A comfort author and one of my favorites, Pride by Nikki J Summers is yet another book by this incredible author. Her book will leave you guessing as she weaves a story that will keep you up late for just one more chapter.
Pride by Nikki J Summers
Pride by Nikki J Summers is a book from the Seven Deadly Sins Series: An NLW Collection. It is a dark romance published on February 27th, 2025 and is 306 pages long. You can find the book on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
Premise
Emma Belmont hates her boss, and he’s about to make her life a living hell. Dragged to an art exhibit, completely unprepared, she’s been tasked with reviewing the work displayed and performed. Unfortunately, the review she turned in was not the review that was published and now the artist is threatening her life. Unable to trust anyone around her, she forced to accept the help of a man she met at the art exhibit, but not everything is as it seems, and it’s her life on the line.
Triggers
Triggers found in Pride by Nikki J Summers include:
- Stalking
- Serial killer
- Hanging scene
- Violent murder scenes with details of torture
- Home invasions and macabre gifts left behind
- Dream sequence of non-consensual sexual activity
- Sexually explicit scenes
- Image of self-harm described in a photograph, but no description of the act itself.
- Drugging
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Threats of violence and murder
- Strangulation
- Use of guns, knives, and other weapons
- Child neglect (past mention)
My Thoughts
Emma Belmont is tired of the sexist behavior of her boss, but when an opportunity comes that could promote her from assistant to junior reporter is dangled, she takes it. Joining her boss, and then taking on a task that she’s completely unprepared for.
Yet she pulls it off, like women do when faced with an impossible mission.
However, it’s not her review, one she worked hard on, that ends up published in the paper she works for, and it spells trouble. Because suddenly the artist is pissed and threatening her life.
“You know that could be classed as stalking?” I replied, digging through my handbag for a tissue. “Is it stalking if it’s for your own good?” – Pride by Nikki J Summers
S.K.A.M., the artist, is as allusive as they come. No one knows his real identity but he takes great pride in his work that brings to life the inequity and selfishness in our world. Brilliant and completely unhinged we see his POV as he stalks, plans, and prepares to kill our main character.
While there is tension, yearning, and spice in this book, I would say it’s actually the least spiciest of Nikki’s books. It is a slow burn, and don’t get me wrong, the spice is hot and so freaking worth it, as it always is in her books. But Nikki hooks you on the plot and gives you the delicious spice as a reward.
“All good things come to good girls who wait.” – Pride by Nikki J Summers
Nikki J Summers gives us a twisted story in which you can feel the tension and fear of our main character. And while most of the time I don’t like getting the POV of the antagonist, Nikki always proves me wrong.
As usual it’s hard for me to explain my feelings on all of the characters in this book without spoiling it. Just know that I loved seeing the strength in Emma as she dealt with the situation she found herself in.
The overall vibes of the book are twisted dark thriller romance, because romance is absolutely involved, and you will be guessing throughout the book who S.K.A.M. actually is.
Who Would Like Pride by Nikki J Summers?
Tropes in Pride by Nikki J Summers include:
- Stalker
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Slow Burn
If you liked To Have and To Hold by Alina Comsa, Graves by Katelyn Taylor, or No Control by Annie Wilde than you will likely love this book as well.
Have you read Pride by Nikki J Summers, or have you added it to your TBR? Let me know in the comments. I love interacting with other readers about books I loved.