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The Hardest Word
Benny is twenty-five, recently single, and desperate to escape his closed-minded small town. His anonymous, masked TikTok account is finally taking off, and moving to Manchester offers a fresh queer housemates, new work opportunities, a deepening connection with his trans BFF, and even a professional mentor. But praise and popularity become entangled with pressure and manipulation, and Benny crosses a line he can't uncross. One that will cost him everything, including the people he cares about most.
A queer rebirth story, for the era of algorithms and rage bait.
Set against the backdrop of online culture wars, and a fractured queer community, The Hardest Word, is a powerful story about accountability, self-discovery, and learning how to say sorry. CONTENT NOTE
This novel contains themes of transphobia, internalised homophobia, manipulation, online harassment, emotional abuse, substance abuse, anxiety and death. Whilst these themes are handled with care, they may be distressing for some readers.
A queer rebirth story, for the era of algorithms and rage bait.
Set against the backdrop of online culture wars, and a fractured queer community, The Hardest Word, is a powerful story about accountability, self-discovery, and learning how to say sorry. CONTENT NOTE
This novel contains themes of transphobia, internalised homophobia, manipulation, online harassment, emotional abuse, substance abuse, anxiety and death. Whilst these themes are handled with care, they may be distressing for some readers.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Drew Hubbard
1 book3 followersDrew Hubbard is from Manchester, has loved writing stories from a young age and has written for children’s touring theatre, and TV.
Drew is the owner of Pride Reads, a website and newsletter helping all writers write more authentic LGBTQ+ characters.
He is also a sensitivity reader and has worked with many writers on their manuscripts & screenplays.
Drew is the owner of Pride Reads, a website and newsletter helping all writers write more authentic LGBTQ+ characters.
He is also a sensitivity reader and has worked with many writers on their manuscripts & screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 25, 2025
I really enjoy this book wow pls do read this book I will put the blurb!!
Blurb
Benny is twenty-five, recently single, and desperate to escape his closed-minded small town. His anonymous, masked TikTok account is finally taking off, and moving to Manchester offers a fresh start: queer housemates, new work opportunities, a deepening connection with his trans BFF, and even a professional mentor. But praise and popularity become entangled with pressure and manipulation, and Benny crosses a line he can't uncross. One that will cost him everything, including the people he cares about most.
A queer rebirth story, for the era of algorithms and rage bait.
Set against the backdrop of online culture wars, and a fractured queer community, The Hardest Word, is a powerful story about accountability, self-discovery, and learning how to say sorry.
CONTENT NOTE
This novel contains themes of transphobia, internalised homophobia, manipulation, online harassment, emotional abuse, substance abuse, anxiety and death. Whilst these themes are handled with care, they may be distressing for some readers.
Blurb
Benny is twenty-five, recently single, and desperate to escape his closed-minded small town. His anonymous, masked TikTok account is finally taking off, and moving to Manchester offers a fresh start: queer housemates, new work opportunities, a deepening connection with his trans BFF, and even a professional mentor. But praise and popularity become entangled with pressure and manipulation, and Benny crosses a line he can't uncross. One that will cost him everything, including the people he cares about most.
A queer rebirth story, for the era of algorithms and rage bait.
Set against the backdrop of online culture wars, and a fractured queer community, The Hardest Word, is a powerful story about accountability, self-discovery, and learning how to say sorry.
CONTENT NOTE
This novel contains themes of transphobia, internalised homophobia, manipulation, online harassment, emotional abuse, substance abuse, anxiety and death. Whilst these themes are handled with care, they may be distressing for some readers.
December 14, 2025
I can’t stop thinking about this book and as such I've decided to re-write my review. I usually only give five stars to books that change my life so it's too early to say right now but this book may go up to five stars in the coming months.
