Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Prom ends with a bang of unexpected epic proportions and leaves Chris with a disheartened outlook on where he is in his life, when he should be on top of the world. He's graduating high school with honors and has the best boyfriend in the world, but things still aren't right. Bullies make him doubt his choice to accept the way he feels and come out of the closet. Those friends turned foes make him realize how much the narrow-minded masses can hate gay people.

And everyone Chris loves starts to worry about him.

To give Chris a new perspective, his parents and loving boyfriend send him to his first gay pride—but Chris doesn't see the point, and he damn sure doesn't want to go. Will pride help him see there's nothing wrong with him? Will it change his feelings and his mind?

1st Edition published by Allison Cassatta, January 2012

Book Review

This sequel picks up Chris and Josh's story right at the point where the first book ended, and I loved that. The interesting thing for me was to see how Chris thought the worst was over now that he's come out to his family, but in the course of this story he discovers there are many more steps to take. Just like most eighteen-year-olds he doesn't think very far ahead, so the consequences of his actions keep surprising him. He deals with them as best he can, but there is a lot of back and forth, and he likes to tick his head in the sand before dealing with things. He isn’t yet very sure about his decisions, and still has to learn about standing up for himself when true controversy hits. In a word, he has to learn about "pride" – a very apt title for this book in more than one sense.

Chris goes through quite a few heartbreaking moments in this book. He is afraid of holding Josh's hand at the prom because he might get beaten up. Sadly, he does – but he is shocked that most of the hatred comes from two guys he's known since they were seven. He thought they were his friends, instead they turn out to be the ringleaders of the movement against him. Throughout everything Josh is there for him, even when Chris tries to push him away. It takes Chris a while to figure out how to reconcile his public actions with his internal convictions and desires.

Josh is as great as ever and he is very supportive, but he too has issues. Mainly when Chris rejects him in public - and he lets Chris know how much this affects him. His reactions help alert Chris to what he is doing, and his unwavering support makes Chris realize he may want to become a stronger, better man for his own sake, but he wants and needs Josh's support. In essence, Josh brings out the best in Chris while they're learning to become a true couple.

If you like stories that show you someone else's perspective on life, warts and all, if you enjoy reading about how a young man might deal with coming out to "the world", and if you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and move you deeply, then you definitely need to read this novel. I think it's a worthy sequel for  the first book.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 130 pages/30839 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	17-July-2013
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/pride-by-allison-cassatta-2046-b