A retelling of a classic with an LGBTQ twist. The story is full of heart and warmth as well as self discovery. It touches on all the major plot points of the original while still remaining inventive.

London, 1812 . Oliver Bennet feels trapped—not just by the endless corsets, petticoats, and skirts he's forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society's expectations. The world, and the vast majority of his family and friends, think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone's wife.

But Oliver can't bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family's home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It's during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to "Elizabeth" at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart, not to mention attractive.

As Oliver spends 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 can be possible. But suitors are growing bolder―and even threatening―and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: settle for safety, security, and a life of 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 his own.

I have never read Pride and Prejudice before, but this novel was still one of my most anticipated books of the year. I would read Gabe Cole Novoa's shopping list if I had the chance. He has definitely become an auto buy author for me. His works are fast-paced with multifaceted characters that make his novels hard to put down. And, if that's not enough, they are unapologetically queer!

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa was a beautifully done retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Given the societal pressures of the time, I absolutely loved how realistic Oliver’s sardonic and dry view of the world felt. His relationships--not even romantically, but especially with his sister and father made my cold, dead heart flutter.
Oliver’s relationship with Darcy followed the overall premise and plot of Pride and Prejudice, with a transgender Oliver and a gay Mr. Darcy, so I don’t feel I need to go into too much detail over this other than letting you know that you are going to be giddy and giggling at every terse and warming interaction. This book's narration was lovely, too, as the narrator’s voice fit Oliver very well.
This book deals with heavy themes in a way that was (for me) easier to digest as a nonbinary, queer person who has had to consider my own roles in the eyes of society. While not in a time quite like the 1800s, and while society has moved forward from how staunch and tight the lines of “feminine defined roles” were in Oliver’s life, I was raised in a southern Christian household and related heavily to the discoveries and expectations Oliver had to face about himself and those around him. I suggest everyone read the trigger warnings for this book before proceeding and decide for themselves about continuing. However, I felt SEEN in these pages in a way that other books often lack.

I'm screaming!!! The sweetest most heartwarming retelling I have ever read/ listened to.
I really liked the narrator, it was the perfect choice to narrate this particular story and as someone who is incredible picky when it comes to narrators and audiobooks (there's literally only 2 narrators that I like) this is big praise.

Oliver and Darcy are so precious. The whole time I just wanted to envelope them in a warm hug and tell them it was going to be ok and shower them with love and support. Both characters are cinnamon roll cute.
Mr Bennet was everything to me. Father of the century for sure. I shed some tears.

I keep saying this again and again and I'm about to say it again: We need more stories like this one. Sweet, heartwarming, uplifting and supportive trans rep.

I know Most Ardently is part of a series of queer retellings of classics and I will be sure to check out the rest of the ones that are currently out. I simply love love loved this one though!

Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for the audio ARC. My opinions are my own. Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa is out now!

I really enjoyed this retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It had all the classic moments from the original while adding new scenarios and moments that discusses gender and society. I know that teens and new adults will enjoy this retelling!

Historic queer romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice.
Oliver Bennet feels trapped by society's expectations. Most people think Oliver is s girl named Elizabeth and is expected to mingle at balls in dresses but he can't bear the thought of staying trapped. Sneaking out dressed as a gentleman is the only thing that's giving him hope. But when he becomes acquainted with Darcy and young gentleman who is rude at times. Oliver learns that Darcy is actually sweet and intelligent.
This story warmed my heart at many different points. I was unsure of how a few things were going to turn out...
We get to see the development of Oliver becoming more and more himself throughout the story. He's easy to root for, you want a sweet ending for him. Oliver and his relationship between him and his family were very interesting and at times will melt your heart.
This relationship between Oliver and Darcy is so like Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. It has that wit and charm, it has the will they, won't they; it's just so entertaining!
There are some heavy topics and themes; transphobia, gender dysphoria, misgendering, homophobia, and unwanted sexual attention, if you need more info, please look them up.
I was lucky to be gifted an ARC of the audiobook. I quite liked the narrator, Harrison Knights, who did a great job. It has a good tone, and good emotions worth reading it by audiobook.
Pride and Prejudice retelling of a queer story of Oliver's journey of risking everything for freedom, love, and a happily ever after.

I’m always a fan of a genderbent retelling!

Pride & Prejudice has a special place in my heart, and seeing it become so beautifully inclusive was such a delight. The audio experience was a bit flat compared to some, but it was still a good listen.

Excited to share this for future collections with our teens department!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am always a fan of retellings. When I saw this book being announced, I was so intrigued especially because of that cover! It's absolutely gorgeous. The fact that the cover shows their hands almost touching! It reminds me of the 2005 P&P movie.

I love how Novoa wrote the main Bennett character trans, Darcy queer, and Charlotte queer too! Oliver Bennett was a fantastic character that wanted to be true to himself. The relationship that Darcy and Oliver develop slowly was beautiful to read.

One of my favorite parts of the whole book is the relationship between Oliver and his father. His father knew his son so well and loved him no matter what. It was so beautiful and made me tear up several times.

This is easily one of the best books I have read this month and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it stayed in my top best books of the year.

The audiobook was fantastic and I loved how the narrator handled all of the different characters.

It's important to note that Oliver unfortunately spends most of the book getting misgendered, mis-named, and had to spend a long time acting as a woman. There is also some transphobia and homophobia that happens.

Most ardently is a pride and prejudice remix in the remix Classics Siri‘s. Elizabeth Bennett only feels her true self when dressed is Oliver and after a ball she attended as Elizabeth for the sake of his mother. She was introduced to the rude Mr. Darcy when they return from the ball Elizabeth/Oliver feels he deserves a night out and goes to a local gentleman‘s club where he runs in to and gets acquainted with Mr. Billingsley he tells Oliver he in a couple of mates are getting together the next day and invites Oliver to join them. Although Oliver is nervous as he only just started dressing as his true self he attends and who should be there of all people Mr. Darcy himself. Oliver is shocked as to how well he and Mr. Darcy get along inseam by the end of the day as the best of friends. This is the beginning of a very special but very confusing relationship and although Oliver has big supporters in Charlotte in Lou it’s those that don’t support him that he’s worried about. I just want to say towards the end of the book there’s a big to do about Elizabeth wanting to be Oliver and Mr. Darcy could’ve stood up for him but Oliver understands why… This is where my confusion comes in a very smart woman once said “you should meet people where they are.” And where they were was the very proper Victorian era London that alone poses many problems with Elizabeth being Oliver full-time such as risking being thrown in an insane asylum not to mention being shunned by the ton The list goes on and on. Having said that by the end of this book I was so in love with Mr. Darcy all over again not to mention sweet Oliver. I love classics how ever when it comes to these reimagining classics I find I either absolutely love them I totally dislike them as far as Most Ardently The ending was really good I think I just find myself believing the narrative when being so well acquainted with the time and place. If you love a good romance the new would definitely love this book especially if you’re a fan of Jane Austen. I listen to the audiobook and loved the narrators voice and thought he did a really good job. I want to think the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This is exactly what I needed. It's so wholesome and so queer. It's a wonderful retelling (remix), the changes to the original story all make sense and still hold true.
The voice actor was a wonderful addition, really captured the mood.

I was so excited to read this as I loved The Wicked Bargain, and I did appreciat the research that went into it--I definitely learned some new things about queer communities during the Regency era--but I guess I'm a bit picky about Jane Austen retellings, and this didn't quite hit the mark for me. It's not a bad book and I think there are plenty of teens out there who will enjoy this, especially kids who have not read the original and are able to read this as its own story, but for me, I really missed Austen's sense of humor and characterization abilities, and just about all of the characters in this book felt sort of flat and boring in comparison to their originals.

Story: 3.5 ⭐️
Audio 5⭐️

Very cute story

This was such an interesting take on one of my favorite stories, Pride and Prejudice.

I loved the premise and think it was executed well. I definitely saw the friendship between Oliver and Darcy blossom but i would’ve liked to see a bit more about their romantic connection.

One thing I didn’t love was how dismissive he was about Charlottes views and choices. I understand why he believed she was sacrificing her happiness, but as she said things weren’t easy for women. She was happy knowing she would have a comfortable life, if that was her choice he could’ve been more supportive since she was supportive of him. Even after she explained multiple times her views, he still struggled to understand.
There were some things that I would’ve liked to see resolved, so maybe it needed to be just a bit longer.

I really did love how things worked out with his father and mother. The ending was very sweet and endearing. Overall it was a very enjoyable book and I would definitely recommend. I just wish some things were done a little differently.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with an audio ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.

I'm already a huge fan of these remixed classics but this one was just so FUN and felt faithful to Jane Austen's original while bringing some lovely new content in to the retelling. It's hard to describe these sorts of retellings because you already know (for the most part) the story you are in for but the way they are delivered is so refreshing. So if you love the source material, and are interested in the various levels of diversity added in, then this would be a no brainer to add to your TBR. Oliver Bennett is trans and our Darcy is queer, while Charlotte is also a queer character. This was a breath of fresh air and was perfectly narrated by Harrison Knights. I am so intrigued to try some of Gabe Cole Novoa's other novels now!

I adore these queer retellings! they are almost always so full of love passion and angst. flew through this on the weekend!

I have already reviewed the book itself - the audiobook is no different! I loved the story, and though it may seem unrealistic at times it really is a beautifully woven tale regardless of whether or not it is realistic. I loved the characters, they were memorable and definitely connected well to the original character in Pride and Prejudice.

4.75 stars

I’m in the midst of a massive Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen kick, so this book fit in perfectly. It was a beautiful story that was in turns funny, serious, lighthearted, and heart-wrenching, all while still managing to be, at its core, the classic story so many of us know and love. Through a critical lens, some parts of the ending felt a bit too idealistic and artificially happy versus realistic, but honestly? All things considered, I didn’t mind that at all. It was just lovely, and I’ll definitely be purchasing a physical copy or two in the future.

This was a lovely retelling! I listened to the audiobook in practically one sitting I couldn’t get enough. I adored Oliver as a main character and this was a delightful depiction of Mr. Darcy as well. I did want to see a bit more from side characters like Jane, but overall it was a very heartwarming novel!

Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books, so I always approach retellings with as much distance form the original as possible, because I rarely find they are as good as that first reading. In this retelling though, I needn't have worried. This book delivered on so many levels.

The audio was amazing - and I loved the narration, Harrison Knights' voice was sweet, calming, and entirely too engaging because I spent an obscene number of hours sitting in my driveway because I didn't want to stop listening.

The cover was also lovely, I barely had to read the title to be swept up in wanting to read about these two characters on the cover. Darcy was just as swoon-worthy in Most Ardently, as he was in the original, so I can't blame Oliver in the least for falling for him, too! I felt like Wickham was even more disgusting and horrendous in this novel and I wanted to reach through my dashboard and give him a whack on the nose.

This story was beautifully done. The conversations, both internal and with family that Oliver has with himself during this journey to expression was touching. Each trial Oliver faced in expressing his true self had me on the emotional edge of my seat. This interpretation of Pride & Prejudice is such a contemporary story set in historical times. It is incredible what simple support for your siblings, children, and friends can do to for someone struggling with any issue, large or small.

Highly recommend.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year! Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book, so I have really been looking forward to reading this trans-twist. And it did not disappoint!! It has all the essence of the classic, but with an lgbtq spin. Darcy is everything I had hoped for…and the struggles of MC Oliver (dead name Elizabeth) create a compelling plot full of conflict, inner battles, pining for love, and so much romance 😍 I loved the two together, just as much—if not more—than before!

The Remixed Classics are a series of books written by a diverse range of authors. Each book reimagines and reinvents a literary classic, bringing a fresh new spin to beloved stories.

Novoa does Austen proud in this queer take on Pride and Prejudice. Oliver Bennet is a delightful rendition of our beloved Lizzie, albeit more sentimental and not quite so sharp tongued. Darcy is as Darcy ever was- confused about feelings and struggling to exist in society. Their romance is a bit less fraught in this adaptation, but no less exciting and interesting. There are a few minor changes to the overall story, but none of them are unpleasant. Mostly the changes are omissions in service of creating a more compact story. This one isn’t nearly as long as its source material. I do wish some of the scenes had been a little longer, the last quarter of the book felt a little rushed. The narrator did a fantastic job of creating unique voices for each character and not having them be overtly gendered.