Week 34 Review: Most Ardently

From Goodreads:

A trans boy searches for a future—and a romance—in which he can live and love openly as himself in this heartwrenching YA reimagining of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, part of the Remixed Classics series.

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. It's during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to "Elizabeth" at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart. And not to mention incredibly attractive.

As Oliver is able to spend more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares begin to hope that his dream of love and life as a man to be possible. But suitors are growing bolder—and even threatening—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, honestly his own.

My Review:
I had such a fantastic time reading this book! I love the original Pride and Prejudice story though I've only read the original the once, but the 2005 movie, I've seen so many times. Reading a queer retelling with Elizabeth being trans and his name Oliver, was so great to read! 

This story follows about the same story beats, like Jane and Bingley, though there were a few differences. Because Oliver is a boy, well, a boy can be out and about by himself, even if this specific boy has to sneak out because most of his family doesn't know that that his body doesn't match who he is. So we had more interactions with Oliver and Darcy, which was so much fun, to see Darcy when he was much more relaxed!

That Darcy enjoyed spending time with Oliver, and they get extra time together in a Molly House, it was delightful. Of course Darcy had an unfortunate reaction to their kiss, which lead to his doomed proposal. So that was fun to read. 

That Oliver is a boy means that he can inherit the house that typical goes to Collins. Which was interesting to see how that affected the plot. Though it does mean that he and Darcy can't have a public, in love romance, they can have a happy ending. But the support that Oliver had from his family was absolutely fantastic to read!

I had a fantastic time reading this book and I'd love to read more by Gabe Cole Novoa!

Author: Gabe Cole Novoa
Read: August 19th, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: January 16th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars