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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
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Classism
eldervampire83's review against another edition
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.
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,
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.
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
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, and Classism
castironskillet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
readandfindout's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Transphobia, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Stalking
aseel_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? No
4.75
I've just been reading so many cute books! I loved this so much, I was very sad the whole time, with Oliver being deadnammed and misgendered, but my discomfort is nothing compared to what a trans person would feel - I hope all are able to access whatever they need to feel good in ones body.
I loved how some of the original plot points were changed to accommodate the retelling -like the no Lydia plotline and instead Wickham trying to marry Oliver because Collins was paying him. I loved the inclusion of Charlotte being a lesbian, a very excellent detail. When Oliver's dad saw him?? This is the Mr Bennet we want. I especially liked that he got in contact with their doctor who was willing to testify for Oliver so he could inherit their estate! I do wish we could have gotten a gender affirming surgery element, but maybe it wasn't historical possible?? 🤔 - however, because of the way certain events were replaced or removed, I felt that the romantic plotline was a bit too fast paced and rushed, but otherwise it was a very sweet read!
I loved how some of the original plot points were changed to accommodate the retelling -
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Classism
sammymilfort's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
aingealwroth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
As a book, on it's own merits, this was a 3* but as a Pride & Prejudice remix it landed as more a 2* for me, so I'm rating it as the middle-ground of 2.5*. (The author's note and disclaimer both directly impacted the rating, so I recommend reading them both.)
While Elizabeth Bennett strikes some folks wrong as a "strong, opinionated, and thinks herself above societal expectations" female. Oliver doubles down on that sour note for me as he adds in the "but I shouldn't be judged by that standard because I'm one of the privileged!" (ie a boy). Without that aspect I would have given this nearly a full star more.
Not impacting rating, but worth nothing:
I'm not sure how I feel about one of the changes made to Mr Collins (who, while an eye-rolling nincompoop, was not originally a truly "bad guy") but did quite enjoy the tweaks to Mrs Bennett.
While Elizabeth Bennett strikes some folks wrong as a "strong, opinionated, and thinks herself above societal expectations" female. Oliver doubles down on that sour note for me as he adds in the "but I shouldn't be judged by that standard because I'm one of the privileged!" (ie a boy). Without that aspect I would have given this nearly a full star more.
Not impacting rating, but worth nothing:
I'm not sure how I feel about one of the changes made to Mr Collins (who, while an eye-rolling nincompoop, was not originally a truly "bad guy") but did quite enjoy the tweaks to Mrs Bennett.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
novella42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.75
This might be the most intense and effective depiction of gender dysphoria and euphoria I've ever read as a cis person.
I read and loved A Lady for A Duke, an original love story with a transfemme protagonist who used the chaos of Waterloo to escape her old life. That book had many of the same elements of this one, and I don't suppose it's fair to compare the very different stories. But there was something especially effective about setting this in the framework of a classic that gave it an extra kick.
There's just something about writing this particular story within that of a familiar, famous character in a time period where gender roles were even more rigid than they are today. It was powerful to read the dysphoria and euphoria of Oliver's internal experience, set against the backdrop of all our expectations that come with the story of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's version of Elizabeth Bennett has become a very particular kind of role model for femininity and for a certain kind of feminist, and that framework provided a kind of fuel to the fire of this story. Over the course of the book I became acutely aware of nuances of my own social programming and emotional baggage I brought to the story. It was a relief to acknowledge them and let them go.
Oliver's discomfort and constant pain was visceral but gracefully depicted. Seeing his happiness at even the smallest affirmation was a profound relief and a joy to read.
Highly recommend this.
I read and loved A Lady for A Duke, an original love story with a transfemme protagonist who used the chaos of Waterloo to escape her old life. That book had many of the same elements of this one, and I don't suppose it's fair to compare the very different stories. But there was something especially effective about setting this in the framework of a classic that gave it an extra kick.
There's just something about writing this particular story within that of a familiar, famous character in a time period where gender roles were even more rigid than they are today. It was powerful to read the dysphoria and euphoria of Oliver's internal experience, set against the backdrop of all our expectations that come with the story of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's version of Elizabeth Bennett has become a very particular kind of role model for femininity and for a certain kind of feminist, and that framework provided a kind of fuel to the fire of this story. Over the course of the book I became acutely aware of nuances of my own social programming and emotional baggage I brought to the story. It was a relief to acknowledge them and let them go.
Oliver's discomfort and constant pain was visceral but gracefully depicted. Seeing his happiness at even the smallest affirmation was a profound relief and a joy to read.
Highly recommend this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Outing, and Classism
Minor: Bullying
jneverland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, Transphobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
lucylou's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.5
While not a faithful retelling, it’s was a wonderful read about trans joy. There were many moments I teared up, especially when Mr. Bennet accepted Oliver’s true self so readily with open arms. Some characters I thought remained the same, like Charlotte’s pragmatism and Darcy’s stoic but awakened nature really shining through, while some characters seemed entirely different, with Wickam and Mr. Collin’s being grotesque misogynists and actively evil compared to what was described in the original material. Overall, it’s a lovely story I would recommend for the story’s queer take on P&P, with mild warnings for Oliver’s descriptions of his dysphoria and the gross misogynistic comments some of the men make.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Dysphoria
Moderate: Outing and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Stalking