Book:
PRIDE OR DIE by CL Montblanc
Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Earc (April 15)

Review:
3⭐
PRIDE OR DIE follows Eleanora, Tyler, Noah, and Salim. When someone attack a cheerleader, and they're some of the first people on scene, they must work together to figure out who's responsible before someone else gets hurt, and their club get banned forever.
PRIDE OR DIE was, I don't even know how to describe it. On one hand, I applaud the author for an actual plot twist, a whodunit that I never would have saw coming. On the other, I'm dumbfounded because I have no idea how they put two and two together and came up with [REDACTED].
I didn't find this as thrilling as I wanted to. It wasn't like a OMG I need to read this all in one sitting because the mystery is so top-notch. As the story dragged on, it became a OMG, they need to hurry up an tell me the whodunit because I was growing bored. Honestly, with a title like PRIDE OR DIE, and a cover with b*ood splatter, I was expecting more than what was delivered---more mystery, more thrills, and a better explanation as to how they came up with [REDACTED] as the culprit

So freaking good. I was expecting something mysterious and unexpected and I got exactly what I wanted and so much more. The mystery and the suspense is top notch but the characters and their personalities make it seem like they are right there next to you during the story.

I thought the mystery at the center of this novel was a little weak and kind of Scooby Doo-ish, actually, but I didn't even care because the writing itself was brilliant! I loved the dialogue and how funny and true to life it felt, and I thought the social commentary was timely and really smart and poignant. The writing is sharp and snappy and, frankly, fun to read. I'm looking forward to more from CL Montblanc!
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thai was a good book, one I wish had been around when I was a teenager. Maybe it wouldn’t have taken me until 40 to come out if that were the case? As for the negatives, they were few. Parts were almost painfully cheesy and obvious, no one is all one thing or another. We’re all multifaceted and contradictory and confusing. Sometimes the characters felt like they were written for a bad B movie plot. The positives? Representation. The whole twist. How the improbable odds somehow worked out for the protagonists. All in all, pretty good!

A YA mystery novel about a group of LGBTQ+ teens that are flash accused and have to clear their names. I felt there were several big plot holes but it was a fun book.

This book was a surprise. I didn't expect to laugh out loud as much as I did. Great characters and the story flowed well. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Thank you to the author/publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.

I really loved this one and the characters. The storyline grabs you right away and it keeps you guessing on who did it til the end. I was actual wrong in my guess of the culprit which doesn't happen often for YA books. I think this one will be a popular book when it finally gets released to the public.

What truly stands out is how the story tackles serious themes like friendship, identity, and the pressure to fit in, all while maintaining a lighthearted tone. The plot is a wild ride, with clever twists that kept me guessing. The author’s unique blend of humor and mystery makes this a standout debut. I couldn’t help but root for this ragtag crew as they uncover secrets, challenge stereotypes, and, most importantly, learn to embrace who they are. A fantastic read for anyone who loves a good laugh with a side of sleuthing.

This book was geeatsuch a queer rich smart and pacey dark comedy. CL Montblanc debut novel kept me enraptured and left me wanting more.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great and fun dark comedy, it had everything that I enjoyed about other high school dark comedies. The characters had that charm and care to them and I was wanting to know what was going to happen to them. CL Montblanc has that spark that I was hoping for and enjoyed the murder mystery overall.

A solid story with likable characters, PRIDE OR DIE was a delightful twisty tale full of representation, real-life issues, and an attempted murder mystery. Throw in the typical teenage drama of crushes and miscommunication and it’s a relatable and entertaining read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ebook version of this novel. Opinions are my own.