Queen B’s Decree: You likely know, I read all things Pride and Prejudice-inspired. So as soon as I saw Most Ardently, I clicked “request” so fast your head would spin.
Most Ardently had a slight P&P twist. Elizabeth Bennett was actually Oliver, a trans boy, stuck in a girl’s body during a time frame where this wasn’t socially acceptable. I enjoyed Oliver’s friendship with Darcy, watching them both share longing looks and form a deeper relationship.
But Oliver did annoy me. His disdain towards Charlotte and ignorance of the realities of the life of women during that time in history was deplorable. It’s idealistic to say he would never pretend to be a woman and marry a man for security, he’d rather be a pauper, but that’s exceptionally classist. This boy has never had to work a day in his life, he wouldn’t survive in poverty. But noooo, he can judge Charlotte for choosing to marry for financial security.
Okay, I’m stepping off my soapbox.
I really loved the concept of Most Ardently, and I think Darcy’s portrayal was a great way to twist him into this narrative. I loved Oliver’s family—how supportive they all were. At the end of the day, this was a mostly cute P&P retelling.
Book: Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
Series: standalone
Genre: Historical
Hotness: no salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: transgender