When high school senior Eleanora Finkel calls an urgent meeting for the LGBTQ+ Club during Hillview High’s pep rally, she doesn’t expect her club to be the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Kenley Stevens, head cheerleader. Soon, it’s clear that the LGBTQ+ Club will not be cleared from suspicion (despite clear evidence suggesting otherwise). So, Eleanora and her friends team up to solve this case before they are found guilty for a crime that they never committed, and the LGBTQ+ Club at Hillview is gone forever.

“Even the greatest of revolutions started small, with individuals deciding it was time for change and taking action.”

Pride or Die by CL Montblanc is an obvious commentary on the social injustices that members of the LGBTQ+ community face on a day-to-day basis, especially given everything Trump is doing. But despite the seriousness of this issue, Pride or Die was a witty, lighthearted book. 

Montblanc did such a great job with the humor in this book that I actually laughed so much! My favourite is the way they described Tyler:

Tyler put a hand over their brow and squinted into the distance like an elderly sightseer.

And also this time:

“That’s a great idea. You need to stay safe—that’s the most important thing,” said Tyler, who was clearly the spirit of a wise old grandparent inhabiting the body of a non-binary Cuban teenager.

Chapter titles like “How I Returned to the Closet” had me laughing, but others were a hit and miss. Some of them spoil what happens in the chapter, but others are actually really funny, like that one.

Heads up: this isn’t a murder mystery, since nobody actually dies, but it was still engaging all the same! The plot was well-thought-out, especially when it came to what actually happened to Kenley (which I was kind of confused about, but that’s probably just me).

However much I found this book funny and enjoyable, there were two things I found annoying. First, it was annoying how Eleanora was constantly complaining about everything being her fault. I get it, but she has to recognize that some things are just out of her control. And then her mom used a cliché metaphor that had me cringe. It was something along the lines of “you have to accept broken pieces for what they are.”

Overall, Pride or Die is a book for anyone looking to read a funny, (almost!) murder mystery book that deals with the homophobia that is still present today. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the copy of Pride or Die by CL Montblanc. This was a fun read about a great group of friends trying to solve an attempted murder. They’re the founding members of the LGBTQ+ club at school and are accused of trying to kill a classmate that bullied them. I loved their friendship and how they looked out for each other. The characters are the strongest part of this book, and Montblanc has succeeded in making them all interesting. As someone who went to high school long before the thought of an LGBTQ+ wasn’t something anyone had ever even thought about, parts of this book were really eye-opening, as were the attitudes in Texas. I think that this book would be a great addition to school libraries everywhere. 4 stars.

This felt really disjointed and read like a first draft. It's saving grace? A loveable group of friends.

CL Montblanc’s Pride or Die is an electrifying tale of resilience, loyalty, and the fierce bonds of community. With a fast-paced narrative and a raw, unapologetic voice, the story plunges readers into a world of high stakes and unrelenting determination. Montblanc masterfully explores themes of pride, survival, and sacrifice, delivering a gritty and unforgettable read. Perfect for fans of intense, character-driven dramas.

The uniqueness of this book is what will attract the teens. I truly think this Gen will love the dark comedy of this as well as the content. It's right up the proper ally of melodrama and fun.

Teens will adore it.

"𝑮𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒓 𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍."

Special thanks to @wednesdaybooks CL Montblanc & @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was definitely a fun academia mystery w lots of great friends in play. Shows how hard life can be, just for being yourself and the seriousness of high school bullying.

I would say this is more of a coming of age mystery than a thriller, but still just as good of a storyline. It also incorporates a bit of high school romance as an added touch.

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
April 15, 2025


ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Were you bullied in high school? Did you save anyone from being bullied?

AOTD - I punched a bully once for picking on a kid, it was liberating.

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #clmontblanc #prideordie
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I felt like this had such an intriguing premise with plenty of potential, blending suspense and LGBTQ+ themes in a way that piqued my interest. The plot takes some unexpected twists, and the exploration of identity and personal stakes adds depth to the story. There are definitely moments that draw you in, especially the moments of tension and emotional vulnerability.

However, I felt the execution didn’t quite live up to the promise. Some parts felt a bit disjointed, and while the main character’s journey is compelling, there were moments where the plot lagged or didn’t connect as deeply as I wanted. The pacing and structure left me wanting more in terms of emotional payoff.

Overall, Pride or Die is an interesting read, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations. It has a lot of potential, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful LGBTQ+ story, it’s still worth checking out. 3/5 stars.

I absolutely love dark comedy and especially if it's also queer, so PRIDE OR DIE by CL Montblanc was so up my alley and I absolutely loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy!

Book: Pride or Die
Author: CL Montblanc
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. This is a difficult book to rate. I almost gave it a three-star rating, but the more I think about it, the more it feels like a four-star. While it has a very serious undertone to it, it is fun. That is what reading is supposed to be, it is supposed to be fun.

