Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix

Written by Gabe Cole Novoa

Narrated by Harrison Knights

In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This bittersweet Pride & Prejudice remix follows a trans boy yearning for the freedom to live openly, centering queerness in a well-known story of longing and subverting society’s patriarchal and cisheteronormative expectations.

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 could 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.

The Remixed Classics Series
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore
My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jan 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781250327260

Gabe Cole Novoa

Gabe Cole Novoa (he/him) is a Latinx transmasculine author who writes speculative fiction featuring marginalized characters grappling with identity. Now leveled up with an MFA in Writing for Children, when he isn't being nerdy at his day job, or buried under his TBR pile, you’ll likely find him making heart-eyes at the latest snazzy outfit he wants to add to his wardrobe. Gabe is the author of the New York Times bestseller Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix, The Wicked Bargain, The Diablo's Curse, and the Beyond the Red trilogy, written under a former pseudonym.

Reviews for Most Ardently

[Vesper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was absolutely fantastic. I loved how it kept as accurate to the time period as possible. I run into a lot of books like this that handle trans issues in a really weirdly politically correct way (for the time period or setting) that takes me completely out of the book, and this one thankfully didn't do that. highly recommend!

[Annie Virtually · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adore this book. Oliver's journey is very moving. I like the idea of asking 'what if...' and turning P&P into the story of a young trans man. I think it is a beautiful reminder of the existence of queer people throughout history and the story made their struggles come to life - with a HEA. ;)

[Becki · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this title. Recommend reading if you want a fresh take on a classic

[urcosmossol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story made me feel so many things, i felt for the characters and what they were going through, i swooned with them and adored them.
I loved the story, it brought parts of the original while still making it it's on. Oliver is a great MC, his POV was everything. He felt very real and had a very distinct voice. Darcy was very endearing and i loved seeing him open up.

Jane and their dad were the stand out of the Bennett family.
Highly recommend the book and the audiobook, the narrator did a great job and has a really beautiful calming voice!!

[Michy Grems · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful and amazing. As a trans individual who grew up with only cis, straight romances, I am so glad this story exists. Thank you Gabe for writing it <3