I enjoyed this one! I think rewriting Pride & Prejudice is an impressive undertaking and Novoa handled it well. I thought Oliver and Darcy's relationship was cute, and I especially enjoyed Oliver's bonds with Jane and Mr. Bennet. It was nice to see them accept Oliver so completely and unwaveringly.

There were a few elements of this book that fell a little flat for me, though they didn't stop me from enjoying it. The first is that Oliver and Darcy hit it off pretty much instantaneously, there is none of the slowburn build-up that I would expect of any iteration of Pride and Prejudice. While this makes their relationship cute and unique, I would have liked to see more of that slowburn, "will they-won't they" that gave the original P&P its appeal. I think part of the problem here was that the book was pretty short, so the story felt a little compressed, which of course is not Novoa's fault; I just would have liked it if the book was a little longer so these storylines and relationships could be more fully fleshed out.

I also agree with some of the other reviewers that Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Oliver's identity felt a little anticlimactic. Mrs. Bennet is callous and uncaring of Oliver's feelings throughout the novel, so her sudden 180 at the end felt a little forced. I liked that she was so accepting, but I might have liked it more if Mrs. Bennet had some more gradual growth throughout the novel, so that her reaction at the end felt more natural.

I LOVED it!
The story itself moves swiftly but the character development and Oliver’s thoughts and emotions are clear and so well explored throughout the events.
I’ve read a few of the remix classics and loved them all but I think this goes right to the top of the list. Oliver is just as cantankerous as the original Elizabeth Bennet which made for such an enjoyable protagonist.
The conclusion of this novel is filled with so much hope, euphoria and trans joy in a way I never imagined I’d see in a piece of historical fiction!

*****5 Stars!


“I can’t imagine,” Darcy said, “that you could ever be unextraordinary.”

First I would like to thank Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this amazing book! I am honored to be given the chance to read it and give it an honest review.

Most Ardently follows a young man named Oliver Bennet who feels trapped, not by the endless corsets, petticoats and skirts he’s forced to wear daily, but also by society’s expectations. The world and the vast majority of his family and friends think him to be a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing pretty dresses, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone’s wife. Oliver cannot bear the thought of such a fate.

He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It is during one of these excursions Oliver becomes acquainted with the aloof and sulky Mr. Darcy, a young man who had been rude to “Elizabeth” at a recent social function. Oliver soon comes to find that Darcy is actually a rather sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart.

As Oliver is able to spend more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares to hope that his dream of love and life as a man could be possible. As suitors grow bolder--and even threatening--and his mother growing desperate to see him settled, Oliver will have to make a choice: Settle for safety, security and a life of misery pretending to be something he’s not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love and a life that can be truly, honestly his own.

I was so excited when I first heard about this book. I'm a huge Jane Austen nerd and I love anything having to do with Pride and Prejudice. So, when I saw this book I knew I just had to read it! I cannot express enough how much I adored this book; it was such unique and diverse retelling that warmed the heart and was just an overall delight to read! The moment I started this book I couldn’t seem to put it down and couldn’t help but devour it.

I adored Oliver, he was such an honest and relatable character. I really enjoyed reading from his POV and being able to experience this story through his eyes. It broke my heart to see how he was forced to live as someone he was not and dealing with the anxiety and crippling dysphoria that came along with it. I really admired his strength and how he was able to stand up for himself and not settle for anything less than happiness. His relationship with Darcy was absolutely perfect! I adored the instant connection they formed with each other and how they could be so open and not afraid to be themselves around each other. Their relationship was so genuine and so heartwarming! I was very glad that both of them were able to find happiness!

Mr. Bennet and Jane were other characters that I absolutely adored; they were both so supportive and loving characters and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship with Oliver. I was glad that he had such a solid support system while navigating through society and trying to find his way out of the box society tried to force him into.

This is a book I worldly highly recommend if you’re a fan of Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a unique, emotional and completely heartwarming retelling! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

I’m a sucker for an inclusive remake of a classic.

This was such an enjoyable read and I’m sure it will become many of the new generation’s introduction into classic stories. I believe that this retelling is going to become very special to a lot of the people that it will inevitably touch.

I would have loved more development of the relationship, but I also understand that remixing a Jane Austen novel is not an easy feat and there’s only so much that one can fit.

Overall this was a great retelling.

This was such a fun twist on Pride & Prejudice. Super cute, funny, and heartfelt. I loved the queer take and I think I love this version more than the original. Such a great read.

Thank you to Macmillan for the ARC! This was fantastic - delightful to see the familiar story of Pride and Prejudice reimagined with such a fresh take. I loved Oliver and while reading about his struggle to live as himself was heartwrenching, it made the happily-ever-after so much more sweet in the end.

This is technically YA but was very well done. Kisses only, though.

My first of the Remixed Classics series, and it certainly didn't disappoint!

I'm a big fan of the original Pride and Prejudice, and I feel like this remix lived up to that storyline. Oliver and Darcy's blossoming relationship was adorable to read about. Wickham is still the worst, of course, and I'm glad the Bennet family stood by Oliver's side through the whole debacle. I loved seeing the whole gender dysphoria aspect addition to such a classic story, an insight into the struggles some people might've suffered during such an olden time period.

Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends for the e-arc!

I was over the moon to get the email about this ARC request. I saw the cover drop in May and fell in love. Most Ardently is part of the Remixed Classics series, like Self Made Boys (which I have seen amazing things about), and this one is a YA retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The list of remixed classics that would make me happier than a queer P&P is practically nonexistent, as I have watched the 2005 movie approximately one million times.

The representation in this with the second oldest Bennet as a trans boy and Darcy as gay was wonderfully done from my perspective. It managed to be emotionally searing when it needed to be but overall it was a light, sweet read.

The reason this one was a four star read instead of a five star read is honestly hard for me to describe because I did like this one so much. I felt like the last chunk was just… rushed? It was a satisfying conclusion, but I just wanted more of it. I also felt like it was just missing more critique of the idea that Oliver didn’t deserve societal expectations of womanhood just because he wasn’t a woman. Women didn’t deserve those expectations either.

I am so thankful to @netgalley and @macmillanusa for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have been following the Remixed Classics series in anticipation of Pride & Prejudice being taken on and I was not disappointed! I adore Jane Austen retellings, I think the plots and characters are easy to morph while staying true to the underlying themes and Gabe Cole Novoa executed this well.

This retelling of Pride & Prejudice puts its entire focus on Elizabeth, who in this story, isn’t actually “Elizabeth” at all and is instead Oliver - a trans gay teen living a double life in attempts to please both his family and society while carving out a small place for himself when he can with the aid of a small circle of confidants. When Bingley and Darcey arrive in town Oliver’s life as “Elizabeth” is thrown into the spotlight and playing the part of a woman becomes more difficult when proposals and threats to expose him begin to pile up.

I absolutely adored Oliver and getting to experience his joy and euphoria from just existing as himself. His relationship with Darcy was everything I wanted it to be and every scene between them was filled to the brim with mutual longing and warmth - it was wonderful and I loved every second of it!

My only complaint of this novel falls on the pacing. I feel as if so much was rushed through so that the plot still hit all the classic “check points” of Austen’s original but in reality, retellings are meant to deviate. Since this story was much more about Oliver and his identity, I wouldn’t have been losing anything if some of the classic Austen scenes had been skipped rather than compressing them into a quick unnecessary scene irrelevant to Oliver and his current situation. I also felt the relationship between Oliver and his family post revealing his true identity didn’t flow as well as it could have had the scene between Mrs. Bennett and Oliver been given the time and care it deserved.

This is a wonderful addition to Pride & Prejudice retellings that I know I will be thinking about for a long time and was absolutely worth the read. I am so excited that we are seeing more queer voices in books and I look forward to getting it physically on my shelf - just look at that gorgeous cover art!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and or the author for giving me a chance to read and review this book.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books and I loved this version of it.

One of the best Pride and Prejudice that I have ever read, especially since it's a retelling and the main characters are trans and gay.

The Remixed Classics series is really doing a wonderful job of offering reinterpretations of classic novels through the lens of writers from marginalized communities. In this instance, Pride and Prejudice is retold with a trans male character: Oliver Bennet, trapped by society's expectations because most of his family and local community think he's a girl (Elizabeth). This book follows many of the same plot lines and scenes as the original, but it gives Oliver the space to explore his gender identity in relatively safe ways, through visits with an understanding friend (Charlotte) and her female lover and through exploring London while dressed as a young gentleman (instead of being trapped in the dresses Mrs Bennet insists he wears at home). These explorations also give Oliver the chance to become further acquainted with Darcy, the young gentleman who insulted "Elizabeth" at a local dance, and to learn something about Darcy that he, too, must keep hidden.

