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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Sometimes you just need a queer Pride and Prejudice fanfiction for a flight, and that's okay. Delivered just what I wanted it to.
"This moment, here, kissing a boy /as/ a boy, with Darcy’s warmth like a furnace against his skin, and Darcy’s hands on his back made him feel safe— it was everything Oliver had ever wanted. It was everything he’d dared not dream.
But it was real, and nothing and no one could take that away from him."
-------
“They were two boys dancing together for all in the room to see, and Oliver never felt happier.”
Oh, gosh, what can't I say about this book! When it comes down to retellings of Jane Austen classics, I focus on several things: The characters (how 2-Dimensional are they? Do they feel real? Do they grow?) and how closely the author sticks to the original story (Sticking too close to the story isn't always a great thing! It can feel stifling!), and how believable does the setting feel. And Novoa kills all three!
I really love the way Novoa wrote all the characters from the original story, and how he weaved new characters into his retelling as well. I adore Oliver Bennet. I loved this new side of Darcy! I understand the motives of Charlotte Lucus, even though I mourn for her. Every character felt real and wanted nothing more than to see all of them experience this world and grow. Novoa clearly loves the original story and researched the new elements to make them feel believable in this text. He doesn't stick too closely to the narrative-- he makes Pride and Prejudice his own! He took a chance and it really payed off.
I do wish there was more time spent towards the conclusion of this novel, and I do wish more time was spent focusing on how the system is unfair for everyone, and how different people navigate this system, though. That said, I really enjoyed that the transgender and queer characters were treated with nothing but respect not only in the narrative (the narrator never misgenders Oliver,) but by other characters as well. The interactions between Mr. Bennet and Oliver were so heartwarming I cried. Transgender readers really do deserve this sort of support and recognition. I feel like me, as a cisgender reader, understands how Oliver feels about being misgendered, and I think that's a lovely lesson to leave a book with.
The author describes this best in his epilogue: "To my trans siblings: We deserve romance that will sweep us off our feet, too. That's why this book is for you."
"Most Ardently" is such a breathtaking relief after the transphobic nightmare that was Curtis Sittenfeld's "Eligible." The transgender character is not here for shock value, nor to be edgy and different. Oliver Bennet is a real, 3-Dimensional character with wants and dreams who grows into himself. Every book in a library has a reader; If a reader wants a transgender main character in a Jane Austen or Regency romance where the character thrives in the original world, this is their book.
Absolutely beautiful. The Classic Remix series hasn't failed me yet.
But it was real, and nothing and no one could take that away from him."
-------
“They were two boys dancing together for all in the room to see, and Oliver never felt happier.”
Oh, gosh, what can't I say about this book! When it comes down to retellings of Jane Austen classics, I focus on several things: The characters (how 2-Dimensional are they? Do they feel real? Do they grow?) and how closely the author sticks to the original story (Sticking too close to the story isn't always a great thing! It can feel stifling!), and how believable does the setting feel. And Novoa kills all three!
I really love the way Novoa wrote all the characters from the original story, and how he weaved new characters into his retelling as well. I adore Oliver Bennet. I loved this new side of Darcy! I understand the motives of Charlotte Lucus, even though I mourn for her. Every character felt real and wanted nothing more than to see all of them experience this world and grow. Novoa clearly loves the original story and researched the new elements to make them feel believable in this text. He doesn't stick too closely to the narrative-- he makes Pride and Prejudice his own! He took a chance and it really payed off.
I do wish there was more time spent towards the conclusion of this novel, and I do wish more time was spent focusing on how the system is unfair for everyone, and how different people navigate this system, though. That said, I really enjoyed that the transgender and queer characters were treated with nothing but respect not only in the narrative (the narrator never misgenders Oliver,) but by other characters as well. The interactions between Mr. Bennet and Oliver were so heartwarming I cried. Transgender readers really do deserve this sort of support and recognition. I feel like me, as a cisgender reader, understands how Oliver feels about being misgendered, and I think that's a lovely lesson to leave a book with.
The author describes this best in his epilogue: "To my trans siblings: We deserve romance that will sweep us off our feet, too. That's why this book is for you."
"Most Ardently" is such a breathtaking relief after the transphobic nightmare that was Curtis Sittenfeld's "Eligible." The transgender character is not here for shock value, nor to be edgy and different. Oliver Bennet is a real, 3-Dimensional character with wants and dreams who grows into himself. Every book in a library has a reader; If a reader wants a transgender main character in a Jane Austen or Regency romance where the character thrives in the original world, this is their book.