In this one, we follow a group of LGBTQ+ teens who must navigate high school drama, police investigations, and budding crushes when they’re wrongfully accused of attempted murder. Seventeen-year-old Eleanora Finkel is just trying to survive her senior year in Texas. When her LGBTQ+ club meeting coincides with the brutal attack on the school’s head cheerleader, Eleanora and her friends are thrust into the centre of a police investigation and become the prime suspects. With the future of their club—and possibly their reputations—on the line, Eleanora and her eclectic crew must clear their names by finding the real culprit. But Eleanora isn’t exactly cut out for detective work: she’s anxious, distracted by an undeniable crush on the cute victim, and armed only with a crochet hook. Can this group of misfits solve the mystery before they’re caught—or worse, before one of them becomes the next target?

This is a story that, at its core, is about staying true to who you are, even when the world around you tries to force you into a mould you don’t fit. This is a message that feels incredibly vital for the YA genre, where identity, belonging, and self-expression are often explored in ways that reflect the struggles and triumphs of real-life teens. In a world where so many young people still face intense pressure to conform, it shines as a beacon of authenticity.
The central characters—Eleanora and her friends—are constantly shamed, ridiculed, and made to feel like outsiders because of their LGBTQ+ identities. They live in a small town where difference is treated with disdain, and they face bullying and social rejection at every turn. It's the kind of environment where anyone might expect them to cave in, hide their true selves, and just try to blend in. But they don’t. Instead, they stand firm. They not only refuse to shrink or apologize for who they are, but they also hold fast to each other. Their friendship, even when tested by misunderstandings and disagreements, remains a source of strength. They fight for each other, they protect each other, and they persist together.

There are moments in the story when things seem hopeless—when they’re up against not just personal struggles but also the weight of a whole town’s hostility—but they refuse to back down. Through all the tensions, all the fights, and all the obstacles, the characters’ loyalty to one another never wavers. This unwavering commitment to friendship and to being unapologetically themselves is the beating heart of the story. It’s what makes it resonate deeply, especially for readers who might have faced similar challenges of being different in a world that often values conformity over individuality.
While the mystery plot is a significant part of the book, it’s clear that the author’s primary focus is on the themes of identity and friendship. The mystery—a cheerleader is attacked, and the main characters are framed for it—is intriguing, but it doesn’t overshadow the deeper narrative about the emotional and social journey of the group. The group is forced into the centre of a scandal, with the entire town turning against them. They’re blamed for something they didn’t do, and their lives start to unravel as they lose everything they’ve worked for. But the heart of the story lies in how they respond. Instead of shrinking away or accepting defeat, they band together, determined to solve the mystery and clear their names. The mystery itself might not be the most complex or groundbreaking, but it serves its purpose—it drives the characters forward, and gives them a tangible goal to work toward. What stands out is the relentless drive to uncover the truth, to prove their innocence, and to protect their future.

Ultimately, what makes this book stand out is not just the plot, but the strength of its characters, their relationships, and the unshakeable belief in the importance of friendship and authenticity. In a world that often tries to force people into boxes, this book reminds readers that staying true to yourself and standing by your friends, is worth fighting for—no matter what.

One thing that I do want to point out is that there is one thing that is very clear where the author did not do their homework and that is when it comes to the educational side of things. Yes, the school could have done more to protect these students and the principal was in the wrong. However, the book made it seem like everyone who was in the school was evil. We get some redemption from the janitor. I want to make it very clear that a lot of times, more often than not, teachers have no say in school policies. Okay? It’s time for society to get that through their heads. The same with administration. They many times don’t have any say in how things are handled. Most of our jobs come down from the government and we can’t do anything about it. We are not even allowed to speak up when something is wrong.

Overall, I did enjoy this one a lot. If you are looking for a fun, empowering book about being yourself, then I highly encourage you to give this a go.

This book comes out on April 15, 2025.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/-X0aXosGhDA

As Montblanc wrote in their acknowledgements, "It takes a village to publish a book, though it only takes a single bigot to ban one."

I can easily see districts or states trying to ban this one, but I will take to the STREETS to defend it. Every character in the LGBTQ+ club shined, and the mystery had some good twists while still being remarkably funny. It's the type of book I wish I felt comfortable reading in high school, instead of pretending to be highbrow. You root for this ragtag group the entire way, especially the remarkable narrator Eleanora. (Also: spin-off starring Tyler and Salim? Please?) It was everything a YA novel is supposed to be: comedic, a good message, and solid with both plot and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. Keep the Montblanc books coming!

Pride or Die begins with Eleanora Finkel in her senior year hoping to complete the year and get far away from Texas. Unfortunately, her LGBTQ+ club meeting coincides with an attack on a cheerleader, and now they are being framed for attempted murder. Eleanora and her friends get to work on clearing their names and ensuring that their club lives on when they graduate for future queer kids.

