Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Bennet, Pride Before the Fall
SERIES: Love, Austen #3
AUTHOR: Anyta Sunday
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 239 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2021
BLURB:
“I want someone to want me for who I am. No changing my appearance or philosophies or principles. I need a partner to be proud of me—in public and beyond—and proud of themselves.”
“Think you’ll find it?”
Bennet had always dreamed of love. Of finding his Mr. Right.
Hell, he’d even settle for Mr. Righteous.
Who he won’t fall for, not ever? Mr. Downright Pride-less.
REVIEW:
Following the theme of the Love, Austen series, Bennet, Pride Before the Fall is a modern-day, gay retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Sadly, I have not read any of Austen’s classics (I know, I know, don’t lob rotten tomatoes at me) but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this delightful book.
After their parents died, Bennet Keene moves back to Cubworthy to care for his fifteen-year-old, gay brother, Lyon. Bennet has two desires: to raise Lyon in a safe, accepting community, and to find a man to love and be loved by in return, exactly as he is without having to change himself. To the first point, he is attempting to plan a Cubworthy Pride event to rally support and pride for Lyon. Bennet’s plan is to solicit Caroline Bingley for the funds to organize the Pride activities.
Caroline is doing her best to get in the good graces of Bennet’s neighbor, Darcy Tilney, whom she is quite enamored with. Her primary interest in helping Bennet is to impress Darcy with her largess. There’s one problem with her plan – Darcy is gay.
Bennet is also drawn to the captivating, mysterious Darcy. Darcy, however, is closeted and Bennet refuses to get involved with a man who is embarrassed by his own sexuality. Darcy has to decide whether he can live with not taking pride in being gay, or whether he wants to live life out, proud, and true to himself, and have a chance to discover something special with Bennet.
Once they get past their initial awkwardness, Bennet and Darcy have a lovely chemistry with each other. This is a slow burn romance involving a forced proximity scenario. In addition to their relationship, there are a handful of things I adore in this story:
The town of Cubworthy thrives on gossip. Rumors and hearsay are manna to the villagers. Their alternative to the yenta is an online forum where residents can post anything newsworthy; more often than not, that includes every move of a romantic nature of certain gay townsfolk. It’s very amusing.
The second thing that tickled me is Lyon, who is a highly entertaining character. I couldn’t wait to hear what outrageous, sex-related comment would come out of his mouth next.
“Heard Henry’s not in town. It sucks. Or won’t suck, depending how you define sucking.”
The third noteworthy element I enjoyed is the unusual storyline involving Bennet’s best friend, Charlie, and a woman he befriends.
Bennet, Pride Before the Fall is another charming addition to Anyta Sunday’s Love, Austen series. I would be remiss not to mention, once again, Lauren Dombrowski’s beautiful cover art and illustrations throughout the book. If you’re a fan of Jane Austen, you can’t go wrong with this read. But no worries if you’re an Austen neophyte like myself…this book is fantastic all by itself.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: