Pride and Small Town Prejudice

by Jeanine Lauren

Genres: Romance

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Jeanine Lauren is a USA Today bestselling author who writes stories about friendship, love and second chances in the second half of life, because let's face it, the second half is the most interesting.

Though Jeanine has been writing most of her life, many (okay, almost all) of her words have been for her day jobs, term papers, volunteer work, or used to make endless 'to do' lists she rarely looks at.

In 2019, Jeanine finally published the first book in her Sunshine Bay series -Love's Fresh Start - followed by three more so far, and is now writing as fast as she can, trying to make up for lost time.

To find out when Jeanine's next books are coming out, head over to her website at jeaninelauren.com and join her mailing list.

Jeanine lives in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada not far from the fictional town of Sunshine Bay where most of her characters live.

Reviews

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lainie has returned to her small town to be a support to her family and also to promote tourism in the town. She has a complete program of ideas to present to the city council, but Dexter, also hired to work on the concept, does not agree with them. She loves the feel of the small town, and wants to keep that feeling while drawing in tourists who want to experience that small town flavor. Dexter is against much of what Lainie is for, but it is not until she takes him on a walking tour to see what town offers that he finally opens up to her. She then understands that his past has influenced his thinking about small towns, and they are able to work together. Their relationship starts as colleagues who can barely stand each other and eventually blossoms into something much more. This novella is fascinating from the very beginning. Lainie’s enthusiasm is evident, as is Dexter’s lack of caring for the town, and the way they finally begin to see the other’s viewpoints makes for some interesting and entertaining reading. The two protagonists are compelling characters, each having his and her own ideas about small towns and what the towns have to offer. One is for them, and the other is not, and this tension is intriguing. This well-written novella may be short, but it contains all the aspects that a good tale needs.

I was given an advance copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride and Small Town Prejudice by Jeanine Lauren was such a charming, emotionally satisfying read.

Lainie, refuses to be steamrolled. She’s strong without being abrasive, vulnerable without being weak, and she challenges Dexter in ways that force him to grow.

Their chemistry builds in a way that feels natural for a small-town setting. The misunderstandings and preconceived notions between them add depth to their relationship rather than just serving as convenient drama. Watching them slowly peel back those layers and confront their own biases was incredibly satisfying.

If you love small-town romance with layered characters, pride-fueled banter, and a relationship that grows through conflict and vulnerability, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good short novella filled with small town feelings. It revolves around Dexter, who grew up in a different type of small town and now lives in the city. He has bias against small towns due to his childhood. Lainie is returning to her small town to be with family and helping to regenerate business in her town. They have different views on what needs to be done. Along the way they fall for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeanine Lauren presents the beloved enemies to lovers trope in her new novelette, Pride and Small Town Prejudice. Lainie Bennett is the determined, expert businessperson who meets high-powered, annoying Dexter Williams with his big city superiority complex. Readers will enjoy watching sparks fly between these two as they hammer out the business needs of Sunshine Bay while they fall in love. Pride and Small Town Prejudice takes its rightful place alongside Jeanine Lauren’s other charming stories of love, friendship and community in a special small town.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the town of Sunshine Bay, and have reviewed other books from the series. Pride and Small Town Prejudice felt very flat to me.

I did like the fact there were sisters, Lainie and Ella.

There’s no chemistry between Dexter and Lainie. That was vey disappointing.

The short story could have been great if the characters had been more fleshed out and the setting were more visual, but it just felt like a rushed novella summary.

Thanks to Jeanine Lauren.

1 star.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Shops at Sunshine Bay series, an engaging novella story in the series. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers journey between Dexter Williams and Lainie Bennett as they worked on the Sunshine Bay tourism project. The walking tour where Lainie shows Dexter the heart of the town and the lunch scenes with family and friends were personal highlights. It was very entertaining to watch Dexter learn to appreciate the community while falling for Lainie. I enjoyed seeing them get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining story. Dexter was a high powered man that turned failing into a success but had never dealt with a small town like this. Lainie was working for the city to try and protect it from him. They clashed at first and they got closer as he learned more about the town and it's businesses. The ending was very sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lainie is heading up a meeting on how to get more tourists to Sunshine Bay. Dexter has been hired by his friend Spenser to work with Lainie on the project. They do not get off to a good start. Liked the walking tour to show the town’s heart to Dexter, also the lunch with the two of them, Lainie’s sister Ella, Dexter’s sister Georgie and Spenser. A truly heartwarming clean and sweet romance. One of my favorite books so far this year.

[Shuvai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride and Small Town Prejudice by Lauren Jeanine is a sweet small‑town novella about Lainie and Dexter, whose reluctant partnership slowly blossoms into love. Dexter’s past made him wary of small towns, but working with Lainie helps him rediscover their charm—and her heart along the way. A warm, uplifting story of healing, trust, and unexpected romance.
Heartfelt and highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lainie was a resident in Sunshine Bay and the town as struggling to get visitors to the town. Dexter was hired as a marketing consultant and he was less than enthusiastic to be there he wasn’t a fan of small towns. Lainie and him butted heads but eventually they were able to work together and just maybe she could get Dexter to see why she loved her small town of Sunshine Bay.

I received this ARC from Booksirens for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story filled with some prejudices, stubbornness. Take into account when listening and provide the necessary outcome. In the process, fall in love.
I like that there are some elements not all from the inspired novel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet, later in life, second chance romance in a small town. The story line is realistic and entertaining. The book is well-written and I enjoyed the wonderful characters. It was entertaining watching Dexter and Lainie's relationship change and grow. A heartfelt love story done right.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride and Small Town Prejudice by Jeanine Lauren is a book in The Shops at Sunshine Bay series.

This was an enjoyable, quick read. I actually would have liked it a little longer to experience more of the transition of Lainie and Dexter from disliking each other to becoming a couple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Pride and Small Town Prejudice” (The Shops at Sunshine Bay) by Jeanine Lauren
A Sweet Read
I enjoyed my time in this sweet oasis from the world I live in. It is a quick easy read.
Happy Reading ! !

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short novella about Sunshine Bay, a small town. If you are looking for a quick read that you will enjoy, I recommend this book.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and am intrigued by Sunshine Bay. I almost want to live there and live with all the townspeople.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adpa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like books by Jeanine Lauren, but I just couldn't get enthused with the main character in this book. I didn't like his personality and then it seemed as if the tension between the male and female characters flipped quickly and that just seemed .... odd to me. The story seemed to end a bit abruptly as far as the job they came to Sunshine Bay to do.
I was provided with an advanced copy of the book, I give this review voluntarily and honestly.