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spark_879's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
i loved this book! i highly recommend it to anyone considering reading it :)
in a few places the story seemed a bit too good to be true but i think that was something i needed to read when i kept expecting bad reactions from everyone at all times when learning about the mc being trans.
in a few places the story seemed a bit too good to be true but i think that was something i needed to read when i kept expecting bad reactions from everyone at all times when learning about the mc being trans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Stalking
stalking:neglet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
I love the premise of this book: take the basic starting situation of P&P, but make the two leads a trans boy whose mother lumps him in with his sisters and a rich boy who's not interested in women. The development of their relationship is lovely, but I found myself wishing the plot strayed a bit from the original a little more, just to give the story a bit more tension. The ease with which Oliver's parents accept him as trans is beautiful and affirming, but it rather robs the story of conflict. But I imagine I'm not the target audience for this book, so I wouldn't say that's a drawback, just not to my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Misogyny
idroppedead's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Misogyny, and Transphobia
zydecovivo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
I first saw this book on Goodreads. I believe it was recommended after finishing a different LGBTQ historical fiction book. While I was starting to write off all historical romance books due to my boredom with the genre, Most Ardently has given me hope to keep trying.
As the title specifies, the book basically follows the premise of Pride & Prejudice. However, our narrator is Oliver, a trans man struggling to find his way in Regency society while still in the closet. I think this layer of complexity is what I needed, both to reinvigorate my interest in historical romance and to better enjoy Pride & Prejudice. Basically all of my dislikes of the source material were resolved. This includes: Lydia being forced to marry Wickham, Mr. Bennett seeming uncaring & aloof towards his children, Elizabeth never really spending time with Darcy before “falling in love”, and Mr. Collins and Wickham never facing any repercussions. All of these are fixed. In fact, the Wickham/Lydia subplot is basically entirely removed (thank goodness). I do think the resolution and ending came a bit quickly, and there wasn’t really a resolution as far as how Oliver and Darcy will continue their relationship. But it’s still a historical romance, so who cares?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think it would be a great discussion to compare the two stories in a classroom setting. I’m now going to try more of the Remixed Classics series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming
Moderate: Misogyny, Body shaming, Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
river_jean_sterling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexism, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Outing, Homophobia, and Misogyny
carpenterbeeoli's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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: Misogyny, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, and Homophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
There is a moment when the main character describes, in detail their dysphoria-induced disassociation. This may be triggering to some queer folks.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 shaming, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Deadnaming, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Bullying
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
I’m a transmasc Austenite, of course i loved this.
The things i loved:
1. Most Ardently does a pretty great job of remaining faithful and respectful of the source material, while also bending and altering the plot to remain fresh and engaging. The story is a much snappier read overall, with much of the “background” information and characterization cut for brevity or glossed over in favor of new scenes, but it all still works and feels Right.
2. Darcy and Oliver retain their charming banter and titular shortcomings, Bingley and Jane remain ever gentle and kind opposite a bratty Caroline and scheming Wickham. The puzzle pieces still slot into place as expected, even with new and perhaps more tense stakes.
3. TRANS LEAD!!! Being in Oliver’s mind, the juxtaposition of how he perceived himself v how others perceive him, the regency era binder, all delightful. Watching him juggle the pressure of keeping himself a secret while still aching to be out and proud and himself made me deeply emotional.The fact that Mr.Bennett worked with their family physician and updated his will to bequeath Longbourne to him made me get up from my seat with excitement.
4. Charlotteand Lu!! I’m not…thrilled about Charlotte’s ending but this is Regency era and unfortunately this is the way the dominos fell for a lot of real people during this era. They were still wonderful background characters, and i’ll always have a soft spot for my “no money and no prospects” queen.
The things I struggled with:
1. Oliver objects to so much of the societal expectation **bc he’s a man**, rather than because they’re unfair and ridiculous. Liz is a character who to this day people see as a feminist icon, and while i understand the nuance of introducing a trans story into this world, i think there is space for both things to coexist.
2. The aging felt a little off. In P+P, Liz is 20, which is young, but having Oliver be 17 made a lot of the language more juvenile (I think he refers to both himself and Darcy as “boy” exclusively) even though he turns down THREE marriage proposals and is expected to be a fully actualized and accomplished person. It’s an odd point of contention, but it’s definitely felt throughout.
3.I miss the sisters. Mary, Lydia, and Kitty are barely mentioned,especially considering we’ve reworked the Wickham/Lydia plot (thank god, i hope Wickham rots). I think *because* of that plot changing, we needed a little more with them in other areas.
4. It’s a touch insta-lovey. This one is a personal preference, but given how much quicker paced this is compared to the original, I think a slower burn would have still been a good call. By their third meeting, Oliver has heart eyes. It’s a regency book, dang it. Their hands shouldn’t even touch until 98% of the way through!
5.I’m a little confused about how everyone is 100% immediately supportive of trans gay Oliver. Like i recognize we’re going for happy ending, not all coming out stories are bad and sad and awful, but…the conversations were so short. Mrs. Bennet, as described through the entire rest of rest of the book, would not have been on board. One conversation with Darcy would not have been able to flip the script when he was already so clearly struggling with his own sexuality. The framework we’re given throughout the book clearly explains why everything won’t be peaches and gravy, and then it turns out that it is in fact peaches and gravy.
I think it would have benefited from being a modernized Regency where the lgbtqia community is open and accepted, or perhaps a touch more gravity should have been placed on these very large and important conversations.
All in all, a sweet and fun read. I had my grievances, but it’s a trans retelling of one of my all time favorite books. At the end of the day, I’m over the moon that this exists at all 💚
The things i loved:
1. Most Ardently does a pretty great job of remaining faithful and respectful of the source material, while also bending and altering the plot to remain fresh and engaging. The story is a much snappier read overall, with much of the “background” information and characterization cut for brevity or glossed over in favor of new scenes, but it all still works and feels Right.
2. Darcy and Oliver retain their charming banter and titular shortcomings, Bingley and Jane remain ever gentle and kind opposite a bratty Caroline and scheming Wickham. The puzzle pieces still slot into place as expected, even with new and perhaps more tense stakes.
3. TRANS LEAD!!! Being in Oliver’s mind, the juxtaposition of how he perceived himself v how others perceive him, the regency era binder, all delightful. Watching him juggle the pressure of keeping himself a secret while still aching to be out and proud and himself made me deeply emotional.
4. Charlotte
The things I struggled with:
1. Oliver objects to so much of the societal expectation **bc he’s a man**, rather than because they’re unfair and ridiculous. Liz is a character who to this day people see as a feminist icon, and while i understand the nuance of introducing a trans story into this world, i think there is space for both things to coexist.
2. The aging felt a little off. In P+P, Liz is 20, which is young, but having Oliver be 17 made a lot of the language more juvenile (I think he refers to both himself and Darcy as “boy” exclusively) even though he turns down THREE marriage proposals and is expected to be a fully actualized and accomplished person. It’s an odd point of contention, but it’s definitely felt throughout.
3.I miss the sisters. Mary, Lydia, and Kitty are barely mentioned,
4. It’s a touch insta-lovey. This one is a personal preference, but given how much quicker paced this is compared to the original, I think a slower burn would have still been a good call. By their third meeting, Oliver has heart eyes. It’s a regency book, dang it. Their hands shouldn’t even touch until 98% of the way through!
5.
I think it would have benefited from being a modernized Regency where the lgbtqia community is open and accepted, or perhaps a touch more gravity should have been placed on these very large and important conversations.
All in all, a sweet and fun read. I had my grievances, but it’s a trans retelling of one of my all time favorite books. At the end of the day, I’m over the moon that this exists at all 💚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Outing, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Sexism
dragongirl271's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Misogyny
aceofjades's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Honestly enjoyed reading it, but the historical inaccuracies really took me out at times... No, I'm not talking about the queerness, the historical note at the end (and a quick google search) will tell any reader that queer people did indeed exist in the Regency era. In fact, we've existed since the dawn of civilization.
It's the way characters talk to each other that took me out. I understand that the addressing conventions of IX century England can be confusing for modern readers, but I don't think anyone who isn't at least a little familiar with Jane Austen novels (or at least the movie adaptations of her novels) would be reading this book, so I don't see any reason for characters to be calling each other by FIRST NAME as if they're very very intimate, when in fact they've only just met and/or have animosity towards each other.
Below is spoilers for more specific parts that personally peeved me, might get nitpicky:
It's the way characters talk to each other that took me out. I understand that the addressing conventions of IX century England can be confusing for modern readers, but I don't think anyone who isn't at least a little familiar with Jane Austen novels (or at least the movie adaptations of her novels) would be reading this book, so I don't see any reason for characters to be calling each other by FIRST NAME as if they're very very intimate, when in fact they've only just met and/or have animosity towards each other.
Below is spoilers for more specific parts that personally peeved me, might get nitpicky:
In general, how Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham were rewritten to be real big baddies, and their nearly comical villanous "death" at the end of the novel... They weren't complex characters in the og novel either, but I feel like there's a missed opportunity for making really "evil" characters look back at themselves and realize their mistakes. Also did the author forget that Mr. Collins is a clergyman? He doesn't just "tell boring stories" to the Bennets, he recites sermons! Making them say terribly misogynistic things to Oliver was... a choice, a choice which genuinely made me uncomfortable and made me root even more for some kind of redemption arc where they become embarrassed of themselves, instead of punished but never changing their ways of thought. Speaking of Mr. Collins, what happened with Charlotte after his and Wickham's schemes are revealed? In general, I think this book was way too short to follow all the little plotlines that were introduced. How did the Bennet sisters react to Oliver coming out? Will Mr. Bingley ever find out too? I would've gladly read a 100 or more pages just to give the plot some breathing room. And speaking of villanous figures, I was kind of hoping for Madam De Bourgh to be rewritten in favour of her nephew's queerness... that's just wishful thinking on my part, and I didn't detract any points for it, but I feel like it's another big missed opportunity... - Not a spoiler, but in general this book is written in a very fanfiction-esque language which really took me out of the immersion at times... I wasn't expecting it to fully imitate Jane Austen's prolix style, but certain metaphors and locutions were really out of place.
Overall, though, the book was greatly redeemed (at least for me) by how wholesome it gets by the end.
There isn't much tension in the midpoint and, as mentioned in the spoilers, the plot didn't have enough breathing room. I feel like the lack of any real tension might be because of that as well. This book would've benefitted from a 100 or so more pages, and I would've gladly read those and possibly given a higher rating.
There isn't much tension in the midpoint and, as mentioned in the spoilers, the plot didn't have enough breathing room. I feel like the lack of any real tension might be because of that as well. This book would've benefitted from a 100 or so more pages, and I would've gladly read those and possibly given a higher rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia