Ben Bennett treasures the cozy rhythm of his life: 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.

In this queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Pride: A Novel by Samantha Ryan is a beautiful romance. Even though you really do expect the happily ever after at the end of the novel, getting there is most of the fun. From the witty banter between Ben and Avery to the reveals into Avery, this story was a loving and lovely read.

I loved the interactions between Ben and Avery, the witty banter but also the more intimate moments. And even though there is really nothing overtly sexual on the page, the story is incredibly intimate and romantic. It is very much a story of being gay, of being open with who you are but also being open to love. While Ben is open, he has to learn to be open to love and Avery has to learn to be open to others. I love the beats that dovetail with Pride and Prejudice, that are twisted to create a queer story.

If you like queer romances where the two leads must learn to be open with each other, this is the novel for you. The romance is well written, the intimacy between Ben and Avery is compelling and this is a beautiful romance that is just a pleasure to read.

Rating: 5 out of 5 books. 

Amazon

Goodreads