REVIEW: Pride by the Book by Jeff Adams (Love in Maplewood #6)

PRIDE BY THE BOOK

Love in Maplewood - Book Six

by Jeff Adams

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Review

So good. Ethan and Andre are really great characters. And I always enjoy a story about two people who have been misunderstood.

And as teenagers, the story they told themselves about the other person was just that, a story. But as adults and with a few bumps and bruises, they get a chance to get to know the real person, and maybe even grow along the way.

It was a lovely story, and I really enjoyed the Pride Festival theme. It gave them a focus to help navigate their relationship.

They are both incredible additions to Maplewood - they are vibrant members of the community.

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Synopsis

One small-town Pride festival. Two enemies forced to work together. An unexpected chance to find their happily ever after.

NHL star Ethan Gallagher faces his worst fear when he's named grand marshal of Maplewood's Pride festival: public speaking. The only thing more daunting? Working with Andre Thompson—the passionate librarian who made his high school years miserable.

Andre has planned every detail of the festival except for the undeniable attraction he feels toward the man he once considered a nemesis. As they navigate festival chaos, enemies become lovers and misconceptions transform into desire.

With careers pulling them in opposite directions and a small town eagerly watching their romance unfold, Ethan and Andre must decide if their summer flame can survive beyond the festival.

Pride By the Book delivers an enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance where second chances lead to steamy encounters, heartfelt connections, and the transformative power of being truly seen by another person.

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With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!

About Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school, and became a published author in 2009 when his first short stories became available. He writes both romance and young adult fiction with queer characters…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.

Jeff lives in central California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will Knauss. Some of Jeff’s favorite things include the musicals "Rent" and "[title of show]," and the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams. Of course, he loves to read, but there isn’t enough space to list out his favorite books.

In his day job, Jeff is a web accessibility expert and he consults with companies around the world about making their digital experiences accessible. He’s bringing that knowledge to other creative entrepreneurs with "Content for Everyone," which helps creatives understand what they can do to create content that is accessible and usable by everyone.

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