Book Review: Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

‘Most Ardently’ by Gabe Cole Novoa was released in 2024. It is part of the Remixed Classics series, where authors of diverse backgrounds rewrite classic fiction. Authors who have contributed to this collection include Novoa, Cherie Dimaline, Caleb Roehrig, Kalynn Bayron, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tasha Suri, Aminah Mae Safi, Bethany C. Morrow, and C.B. Lee.

Although, at the time of reading ‘Most Ardently’ I had yet to read other books within the Remixed Classics series, I have since read several titles based on classics I have read previously and enjoyed. In this instance, however, I went in blind, and read this book with little knowledge of the story of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I have never watched the film adaptations, or read the original story, which made all the twists and turns all the more exciting!

I read this via Audible, and found the audiobook really immersive. I really enjoyed this remix – in Novoa’s book, Austin’s protagonist Elizabeth Bennet is a trans man called Oliver. He is queer and romantically interested in men. Socially, due to the societal expectations of the time, he hasn’t transitioned among his family or the rest of Society. However, he is himself among a select few – such as his sister, Jane, his best friend Charlotte and her girlfriend Lou.

The romantic tension between Oliver and Darcy was so much fun. I knew, of course, that in the original story, Elizabeth ended up with Mr. Darcy after he confessed that he loved her most ardently, thus the title of the remix, but the added context of the subtle and nuanced queer world of the regency era was so interesting. I felt terrible about some of the struggles that Oliver, Charlotte, and Lou underwent.

The romance between Oliver and Darcy was incredibly interesting, nuanced, and funny – I loved how Novoa was able to utilise dramatic irony to allow humour to sink in, after all, gay panic can be so funny in fiction. I adored it.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was hysterical, romantic and immersive. It made me eager to continue to read more content in the Remixed Classics series, and by Novoa in the future.