Most Ardently finds its most solid basis in exploring Oliver's identity and his relationship with Darcy, but there are occasional passages in which modern sensibilities overtake Regency ones at whiplash speed (especially when Mrs Bennet is faced with Oliver's true identity after all her other scenes are spent harassing him into women's clothing and behavior). Other passages that offer parallels to the original text skim very quickly over characters and scenes, such as Bingley's sisters and how Caroline tries to use "Elizabeth" to catch Darcy's attention at Netherfield. There are other changes to the original, including lowering the ages of Oliver, Darcy, Bingley, and Oliver's sisters in order to make this remix fit the YA category. On the other hand, Wickham's role as villain has a different basis here, and I'm pleased both that Oliver spots his villainy sooner and that Wickham's comeuppance is so fitting.

I always enjoy a good Pride and Prejudice retelling, and while this book feels lightly sketched in comparison, I did like seeing Oliver become more confident in himself as well as his connection to Darcy become deeper. 4 stars.

CW: transphobia, misgendering, misogyny, blackmail

I think retellings work best when they aren't so beholden to the original plot, but stay very true to the original personalities...and I felt this did the opposite of that. Some sections of the book seemed like word for word recreations of Pride and Prejudice, Oliver and Darcy's personalities felt off (and I do think Elizabeth's personality could totally work for a male character). I also was disappointed by how little many of the side characters were involved in the story, since they are part of what makes the original great.

I got an advanced reader copy of this thanks to @netgalley, and I’m so happy I did! It’s a retelling of Pride & Prejudice where our main character, Oliver Bennet, is a trans man. A lot of the major story beats are still there, and some things have changed. But don’t worry, Darcy is still there!

I teared up at the end of it. It was so lovely and joyful. Also look at this cover! So well done, @thegabecole!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Publishers for this ARC!

My freaking heart. I already loved Pride and Prejudice, and when I heard there would be a gay and trans remix of it? Sign me the fuck up. Except I don't think even I was prepared for all the emotions that are packed into this book. Oliver's story shattered my heart and put it back together in turn - experiencing all the gender euphoria and the happiness in his romance with Darcy just as much as the pain of being forced into a gender he doesn't belong in. I will be honest, I wanted to murder multiple characters in multiple pages, and I regret absolutely nothing. It was sweet and so affirming just as much as it was sad, and I think I literally gobbled the last 50% of this book in such a short time - even stayed up until like 3 am for it - that I still feel like I'm immersed in this world. Highly HIGHLY recommend to anyone who's interested in regency romance but with a queer twist.

Thank you @netgalley for sending me an ARC of Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix in exchange for an honest review!
This novel is a retelling of Pride & Prejudice, where Elizabeth is actually a closeted trans boy called Oliver! It focuses a lot on important issues, such as trans rights and discrimination against queer people.
I fell in love with this book! The plot is very similar to the roiginal novel, but it has certain changes that I loved (I'm so glad Whickam and Lydia didn't have a relationship!).
Oliver is such a sweetheart! He dreams of a life where he can be his true self without judgement. He's very smart and won't settle for anyone who doesn't treat him as an equal.
Darcy is also a very affable character. We see more of his interactions with Oliver and seeing them warm up to each other was heartwarming. He also longs for a life where he can be free from the expectations of marrying a woman.
Jane and Bingley are lovely supporting characters! Jane knows Oliver's trans and helps him all the time! She's a great sister! Bingley is also a good friend to Oliver, being the one who introduces him to Darcy.
Mr Bennet is such a great father! He supports Oliver in everything. Oliver's uncles are also supportive, providing him the love he needs!
Mrs Bennet on the other hand is even worst than the original one. She sends Jane in the pouring rain to Bingley's house so that she gets sick on purpose. That was just vile. But she did come through at the end! I wasn't expecting her to accpet Oliver, but I'm so happy she did! In the end, she does care about her children, even if her methods are very questionable.
It's so sad that both Charlotte and Lu had to resign themselves to marry men because they couldn't marry each other. Unfortunately that's the reality for most queer women at the time, but it still breaks my heart. Also considering Oliver's family cut ties with Collins, Oliver probably won't be able to see Charlotte much more.
If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, you should definetely check Most Ardently out!

TW:transphobia, outing, homophobia, arranged marriages, gender dysphoria, deadnaming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
What an unbelievably adorable queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice!! As soon as I saw promo for this book, I HAD to get my hands on it. This is undoubtedly a YA book, and it is quite short (I wished it were longer!) and very accessible to a modern reader. It is by no means a scene-for-scene remake of the original, though it does include most of the original characters and some similar storylines. Oliver and Darcy were both such sweet characters, and I especially loved Jane, though most of her story is cut out. There isn’t quite enough detail or character development for anyone outside Oliver and the story goes very quickly, so I think having at least some familiarity with Pride and Prejudice helps, but it was still very enjoyable and cozy. I love the fact that we got a supportive family even in a Regency era story, and the historical notes by the author at the end were really great. We have always existed!

rep: transgender male MC, gay male MC & LI, sapphic side characters

A lovely story, retold in a truly original way. I've always loved Pride & Prejudice, and have consequently read many, many retellings. While they're often enjoyable, I can't remember another that has felt like such an important and timely re-imagining.

Oliver was born in the wrong body and suffers greatly for it. By reframing the story of Elizabeth Bennet as one of a trans boy, Novoa allows the reader to really understand what it's like to live as a trans person. I was fully invested with Oliver's story, utterly pleased when he found joy, and terribly saddened when he suffered crippling dysphoria. Some of the details of the story differ from Austen's version, but the heart remains the same. (Wickham remains the WORST!) Oliver's story is unique, and yet, it's the universal story of searching for one's place in the world, and for friends, family and love.

Well worth the read for my fellow Pride & Prejudice fanatics.

I received an eARC of this book through a NetGalley promotion, in exchange for an honest review.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Remixed Classics books that I have read thus far, and I am an avid Jane Austen lover, so when I saw Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa, I didn't hesitate to request this ARC. I loved this retelling when I just did a surface-read, and I would absolutely recommend it to people who love queer retellings; however, there are some problematic elements when you look under the surface.

The story focuses on Oliver Bennet, who has been mistakenly raised as a girl by the name of Elizabeth. There are very few people who know the truth of who he is, and he is struggling under the weight of living a false, unauthentic life. Enter Darcy, a most confusing boy who is horridly rude at first introduction to Elizabeth, but genial and warm when meeting Oliver. Of course, Darcy does not know the truth and thus Oliver encounters Darcy multiple times as both his true self and as Elizabeth. This retelling is incredibly endearing, and there are some very Austenian, subtle-flirt interactions between Oliver and Darcy that were absolutely everything.

Now for the bits I struggled with. The women in Oliver's life are mostly present as plot devices for Oliver's story rather than three dimensional women in their own right. There is a lot of focus on Oliver's insistence that he should not be forced to marry and live life as a wife because he is not a woman. When his best friend marries, his only objection is that she is not straight, not that she shouldn't have to marry simply because she's a woman. The only time the women in the story really show personality is when it is on Oliver's behalf. So I did struggle with that aspect of the book and it took me out of the story at times.

Overall, the story was very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the retelling, and I will likely read it again. I loved seeing Oliver's euphoria at getting to live life as his authentic self. His absolute joy was infectious, and my heart broke with his every time he had to go back home and wear Elizabeth's clothes. All of his interactions with Darcy made my heart absolutely soar and, without spoiling the conclusion, the ending couldn't have been more perfect. Definitely a 4 star read, and one of my favorite queer books this year!

Most Ardently is the queer spin on Pride&Prejudice everyone needs, especially me! The way this take follows the source material more for note while still creating its own path and unique story is truly exquisite. Oliver’s struggle is relatable but his joy is what shines through the most — which is how all trans stories should be. The care, love, and attention put into conveying Oliver’s experiences is what makes this book stand out amongst all the queer stories I’ve read this year.

Most Ardently is a queer Pride and Prejudice retelling set in its original Regency period. I adored this novel. It felt so fresh.
I enjoyed Oliver and Darcy's interactions and blossoming love. As any bookish person can attest, bonding over a love of reading is always swoon-worthy.
The characters felt like themselves in essentials, and Mr. Bennet tugged on my heartstrings as he always does. I felt I could empathize with Oliver's struggle to live a life where he may never be recognized as his truest self. I even learned a little history, as Molly Houses were a term brand new to me.

This was not a 1 to 1 retelling and contains a surprising number of twists and turns for those familiar with the original novel. The only major issue I can think of was the length. I could have easily stayed in this world for another 50 to 100 pages. The climax was resolved slightly too quickly and could have been done with a bit more conflict and suspense.

The ending was a delightful HEA. Is it realistic? Probably not, but who cares. Queer joy is just as impactful to read as queer suffering.
I'm excited to pick up a few more of the Remixed Classics series, especially if they're all as fantastic as this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.