Most Ardently was a Pride and Prejudice retelling that stayed very true to its original source material. It's the third book I've read by Gabe Cole Novoa, and it's also my least favorite. The story hit all the beats of Pride and Prejudice but didn't do anything new with the material. Yes, Oliver is trans. Nothing else changed, though. In all the other Remixes, enough has been changed that the story felt fresh. This one didn't feel like that. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't as good as Gabe Cole Novoa's other books or the other Remixes.

Most Ardently is a fun, if a bit unrealistic, trans retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Gabe Cole Novoa captures Darcy perfectly, though we see a different side to the man than Elizabeth Bennett saw. He is a man among his cohorts, and feels like he can be himself. Much like Oliver does, in his presence. Oliver is hesitant to embrace the prospect of hanging out with other men for the first time, but the gender euphoria he experiences as a result is totally worth it. Before Darcy, Oliver only spent time with some of his family and close friends as his genuine self. To be amongst others, who don’t know he’s trans, and to pass, fills him with joy, as well as fear. He fears being found out but the rewards are well worth it. He gets to go to a bookstore for the first time, to a queer club. He gets to pass and be seen in public with little to no punishment for doing so.

It’s missing many of the more florid descriptions and gives a little too much explanation, when the source material didn’t need extra explanations in the first place. Characters are presented as villains when they weren’t in the source material, perhaps as a simpler way of pushing the plot forward. I didn’t fully realize how much younger the characters were, either. Why were they aged down in such a way? They could have been the same ages as they were in the original novel and it still would have been approachable for young adults. Oliver is accepted by his mother, in particular, far too easily. I’m not saying she shouldn’t have accepted him, but the way she did felt anachronistic to the times.

Mrs. Bennett, as well as many of the characters, felt like a way for Oliver to have people to exist with, simply disappearing when he wasn’t with them. I didn’t feel their dimensionality, didn’t see them as characters that existed outside of when Oliver needed them. There was a moment with Charlotte, when she spoke of marrying a man even though she had a dedicated partner, when I felt she was a fully fleshed out character, but that was only when she was in opposition to Oliver.

This book is a great choice for younger readers, as it reads like a less complicated Pride and Prejudice. It’s a quick read and worth the end, as unrealistic as it felt to me.

Like the other books in this series, this is a really interesting twist on a classic, where the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice is a trans boy named Oliver Bennett, who is living in a world where almost no one recognizes that he is a boy. I really liked the exploration of how Pride and Prejudice would change if the protagonist was a trans boy; although, I do wish the book had delved a little deeper into Mr. Collins and the entailment on Longbourn.

While I could see readers who have not read Jane Austen before enjoying this book (and especially those who see themselves reflected in Oliver), as an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, it fell far short of the mark for me. The writing feels extremely simplified, even for this being a YA version of the story, and it loses nearly everything about what makes the original shine in its family dynamics, class commentary, and social entanglements. I don't mind an adaptation taking creative license - in fact, I think some of the stronger choices in this book are when it veers away from the beat-by-beat faithful retelling. But some of it pulls the story down, like the shift away from the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and gradual emotional development of the original Elizabeth and Darcy's romance.

Does it work on its own? I still didn't think it was amazing, but certainly better as a standalone than an adaptation. But given how much this book, and this whole series, is sold on the basis of being remixed versions of these classics of the canon, I can't pretend I don't have that in mind as I'm reading, and unfortunately, as much as I want to like it more, this version falls short of its predecessor over and over. I just kept wishing it could be an original work and thus maybe more expansive, than an adaptation that feels like it chafes against the frame of its source material.

A delightful twist on Pride and Prejudice starring a transmasc character! I only wish this had been around when I was a teenager.

Like I said before, dark academia-inspired fantasy books aren't for me. I just don't vibe with it as much. I pretty much get annoyed with it, which isn't good for anyone. I did enjoy reading this one because it has a bit of pride and prejudice. It was the dark academic vibes that weren't vibrating with me. If you enjoy reading about pride and prejudice retellings with bits of dark academia vibes, then you will enjoy this one.

It took a little while for me to get steam in the book, but by about halfway through I was hooked. Which honestly I think is what happened the first time I read Pride and Prejudice. Anyway, I loved the characters they felt fresh and relatable. I may even like the storyline better than the original, especially the inclusion of Molly Houses.

But what I found most important about this book was the little things. Looking back at all of the quotes I highlighted, there was a common theme among most of them. Correct identity. He even says it at one point. (first favorite quote) It was the way Oliver describes desperately needing to be himself. It helped me better understand, just a little, what my friend from high school may have been experiencing. When a family member mentioned to me that their child had come to them about being trans, I had just finished this book and bought a copy for her. (We're still waiting for them to come to family themself.) While I recognize the importance of this book in the trans community, especially for trans teens, I hope parents and friends will take the time to read it, because it really helped my level of understanding and I think it could help others too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley & Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review

While I liked this book as a historical romance, I'm not sure I loved it as a Pride and Prejudice retelling. I think the thing that makes something a good Pride and Prejudice retelling is the complicated family dynamics and how all of the sisters have personalities and things going on with themselves. Also, Pride and Prejudice is at it's core an enemies to lovers story, and this just wasn't that. I think @Grapiedeltaco on TikTok has a much better explanation of why this wasn't my favorite adaptation of the source material, that I could never put into words. But again, I did like this as a queer historical romance. It definitely made me cry when Oliver came out to his dad, and I really did appreciate the author's note at both the beginning and end of this book.

