It's Always Pride Here

From New York Times-bestselling author George M. Johnson and USA Today-bestselling author Leah Johnson comes a revolutionary romcom full of joy and humor about a group of teens experiencing their first New York City pride parade.

 

In this dual-POV, double love story, four queer friends road trip to their first Pride weekend in New York City though the trip doesn’t turn out how they expect – suitcases are stolen and plans fall apart, but love is in the air and the party doesn’t stop for anyone.

Amara Eagan is a high school overachiever turned college flame-out. Her friends have no idea that she won’t be returning to her elite university campus next semester after failing nearly half her classes during her freshman year. This weekend is supposed to be a welcome reprieve that reminds her of her old self. Instead, Amara ends up reconnecting with her childhood bestie Rain and realizing she may want to be more than just friends.

Matthew Elder is a chronic overthinker with big goals, big dreams, and an even bigger secret. He keeps busy with classes and track practice, but during Pride weekend, there's no where to hide. As a buffer from his childhood friends, he invites Dedric, his handsome dorm mate. As the weekend spirals into one incident after another, Matt begins to question everything--including his not-so-platonic feelings for Dedric.

George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson have created an unforgettable cast of characters, whose search for love, amidst the vibrant backdrop of NYC Pride is as messy and chaotic as it is hopeful -- leaving readers with a happily ever after they can be loud and proud about.

George M. Johnson (they/them) is an Emmy nominated, award-winning, and bestselling Black nonbinary author and activist. Their debut memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, was a New York Times bestseller and garnered many accolades. It was the #1 most banned book of 2024 in the United States, according to the American Library Association. For their work fighting book bans and challenges, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) honored George with its Free Speech Defender Award, and TIME Magazine named them one of the “100 Next Most Influential People in the World.” They also wrote Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known and There's Always Next Year co-written with Leah Johnson. Originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, they now live in Washington, D.C. iamgmjohnson.com

Leah Johnson (she/her) is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling debut YA novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, was a Stonewall Honor Book, the inaugural Reese's Book Club YA pick, and named one of TIME's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. She is also the author of Rise to the Sun, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, Bree Boyd is a Legend, Black Girl Power, and There's Always Next Year, co-written with George M. Johnson. When she’s not writing, you can find her at Loudmouth Books, her Indianapolis-based independent bookstore that specializes in highlighting the work of marginalized authors and uplifting banned or challenged books. byleahjohnson.com