#PopsugarReadingChallenge Book 36: Pride and Protest

Popsugar Reading Challenge category: An enemies-to-lovers story.
Pride and Protest, by Nikki Payne.

This is of course a modern take on Pride & Prejudice. Liza Bennett is a DJ and organizer trying to stop the gentrification of her neighborhood. Dorsey Fitzgerald is a reluctant CEO trying to uphold his mother's legacy of philanthropy. At issue is a housing development that his company's Board wants to build.

It's hate at first sight, they eventually soften toward each other, and he bungles his first declaration of love. The plot generally follows the classic original: he refuses to dance with her when they meet, her mother's trying to throw her at a rich guy, Dorsey's best friend falls for Liza's sister Jenae, etc. The scandal with Liza's younger sister is updated for the 21st century. There's also a tragic backstory for Jenae (trigger warning: child death) that has no counterpart in Pride & Prejudice.

One other way the story's been updated: there are some very sexy scenes, and an innovative variation on the "only one bed" trope. The conflict over the housing development is resolves with surprising ease, but it's a romance - love is supposed to conquer all.

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