PRIDE AND PROTEST

A spirited activist and a real estate CEO clash in a battle of heads and hearts in this inventive Austen retelling.

When Alizé Bennett, otherwise known as Liza B., isn’t showcasing international hip-hop on her radio show, she can be found protecting the housing rights of her tightknit D.C. community. News has spread about the imminent eviction of all residents from the low-income Longbourne Gardens complex due to Pemberley Development’s newest creation, Netherfield Court. Liza, her three siblings, their mother, and Granny—along with dozens of other longtime inhabitants—face losing their homes to make way for vegan bakeries and high-end pet spas. Liza has more than one bone to pick with the man behind the gentrification of her home: Dorsey Fitzgerald, Pemberley's acting CEO. After the tragic death of his adoptive parents and older brother, Dorsey became the heir to his family’s billions despite his feelings of inadequacy and general dislike of the very foundations of real estate development. Adopted from the Philippines at age 9 by the White Fitzgerald family, Dorsey has long felt as if he didn’t belong, and Liza’s fervent public protests of Netherfield do little to grant him credibility. As the two nemeses find themselves constantly in one another’s orbit, however, and as Liza and Dorsey squabble over politics and pride, their burning hatred starts to transform into passion. Soon, simple moments shared in snowstorms and innocent grocery store visits reverberate with their desire. Amid rising sexual tension, viral memes, and distractions from other potential mates, how will Liza and Dorsey make their love last? Payne’s version of Pride and Prejudice deftly explores themes of racism and idealism while providing deep insights into her characters. The author crafts a thoroughly modern update to Austen's novel and even offers a confident replacement for the untying-of-the-corset trope with the satisfying snap of shirt buttons.

A lively, sexy, and fresh take on a beloved classic.