Pride & Popularity

“This book was unputdownable. I highly recommend it to any fan of Jane Austen, young or old. Impatiently awaiting the rest of the series.”

“
Pride & Popularity
is a delightful romantic comedy that will tug on the heartstrings of ladies—regardless of their age. . . . The fast-paced storyline will draw you in while the characters enchant you. . . . If you’re looking for a refreshing reminder of how young, innocent love can break through even the most prideful of prejudices, you don’t want to miss this one.”

“This was an absolutely captivating read from the very first page. . . . I bought into every twist and turn and couldn’t wait for Taylor and Chloe to actually get it together enough to become a couple.”

“Loved this book. . . . Loved the heroine—she was fiesty and funny. . . . All in all, a very good read. ”

“This is so flippin’ cute.”

—Sweetly Southern

—Andrea Pearson, author of
The Key of Kilenya

—Drew Cross, author of
BiteMARKS

ISBN: 978-0-9838293-0-0

To Judith A. Lansdowne, my favorite author. Thank you, Judith, for all you are and all you’ve done.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

“Taylor Anderson is the hottest guy ever!” Madison said as she leaned in closer to me to catch a better view of him moving across the concrete basketball court in our local park.

To my right, Alyssa, who looked just like a younger Lucy Liu, practically burst an internal organ when she exclaimed, “I know. I’ve secretly dreamed of marrying him since I was ten.” A pathetic sigh followed.

Disgusted with myself for somewhat agreeing with their drooling, I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, you and every other girl in this park. Look around you—is there a girl here
not
into Taylor?”

Alyssa flipped her long black hair and turned to stare at me with wide eyes. “Don’t you like him? I thought everybody liked him.”

Madison, still intent on Taylor, started to cheer as he made a basket. Her sporty, light brown ponytail bobbed up and down. Every other girl on the bleachers cheered and applauded, drowning out any answer I could’ve given Alyssa. Taylor pranced around with that silly grin on his face, waving to his adoring fan club, which only made them scream louder.

I rolled my eyes again.
Please, could this get any worse? The guy’s got an ego the size of Madagascar. Let’s just inflate it more, shall we?

As if by some built in radar, fifteen-year-old Taylor’s eyes honed in on me and my lack of enthusiasm. His lopsided grin worked all of its charm on the crowd as he approached our section of the bleachers. “Hey, Chloe,” he hollered. “What’s the deal? You weren’t impressed?”

“Uh . . .” was all I could gasp as every female within a threemile radius turned in my direction. I’m sure Taylor couldn’t even hear me with all the noise.

“Come on! I bet I could get you to cheer for me. To prove it, this next basket’s for you.”

All the girls let out a collective sigh as he pointed his finger right at me. I could have cheerfully crawled under a rock and lived there for five years, mostly because of my body’s reaction.
He knows my name. He called me Chloe. He knows my name!
my heart chanted as its speed tripled. Mesmerized by Taylor’s retreating back, I watched slow-motion-movie-like as he rejoined the other players and laughed off their teasing remarks, which were muffled by the pounding in my ears.

“Chloe? Hello? Earth to Chloe.” Madison’s voice reached my subconscious.

“What? I’m here.”

Alyssa giggled and nudged me with her elbow. “You were saying?”

I stared at her blankly. “Uh, saying?”

“You know, about
not
liking Taylor?”

A smirking Madison came to my rescue. “Come on, Alyssa. She’s just a little shell-shocked, that’s all. Honestly, who wouldn’t be? Nobody can resist falling for him. It’s a proven fact.”

Smiling at my dazed expression, Madison nudged me again. “I would have to say the new girl’s got it bad.” Both of my neighbors and so-called friends burst into laughter.

Taylor must’ve heard them, because he paused and looked in our direction. Just as I was starting to breathe normally, he pointed right at me again and winked. In an instant, my face was as red as my very-berry lip gloss. Taylor noticed, and everyone noticed Taylor noticing me. He winked again and flashed those 100-watt pearly whites right at me. I was a goner. In the amount of time it takes a butterfly wing to beat, I was simpering and smiling back. Madison was right. No girl could resist the charm of Taylor Anderson, not even me.

With the knowledge of my defeat, Taylor turned just in time to catch the ball and
swoosh
it into the net. The fact that he had been standing on the three-point line made it a much louder “Taylor cheer” as the crowd of teenage girls rose to their feet. He beamed as he turned to me and mouthed, “That was for you.”

“Get up!” Alyssa yelled, tugging on my arm.

“Come on!” Madison shouted as she literally pulled me to my feet. The other players were trying to congratulate Taylor, but he was still standing in the middle of the court, hands on his hips, daring me to cheer.

I gave up and let out a wild cheer to rival all the other girls on the bleachers, clapping my hands and jumping up and down. I couldn’t help myself.

“Welcome to the Taylor Club, Chloe,” Taylor said, moving to stand beneath me.

My heart flip-flopped as I stared down into his gorgeous blue eyes.

“I promise you won’t regret it.” With that he grinned, turned, and jogged to the other side of the court, where he sat next to one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen, then nonchalantly leaned over and kissed her. My heart and hands froze.