Book Review: Most Ardently: Pride & Prejudice Remix
#CYBILS2024 Young Adult Fiction Nominee
MOST ARDENTLY: A PRIDE & PREJUDICE REMIX
(Remixed Classics, 9)
by Gabe Cole Novoa
Feiwel & Friends, 2024
London, 1812. Oliver Bennet feels trapped—not just by the endless corsets, petticoats, and skirts he's forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society's expectations. The world, and the vast majority of his family and friends, think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone's wife.
But Oliver can't bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family's home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. As Oliver spends more time as his true self, part of him dares to hope that his dream of love and life as a man can be possible. But suitors are growing bolder and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: settle for safety, security, and a life of pretending to be something he's not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love, and a life that can be truly his own..1
audience: teens and young adult (13-18)
tags: historical fiction, queer, retelling, romance, young adult
Sarah P, Nomadic Librarian (Judge)
I found the book enjoyable and imagine that its target audience, young adults, will probably not have these same issues since most haven’t read Jane Austen’s original story and don’t know the history. I really enjoyed how Novoa made Wickman even a bigger villain than he was in Austen’s story, highlighted the loving relationship between Oliver and his father, and showed a much softer side of Darcy. I also love the cover art.
Read Sarah’s full review on Goodreads
Lee (Judge)
As someone who read Pride and Prejudice but remembers not a single plot point, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Most Ardently. Reading this book was such a heartwarming experience for me. I tend to avoid queer historicals because I hate unchecked homophobia / transphobia. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Most Ardently.
Read Lee’s full review on the Bibliotings blog
Cover image, blurb, and tags sourced to Goodreads.com