A review by kj468
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

At its heart, Most Ardently is an excellent retelling. It retains a good chunk of the source material, so it really does feel like a gay and trans Pride and Prejudice, while also adapting plot points and introducing new material to really compliment the retelling and make it feel like a new story steeped in familiar roots. Darcy’s queerness and personality work so well together, and both Oliver’s and Darcy’s queerness really elevate the source material and make for such an excellent, interesting story. The impact their queerness has on other storylines (particularly Wickham’s) is SO GOOD and made me scream with joy. 
 
I will 100% be preordering this book because it's one I desperately need to have on my bookshelf & be able to visit again in the future (also, it's *gorgeous*). 
 
Here are some of the specific things I loved about this book: 
  • GCN does such a good job of balancing dysphoria with joy. The dysphoria feels affirming and real and validating to the reader, without (in my experience, at least) being triggering or overwhelming. Trans joy and affirmation in the MC’s gender outshine the dysphoria, and are so hopeful and happy to read. From the small moments, like Oliver talking about how nice it is to have his reflection be “in harmony” with who he is, to the big moments (like Oliver dressing as himself in public and having his peers read him as a man) are wonderful and validating and hopeful.
  • I love that Oliver has supportive people around him. Without giving spoilers, from the beginning of the book Oliver has queer friends and is out to a selection of family members, who are supportive and help Oliver find ways to express himself and his gender. I was pleased with how the family handled Oliver’s coming out as well — prospective readers don’t need to be worried about this plot point. 
  • Oliver’s relationship with Darcy is *so good*. I loved watching them get to know each other and click so well when Darcy meets Oliver as Oliver. It adds a whole new layer of complexity to their interactions when Oliver meets Darcy when he’s forced to dress as a girl. No spoilers, but I was really happy with how their relationship unfolded, Darcy’s reaction when he found out Oliver’s truth, as well as with where the book left their characters in life.
  • Overall, I really love GCN’s writing style. He has a gorgeous way with words, and manages to evoke the tone of Austen’s prose without actually writing in, like, 1800s English. 
  • The introduction of Molly houses is a perfect fit for this book. I love that GCN worked in some actual queer history to this book, and that Oliver discovered a safe queer-affirming place where he could comfortably be himself.