm just rather petty that way. 😅
“I would allow space in my life for one person, and when that person showed any kind of interest in me, would cling to them like a life raft.”
The writing had a friendly cadence to it - a levity that made it easy to read - if that makes sense. 😊 It translated in the way that each of the characters were a likeable sort, although I do have certain choice words for Ben's mother, and it was easy to see that while they did not bear complete similarities to their respective counterparts, there were distinctive differences that made me glad that they were not. Ben and Mal had a strong sibling dynamic and it was nice to see their concern for each other felt genuine and sincere. 🫂
However, when the scenes consisted of a slightly larger gathering, I had trouble following the dialogue. It's easier to avoid who is speaking when there are only two parties involved, but when it was more than two, I think it was unwise not to have it spelled out who was speaking and when. I get that it was meant to depict how conversation is overlapping amongst the guests, but I was not a fan of this particular format. 🙂↔️ 🙂↔️
“It still usually surprised me, though, that people felt like they could so casually make hateful comments about gay people without any second thoughts about how absolutely shitty it was to do so.”
There was one particular scene that stood out for me when a closed-off simpleton was very judgmental and harsh towards Ben - 'Everyone has to be woke now. I’m sick of this woke shit. I can’t keep track of LBGTLMNOP'. I was offended and hurt and rather upset. 😥 How Avery and Ben both reacted differently to this rash treatment was a thought-provoking one that even forced me to look at myself and assess my own stance and views. It was powerful, in a quiet way; that it evoked an understanding within myself to be more respectful and not be afraid into silence. 😔🏳️🌈
The message the story essentially captures is the importance to love yourself and believe in your heart that you are not alone. That as much as you are afraid to be yourself, there is someone who sees you as someone worth fighting for - worth living for - worth caring for. For all of Ben's self-deprecating thoughts about himself and the whiplash of a sudden twist, it was rewarding to see him get the happily ever after that he most rightfully deserved. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2024
When I saw the name of the book, I just knew I had to read it. Pride drew me in immediately and I finished it in two days wishing it was longer.
Ben was such a down-to-Earth character. It felt like he made peace with his surroundings, at least from the outside. Like the fact that his mom will always find a way to remark about him being gay (like it's something he can change / decide on) or that eveyone around him simply must comment on his bookstore. Avery, on the other hand, had this smart, mysterious, rich vibe and felt like the opposite of Ben. Two men, two different worlds, but somehow their friendship bloomed.
The dialogues were amazing. It's been a while since I read such funny conversations in a book and the couple's banter felt natural, overall showed their relationship and its growth. I would say it's a very slow burn. Even though the men spent a lot of time together, only time from time there were small hints of their friendship slowly growing into romantic relationship territory. And with Avery being an extremely closed person, it was hard to say, how he saw Ben.
I did have an issue with the amount of drinking in this book. It was like Ben and Avery's meetings always had to include a drink, which, I get it, maybe made both men a bit braver, but started to bother me as soon as I realised how many times the drinks were mentioned. And I was a little disappointed when fade-to-black happened: the build-up was great & then no reward.
Overall, the story was very interesting, I didn't see any of the big reveals coming, I was simply enjoying a gread read. My absolute favourite part was the end: oh how beautifully the meaning of the novel's name got revealed!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Ben was such a down-to-Earth character. It felt like he made peace with his surroundings, at least from the outside. Like the fact that his mom will always find a way to remark about him being gay (like it's something he can change / decide on) or that eveyone around him simply must comment on his bookstore. Avery, on the other hand, had this smart, mysterious, rich vibe and felt like the opposite of Ben. Two men, two different worlds, but somehow their friendship bloomed.
The dialogues were amazing. It's been a while since I read such funny conversations in a book and the couple's banter felt natural, overall showed their relationship and its growth. I would say it's a very slow burn. Even though the men spent a lot of time together, only time from time there were small hints of their friendship slowly growing into romantic relationship territory. And with Avery being an extremely closed person, it was hard to say, how he saw Ben.
I did have an issue with the amount of drinking in this book. It was like Ben and Avery's meetings always had to include a drink, which, I get it, maybe made both men a bit braver, but started to bother me as soon as I realised how many times the drinks were mentioned. And I was a little disappointed when fade-to-black happened: the build-up was great & then no reward.
Overall, the story was very interesting, I didn't see any of the big reveals coming, I was simply enjoying a gread read. My absolute favourite part was the end: oh how beautifully the meaning of the novel's name got revealed!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 27, 2025
The only thing that remotely connected this to Pride and Prejudice was the fact that one of the characters had the last name Bennett. In every sense possible, this is a very, very loose retelling.
The writing was clunky, the dialogue and dialogue tags were extremely repetitive and the characters were not distinct enough for me to consider them significant to the story.
I enjoyed reading about Bennett. He was a great character example for the repressed gay that bloomed in college and now wants to live freely. His fears, insecurities and his panic attacks were so palpable and I loved that. Avery however struck no chords in my heart nor in my memory. I struggled to understand his motivations or his affections for Ben...
Another thing that came out of left field was the third act conflict. It had zero build up and only seemed to be placed there so that there would be something connecting Avery to Ben's biggest interest and livelihood. I was not rocking with it. Surprisingly enough I liked the resolution, it gave Avery a few points in my book.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
The writing was clunky, the dialogue and dialogue tags were extremely repetitive and the characters were not distinct enough for me to consider them significant to the story.
I enjoyed reading about Bennett. He was a great character example for the repressed gay that bloomed in college and now wants to live freely. His fears, insecurities and his panic attacks were so palpable and I loved that. Avery however struck no chords in my heart nor in my memory. I struggled to understand his motivations or his affections for Ben...
Another thing that came out of left field was the third act conflict. It had zero build up and only seemed to be placed there so that there would be something connecting Avery to Ben's biggest interest and livelihood. I was not rocking with it. Surprisingly enough I liked the resolution, it gave Avery a few points in my book.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
January 24, 2025
DIDN'T WOW ME
I usually love a P&P retelling, but I feel like this was just marketed all wrong. If I hadn't expected P&P, maybe I would have appreciated it more?
Thumbs down
👎This was P&P only in the loosest of loosest sense. If it hadn't been marketed at such, I don't necessarily think my mind would have made the connection on its own. I think it was a mistake to market it as a retelling, because it simply wasn't.
👎The characters were not real enough for me, I just couldn't connect with them at all.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I usually love a P&P retelling, but I feel like this was just marketed all wrong. If I hadn't expected P&P, maybe I would have appreciated it more?
Thumbs down
👎This was P&P only in the loosest of loosest sense. If it hadn't been marketed at such, I don't necessarily think my mind would have made the connection on its own. I think it was a mistake to market it as a retelling, because it simply wasn't.
