Book Blurb:
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne: Liza B.–the only DJ who gives a jam–wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at a corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering-hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks fly–but her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but she’ll settle for getting him out of her head.
At first, Dorsey writes off Liza Bennett as more interested in performing outrage than acting on it. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, he’s always felt a bit out of place and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Liza’s protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down, and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionary is the most real woman he’s ever met.
My Review: 3.5 stars
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne was hailed as a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in current times in the D.C. area. I was intrigued at this concept even though there has been a slew of retellings in years past. This book featured persons of color, various ethnicities, and different class standings which was a bonus. I jumped on board out of pure curiosity.
The beginning had me sucked in and I was intrigued by the dynamic of Liza and Dorsey and liked their banter. They had chemistry but were so hot and cold with each other due to lack of confidence and trust. Obviously, Liza is referring to Elizabeth Bennet and Dorsey is referencing Darcy of the original Pride and Prejudice.
Because there were so many characters and so many side plots, I was losing interest at some points. I was trying too hard to grasp where the story was a retelling vs. not. I’m wonder if this book came with no mention of it being a retelling would I have enjoyed it more. Maybe, maybe not.
Interestingly, I still liked Payne’s writing and look forward to reading another of her books. And side note, the cover art was amazing!
Quotes I liked:
Could happiness really be found in the arms of a man? Her body screamed, Yes. God, she was just like her mother but with a master’s degree.”
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