Reviews with content warning for Outing - Most Ardently

You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Outing'

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

135 reviews

keyaunnalb's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

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

shaylacasey99's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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

arcticaster's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this retelling! It was fun and lighthearted. The author's writing was pretty soothing, it read like a modernised version of the original style, which I enjoyed. Elizabeth's wit and snark in the original Pride and Prejudice was kept pretty true to Oliver as well, he was a very lovable character. I think Darcy was a bit softer in this telling (while he's in his preferred spaces where he can be himself), but it makes sense for him and suited his character well.

As a trans man I definitely felt a lot of sincerity and care written into Oliver. Trans masc folks are all diverse in their experiences and how their dysphoria manifests (if it manifest at all). A good amount of Oliver's dysphoria centres around the feminine clothing he has to wear. I think that was a great representation of the character, it resonated well with just how gendered clothing and etiquette was during the time. As Oliver points out, much of him passing in public is because of his menswear, at that time people wouldn't guess anyone but a man was wearing menswear.

I'm glad there was a good ending for the characters, like the original book. The only thing I thought a bit weird was that Oliver's mom felt a little out of character at the end in order for the ending to be happy. I think she might have needed more convincing or time, but honestly it didn't bother me too much. She's a bit of an unpredictable person by nature so it isn't incredibly far-fetched.
Oliver's dad is the best, I adore him and I LOVE kind, supportive dads in stories, especially queer stories.

Content Warnings

wellwrittenautisticrep's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

I think my issue with this book was that despite it being perfect for me I wasn’t it’s audience. It is a beautifully hopeful YA trans novel and I wish I could have read it in high school and known myself a lot sooner. I think I struggled with the historical bending and changes to the plot of Pride and prejudice that were necessary for the story and with the development of Oliver’s character. I did really like this rendition of Jane and I’m always going to be thankful for a happy trans ending, it just was not what I was looking for going into this book and so it didn’t quite hit for me.

Content Warnings