What I Liked: This book instantly drags you in by opening with the main plot of this story. You briefly get to meet each of the characters before someone is attacked and Eleanora and her friends are accused of attempted murder. The cast of characters is diverse and it's great that you don’t get to learn much about their genders or sexuality labels, they just kind of exist as they are with one another. Their friendship ties them together and shows the strength in numbers and community when up against forces that may be impossible to beat otherwise.

From the beginning, it wasn’t very clear who the attempted murderer was and I never saw that coming. While the projected reason that Kenley was attacked became clear as you learned more about her and why she was included with the LGBTQ+ students also became clear, the twist as to why she was attacked was a surprise. Even as you figure out who harmed Kenley, it isn’t easy to guess how or why that was done which keeps you reading until the very last page.

The principal's inclusion as an additional villain was a fantastic addition to the book, as it was realistic for the setting of this story. Adding this villain causes the mystery to go on longer than expected and keeps you on your toes.

Final Verdict: Pride or Die is an entertaining mystery novel for young adults that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of murder mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels will enjoy trying to solve who attempted to kill Kenley and whether the murderer is still out there.

Growing up in the 90’s I didn’t know any kids at school that were “out” the way they are today… most kids “found” themselves in college and announced to the world their newest selves.
As a parent of the newer generation, nothing makes me more proud of how they are able to be themselves and show up for one another without judgement or shame.
While reading this book, the absolute horror of Texas society bigotry towards LBGTQ+ groups fueled a fire inside me that pushed me to the verge of tears and frustration multiple times.
This book was adorable from beginning to end…. I think it’s a perfect book for family members of that community to read to help understand the treatment and miscommunication of a new generation.
Even at almost 50…. I love a little high school myself and drama in a book.

ride or Die is a fantastic dark comedy about a LGBTQIA club whose members are targeted when they are framed for attempted murder. There was a lot to love about this one! The main character was flawed, but lovable. Overall the characters were delightful and well-built. I wish there had been a little more "thrillery" vibes to this one, but it was much more about solving the mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley, CL Montblanc, and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review! My opinions are my own. (But go pick this one up!)

Definitely had a lot of suspense which kept me reading! Kind of wish there was a little more to the mystery than what became obvious but overall a well-done story!

I wanted to like this book but the ending was disappointing. At least the "killer" wasn't obvious but the way it was solved didn't make any sense. The punishment for those involved didn't make sense. The book in general just didn't make sense to me.

I had high hopes for this book but everything just fell flat for me. I thought the plot was meh. The writing wasn’t my taste, and the storyline was obvious.

*This review will be published on my blog, Goodreads, and various other platforms on December 23, 2024.

The LGBTQ+ club at Hillview High is in danger after a cheerleader is assaulted during a pep rally, and they're the only ones that were close enough to her to blame.

The school and the police seem happy to let the club members go down for the crime. Nobody is trying very hard to find out who is really behind the assault, so with nobody to help them clear their names, they have to take matters into their own hands if they want a shot at saving their club and their futures.

Thoughts

I don't have too much to say about this one. It's a quick and funny teenage sleuthing story and I enjoyed it. The relationships between all the club members was sweet and really gave the story some heart. I did predict who the culprit was pretty early on in the story, but predicting the assailant didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. All in all a good debut, and I'll be looking forward to more from this author.

What a fun read, this was! Part murder, mystery, part commentary on homophobia in school, environments, and part romance there was no parts not to love! When the LGBTQIA+ club, which has all of four members, finds a student after an attempted murder, they quickly become the primary suspects of the crime. They all know that they couldn’t have done it, but they decide that in order to save their club, and all of their futures, they need to investigate what really happened. There are lines in this book that will make you laugh out loud and things that, especially as an educator, made me so angry about how the adults in this book were treating things like bullying and harassment. I’m so blessed to work in a state that allows students to express themselves, and for books not to be banned in schools, but this book reminds us of the terror and horror that students who do not live in a state like New York have to deal with every day in schools This book will definitely have a home in my classroom and definitely gave me the chuckle I needed.

This is a perfect young adult, queer thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself so absorbed in the plot that I lost track of time. I do recommend it to queer youth looking for a novel to keep them on the edge of their seats!

However, reading it from an adult perspective, it felt underdeveloped and a bit unrealistic at times. I would have liked to see more character development on Eleanora, to really understand why she put so much pressure on herself to be the fixer of everyone's problems. I also would have liked for there to be a more realistic plot-line of the whole novel, really. For one, I think it was a bit too many things happening at once (attempted "murder," coming to terms with sexuality, homophobia, creepy old man, dead dad, corrupt administration, etc.). I would have enjoyed it more if maybe just a few of those things were included and further developed.

This was a nice quick and fast read. It is a good palate cleanser. It is a typical basic YA queer slasher, it definitely was fun, but it was just missing that extra spark to make it amazing for me.