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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
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
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely gorgeous novel! As others have stated, this is very much a remix and not a retelling. But I honestly love that. Novoa captured such a genuine and interesting queer story that makes me wish there were more historical romances like this one! As a trans person myself I related on so many levels to Oliver, and as such I did find myself crying while reading at least once. The ending is slightly idealistic/wish-fullfilling but I personally don’t think it takes away from the story itself—I was just really glad to see these characters get the happy ending that all queer people deserve :)
I don’t often reread books but I will definitely be rereading this!
I don’t often reread books but I will definitely be rereading this!
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Chalk it up to personal taste or more likely not being the target audience (a younger or newly out trans person might find it more rewarding), for me, the book was too singularly focused on Oliver's transness. I did not need to be explicitly reminded every other sentence why he felt uncomfortable in settings where he was to pretend to be a girl. It rather felt like the author didn't trust me to make that connection myself.
I also felt that the author's present-day understanding of gender was imposed onto the historical setting, making it feel rather inauthentic. In particular, the seemingly effortless understanding extended to him by several people read as very unrealistic to me and broke my immersion. While I understand that the author wanted to write a hopeful story, I personally would've preferred a more historically grounded exploration of someone in Oliver's situation rather than what felt a bit like wish fulfillment pride and prejudice fanfiction to me.
I also felt that the author's present-day understanding of gender was imposed onto the historical setting, making it feel rather inauthentic. In particular, the seemingly effortless understanding extended to him by several people read as very unrealistic to me and broke my immersion. While I understand that the author wanted to write a hopeful story, I personally would've preferred a more historically grounded exploration of someone in Oliver's situation rather than what felt a bit like wish fulfillment pride and prejudice fanfiction to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes