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A review by queerbooksandtea
Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
I love P&P and I love a good queer love story but somehow this still fell flat for me and I was bored most of the way through.
The writing is only okay and it’s like the author is so concerned with affirming the main character’s gender that he avoids conflict at all cause, which makes for a flat story and impedes character development. There is so much potential in a two identities storyline for dramatic tension and high stakes that deepen our love for the characters and keep us turning the pages but none of that potential was fleshed out. Also despite the trans positive message, the lesbian characters get thrown under the bus in this retelling so even in its job as queer remix of a well known story, it falls short.
There are better trans love stories out there.
The writing is only okay and it’s like the author is so concerned with affirming the main character’s gender that he avoids conflict at all cause, which makes for a flat story and impedes character development. There is so much potential in a two identities storyline for dramatic tension and high stakes that deepen our love for the characters and keep us turning the pages but none of that potential was fleshed out. Also despite the trans positive message, the lesbian characters get thrown under the bus in this retelling so even in its job as queer remix of a well known story, it falls short.
There are better trans love stories out there.