👎The characters were not real enough for me, I just couldn't connect with them at all.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
November 18, 2024
Not the P&P retelling I was wanting, but a queer romance with a charming and wholesome story about being comfortable with who you are and finding someone who accepts all of you. It was sweet and cute. As a P&P retelling, I was not really into it. Honestly, at the beginning of this read, I was constantly trying to find the thread, trying to find the beloved characters and interactions you expect from P&P. Once I realized I was not going to find what I was looking for and that it was hurting my experience of the book, I let it go. I took that aspect out of the narrative and enjoyed it so much more. So, don't go into this expecting a P&P retelling. Go in looking for an utterly charming queer romance about two men finding themselves and each other.
December 10, 2024
Great read,
Nice to see how they bonded slowly and then hit it off.
I also enjoyed the fact that there 2 romances in the book
Nice to see how they bonded slowly and then hit it off.
I also enjoyed the fact that there 2 romances in the book
October 3, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Pride by @samryanreally
(Releasing February 4th 2025) (add it to your TBR for later. Or preorder now on Amazon).
I finished this novel today and I couldn’t wait to share it.
Pride is one of the best mm romances I’ve read. It’s a modern take on Pride and Prejudice. With Samantha own twist.
Without giving too much away.
I really adored this book from beginning to end. The characters, the setting, the friendship, which was my favourite part. The emotions. I felt everything.
It completely sucked me in.
Reading a man fall in love with someone without him taking the step that would ruin their friendship was something else. It’s was the most refreshing read.
A little about the book -
Ben owns a book shop and one day he tags along to his sister work mixer and meets Avery who tags along with his friend to the mixer. Avery is a single, rich, beautiful man. He spend a lot of time travelling for work.
They meet each other and over time Avery keeps popping up. He buys the building next door to Ben’s books shop. Avery constantly finds ways to be in Bens life. They become very close friends over a period of time. And Ben develops feelings but doesn’t understand what is going on with his friend.
If I say anymore I’ll spoil it.
I have to mention that this book doesn’t have any smut. The story stands all on it own. It a beautiful romance story. One that I won’t ever forget.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
What an amazing debut novel.
Pride by @samryanreally
(Releasing February 4th 2025) (add it to your TBR for later. Or preorder now on Amazon).
I finished this novel today and I couldn’t wait to share it.
Pride is one of the best mm romances I’ve read. It’s a modern take on Pride and Prejudice. With Samantha own twist.
Without giving too much away.
I really adored this book from beginning to end. The characters, the setting, the friendship, which was my favourite part. The emotions. I felt everything.
It completely sucked me in.
Reading a man fall in love with someone without him taking the step that would ruin their friendship was something else. It’s was the most refreshing read.
A little about the book -
Ben owns a book shop and one day he tags along to his sister work mixer and meets Avery who tags along with his friend to the mixer. Avery is a single, rich, beautiful man. He spend a lot of time travelling for work.
They meet each other and over time Avery keeps popping up. He buys the building next door to Ben’s books shop. Avery constantly finds ways to be in Bens life. They become very close friends over a period of time. And Ben develops feelings but doesn’t understand what is going on with his friend.
If I say anymore I’ll spoil it.
I have to mention that this book doesn’t have any smut. The story stands all on it own. It a beautiful romance story. One that I won’t ever forget.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
What an amazing debut novel.
October 3, 2024
*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶.5
An MM retelling of Pride and Prejudice, this story is absolutely amazing. It's such a slow burn (which usually drives me crazy) and I could actually feel the tension and the anxiousness of Ben and Avery's relationship throughout the book which really makes it work. With themes of self-discovery, overcoming homophobia, found family, and self-acceptance, Pride is a book that hits all of the heartstrings. Stories like these are important and I feel privileged that I got to read this.
I have never read Pride and Prejudice, but I did read a plot summary to see how closely the story followed. I think the general plot follows fairly closely, but it is not an exact retelling, plot point by plot point. I have read some other early reviews saying it wasn't close to P&P but honestly, I think it is more creative and showcases better story-telling to use the original as a basis, but not a carbon copy.
I really enjoyed this book - probably one of my top reads of the year. I would have never guessed this is Samantha Ryan's debut - I sincerely hope she writes more just like this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶.5
An MM retelling of Pride and Prejudice, this story is absolutely amazing. It's such a slow burn (which usually drives me crazy) and I could actually feel the tension and the anxiousness of Ben and Avery's relationship throughout the book which really makes it work. With themes of self-discovery, overcoming homophobia, found family, and self-acceptance, Pride is a book that hits all of the heartstrings. Stories like these are important and I feel privileged that I got to read this.
I have never read Pride and Prejudice, but I did read a plot summary to see how closely the story followed. I think the general plot follows fairly closely, but it is not an exact retelling, plot point by plot point. I have read some other early reviews saying it wasn't close to P&P but honestly, I think it is more creative and showcases better story-telling to use the original as a basis, but not a carbon copy.
I really enjoyed this book - probably one of my top reads of the year. I would have never guessed this is Samantha Ryan's debut - I sincerely hope she writes more just like this.
September 30, 2024
What a gem of a read this was. ‘Pride’ is one of those books you pick up and finish in one go. It’s fast-paced, well-structured and written in a way that’s easy to follow. The romcom vibes are strong in this one, and I’m not mad about it one bit. From the start, it reminded me of the golden age of romantic comedies, like ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Pride & Prejudice’. It’s a cozy read, which I enjoyed curled up with a good cup of tea and a nice warm blanket.
It's got everything I love about a good story – a cute pet, witty banter, a cozy bookshop and an incredible support system in the form of a found family. If there’s one thing that makes this book even more fun, it’s the easy way that Ben interacts with the people around him, and how you can tell that those are his people. He’s found himself, and he’s comfortable with the life he leads. I could’ve done with more Ziggy. Not a bad idea to make him the bookstore cat 😉
‘Pride’ is a mix of light and dark academia, swoon worthy romance and two strong male MC’s. It’s loaded with (subtle) queer representation and an enjoyable main character in Ben. The twist at the end is incredibly cute and makes it even more charming. How incredible life would be if we could all find the person that made us brave enough to be our true selves.
I can’t wait to see (and read) what Sam does next!
It's got everything I love about a good story – a cute pet, witty banter, a cozy bookshop and an incredible support system in the form of a found family. If there’s one thing that makes this book even more fun, it’s the easy way that Ben interacts with the people around him, and how you can tell that those are his people. He’s found himself, and he’s comfortable with the life he leads. I could’ve done with more Ziggy. Not a bad idea to make him the bookstore cat 😉
‘Pride’ is a mix of light and dark academia, swoon worthy romance and two strong male MC’s. It’s loaded with (subtle) queer representation and an enjoyable main character in Ben. The twist at the end is incredibly cute and makes it even more charming. How incredible life would be if we could all find the person that made us brave enough to be our true selves.
I can’t wait to see (and read) what Sam does next!
October 15, 2024
3+ stars ✨
This was cute!
The formatting threw me off quite a bit, which I think is just an ARC thing, but with so much texting I wish there’d been a clear difference between that and the rest of the writing. Sometimes this made it hard to follow who was speaking or writing, which was a shame.
All in all, this was a fun, quick read. It wasn’t particularly heavy on the Pride & Prejudice elements, though I didn’t go in wishing for that particularly. The writing was a little clunky at times - not bad, necessarily, it just seemed a little inexperienced (not sure if that’s actually the case, though).
This story relies quite a lot on miscommunication and just-not-communicating, which I both most ardently dislike. Particularly with regard to the (internalized) homophobia, I think it’s a shame we never got any kind of confrontation (or discussion at least) due to Ben’s conflict avoidance/lack of assertiveness. I think this also halted the relationship development, since Ben spent a lot of time assuming Avery’s thoughts and feelings, rather than asking him and starting a conversation. Oh well…
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
This was cute!
The formatting threw me off quite a bit, which I think is just an ARC thing, but with so much texting I wish there’d been a clear difference between that and the rest of the writing. Sometimes this made it hard to follow who was speaking or writing, which was a shame.
All in all, this was a fun, quick read. It wasn’t particularly heavy on the Pride & Prejudice elements, though I didn’t go in wishing for that particularly. The writing was a little clunky at times - not bad, necessarily, it just seemed a little inexperienced (not sure if that’s actually the case, though).
This story relies quite a lot on miscommunication and just-not-communicating, which I both most ardently dislike. Particularly with regard to the (internalized) homophobia, I think it’s a shame we never got any kind of confrontation (or discussion at least) due to Ben’s conflict avoidance/lack of assertiveness. I think this also halted the relationship development, since Ben spent a lot of time assuming Avery’s thoughts and feelings, rather than asking him and starting a conversation. Oh well…
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
January 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, I loved how Avery and Ben's random first meeting created a friendship that developed as they learnt more about each other and spent time together.
It held no real surprises, and whilst it's billed as a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I just enjoyed it for what it was; a sweet romantic story that made me laugh and made me happy.
Oh, and thank you, NetGallery, for my free copy 👍
It held no real surprises, and whilst it's billed as a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I just enjoyed it for what it was; a sweet romantic story that made me laugh and made me happy.
Oh, and thank you, NetGallery, for my free copy 👍
February 2, 2025
This was advertised as a P&P retelling, but that would be true only in the vaguest of senses. Yes, Ben's last name is Bennett, and yes, the love interest is a single man in possession of a good fortune, but that's just about where the similarities end.
Thankfully, I didn't go into this book expecting a lot of similarities to one of my favorite books, so no harm done. What the story within does represent is its title to the extent that Ben eventually gets to a point where he's happy with who he is, and what he wants out of life, instead of feeling the need to meet some weird societal expectations, and stand up for himself against bigotry and small-minded fools.
The story is told entirely in Ben's POV, and there certainly were some humorous moments that I quite enjoyed. For quite some time, Ben believes Avery to be straight and tries very hard to keep the relationship platonic, without catching feelings. Even when Avery behaves in a way that should make anyone question his straightness, Ben still doesn't quite believe it.
This reader was able to get the sense that Avery cares very much for Ben, even if Ben as the unreliable narrator cannot see it as obviously, so it takes him some time to realize that his feelings and attraction are returned. I'm not saying that Avery is easy to read, and he plays his cards very close to his chest, but the little things he said and did add up for me. Feelings and intimacy do happen, eventually Avery does come clean about the parts he's been hiding from Ben, and they lived happily ever after.
The conflict was surprising to me, since there was little build-up to it; that whole situation came somewhat out of left field. Also, at around 75% or so I started to suspect what Avery was hiding, and it was nice to see that suspicion confirmed.
In some aspects, Ben read younger than he's purported to be, and that sometimes made me question whether his judgment was as sound as he thought it was. I enjoyed his interactions with his older sister Mal, and I enjoyed most of the dialogue.
This is a debut novel, and while this particular book didn't get beyond 3 stars for me, I'd be very interested in what this author has to offer next.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
Thankfully, I didn't go into this book expecting a lot of similarities to one of my favorite books, so no harm done. What the story within does represent is its title to the extent that Ben eventually gets to a point where he's happy with who he is, and what he wants out of life, instead of feeling the need to meet some weird societal expectations, and stand up for himself against bigotry and small-minded fools.
The story is told entirely in Ben's POV, and there certainly were some humorous moments that I quite enjoyed. For quite some time, Ben believes Avery to be straight and tries very hard to keep the relationship platonic, without catching feelings. Even when Avery behaves in a way that should make anyone question his straightness, Ben still doesn't quite believe it.
This reader was able to get the sense that Avery cares very much for Ben, even if Ben as the unreliable narrator cannot see it as obviously, so it takes him some time to realize that his feelings and attraction are returned. I'm not saying that Avery is easy to read, and he plays his cards very close to his chest, but the little things he said and did add up for me. Feelings and intimacy do happen, eventually Avery does come clean about the parts he's been hiding from Ben, and they lived happily ever after.
The conflict was surprising to me, since there was little build-up to it; that whole situation came somewhat out of left field. Also, at around 75% or so I started to suspect what Avery was hiding, and it was nice to see that suspicion confirmed.
In some aspects, Ben read younger than he's purported to be, and that sometimes made me question whether his judgment was as sound as he thought it was. I enjoyed his interactions with his older sister Mal, and I enjoyed most of the dialogue.
This is a debut novel, and while this particular book didn't get beyond 3 stars for me, I'd be very interested in what this author has to offer next.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
October 14, 2024
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
I was blown away by this debut novel! I could hardly believe it was a first-time effort after finishing—it was so well-crafted!
Now, onto my review:
Imagine *Pride and Prejudice* meets *Notting Hill* meets *Bridget Jones's Diary*, but set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, please!✨
So yeah, I totally fell for this one. As a lover of all those kitschy ’90s romance movies, this book felt like the literary equivalent! The romance between Avery and Ben was beautifully slow-burn—an entire year of getting to know each other without even a peck on the cheek. Talk about tension! The build-up between them as they transitioned from friends to something more was so intense that I found myself grinning like a fool. (And Ziggy, Ben’s cat, made the waiting game much more bearable 🐱.)
Ben’s dry humor was *so* relatable—I couldn’t help but adore him. Avery, on the other hand, is harder to pin down, but he and Ben were a perfect match. And then there’s this hilarious moment:
"Hair is new? Did I really just say his hair was new, like it was a cheap wig he had purchased as an Amazon impulse buy while drunk one night? I kicked myself mentally."
That being said, there were two aspects that I didn’t enjoy:
1. Ben’s reaction to Avery’s "coming out"- I thought it was incredibly romantic for Avery to surprise him by dedicating a book to the love of his life, bringing all the attention to Ben’s bookstore. While I understand Ben felt blindsided by Avery’s secret identity, his reaction was a bit over the top. Sulking and storming off as if Avery had betrayed him felt childish, especially when Avery had valid reasons for keeping his other persona under wraps.
2. Ben’s mother—What a narcissistic, homophobic, miserable hag. I wish her the worst in the world 🥰
3. I would’ve enjoyed to see more of Tulsa on paper. They did mention the city some time but it would’ve been nice too see WHY and some connection beside stating that Ben loves it there.
Lastly, the slow burn. It REALLY tested my patience! By the time I got to the end, I was so desperate for them to finally kiss that I ended up devouring the entire book in one night. Waiting any longer wasn’t an option—I’m not a seasoned smut reader for nothing!
(And can we talk about this gem of a line?)
"Was he taking pain pills before our session? I tried, with as much effort as I could manage, to not internalize the idea that my therapist needed extra pain relief before I showed up."
The humor was on point throughout the story, which made the slow burn worth the wait.🤭
This was an amazing book, and I’ll definitely be grabbing a physical copy just so I can highlight all of Ben’s witty remarks and puns. 😩
4.5 ⭐️
I was blown away by this debut novel! I could hardly believe it was a first-time effort after finishing—it was so well-crafted!
Now, onto my review:
Imagine *Pride and Prejudice* meets *Notting Hill* meets *Bridget Jones's Diary*, but set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, please!✨
So yeah, I totally fell for this one. As a lover of all those kitschy ’90s romance movies, this book felt like the literary equivalent! The romance between Avery and Ben was beautifully slow-burn—an entire year of getting to know each other without even a peck on the cheek. Talk about tension! The build-up between them as they transitioned from friends to something more was so intense that I found myself grinning like a fool. (And Ziggy, Ben’s cat, made the waiting game much more bearable 🐱.)
Ben’s dry humor was *so* relatable—I couldn’t help but adore him. Avery, on the other hand, is harder to pin down, but he and Ben were a perfect match. And then there’s this hilarious moment:
"Hair is new? Did I really just say his hair was new, like it was a cheap wig he had purchased as an Amazon impulse buy while drunk one night? I kicked myself mentally."
That being said, there were two aspects that I didn’t enjoy:
1. Ben’s reaction to Avery’s "coming out"- I thought it was incredibly romantic for Avery to surprise him by dedicating a book to the love of his life, bringing all the attention to Ben’s bookstore. While I understand Ben felt blindsided by Avery’s secret identity, his reaction was a bit over the top. Sulking and storming off as if Avery had betrayed him felt childish, especially when Avery had valid reasons for keeping his other persona under wraps.
2. Ben’s mother—What a narcissistic, homophobic, miserable hag. I wish her the worst in the world 🥰
3. I would’ve enjoyed to see more of Tulsa on paper. They did mention the city some time but it would’ve been nice too see WHY and some connection beside stating that Ben loves it there.
Lastly, the slow burn. It REALLY tested my patience! By the time I got to the end, I was so desperate for them to finally kiss that I ended up devouring the entire book in one night. Waiting any longer wasn’t an option—I’m not a seasoned smut reader for nothing!
(And can we talk about this gem of a line?)
"Was he taking pain pills before our session? I tried, with as much effort as I could manage, to not internalize the idea that my therapist needed extra pain relief before I showed up."
The humor was on point throughout the story, which made the slow burn worth the wait.🤭
This was an amazing book, and I’ll definitely be grabbing a physical copy just so I can highlight all of Ben’s witty remarks and puns. 😩
4.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2024
Generously received an E-ARC thanks to Netgalley !!
I really really loved this one so much !! I’m usually pretty picky when it comes to slow burn because I’m painfully impatient but this one was perfect !! You could feel the tension from the second they met and it was so pleasing when they finally got together.
This one really digs into accepting yourself as you are and learning to love others while also loving yourself. Lots of great moments where the characters are discovering they’re queer and realizing that’s it’s indeed okay to just ~be~.
The characters were all so loveable (minus THAT one ew) and even if they were questionable at first you had no choice but to accept that they actually had a heart and redeeming qualities in the end. All of them had depth and they weren’t all picture perfect rom-com characters which was also an extra plus. It felt natural even during the cheesy moments.
Overall such a GREAT read and I’m so grateful I received a copy so could read about the love story of Ben and Avery !!
I really really loved this one so much !! I’m usually pretty picky when it comes to slow burn because I’m painfully impatient but this one was perfect !! You could feel the tension from the second they met and it was so pleasing when they finally got together.
This one really digs into accepting yourself as you are and learning to love others while also loving yourself. Lots of great moments where the characters are discovering they’re queer and realizing that’s it’s indeed okay to just ~be~.
The characters were all so loveable (minus THAT one ew) and even if they were questionable at first you had no choice but to accept that they actually had a heart and redeeming qualities in the end. All of them had depth and they weren’t all picture perfect rom-com characters which was also an extra plus. It felt natural even during the cheesy moments.
Overall such a GREAT read and I’m so grateful I received a copy so could read about the love story of Ben and Avery !!
September 20, 2024
I got this as an ARC and am so glad I got the opportunity. This book is just so wholesome and I adore it. I read it in one sitting and finished with a smile on my face and an urge to go tell all my friends and family how much I love them.
The writing is good and it flows well. The characters are so lovable and endearing and by halfway through the book I wanted to take a frying pan to their heads because they’re the absolute cutest and can you please just admit your feelings dang it?! I love them together so much and enjoyed the growth we see in Avery through the book and the confidence in Ben. I hope everyone reaches a point where they can be as unapologetically themselves as Ben is.
The reveal at the end was great - I started having a sense that maybe it was coming and really enjoyed watching it happen. What a fun twist in the story!
Overall, if you love a good queer romance this one is for you. It’s cute and wholesome and a true storybook type of romance.
The writing is good and it flows well. The characters are so lovable and endearing and by halfway through the book I wanted to take a frying pan to their heads because they’re the absolute cutest and can you please just admit your feelings dang it?! I love them together so much and enjoyed the growth we see in Avery through the book and the confidence in Ben. I hope everyone reaches a point where they can be as unapologetically themselves as Ben is.
The reveal at the end was great - I started having a sense that maybe it was coming and really enjoyed watching it happen. What a fun twist in the story!
Overall, if you love a good queer romance this one is for you. It’s cute and wholesome and a true storybook type of romance.
November 12, 2024
When the book description starts off by mentioning one of the characters owns a bookstore, I know I’ll be reading it. Plus, to top it off, this book is set in Tulsa, OK, just a couple hours down the road from me. I love it when I find a book set in my part of the country.
Ben and Avery were great characters; it was so much fun to read their journey towards one another. Add to that that Avery seems to be hiding something and you’ve got a recipe for a great book that will hold your attention (at least it did mine!).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.
Ben and Avery were great characters; it was so much fun to read their journey towards one another. Add to that that Avery seems to be hiding something and you’ve got a recipe for a great book that will hold your attention (at least it did mine!).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.
October 5, 2024
I am 100% down for a gay Pride & Prejudice retelling. I need more of these on my life. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t hit the right notes for me.
Ben is the owner of a cozy bookstore. When his sister Mal starts dating a rich professor, Beck, Ben finds himself developing a friendship with Beck’s best friend, Avery. As far as Pride & Prejudice retellings go, this is very loosely based on the original story. The only real similarities are the names and the very bare bones outline of the character (i.e. sister’s boyfriend’s rich best friend). From there, really nothing is related to the original story. This is fine, but I expected a closer relationship to the novel given the title and the way this book was marketed. The story itself felt a little all over the place. We’re left at the end with several loose threads and things that should have been more central to the plot are barely touched on.
Overall I thought this was a cute story with pretty likable main characters, but it just missed the mark for me.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Ben is the owner of a cozy bookstore. When his sister Mal starts dating a rich professor, Beck, Ben finds himself developing a friendship with Beck’s best friend, Avery. As far as Pride & Prejudice retellings go, this is very loosely based on the original story. The only real similarities are the names and the very bare bones outline of the character (i.e. sister’s boyfriend’s rich best friend). From there, really nothing is related to the original story. This is fine, but I expected a closer relationship to the novel given the title and the way this book was marketed. The story itself felt a little all over the place. We’re left at the end with several loose threads and things that should have been more central to the plot are barely touched on.
Overall I thought this was a cute story with pretty likable main characters, but it just missed the mark for me.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
December 4, 2024
Did I finish this book? Yes.
Do I want that time back? Also yes.
This is not a Pride & Prejudice retelling or adaptation or whatever word you want to use. The characters are very loosely modeled after their original counterparts and that's where the connection ends. Sure, the plot tries to mimic some of the story beats we all know so well but I think that actually hurt this story more than helped it. Everything felt contrived because they were forced to fit into a structure that didn't work for these characters.
I experienced one shining moment of excitement at the beginning: this is a story about people in their late-thirties and early-forties. I love that! We could've had a really beautiful story about starting over, learning to be true to yourself, and finding love later in life. Instead, we have Ben and Avery and Mal who all act and sound like college kids. The dialogue and actions did not mesh with their supposed ages AT ALL. It was so disappointing.
There's way too much telling. I wasn't able to connect with the characters. Avery is so hot and cold -- and having finished the book, I know why that happened -- and it's a disaster to read. None of the jokes land; it isn't funny or witty.
This one needs to go back to the drawing board.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Rattling Good Yarns Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Do I want that time back? Also yes.
This is not a Pride & Prejudice retelling or adaptation or whatever word you want to use. The characters are very loosely modeled after their original counterparts and that's where the connection ends. Sure, the plot tries to mimic some of the story beats we all know so well but I think that actually hurt this story more than helped it. Everything felt contrived because they were forced to fit into a structure that didn't work for these characters.
I experienced one shining moment of excitement at the beginning: this is a story about people in their late-thirties and early-forties. I love that! We could've had a really beautiful story about starting over, learning to be true to yourself, and finding love later in life. Instead, we have Ben and Avery and Mal who all act and sound like college kids. The dialogue and actions did not mesh with their supposed ages AT ALL. It was so disappointing.
There's way too much telling. I wasn't able to connect with the characters. Avery is so hot and cold -- and having finished the book, I know why that happened -- and it's a disaster to read. None of the jokes land; it isn't funny or witty.
This one needs to go back to the drawing board.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Rattling Good Yarns Press, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2025
3.75*
This is told from the 1st person M!Elizabeth Bennet(t) POV. Ironically noted in an email he receives with Bennet spelled correctly for canon (as Bennet), but incorrectly for this story (where it is spelled Bennett). I think that I did myself a disservice by knowing that this was a P&P re-imagining (because I read a lot of JAFF - I mean a LOT - an embarrassingly large amount - thanks lockdown!) so I kept looking for parallels and differences in characters and plot which threw me out of the story. If I hadn't know, some it would have dawned on me later but with far less distraction and I would have enjoyed the story for the story's sake.
Ben was a sweet character (honestly I didn't get the original semi (short lived) antagonism towards Avery at the start of the novel who was decidedly not canon Darcy like for the most part (there is irony there, but I won't spoil it). Oh well, it was short lived. ODC's journey was a little bittersweet until they finally got to their HEA.
The Wickham character is reliably Wickham as in most universes, the Jane character is a mash-up as are most of the rest. The canon Mrs Bennet & Elizabeth relationship also seems universal which was both horrifying and funny at the same time (from a reader's POV).
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is told from the 1st person M!Elizabeth Bennet(t) POV. Ironically noted in an email he receives with Bennet spelled correctly for canon (as Bennet), but incorrectly for this story (where it is spelled Bennett). I think that I did myself a disservice by knowing that this was a P&P re-imagining (because I read a lot of JAFF - I mean a LOT - an embarrassingly large amount - thanks lockdown!) so I kept looking for parallels and differences in characters and plot which threw me out of the story. If I hadn't know, some it would have dawned on me later but with far less distraction and I would have enjoyed the story for the story's sake.
Ben was a sweet character (honestly I didn't get the original semi (short lived) antagonism towards Avery at the start of the novel who was decidedly not canon Darcy like for the most part (there is irony there, but I won't spoil it). Oh well, it was short lived. ODC's journey was a little bittersweet until they finally got to their HEA.
The Wickham character is reliably Wickham as in most universes, the Jane character is a mash-up as are most of the rest. The canon Mrs Bennet & Elizabeth relationship also seems universal which was both horrifying and funny at the same time (from a reader's POV).
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 3, 2025
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review.