I'll try to avoid spoilers but I highly recommend this book. Benny feels like a fully formed, well rounded character. he's flawed in human and believable ways. he's naive, trusting and avoids self-refection to protect his ego. these are all things I can sympathise with as a small town queer myself. I moved to seek my fortune at sea, whereas Benny moves to seek his fortune in the bright lights of Manchester.
almost right away, his naivite spells his downfall but he is rescued by the initially well meaning William Gale. it seems too good to be true. he has a friend and potentially something more in Maya as well as his queer housemates.
the tension in the story is fast paced and anxiety inducing and comes in no small part from watching Benny's missteps in his quest for Tik Tok success.
it's a cliche but I couldn't put this book down. it kept me in it's clutches right until the end and left me wanting more. I want to know what Benny and his friends get up to next. I highly recommend this book and it's easily my favorite book of the year.
I'll try to avoid spoilers but I highly recommend this book. Benny feels like a fully formed, well rounded character. he's flawed in human and believable ways. he's naive, trusting and avoids self-refection to protect his ego. these are all things I can sympathise with as a small town queer myself. I moved to seek my fortune at sea, whereas Benny moves to seek his fortune in the bright lights of Manchester.
almost right away, his naivite spells his downfall but he is rescued by the initially well meaning William Gale. it seems too good to be true. he has a friend and potentially something more in Maya as well as his queer housemates.
the tension in the story is fast paced and anxiety inducing and comes in no small part from watching Benny's missteps in his quest for Tik Tok success.
it's a cliche but I couldn't put this book down. it kept me in it's clutches right until the end and left me wanting more. I want to know what Benny and his friends get up to next. I highly recommend this book and it's easily my favorite book of the year.
June 23, 2025
I've followed Drew on social media for years and am an avid reader of his "Pride Reads" blog, so I had high hopes for this novel when I found out he was finally going to publish. It does not disappoint. Benny is a hugely engaging character whose unfortunate life choices you can totally understand and get behind.
Drew has taken a very difficult subject and managed to write about it in a truly sensitive and empathetic manner while never shying away from the tough stuff. In amongst all the angst and worry there are enough jokes to keep you laughing and some absolutely euphoric moments of pure joy.
An absolute triumph. More like this please.
Drew has taken a very difficult subject and managed to write about it in a truly sensitive and empathetic manner while never shying away from the tough stuff. In amongst all the angst and worry there are enough jokes to keep you laughing and some absolutely euphoric moments of pure joy.
An absolute triumph. More like this please.
July 29, 2025
A current masterpiece on the culture of hate against a section of community. The growing tension and awkwardness as events spiral is masterful. It kept me hooked for sure.
Thank you for writing such an honest book that teaches us that allowing hatred against a part of our community to rule our thoughts only leads to heartbreak.
Thank you for writing such an honest book that teaches us that allowing hatred against a part of our community to rule our thoughts only leads to heartbreak.
October 25, 2025
Best book I’ve read in years. So captivating, authentic and poignant. Brought my love of reading back as I haven’t found something that’s kept me so engaged for a long time.
It touched my soul and brought me to tears in almost every chapter. Tears of sadness, anger, frustration, hope, relief, grief and queer joy!
Loved it and can’t wait for more from this author.
It touched my soul and brought me to tears in almost every chapter. Tears of sadness, anger, frustration, hope, relief, grief and queer joy!
Loved it and can’t wait for more from this author.
August 5, 2025
An emotional tale of redemption that is hugely relevant in the current social context, and which sheds a great light on numerous LGBTQ+ issues.
October 24, 2025
This book is a refreshing and brilliant read that took me through a roller coaster of emotions. It’s a rite of passage for the protagonist as well as the reader and hooks you with its clever humour, dynamic learning curves and character progressions. Benny’s agonising yet awakening experience of breaking into early adulthood is highly relatable (even for a Cishet like me) and is balanced beautifully with what I imagine is the author’s authentic voice. The storyline moves swiftly but not so fast that you lose a grip on what’s really going on - and to be honest, I didn’t want it to end. It’s a warm, engaging story with hard-hitting life lessons for us all. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews