This book was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY. There's almost no other word to describe it than lovely. I ADORE this retelling and think Novoa did an incredible job re-imagining this story as a trans and queer love story. I think it would be incredible to have students read this alongside the original and evaluate each telling of the story. I think it would be a great addition to every kind of library. As a student I struggled with classics because they felt so irrelevant and unreachable. This is a book so many kids will see themselves in even if they are not trans or queer. For me the struggle for authentic happiness and following your heart was so compelling. I appreciated that there were actual reasons for Darcy's unpleasantness and surly behavior in this retelling. I thought the MC's friends Charlotte and Lou were great foils to the MC and I loved seeing them all navigate the times they lived in and the choices they had to make; this made it seem more realistic. I appreciated the author's note on historical accuracy at the end. I loved that I learned more about queer history during this time. I'm so excited to read the other books in this series after reading this and Self-Made Boys which is also incredible. Highly recommend!

✨ Review ✨ Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa; Narrated by Harrison Knights

This is a trans remix on Pride and Prejudice with Oliver, a trans boy, who falls for Darcy. I was totally captivated by this book, and even though I knew how it would end, I stayed up late to finish because I was just so drawn in.

The book shows Oliver having to dress up as a girl around her family and in social situations, frustrated at the dysmorphia this public life he must hold. But then, he frequently escapes in his boy clothes his uncle helped him procure and befriends Darcy as Oliver. This juggling of multiple realities with Darcy added a compelling twist to the story!

I was left wanting a little more Darcy and Oliver and saw space for the story to deviate a bit more from the traditional narrative, but with that said, I think this was a brilliant rewrite. The author really smoothly found the space to make a trans / queer story within the shape of the P&P we know and love.

The audio narration is fantastic -- full of emotion and feeling! Kudos to another great remix in this series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: m/m historical romance, trans representation
Setting: London / rural UK
Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Reminds me of: Alexis Hall's historical romances like A Lady for a Duke
Pub Date: Jan 16, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ queer / trans rewrites of classics
⭕️ all things Jane Austin
⭕️ the idea of Charlotte as a lesbian

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Little, Brown, and Co., and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars

Pride and Prejudice has always been my favorite book of all time, the unique tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy has always been the draw for me, and Most Ardently captures this dynamic between Oliver and Darcy in such a beautiful way. I wasn't sure what to expect going into the book, I'm fascinated by the concept of a trans boy trying to find a place in Regency England, especially within the confines of my favorite novel and this book did not disappoint.

From the very start of the book, I was endeared to Oliver and the people around him. The way the nuisances of the queer community was weaved into the story so seamlessly was honestly so gorgeous, and a true testament to the fact that queerness has always been around us in history if we only opened our eyes to find it.

I loved the narrator in this audiobook, he was so perfectly suited to Oliver's voice, and you could feel every heartache, every moment of tension and the happiness when Oliver and Darcy eventually get to find their own piece of happiness and acceptance. Just WOW, I really really loved this retelling of my favorite classic!!!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the audiobook.*

Once I started this book, I could not stop listening! This was a wonderfully written retelling of Pride and Prejudice where Elizabeth is a gay trans boy named Oliver and Mr. Darcy is also a gay teen. I really liked how Oliver was always referred to as he/him and "Oliver" in the narration even when he was forced by societal conventions to wear dresses and pretend to be Elizabeth. When I heard in the preface that this was how the book was going to work, I was afraid it might be confusing, but it really did make perfect sense and was very gender affirming even when there were lots of dresses and complex undergarments involved.

It was really interesting reading both "Elizabeth's" and Olivers stories and how they interacted with the people around them. As in the original Pride and Prejudice, Darcy starts by being very unlikable in his treatment toward Elizabeth, but by end I couldn't help but root for him and Oliver.

This is the fourth book I've read in the remixed classics series and even though they're all by different authors, so far, I'd recommend them all!

I loved everything about this book! This was perfect, absolutely perfect.
I really appreciated that he was addressed as he/him/himself etc. even when outwardly being seen as 'Elizabeth'. And I also really loved the support that he had throughout from those he was comfortable enough telling his secret to initially. Gosh, I REALLY love this book.

As someone who is very supportive of Trans rights and Trans acceptance I do think this did a great job and I really want to see more things like this in the space. I think it did a great job putting me into his headspace and showing what it might feel like to be in his shoes. I feel so emotional right now! This is needed, and in my opinion, perfect.

(Spoilers on Goodreads)

Most Ardently reimagines Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with a trans Elizabeth (Oliver) Bennet and a queer Mr. Darcy, and it’s just lovely.

I appreciated the honesty and the emotion, the support shown by characters in Oliver’s and Darcy’s inner circles, and the depictions of queer culture during the time period. The open and tender moments between Oliver and Darcy warmed my heart.

I listened to an advance copy of the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Harrison Knights. It was easy to keep track of which character was speaking, and, with the exception of the ones for Lydia and Kitty, I enjoyed the voices used for each character.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Thank you to Macmillian and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Gabe Cole Novoa book and it did not disappoint! I listened to this book in one sitting, it was so good. The transmasc retelling was a perfect addition to the classic and it honestly just made sense with the story as a whole. Novoa's retelling made me fall in love with Pride and Prejudice all over again.

I really enjoyed this book! It was an interesting mixture of the original story and new narratives, and I loved the surpising moments where the original narrative aligned with the new story. I especially loved the use of historical research into LGBTQ meeting places in the Regency Era, and I thought that that historical background added a nice touch to the story. I also thought that the narrator did a great job, although I did not enjoy the voice that he chose for Jane Bennet. Overall, this was a great book and I will recommend it to others!

Thank you to Net Galley and BHC Press for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.


Can I just say that I could not stop once the story got started! It is a wonderful reimagining and it stays close to the original. Novoa presented it with so much care towards Oliver’s story. Darcy is spot on and it was great to read how he acted towards others in the various settings. There is still a happy ending, and Collins and Wickham continue to be the jerks they were written as.

I felt it portrayed the Regency era historically correct in terms of queer history for the most part. They had to hide who they were but still found ways to get together socially and find love.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice. So happy I was chosen to read the ARC as I have talked about it to anyone who would listen to since I finished it.

The narrator was so good, choosing different voices for each character and was so compelling! I loved the story so much and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone i know.

I adore a good Jane Austen remix and Most Ardently is a happy addition to that family. The world believes Oliver Bennet is a girl named Elizabeth in a time when gender roles are very restrictive. Jane knows, Charlotte knows, but Mrs Bennet? You thought she was stifling in the original!

The rhythm of Pride and Prejudice is maintained but the details and some characters are altered to suit a trans queer story. The relationships give me all the warm fuzzies I could hope for. Oliver is constantly misgendered by other characters, as it's that kind of story, but the narrative does not and really gets across how Oliver feels.

There's a historic note at the end discussing how life was for trans and queer people in the Regency period and how plausible parts of the story are. The author did his research.

Because I prefer to know going into any P&P remix:
Lydia/Wickham: <spoiler>They have little interaction in this version and there is no grooming/forced marriage.</spoiler>

This was the warm hug I needed! It's a daunting task to take on THE Pride & Prejudice but this was such a sweet spin on the classic. Filled with trans and queer joy, this had all of the charm that I was hoping for.

The audiobook was an absolute delight as well! I listened to it in a single day because I just couldn't bring myself to stop. The narrator did a wonderful job.

My only complaint is that I wish it had been a little longer. I would have loved a few more scenes of Darcy and Oliver in social settings quietly flirting with one another.

I am a huge Pride and Prejudice fan, so I’m always interested when I see a retelling of the original pop up. I found this to be a very refreshing take on the classic, bringing up some important topics that I think should be explored more. How did LGBTQ+ people feel during the Regency era? Were there safe spaces? What must it have been like to be Trans during a time when women were seen as inherently less than? While I do feel that these topics were explored mainly on the surface level, I think it’s important to note that this book is intended for teens. To tell a compelling and thought-prokoking reinvention of the classic, this novel did its job in sparking an interest in learning more for a younger audience.
I do wish that things had been fleshed out a bit more in its conclusion, especially regarding Oliver’s friendship with Charlotte and public reception of Oliver’s decision in the end. But again, that may be thinking more through the lens of adult expectations rather than teens. Overall, really enjoyable read and will be recommending to my teen patrons!

I’ve read another book by this author, as well as 2 other classic remixes. I had high expectations going into it. Most Ardently was almost a perfect 5 stars, if Goodreads had half stars it would be 4.5 stars. It stayed mostly true to the original while still being its own story.

I listened to the audiobook and quite enjoyed the narrator. I love how easy it was to tell the difference between every character. This is undeniably Oliver’s story, but there were so many great characters. His best friend Charlotte was a great contrast to Oliver. Lou was a lovely addition as well.

Throughout reading, I felt so giddy, and I was rooting for Oliver and Darcy the whole time. I love how the narration and Oliver always refers to Oliver as his preferred name as well as he/him. The author truly has a way of making you feel everything Oliver feels. Oliver’s reaction to being called Oliver or “my son” brought me so much joy. When people misgendered Oliver, I physically cringed along with him.

I’m not trans myself, but the way Oliver talks about this body and being seen by others is something I’ve heard often. I have a few people in my life who feel exactly how Oliver does. Even though it’s a different time period and we have more options for people who feel how Oliver does today. His experience is still relatable.

There were many times I had to laugh at how many times I saw myself in Oliver. Oliver being jealous that people can buy multiple books at a time as well as have a home library was so real. His struggle to make small talk as well as keep the emotions off his face is a very familiar experience.

This book felt like a fairy tale at times. Even though things didn’t always go as planned, everything always worked out. Everyone who matters to Oliver accepts him for who he is, even if they don’t always understand. His relationship with Darcy is the perfect solution for everyone. He gets the life he deserves, and it fills me with happiness.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a story about queer joy or loves historical fiction.

I’m ending this review off with a few interesting but not essential notes I had during the book: I would love a Molly room today. Not a club, but just a space where I can read a book in a room with people who accept all of me, the cousin gave me Laurie vibes when he said he wanted to marry Jane, but she was unavailable, so he asked her sister, and the description “stormy gaze” will even not make me laugh.

4.25/5

Most Ardently was such a cute remake of Pride and Prejudice. It has me wanting to immediate start a re-read of the classic. I was enthralled with both Oliver and Darcy, and loved the way Novoa wrote their romance.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. I was listening to the audiobook during my breaks at work and had to stop myself from smiling like an idiot. The romance was sweet, and while I do wish we could have gotten more of them together at the end, I felt satisfied by what we got. The narrator also did a fantastic job, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more stuff narrated by him.

While there are themes of homophobia and transphobia (I recommend paying attention to the author's note at the beginning), this book was very much a joy-filled wish-fulfillment narrative, which I personally found very fun and enjoyable. However, if you're looking for a book without either of those themes, or something with more weight and/or darkness, then this might not be the book for you at the moment.

If you like historical fiction, YA romance, or happy books about queer people, I can't recommend this book/audiobook enough.

This book puts a trans spin on Pride & Prejudice and drops us into London in 1812 with our lovable MC Oliver who feels understood and free to express themselves with Darcy. These two are so adorable I want to scream!!

This is by far my favourite Pride and Prejudice reimagining ever, bar none.
Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book of all time, and I read every reimagining I can get my hands on, to varying degrees of enjoyment. This was by far the best one I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The story had the perfect amount of the classic detail to keep it true to the original storyline. As we should, he detest Collins and Wickham, and we absolutely adore Mr Bennet. Momma Bennet got absolutely under my last nerve, as she always does, but in the end, this version came out better than any before her.
What can I honestly say about Oliver and Darcy?! *SQUEEEEEEEEE* there. That’s it. That’s all I can say. I’m in cuteness overload, and I don’t know if I’ll ever recover ♥️ How dare these boys be so flipping adorable! The support Oliver had in Jane, Charlotte, Lou and his aunt and uncle was so heartwarming, I had joyous tears on multiple occasions.
The narrator was phenomenal, and I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable and entertaining audiobook. Fantastic. 5/5 for narration and story as a whole.

Absolutely love love loved this gender-bending take on Pride and Prejudice!!! It made my queer heart swell to see representation in a regency romance, especially with the addition of the back matter after the end of the story. All the stars!!!!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

If you love Pride and Prejudice (2005) and you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community then I'm certain you will love this story!!! I may be biased because I love every Pride and Prejudice story that I've ever read (so far at least) but each iteration is so stunning and different, while at the same time honoring the source material, that it's hard not to love it.

Oliver and Darcy are perfect together and I loved how strong and brave they both were to move about in a world that isn't kind to queer people. I have to admit that I was very teary eyed during much of the bottom half of the story, especially with the scene between Mrs. Bennet and Oliver.

I loved that Wickham AND Mr. Collins were both the villains in the end and were rightfully humiliated. In some renditions of the story, they never seem to meet the full consequences of their actions. I was also very glad that Wickham didn't end up marrying Kitty as he normally does.

I was looking forward to Lydia, Kitty and Mary's reactions to meeting their brother but that wasn't part of the story unfortunately. I like to imagine that they were giggling and squealing and generally very excited. I also thought Charlotte might make one final appearance to reprimand Mr. Collins but she didn't which I guess is fine in the end.

Overall I loved this story and it's characters and everyone's easy acceptance of Oliver. It was beautiful and heartwarming and I can't wait to read more Remixed Classics/read more novels from Gabe Cole Novoa!!