Eastern Pride

by C.C. Urie

Hitch Daniels is ready for life to settle down after the mess with Hunter Crowley. However, Holt plans on proposing to Cali, so he spends his free time helping Holt plan. The day of the surprise engagement party, a beautiful, high-class blonde gets off the train as he finishes a shift at the lumber yard. But what was supposed to be a fun date opens a slew of new complications.

Blair Harding only has one thought after she learns of her husband’s she can finally be with Holt. She tracks him to a small town called Deadgrove. She buys a train ticket before Hunter’s assets are frozen without a second thought. Unfortunately, when she finally finds Holt, his arms are already wrapped around another woman.

Hitch feels responsible for hand-delivering Blair to her heartbreak. He helps her get a job until she can plan what to do next. As they grow closer, it becomes harder to get her out of his head. When Blair starts getting texts from an unknown number, she realizes that she hasn’t left her past completely in New Lanta. Hitch promises to keep her safe, and she starts to see him with different eyes. But when her life catches up with her, she isn’t sure she’s ready to face what comes next.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 1, 2026

Reviews

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

If you love stories that point to Jesus but are also gritty and have characters that are far from perfect... well, this book/series will absolutely fit the bill. This one picks up right after Southern Charm, so you'll definitely want to read that one first to really get the full picture. After her husband's arrest, Blair tracks Holt (whom she'd been having an affair with) down and shows up in Deadgrove in hopes of picking up their relationship, only to learn he's moved on and is about to be engaged. Simply put, this story is far from your cookie cutter Christian romance. It starts out messy and these characters will 100% make decisions that you won't agree with... but they're not left in that mess. By letting us see that mess, we are also able to see what God can do in their lives... and as someone who loves a good redemption story, there's something really beautiful in that. I couldn't help but enjoy the blossoming romance between Blair and Hitch. I loved the way he looked out for and protected her... but more than anything, I loved seeing her ask questions of faith and come to know God throughout the story. With just the right amount of suspense and danger thrown in, this is a story that will keep you wondering what is going to happen next. If you love gritty Christian romance, imperfect characters and stories of redemption, this is one worth adding to your TBR.

Eastern Pride is a closed-door Christian romance with kisses only on page, though there are mentions of previous experiences to include an extramarital affair. It is the second book in the Hearts of Deadgrove series and is best enjoyed in order.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle Houghton · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The road to redemption is not always easy. Author C. C. Urie has written another truly broken character, the FMC in Eastern Pride knows nothing of Christian faith or a life lived in pursuit of selflessness. She has been used in the worst way by family and does not even understand the full extent. She finds herself in Deadgrove and Pastor Dale and the community surround her and show her what life could be. Wonderful characters and community. I love the found family feel to this series and the building from one story to the next.
This is the second book in the Hearts of Deadgrove series and I would encourage you to read them in order. Each of these books is a closed door kissing only romance, but they are gritty and it is worth reading the author’s trigger warnings to make sure this is a good fit for you!

[Aline Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one (Southern Charm) is good, but this one made me cry! There’s so much pain, anger, forgiveness, and emotional ups and downs. Reading the first book before this one really helps you understand the story.

⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

What I appreciated most was how this book shows realities that many people experience, even when we may never have lived through them ourselves.

As Christians, we need to remember to see others through Christ’s eyes—with love, kindness, mercy, and compassion rather than judging them by their past or circumstances. We never truly know what someone has been through, and I believe stories like this can help us understand others a little better.

Thank you, C.C., for allowing me to be part of the ARC team.

I received an advance copy as part of the ARC team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sophia Mccurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! One of my favorite parts of the story was getting to watch the FMC grow and change throughout the book, especially seeing how much her thoughts and perspective changed along the way. I also really loved the relationship she had with the pastor and the fatherly role he played in her life. The MMC was also protective, which I really enjoyed!
I always love having some suspense in my books, so I really liked the mix of romance, suspense, and faith throughout the story. There were definitely some emotional moments, and I enjoyed seeing everything unfold. I would recommend Eastern Pride to anyone who enjoys Christian romance, character growth, and suspense mixed in!