Absolutely beautiful. The Classic Remix series hasn't failed me yet.
"This moment, here, kissing a boy /as/ a boy, with Darcy’s warmth like a furnace against his skin, and Darcy’s hands on his back made him feel safe— it was everything Oliver had ever wanted. It was everything he’d dared not dream.
But it was real, and nothing and no one could take that away from him."
-------
“They were two boys dancing together for all in the room to see, and Oliver never felt happier.”
Oh, gosh, what can't I say about this book! When it comes down to retellings of Jane Austen classics, I focus on several things: The characters (how 2-Dimensional are they? Do they feel real? Do they grow?) and how closely the author sticks to the original story (Sticking too close to the story isn't always a great thing! It can feel stifling!), and how believable does the setting feel. And Novoa kills all three!
I really love the way Novoa wrote all the characters from the original story, and how he weaved new characters into his retelling as well. I adore Oliver Bennet. I loved this new side of Darcy! I understand the motives of Charlotte Lucus, even though I mourn for her. Every character felt real and wanted nothing more than to see all of them experience this world and grow. Novoa clearly loves the original story and researched the new elements to make them feel believable in this text. He doesn't stick too closely to the narrative-- he makes Pride and Prejudice his own! He took a chance and it really payed off.
I do wish there was more time spent towards the conclusion of this novel, and I do wish more time was spent focusing on how the system is unfair for everyone, and how different people navigate this system, though. That said, I really enjoyed that the transgender and queer characters were treated with nothing but respect not only in the narrative (the narrator never misgenders Oliver,) but by other characters as well. The interactions between Mr. Bennet and Oliver were so heartwarming I cried. Transgender readers really do deserve this sort of support and recognition. I feel like me, as a cisgender reader, understands how Oliver feels about being misgendered, and I think that's a lovely lesson to leave a book with.
The author describes this best in his epilogue: "To my trans siblings: We deserve romance that will sweep us off our feet, too. That's why this book is for you."
"Most Ardently" is such a breathtaking relief after the transphobic nightmare that was Curtis Sittenfeld's "Eligible." The transgender character is not here for shock value, nor to be edgy and different. Oliver Bennet is a real, 3-Dimensional character with wants and dreams who grows into himself. Every book in a library has a reader; If a reader wants a transgender main character in a Jane Austen or Regency romance where the character thrives in the original world, this is their book.
Absolutely beautiful. The Classic Remix series hasn't failed me yet.
But it was real, and nothing and no one could take that away from him."
-------
“They were two boys dancing together for all in the room to see, and Oliver never felt happier.”
Oh, gosh, what can't I say about this book! When it comes down to retellings of Jane Austen classics, I focus on several things: The characters (how 2-Dimensional are they? Do they feel real? Do they grow?) and how closely the author sticks to the original story (Sticking too close to the story isn't always a great thing! It can feel stifling!), and how believable does the setting feel. And Novoa kills all three!
I really love the way Novoa wrote all the characters from the original story, and how he weaved new characters into his retelling as well. I adore Oliver Bennet. I loved this new side of Darcy! I understand the motives of Charlotte Lucus, even though I mourn for her. Every character felt real and wanted nothing more than to see all of them experience this world and grow. Novoa clearly loves the original story and researched the new elements to make them feel believable in this text. He doesn't stick too closely to the narrative-- he makes Pride and Prejudice his own! He took a chance and it really payed off.
I do wish there was more time spent towards the conclusion of this novel, and I do wish more time was spent focusing on how the system is unfair for everyone, and how different people navigate this system, though. That said, I really enjoyed that the transgender and queer characters were treated with nothing but respect not only in the narrative (the narrator never misgenders Oliver,) but by other characters as well. The interactions between Mr. Bennet and Oliver were so heartwarming I cried. Transgender readers really do deserve this sort of support and recognition. I feel like me, as a cisgender reader, understands how Oliver feels about being misgendered, and I think that's a lovely lesson to leave a book with.
The author describes this best in his epilogue: "To my trans siblings: We deserve romance that will sweep us off our feet, too. That's why this book is for you."
"Most Ardently" is such a breathtaking relief after the transphobic nightmare that was Curtis Sittenfeld's "Eligible." The transgender character is not here for shock value, nor to be edgy and different. Oliver Bennet is a real, 3-Dimensional character with wants and dreams who grows into himself. Every book in a library has a reader; If a reader wants a transgender main character in a Jane Austen or Regency romance where the character thrives in the original world, this is their book.
