Most Ardently Book Review

Because we love a retelling on a classic masterpiece.

Song Vibe check:

1. "Minute" By: Kim Petras

2. "The night we met" By: Lord Huron

3. "King of my heart" By: Taylor Swift

NOTE: Thanks to the publisher for the physical ARC!

I love Pride and Prejudice. I've read the classic, the remixed version with zombies, seen both the original and the remake of the film (hello, Lily James!) and have seen a few retellings circle my periphery, but never intriguing enough for me to actually read them.

But then came Most Ardently, the retelling in which we get a trans Elizabeth (their deadname) and a gay Mr. Darcy. Ladies and gentlemen... I am already sold. As soon as I started, I could not let go and the next thing I knew, I was sucked into the regency era again, falling in love with it and with this book that by the end, all I knew for sure was that THIS is the modern masterpiece of our times.

So here we go.

Short Summary: The oldest child of the Bennet family, Oliver must learn to navigate the new season all while trying not to fall for the socially awkward and antisocial Darcy who may be more than meets the eye.

THIS is exactly the type of book where you feel seen and recognized. For those that are trans, or planning to transition, I can imagine the struggle it may be to read this book and even then, there's a sort of catharsis of how the book ends. I related to Oliver through the burdens of being the oldest, all the expectations that get weighed upon those that are the oldest, to always fit the expectations and to be so terrified of failing those expectations, choosing to tamp down whatever makes us happy and through Oliver's eyes, just seeing how he had to cover up all the times he went out in his boy clothing all to not disappoint his mother that wanted him to be "a proper woman" made my heart squeeze and ache for his happiness.

I also never knew I needed a gay Darcy in my life but he appeared and HE WAS GLORIOUS. The introduction of Molly Houses as the very early gay club had me absolutely shocked and was something new that came to my attention and let's not forget Mr. Bennet. THE MAN IS EVERYTHING, HE IS THE FATHER PEOPLE WISH FOR, THE SUPPORTIVE ONE, the way he always looked out for Oliver had me in shambles each time and therefore, one of my favorite characters. Last but not least, the fact that Charlotte is a closeted lesbian was the perfect twist, to know that she had her love, but also had to tie herself to a rich man to be able to survive.

All in all, one of my favorites of the year.

Overall: 5/5 Stars