There’s nothing Zeke Chapman wants more than to tarnish the perfect reputation his father is so obsessed with. He quit the baseball team, started fighting at school, and nearly flunked junior year. Newly out as gay, Zeke isn’t sure where his queer identity fits in with his bad-boy persona. His father has always told him to stay quiet and not attract attention, but his friends are pushing him to be just as out and proud as they are. Most days, Zeke isn’t sure how to be a “good gay” or what that even means.
When his best friend, Sawyer, begs him to help the QSA plan Pride Day, he obliges—mostly to piss his dad off. But then the mayor announces an ordinance that cancels all LGBTQ+ celebrations. Angered by the injustice—and his father’s support of it—Zeke decides to put his rebellious ways to good use and plans a series of underground “Pride Speakeasies”.
As the speakeasies grow, and the community comes together to declare him “King of Pride”, Zeke finally feels like he’s doing something that matters. But friendship drama, a mysterious cyber-crush, and rising tension with his rival and ex Cohen “Coco” Fisher threaten to undermine his newfound pride. When his final party ends in near-disaster, Zeke must ask himself what he’s really trying to do. After all, there’s a reason that the first pride was a riot.
The Rebel’s Guide to Pride is Matthew Hubbard’s follow-up novel to his immensely successful debut, “The Last Boyfriends Rules For Revenge.” This new book is another coming-of-age YA drama with important themes and subplots of romance and family drama.
The story follows Zeke Chapman, in Beggs, Alabama, living with his mother after his parents separated. After coming out and facing criticism from his father, Zeke wants to change himself from the person his father wanted him to be. He’s quit sports teams, is starting fights, and no longer wishes to be a lawyer like his father. When his best friend, Sawyer, asks for help in planning the QSA’s community Pride Day, he’s happy to help but is hesitant to work with his ex and current frenemy Cohen. When the town’s mayor cancels all Pride events and starts a ‘Family First’ initiative aimed at silencing the LGBTQ+ community, Zeke refuses to let others dictate who he can be and raises his voice to inspire others to do the same.
The story has a wonderful cast of animated, rich characters. Zeke is a feisty protagonist who’s unwilling to be told how to live his life. He has contrasting relationships with his mother and father, but both parents have a genuine love for him that is evident. His animosity towards his father is warranted, and one that many queer readers in similar situations may relate to. No longer living with his father allows Zeke to freely be himself for the first time, and it feels both daunting and liberating. Like many LGBTQ+ young adults, he has to process what parts of himself are authentic and which were put in place to be accepted. Zeke’s internal self-analysis triggers a transformation within him that some people, including his own friends who think they have him all figured out, are not expecting or prepared for. It’s a grand coming-of-age tale that would translate well to film.
The story is relatable on a broad scale, even to those outside the LGBTQ+ community, as Zeke juggles a lot of different issues. He’s making bold choices for his future, dealing with old heartache, having new and old relationships transition, and most importantly, he’s trying to change his image of being a self-absorbed “bad gay” into someone interested in bettering the world. His friendship with best friend Sawyer is very heartfelt, but they’re at a crossroads. The story presents Sawyer as the wiser of the two, but Zeke’s willingness to change is very admirable. Sawyer, in some of their dialogue, refuses to listen to what Zeke has to say. Hubbard presents all the characters as having their flaws and complexities, making them very relatable.
There are many powerful messages in this book. Firstly, the power of community, especially in the LGBTO+ space, resonates strongly. The mayor has put Zeke and his allies in a difficult situation, causing them fear and uncertainty—this sadly mirrors the current sociopolitical climate for many LGBTQ+ in America today. Standing up for change and equality together, even as a small group, while remaining committed to the roots of your cause, can lead to big results—and this message is brilliantly articulated by Hubbard in this story.
Many LGBTQ+ adults wish these kinds of stories were around when they were growing up, which further emphasizes their importance for youths and future generations. These stories can alter (and even save) lives and demonstrate how important it is for people to unite against book banning and against the defunding of public libraries—two very relevant topics right now!
Overall, The Rebel’s Guide to Pride is a standout YA novel with powerful messages and memorable characters. The book is a rollercoaster of emotions that will especially resonate with anyone that struggled with their identity and society’s standards. Readers who enjoy bingeable YA novels, pronounced character arcs, and stories that linger long after the final page will love this book!
Narrator Performace
The audiobook of The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is a highly bingeable, immersive listen narrated by the accomplished Michael Crouch, a narrator well-known for voicing YA and LGBTQ+ stories. Crouch brings protagonist Zeke authentically to life, with all his teenage angst, animosity, and internal conflict. Crouch’s accurately sounding southern accents, wide vocal range, and his abundance of dramatic flair during the heated dialogue scenes bring the town of Beggs, Alabama, vividly to life and create a very immersive listening experience.
There are a wide variety of characters in this story, and Crouch provides each of them a unique voice and personality, giving a multi-cast feel to the audiobook. Zeke’s mother is one of the standout voices, and Crouch’s portrayal of her is infused with humor and high emotional intensity. The dialogue scenes between Zeke and his father are some of the most compelling scenes in the book, as they transition from total hostility to honest communication.
The constantly changing relationship between Zeke and Cohen is beautifully depicted. From resentment to confusion and anger to understanding and affection, Crouch delivers all the feels and makes their relationship highly satisfying by the end. As the book has an open-ended conclusion that is meant to be hopeful, Crouch shifts his performance of Zeke to portray him with more self-assurance and conviction, convincing readers that positive change is possible and better days may be ahead.
Overall, the author’s wonderful storytelling coupled with Michael Crouch’s outstanding narration creates an addictive and engaging listening experience. Audiobook readers who enjoy queer coming-of-age stories with powerful messages of hope and change will love this audiobook!
Narrator Performace
The audiobook of The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is a highly bingeable, immersive listen narrated by the accomplished Michael Crouch, a narrator well-known for voicing YA and LGBTQ+ stories. Crouch brings protagonist Zeke authentically to life, with all his teenage angst, animosity, and internal conflict. Crouch’s accurately sounding southern accents, wide vocal range, and his abundance of dramatic flair during the heated dialogue scenes bring the town of Beggs, Alabama, vividly to life and create a very immersive listening experience.
There are a wide variety of characters in this story, and Crouch provides each of them a unique voice and personality, giving a multi-cast feel to the audiobook. Zeke’s mother is one of the standout voices, and Crouch’s portrayal of her is infused with humor and high emotional intensity. The dialogue scenes between Zeke and his father are some of the most compelling scenes in the book, as they transition from total hostility to honest communication.
The constantly changing relationship between Zeke and Cohen is beautifully depicted. From resentment to confusion and anger to understanding and affection, Crouch delivers all the feels and makes their relationship highly satisfying by the end. As the book has an open-ended conclusion that is meant to be hopeful, Crouch shifts his performance of Zeke to portray him with more self-assurance and conviction, convincing readers that positive change is possible and better days may be ahead.
Overall, the author’s wonderful storytelling coupled with Michael Crouch’s outstanding narration creates an addictive and engaging listening experience. Audiobook readers who enjoy queer coming-of-age stories with powerful messages of hope and change will love this audiobook!
The audiobook of The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is a highly bingeable, immersive listen narrated by the accomplished Michael Crouch, a narrator well-known for voicing YA and LGBTQ+ stories. Crouch brings protagonist Zeke authentically to life, with all his teenage angst, animosity, and internal conflict. Crouch’s accurately sounding southern accents, wide vocal range, and his abundance of dramatic flair during the heated dialogue scenes bring the town of Beggs, Alabama, vividly to life and create a very immersive listening experience.
There are a wide variety of characters in this story, and Crouch provides each of them a unique voice and personality, giving a multi-cast feel to the audiobook. Zeke’s mother is one of the standout voices, and Crouch’s portrayal of her is infused with humor and high emotional intensity. The dialogue scenes between Zeke and his father are some of the most compelling scenes in the book, as they transition from total hostility to honest communication.
The constantly changing relationship between Zeke and Cohen is beautifully depicted. From resentment to confusion and anger to understanding and affection, Crouch delivers all the feels and makes their relationship highly satisfying by the end. As the book has an open-ended conclusion that is meant to be hopeful, Crouch shifts his performance of Zeke to portray him with more self-assurance and conviction, convincing readers that positive change is possible and better days may be ahead.
Overall, the author’s wonderful storytelling coupled with Michael Crouch’s outstanding narration creates an addictive and engaging listening experience. Audiobook readers who enjoy queer coming-of-age stories with powerful messages of hope and change will love this audiobook!