Absolutely beautiful. The Classic Remix series hasn't failed me yet.
Will I continue to enjoy retellings without reading the original? Well yes!
Most Ardently is (apparently) a Pride & Prejudice retelling. While I can't speak on its uniqueness or faithfulness to the original, I know I loved its characters so much that it makes me interested in the original story when I never before was. Here, Novoa portrays Elizabeth as Oliver, a transgender man secretly hoping to dress the way he feels inside. It is through one of his nightly escapades—sneaking away from the Bennetts and shedding his dresses for a suit and trousers—that he begins to feel a connection with Darcy, who doesn't realize Oliver is the same 'lady' he seemed to hate at the ball.
This was a delightfully binge-worthy and heartfelt book. Most Ardently brought me back to my love of reading after a month of reading nothing (i blame university). I shed a few tears, felt pain and joy alongside Oliver, and kind of fell for Darcy alongside him. There was an underlying sweetness to each of their interactions, yearning and all, which I adored. I fear I need to know what the original Mr. Darcy is like...
I loved Jane and Mr. Bennett serving as a continuous support system for Oliver. Even though things weren't sunshine and roses for him all the time, things never got too heavy because of their reassurances. My only complaint about this book is the slightly rushed ending; I wanted more of Oliver and Darcy and their relationship before everything was wrapped up! Ah, what a sweet book.
Most Ardently is (apparently) a Pride & Prejudice retelling. While I can't speak on its uniqueness or faithfulness to the original, I know I loved its characters so much that it makes me interested in the original story when I never before was. Here, Novoa portrays Elizabeth as Oliver, a transgender man secretly hoping to dress the way he feels inside. It is through one of his nightly escapades—sneaking away from the Bennetts and shedding his dresses for a suit and trousers—that he begins to feel a connection with Darcy, who doesn't realize Oliver is the same 'lady' he seemed to hate at the ball.
This was a delightfully binge-worthy and heartfelt book. Most Ardently brought me back to my love of reading after a month of reading nothing (i blame university). I shed a few tears, felt pain and joy alongside Oliver, and kind of fell for Darcy alongside him. There was an underlying sweetness to each of their interactions, yearning and all, which I adored. I fear I need to know what the original Mr. Darcy is like...
I loved Jane and Mr. Bennett serving as a continuous support system for Oliver. Even though things weren't sunshine and roses for him all the time, things never got too heavy because of their reassurances. My only complaint about this book is the slightly rushed ending; I wanted more of Oliver and Darcy and their relationship before everything was wrapped up! Ah, what a sweet book.
charming book about a gay trans boy :..) seeing myself represented with oliver made me so happy. i cried with a smile on my face during the last couple chapters. when is it my turn to have a love story like darcy and oliver?!
It's undoubtedly a challenge to rewrite a Jane Austen novel, so I definitely admire Novoa's take on the story!
As always, I do like seeing transmasculine representation in books, especially alongside some queer romance! However, as much as I love the concept, I feel like it deviated a bit too far from the original Pride and Prejudice. My main point of complaint (possibly the only point) is that it felt that the original tone of resisting these rules on women because of their unjust nature felt a lot less central. instead, it turned to more of a tone of resistance from Oliver because he specifically is not a woman, not that it's bad for ALL women.
Other than that, though, it was a very entertaining and light read that was quite imagery-based, which I do love. I liked the excerpt at the end addressing the validity of claims made about queerness in this era of the world, and how Novoa connected some things directly, and changed some others to give the story a bit of suspension of disbelief.
My first read from Novoa, hopefully I can experience some more!
As always, I do like seeing transmasculine representation in books, especially alongside some queer romance! However, as much as I love the concept, I feel like it deviated a bit too far from the original Pride and Prejudice. My main point of complaint (possibly the only point) is that it felt that the original tone of resisting these rules on women because of their unjust nature felt a lot less central. instead, it turned to more of a tone of resistance from Oliver because he specifically is not a woman, not that it's bad for ALL women.
Other than that, though, it was a very entertaining and light read that was quite imagery-based, which I do love. I liked the excerpt at the end addressing the validity of claims made about queerness in this era of the world, and how Novoa connected some things directly, and changed some others to give the story a bit of suspension of disbelief.
My first read from Novoa, hopefully I can experience some more!
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted
Truly delightful!!!!
This was so wholesome. The perfect gay + trans retelling the world needed.
Oliver and Darcy deserve all the happiness in the world!!!
This was so wholesome. The perfect gay + trans retelling the world needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria, Classism
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual harassment
hopeful
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:
No