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A review by ravensandpages
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan!
First of all, I am overjoyed to announce that I am starting 2024 as a healed man. I read 91% of this book in one day/sitting, and I have never felt better or more fulfilled. If I reset my reading challenge to 300, look away.
Second of all, it is my absolute pleasure to introduce MOST ARDENTLY to you, the ninth installment in Feiwel & Friends' young adult remixed classics series. I've been watching this project attentively but hadn't been brave enough to dip my toes into trying them until MOST ARDENTLY, a reimaging of Pride & Prejudice with a trans Bennett boy falling in love with a gay Darcy. I blacked out and when I opened my eyes, the ARC had been requested and was open on my Kindle. I cannot thank past me enough.
Those like me who already love Pride & Prejudice will recognize the bones of the story: an overbearing mother of five pushes her oldest to catch the eye of a new neighbor, his friend is prideful and arrogant and enters into a push-and-pull relationship with the second oldest Bennett, and said Bennett suffers a series of awful proposals. It keeps many of the core story beats of the source and many of my favorite scenes, but also carves out its own original space inside the world of Pride & Prejudice in a lighthearted and engaging way.
Die-hard Austen fans who are expecting a 1:1 remix are not going to find that here, and of course they won't. MOST ARDENTLY is not intended to be, and it's honestly exactly what I was hoping for. The writing and dialogue preserve the Regency era feel, but the story has been expertly condensed to a YA pace and . I simply couldn't put it down once I truly got into the groove, and it was all I was thinking about every time I had to pause for even a moment.
If you're a fan of Pride & Prejudice, of trans boys finding love and happiness, historical romances, and happy endings, I cannot recommend this one enough, but do be sure to read the author's note at the beginning for content warnings. Please preorder and support this wonderful series!
❧ 4.5 ★
First of all, I am overjoyed to announce that I am starting 2024 as a healed man. I read 91% of this book in one day/sitting, and I have never felt better or more fulfilled. If I reset my reading challenge to 300, look away.
Second of all, it is my absolute pleasure to introduce MOST ARDENTLY to you, the ninth installment in Feiwel & Friends' young adult remixed classics series. I've been watching this project attentively but hadn't been brave enough to dip my toes into trying them until MOST ARDENTLY, a reimaging of Pride & Prejudice with a trans Bennett boy falling in love with a gay Darcy. I blacked out and when I opened my eyes, the ARC had been requested and was open on my Kindle. I cannot thank past me enough.
Those like me who already love Pride & Prejudice will recognize the bones of the story: an overbearing mother of five pushes her oldest to catch the eye of a new neighbor, his friend is prideful and arrogant and enters into a push-and-pull relationship with the second oldest Bennett, and said Bennett suffers a series of awful proposals. It keeps many of the core story beats of the source and many of my favorite scenes, but also carves out its own original space inside the world of Pride & Prejudice in a lighthearted and engaging way.
Die-hard Austen fans who are expecting a 1:1 remix are not going to find that here, and of course they won't. MOST ARDENTLY is not intended to be, and it's honestly exactly what I was hoping for. The writing and dialogue preserve the Regency era feel, but the story has been expertly condensed to a YA pace and . I simply couldn't put it down once I truly got into the groove, and it was all I was thinking about every time I had to pause for even a moment.
If you're a fan of Pride & Prejudice, of trans boys finding love and happiness, historical romances, and happy endings, I cannot recommend this one enough, but do be sure to read the author's note at the beginning for content warnings. Please preorder and support this wonderful series!
❧ 4.5 ★
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts