Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Most Ardently

Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

324 reviews

keyaunnalb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

one of my favourite reads of this year so far. i really enjoyed that this book maintained a respectable and engaging portrayal of the trans experience in a regency setting. oliver is such a lovable protagonist and deserves all the love in the world. the only thing i wish was more developed was oliver’s acceptance of darcy’s apology. regardless, this was wonderful.

Content Warnings

mochisbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-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

3.5

Content Warnings

eldervampire83's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I adore Oliver Bennet. Throughout the beginning of the story, he was doing his best in a world that reviled people like him. Coping with the life that he was dealt was not easy, and taking a glimpse into his life and how his dysphoria affects him was shown well. The author showed an accurate depiction of the views and opinions of a culture with such strict expectations for men and women, but he also allowed the audience to hope for the best in both Oliver and Darcy's situations.

I loved the way Fitzwilliam Darcy was depicted in this adaptation. It hit all the right notes in his personality, but he was humanized in such a sweet way. He was adorable, though rough around the edges. Just like a hedgehog!
The life that he was dealt forced him to live in fear, and it was palpable.

Wickham's motivations and deception were far less subtle, but this story was all the better for it. He was a cruel antagonist in the source material, and seeing him unmasked from the jump was a choice that I didn't expect but also appreciated. I also did like Collins being seen as an antagonist,

though it makes me wonder how Oliver's friendship with Charlotte would be after what we learn about his scheming in the climax. If I was Oliver, I would be wary of her after something like that.

Despite the world around him trying to force him to assimilate, Oliver showed defiance to the system and in the end refused to live in fear. We need more protagonists like Oliver Bennet. I cannot bear not living as my true, authentic self, and I'm glad that Oliver refused to accept settling. It was not the fate that he deserved.

What made me give this book 5 stars was the love and support shown throughout the book.

Yes, this time period was a difficult one for people like Oliver and Darcy, but the Bennets being accepting and the both of them having strong support systems warmed my heart. I love stories that have angst with happy endings. And now, Darcy and Oliver can be happy love authentically together!

This is an entirely new take on the source material. I absolutely loved the direction that it took, from start to finish. Most Ardently stands out on its own, overall. The message came from a genuine place of warmth. Reading this felt like a tender hug. I waited a long time for a story like this, and I am so pleased that it both exists and was done so superbly.

Content Warnings

dezzella's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

4.25

This was a very sweet retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but with an achillean relationship and a trans main character. We follow Oliver who is trying to become himself while having to face some of the restraints of society, as well as the fact he is still in the closet.

I loved the romance, I thought it was super sweet however there are definitely moments that hit my heart hard - seeing Oliver struggle with his identity, family, and place in society. I thought the writing was nice and this book is fairly fast paced.

Overall this was very sweet and I really enjoyed the story and characters.

Spoiler Thoughts:

The fact his dad was so supportive of his identity when the dad found out about Oliver was so wholesome. As well as the support Oliver had from the few friends/family that knew about his identity to start. I loved that, Oliver deserves that level of support and so do any others who might be in a similar situation, so it's good to see that in books.

Content Warnings

kiriikiri's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Content Warnings

conglomerationofchaos's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

lindsayreads21's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-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

4.5

This is a Pride & Prejudice remix where the lead is a trans man named Oliver (although only a few people know him as himself). I honestly never finished Pride & Prejudice because I was so bored through it all. I never felt that way with Most Ardently. It was an absolutely delightful story and I really appreciated getting to see the world through Oliver’s eyes. It’s so important to see the world through different perspectives - especially now, when there are attempts to erase trans people and squash their rights. Most Ardently was recently awarded a Stonewall Honor Books for Young Adult Literature and I can see why. I enjoyed every. single. page.

Content Warnings

rolliollie's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

julieuhh's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? Yes

4.5

Reads like fanfiction but in a good way lol. Celebrate queer joy!! Especially right now, it’s very important for books like this to exist. I found the representation to be very good :)

Content Warnings

omartinez328's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I loved the premise of this book and was happy to see trans representation. I am such an Austen fan that I found myself comparing too much to the original I and found gaps in the plot that I felt weren’t fully addressed. Perhaps not an issue for those who haven’t read Pride and Prejudice or for those that aren’t die hard fans. A wonderful read though and I’m happy I found it!

Content Warnings

More...