Note that this was actually a 3.25 star rating.

Creating a retelling of such a beloved work as Pride & Prejudice isn’t an easy undertaking but in this case, it was done beautifully! I absolutely loved the way that Novoa blended the details we know from P&P with new character identities, like Elizabeth being a trans-man named Oliver. The struggle with his identity in the P&P world feels real and painful but also creates a new level to the relationships with Darcy and also the Bennet family that is so heartwarming. And I know I’m probably going to be in the minority, but I loved the ending (I won’t say more and spoil it). I highly recommend!

A very faithful adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and my first encounter with the remix series. I loved how faithful this book remained to the original source material but I also LOVED the changes that were made in order to make the story make more sense and for it to feel a little less "of its time". For instance, Wickham doesn't end up running away with the youngest Bennet sister and he is instead revealed to be a huge transphobe, really appreciated this turn of events.

Overall, I think it a wonderful adaptation of the original source material, that has been updated to fit a modern audience and put a trans man in the spotlight of the story. The representation was very well done and I enjoyed the authors take on what it might have been like for someone who identified as transgender to live in this time period.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arch!

Rating: 3.75 stars

This story was adorable and had me giggling a bit during large chunks of the reading journey. It was very different than other stories where you really get to know characters and you really see the romance heating up, but that isn't a bad thing at all. It was fun to read, it got me out of a massive reading slump i'd been stuck in. An LGBTQ+ retelling of one of my favorite books is exactly what I needed in 2024!

This was unbelievably cute and had me kicking my feet giggling. It definitely doesn't have the depth of characterization and build up for the romance that you would usually need. It definitely relies heavily on the established atmosphere and story people already know Pride and Prejudice to have. If that wasn't there this would have fallen flat. That being said I find this kind of queer retelling absolutely adorable. I love how Oliver was twisted into the story in a really effective way.

This book was a lot of fun. It felt true to the original characters and plot while also being cohesive and entertaining in its own right. For fans of the other Classic Remixes, as well as queer historical romance books like those by Cat Sebastian, KJ Charles, Lex Croucher, or Emma R Alban.

A very unique variation. First, I appreciate the author's candor. Appreciated that the story has enough of the original and the sequence of events to enable me to follow. Initially got lost because of the switching of names/gender and then the pronouns, throwing me off. Wasn't sure if Lizzy was presenting as Elizabeth or Oliver. As I continue to read, I got used to such. I wasn't sure how this story will go especially how it will end. Amazed by the author's creativeness. Also thankful for sharing such disheartening situations. Towards the end, there was heartwarming moments. I particularly love when Mrs Bennet said something and hugged Oliver. Such a unique, heart-touching story and enlightening one for me.

This remixed classics series is one of my favorite series! This book provides such a warmth and it just left me so happy. Despite the shorter length, the story is fufilling, Oliver and Darcy are an amazing couple.

I love this series of Remixed classics, and while this was maybe a little unrealistic in its optimism, I don't care because I absolutely loved it. I love P&P, and this is a really great adaptation.

This fell under the "didn't love, didn't dislike" category for me. There wasn't a lot behind it, but there really doesn't have to be to enjoy a book. I liked the characters but wish some of the side characters were fleshed out a bit more. Based on the general gist of the plot, I'm now more interested in Pride and Prejudice than I was before. The messaging was great and the ending was satisfying, wouldn't active recommend but would support an existing recommendation for sure.

Ok, I'm going to first level set this review in two ways so you know about the book for two key things I did not know going in and would have helped me like it more quickly: 1) this is YA. I don't normally read YA and I wasn't expecting YA and was really really confused when Oliver kept referring to everyone as "boys" and "girls" and I was like, but Darcy is a grown man? No, he's not, these are all teens and this is YA. 2) This is an absolutely zero spice book. We get a kiss. That's it. And THAT IS OK, especially with it being YA, I just hadn't known. Ok, all set? Let's get to it.

This is a Pride & Prejudice retelling (you know I love those!) where the second eldest Bennett child is a trans boy named Oliver, who is known to the outside world and most of his family as girl named Elizabeth. I loved the use of P&P and the way it hit the notes you'd want - Jane is a loving sister to her closest in age sibling and knows Oliver as himself and supports him wholeheartedly, Mrs. Bennett is still trying to get all her children married (wrongfully thinking they are all girls), Wickham is still evil, Charlotte still enters a marriage of convenience with Oliver's cousin (with very interesting reasoning!), and Mr. Darcy (here just Darcy) is a bit stuck up but ever so tender.

I loved the twist on the story, giving us more than cis hetero love, and the way Oliver found his way to living authentically as himself. It was really lovely (if YA and without spice).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Lovely twist on Pride & Prejudice. It kept close to the original in plot, with some adjustments I felt worked well. There were also many of the most well known lines reused and it was so well done. The ending made me so happy and even though I knew where it was going, it was the journey of Oliver Bennett to get there more than the romance really.

I'd been anticipating this book for ages and was blown away by how much better it was than I even could have expected!! I think it's very safe to say that I'm a huge fan of Gabe's work and, as a Pride & Prejudice lover, nearly cried at how incredible the characters, story, and respresentation all came across. Definitely a favorite read of the year already!