I really wanted to like this, especially because the romance seemed up my alley, but good lord. The stereotyping was insane. Ben read like every cishet person’s idea of a gay man. Lines like ‘us gays’ had me cringing. I don’t know how to explain it, but Ben felt like he was written for women, not for queer men/people. Avery coming to his rescue so often was endearing at first but slowly became belittling to Ben. I became more and more uncomfortable with the characterization of the two openly gay men: one being meek, feminine, lots of talk about pride parades and stereotypical feminine gay men things. which normally i’d be fine with, if not for everything else. or someone who was a creep, kissed people w/o consent, and tried to blackmail someone with the knowledge of them being queer. The hatecrimes were also so badly written. Avery and Ben being called a slur in the bar was entirely unrealistic, but something I was planning on just dismissing. Until a random other hate crime in the last 10% of the book. A rock through a window. Never really resolved, thrown in there for no reason besides trying to up the stakes of the homophobia. The entire book felt entirely out of touch and made me incredibly uncomfortable, as a gay man. It did not feel as if it was written with queer men/people in mind.
October 30, 2024
ARC given by NetGalley for Honest Review
2.5 stars rounded up
"Pride" was a conflicting read for me. It's a fairly low-stakes MLM romance that loosely is based off of Pride & Prejudice and I mean LOOSELY. For how this book was marketed I expected a modern retelling. The most it pulls from P&P is names and a little bit of the relationships within.
The good parts:
The plot was fairly easy to follow and it was a quick read, maybe 6 hours at most. The characters were easy to root for and the inclusion of a non-binary character was nice. It will give you some nice warm and fuzzy feelings.
The meh parts:
The ending was very abrupt and didn't leave me feeling super satisfied about Avery's inner growth. This book also most definitely reads like an "mlm book written by a cishet woman" and while I'm not aware of Ryan's sexuality, nor do I claim to define it, it gives off VERY minor gay fetishization. This may be a personal thing.
I think that this book has it's merits and while it was a fairly cozy read it still wasn't a something overly outstanding.
2.5 stars rounded up
"Pride" was a conflicting read for me. It's a fairly low-stakes MLM romance that loosely is based off of Pride & Prejudice and I mean LOOSELY. For how this book was marketed I expected a modern retelling. The most it pulls from P&P is names and a little bit of the relationships within.
The good parts:
The plot was fairly easy to follow and it was a quick read, maybe 6 hours at most. The characters were easy to root for and the inclusion of a non-binary character was nice. It will give you some nice warm and fuzzy feelings.
The meh parts:
The ending was very abrupt and didn't leave me feeling super satisfied about Avery's inner growth. This book also most definitely reads like an "mlm book written by a cishet woman" and while I'm not aware of Ryan's sexuality, nor do I claim to define it, it gives off VERY minor gay fetishization. This may be a personal thing.
I think that this book has it's merits and while it was a fairly cozy read it still wasn't a something overly outstanding.
October 31, 2024
Samantha Ryan’s Pride is a remarkable debut that breathes new life into the classic Pride and Prejudice. The novel skillfully intertwines contemporary themes of identity and love within a familiar narrative framework, making it relatable for modern readers.
The characters are richly developed, particularly the leads, Ben and Avery, whose dynamic captures the complexities of queer relationships. Ryan’s writing is both engaging and heartfelt, filled with humor and poignant moments that resonate deeply. While some readers may find certain character arcs less fleshed out, the overall experience is uplifting and thought-provoking. This retelling is a must-read for fans of romance and LGBTQ+ literature alike.
The characters are richly developed, particularly the leads, Ben and Avery, whose dynamic captures the complexities of queer relationships. Ryan’s writing is both engaging and heartfelt, filled with humor and poignant moments that resonate deeply. While some readers may find certain character arcs less fleshed out, the overall experience is uplifting and thought-provoking. This retelling is a must-read for fans of romance and LGBTQ+ literature alike.
December 23, 2024
A Swoon-Worthy Spin on a Classic
Pride by Samantha Ryan is a delightful queer retelling of Pride & Prejudice that will leave you grinning, swooning, and occasionally shouting, “Just kiss already!” The story follows Ben Bennett, a charming and witty protagonist, as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic, handsome, and ridiculously wealthy Avery Fitzgerald. Their relationship unfolds with the perfect blend of tension, slow-burn romance, and heart-melting moments that will have you hooked from the start.
While the plot stays mostly predictable—true to its roots—Ryan injects enough playful twists to make it feel fresh and fun. That said, some subplots (like Avery’s mysterious purchase of the building next door) feel underdeveloped, leaving a bit of untapped potential for added drama or romantic excuses to throw Ben and Avery together more often.
However, these minor quibbles don’t detract from the overall charm of the story. If you’re in the mood for a light, playful, and occasionally steamy read, Pride is a fantastic pick. It’s easily one of the best queer reimaginings of a classic I’ve read in a while.
Overall, Pride is a modern romantic gem, perfect for fans of Austen and anyone craving a queer twist on a timeless tale.
Thank you Rattling Good Yarns, NetGalley, and Samantha Ryan for this eARC!!
Pride by Samantha Ryan is a delightful queer retelling of Pride & Prejudice that will leave you grinning, swooning, and occasionally shouting, “Just kiss already!” The story follows Ben Bennett, a charming and witty protagonist, as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic, handsome, and ridiculously wealthy Avery Fitzgerald. Their relationship unfolds with the perfect blend of tension, slow-burn romance, and heart-melting moments that will have you hooked from the start.
While the plot stays mostly predictable—true to its roots—Ryan injects enough playful twists to make it feel fresh and fun. That said, some subplots (like Avery’s mysterious purchase of the building next door) feel underdeveloped, leaving a bit of untapped potential for added drama or romantic excuses to throw Ben and Avery together more often.
However, these minor quibbles don’t detract from the overall charm of the story. If you’re in the mood for a light, playful, and occasionally steamy read, Pride is a fantastic pick. It’s easily one of the best queer reimaginings of a classic I’ve read in a while.
Overall, Pride is a modern romantic gem, perfect for fans of Austen and anyone craving a queer twist on a timeless tale.
Thank you Rattling Good Yarns, NetGalley, and Samantha Ryan for this eARC!!
September 23, 2024
I loved this book. It's a really quick read because you love Ben and his relationship with everyone around him. It's a real strength of the book. The romantic relationships feel authentic, there is no fairytale romance where everything runs smoothly except in the 2nd act ready for a resolution in the 3rd. Everyone is written well, and they're fully fleshed out.
I could easily read 5 more books with all the characters (except the one, you'll know who he is. He gave me the heebies the minute he showed up, college for a name)
I'm sad I'm so early to this book because there aren't more already out. I really enjoyed being with everyone and living with them for a while. I look forward to everything the author has to write
I could easily read 5 more books with all the characters (except the one, you'll know who he is. He gave me the heebies the minute he showed up, college for a name)
I'm sad I'm so early to this book because there aren't more already out. I really enjoyed being with everyone and living with them for a while. I look forward to everything the author has to write
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
Pride & Prejudice set in the US and gay bookstore owner Ben Bennett & closeted successful businessman Avery Fitzgerald (maybe I am misremembering the names) create all the drama. They meet because Ben's recently divorced sister Mal meets Avery's bestie Beck (Avery was also married to Beck's sister Leah, oops) at work (English department, really? And Beck is the rich prof? Geez) & they court. So far, so stereotypical. None of the stakes are really high: yeah, Avery has a secret identity, yeah the bookshop isn't doing so well, but whatever? Let's go skiing together. Rich people problems, I guess. Dialogue was fun in parts but overall the characters lacked nuance and depth. I know this is unfair but I dislike how the setting was changed to the US. Cute romance but overall I was...bored? Too much romcom, too little actual Pride & Prejudice+ character development. No depth! Naaajaaaa. 3 stars max
Pride & Prejudice set in the US and gay bookstore owner Ben Bennett & closeted successful businessman Avery Fitzgerald (maybe I am misremembering the names) create all the drama. They meet because Ben's recently divorced sister Mal meets Avery's bestie Beck (Avery was also married to Beck's sister Leah, oops) at work (English department, really? And Beck is the rich prof? Geez) & they court. So far, so stereotypical. None of the stakes are really high: yeah, Avery has a secret identity, yeah the bookshop isn't doing so well, but whatever? Let's go skiing together. Rich people problems, I guess. Dialogue was fun in parts but overall the characters lacked nuance and depth. I know this is unfair but I dislike how the setting was changed to the US. Cute romance but overall I was...bored? Too much romcom, too little actual Pride & Prejudice+ character development. No depth! Naaajaaaa. 3 stars max
January 26, 2025
i loveddddd this arc 🫶
this books was so good and important to me ): avery’s background story made me so emotional, i love him and i’m happy for him. at the end everything worked out 🥹💗
this books was so good and important to me ): avery’s background story made me so emotional, i love him and i’m happy for him. at the end everything worked out 🥹💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's clever, and the relationships between the characters are real and believable. I love the sharp, easy dialogue. I love the homage to Pride and Prejudice, but with a sweet modern twist. Highly recommended.
Read
May 19, 2025This episodic novel begins with a clever comment, perhaps an axiom. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single gay man approaching the age of forty will be destined to wander through Grindr and pride parades, searching for desperate hookups, knowing that their dating days are essentially over.”
Aside: Movies, as a visual art, are easier to get into. Characters are memorable by one's eye – the woman with the excessive decolletage, the man with the hare lip. Reading can be more confusing, especially with lots of secondary characters. Hence, my favored edition of War and Peace, which categorizes and indexes the personae, much as a Russian telephone directory. Yet, a skilled author (as here) aptly conveys the brightness and quippery of the characters, all to the readers' satisfaction. Ben, the thirty-nine-year-old bookshop owner, and a gay man; Mallory, his single sister, an English professor and recently divorced; Charles Becket (Beck), a wealthy man who teaches college English much as a life’s lark; Nathan, the bookstore worker, who uses "they" and other current pronouns (i.e., “‘Good morning, Nathan!’ I yelled. ‘No, it isn’t!’ they yelled back.” And, “One of them turned on the faucet and began washing their hands.”); Kelly, both a professor and a real estate broker (interested in selling Ben’s bookstore); Avery Fitzgerald, a friend of Beck and quite rich, gorgeous; Ziggy, Ben's cat!
Mallory, who is quite influential on her brother Ben, is anxious to have him accompany her to a departmental reception, so she can meet Beck, the new British Lit professor. Expecting it to be boring, nonetheless there he meets Beck’s attractive friend, Avery. Ben’s character is broadcast by Mallory when she advises Kelly that “Ben will never give up the store. He’ll die before he sells it.”
It should be noted that the conversation at the reception is bright, but perhaps too piquant for anything less than cinema. Ben is so thrown by the entire repartee that he isn’t sure what has actually passed, giving Ben and Avery an acerbic start.
The presentation of plot in monthly increments allows varied confected “skits,” such as the siblings’ semi-annual birthday luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory. Another is set at a pool party at Beck’s lavish home, replete with bon mots. “There were more stylishly dressed people hanging around the pool than I knew in the world.” And “I could see myself in the reflection of his designer sunglasses. I attributed the sudden flush of heat on my neck to the overbearing summer and not the presence of such a gorgeous, sun-kissed man.” The language is stylistically effective. “He’s not a bad person just for being rich.”
Avery is difficult to parse out. He seems personable one moment, then distant, if not cold, the next. He never reveals too much about himself but asks questions, much as an interviewer. As the "plot" is episodic, it may reasonable for Avery to be disclosed by bits and pieces – as here! “From the crease in his forehead to the way he absentmindedly reached up to push aside a loose strand of hair, every little piece of information felt essential to understanding the person behind the façade that Avery presented to the world. Ben watches Avery next door, where Avery is purchasing the commercial parcel adjacent to Ben's bookstore. "'You just bought it?' 'Correct.' 'To do what? Turn it into apartments?'” As Ben and Avery gain familiarity, Ben's underlying resistance adds color and tension, but reveals a lighter side to Avery. “‘If you’re trying to be charming about it, then yes. That’s what I do.’ He grinned.” There is a negativity in Ben’s conversation with Avery but unclear whether genuine or defensively reactive. “I’m a developer. I buy things and develop them. In the last ten years of my life in this store, in five seconds, Avery had walked in to tell me everything that was wrong with it—all because he thought he knew more about the business than the one who created it.”
Here is a thumbnail to keep the readers current. (1) Avery is a land developer. (2) Ben resents the commercial, developmental aspects of Avery's work. (3) Nathan is convinced Avery wants sex! “'Long enough.' Nathan teased. 'He wants to fuck you.'” Voice of chorus? It was a regular fictional rite of passage for a gay to fall for a straight.
While it's obvious at a family gathering that drinking is even cheaper than therapy, it's noted that Ben and Mal's family is quite dysfunctional. Mother is unhappy with all her children – one gay, one divorcee, and a potential college drop-out. As to Ben, “‘He’s defying me and God in his life,' quote Mother.”
At a charity gathering Ben meets Avery's ex wife, Leah – which adds to the confusion of direction! Ben's temporary hopes of romance become more a fantasy (though the optimistic reader will expect all confusion – like a mist – to dissipate into happiness).
Eventually, Ben becomes enamored of Avery, with feelings beyond what he'd been willing to admit. Self-protectively, Ben still tries dating others. “‘I’m Episcopalian,' he said.” Ben's blind date – which also contributes mightily to the novel's feeling of being well-structured but episodic. Ben had hoped he would find a nice man who was either an incredibly good listener—or potentially hard of hearing.
In lieu of vivid sex, the clever interchanges are wonderful, particularly brother and sister. “'You know what he has up in his room for you.' 'What?' I asked, confused. 'His big lo’ dick,' she said, pointing down to her imaginary dick right as the bartender walked up.” But, while I loved Mallory, true as in many families, I didn’t always like her.
Another skit. Ben, Avery, Mal with Beck, and Leah (Avery's ex) make a ski trip – during which Ben and Avery chastely share a bed and discuss, at Avery's encouragement, Ben's past coming-out. Whether anticipatory or wishful, this seems a precursor to Avery choosing a course for himself. As childhoods of conditioning have resulted in many of us having ruined any chance at happiness, Ben and Mal make ideal protagonists – non-sexually coupled, familiar and involved. Their attachment offers the classic voice of theatricality.
The group’s week of skiing brings Ben and Avery closer romantically in an almost flirtatious dance. And as readers we are both knowing and nervously anticipatory – daring the author to fail us.
Enough! The story's preliminaries have been well parsed, introducing the characters and situation(s). Hopefully, my piquant comments are likely to persuade you that Pride is an ideal read for adults and great fun – so why would I spoil it by continuing with much more detail? Read on, directly!
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.
Aside: Movies, as a visual art, are easier to get into. Characters are memorable by one's eye – the woman with the excessive decolletage, the man with the hare lip. Reading can be more confusing, especially with lots of secondary characters. Hence, my favored edition of War and Peace, which categorizes and indexes the personae, much as a Russian telephone directory. Yet, a skilled author (as here) aptly conveys the brightness and quippery of the characters, all to the readers' satisfaction. Ben, the thirty-nine-year-old bookshop owner, and a gay man; Mallory, his single sister, an English professor and recently divorced; Charles Becket (Beck), a wealthy man who teaches college English much as a life’s lark; Nathan, the bookstore worker, who uses "they" and other current pronouns (i.e., “‘Good morning, Nathan!’ I yelled. ‘No, it isn’t!’ they yelled back.” And, “One of them turned on the faucet and began washing their hands.”); Kelly, both a professor and a real estate broker (interested in selling Ben’s bookstore); Avery Fitzgerald, a friend of Beck and quite rich, gorgeous; Ziggy, Ben's cat!
Mallory, who is quite influential on her brother Ben, is anxious to have him accompany her to a departmental reception, so she can meet Beck, the new British Lit professor. Expecting it to be boring, nonetheless there he meets Beck’s attractive friend, Avery. Ben’s character is broadcast by Mallory when she advises Kelly that “Ben will never give up the store. He’ll die before he sells it.”
It should be noted that the conversation at the reception is bright, but perhaps too piquant for anything less than cinema. Ben is so thrown by the entire repartee that he isn’t sure what has actually passed, giving Ben and Avery an acerbic start.
The presentation of plot in monthly increments allows varied confected “skits,” such as the siblings’ semi-annual birthday luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory. Another is set at a pool party at Beck’s lavish home, replete with bon mots. “There were more stylishly dressed people hanging around the pool than I knew in the world.” And “I could see myself in the reflection of his designer sunglasses. I attributed the sudden flush of heat on my neck to the overbearing summer and not the presence of such a gorgeous, sun-kissed man.” The language is stylistically effective. “He’s not a bad person just for being rich.”
Avery is difficult to parse out. He seems personable one moment, then distant, if not cold, the next. He never reveals too much about himself but asks questions, much as an interviewer. As the "plot" is episodic, it may reasonable for Avery to be disclosed by bits and pieces – as here! “From the crease in his forehead to the way he absentmindedly reached up to push aside a loose strand of hair, every little piece of information felt essential to understanding the person behind the façade that Avery presented to the world. Ben watches Avery next door, where Avery is purchasing the commercial parcel adjacent to Ben's bookstore. "'You just bought it?' 'Correct.' 'To do what? Turn it into apartments?'” As Ben and Avery gain familiarity, Ben's underlying resistance adds color and tension, but reveals a lighter side to Avery. “‘If you’re trying to be charming about it, then yes. That’s what I do.’ He grinned.” There is a negativity in Ben’s conversation with Avery but unclear whether genuine or defensively reactive. “I’m a developer. I buy things and develop them. In the last ten years of my life in this store, in five seconds, Avery had walked in to tell me everything that was wrong with it—all because he thought he knew more about the business than the one who created it.”
Here is a thumbnail to keep the readers current. (1) Avery is a land developer. (2) Ben resents the commercial, developmental aspects of Avery's work. (3) Nathan is convinced Avery wants sex! “'Long enough.' Nathan teased. 'He wants to fuck you.'” Voice of chorus? It was a regular fictional rite of passage for a gay to fall for a straight.
While it's obvious at a family gathering that drinking is even cheaper than therapy, it's noted that Ben and Mal's family is quite dysfunctional. Mother is unhappy with all her children – one gay, one divorcee, and a potential college drop-out. As to Ben, “‘He’s defying me and God in his life,' quote Mother.”
At a charity gathering Ben meets Avery's ex wife, Leah – which adds to the confusion of direction! Ben's temporary hopes of romance become more a fantasy (though the optimistic reader will expect all confusion – like a mist – to dissipate into happiness).
Eventually, Ben becomes enamored of Avery, with feelings beyond what he'd been willing to admit. Self-protectively, Ben still tries dating others. “‘I’m Episcopalian,' he said.” Ben's blind date – which also contributes mightily to the novel's feeling of being well-structured but episodic. Ben had hoped he would find a nice man who was either an incredibly good listener—or potentially hard of hearing.
In lieu of vivid sex, the clever interchanges are wonderful, particularly brother and sister. “'You know what he has up in his room for you.' 'What?' I asked, confused. 'His big lo’ dick,' she said, pointing down to her imaginary dick right as the bartender walked up.” But, while I loved Mallory, true as in many families, I didn’t always like her.
Another skit. Ben, Avery, Mal with Beck, and Leah (Avery's ex) make a ski trip – during which Ben and Avery chastely share a bed and discuss, at Avery's encouragement, Ben's past coming-out. Whether anticipatory or wishful, this seems a precursor to Avery choosing a course for himself. As childhoods of conditioning have resulted in many of us having ruined any chance at happiness, Ben and Mal make ideal protagonists – non-sexually coupled, familiar and involved. Their attachment offers the classic voice of theatricality.
The group’s week of skiing brings Ben and Avery closer romantically in an almost flirtatious dance. And as readers we are both knowing and nervously anticipatory – daring the author to fail us.
Enough! The story's preliminaries have been well parsed, introducing the characters and situation(s). Hopefully, my piquant comments are likely to persuade you that Pride is an ideal read for adults and great fun – so why would I spoil it by continuing with much more detail? Read on, directly!
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.
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