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Most Ardently Yours
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood and Ashley Poston, Most Ardently Yours follows romance-obsessed Zoe Knight who, after accidentally summoning the real Mr. Darcy from a stolen copy of Pride and Prejudice, must find a way to send him back to the pages of her favourite book with the help of a romance-sceptic bookseller. A delightfully bookish and swoony romance with a lightly speculative flair from the USA Today bestselling author Freya Sampson that brings to life one of Jane Austen's most universally beloved love interests.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 7, 2026
19 people are currently reading
6969 people want to read
About the author
Freya Sampson
8 books1,549 followersFreya Sampson is the USA Today bestselling author of The Last Chance Library and The Lost Ticket/The Girl on the 88 Bus. She studied history at Cambridge University and worked in television as an executive producer, making documentaries about everything from the British royal family to neighbours from hell. She lives in London with her husband, children and cats. Nosy Neighbours is her third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 23, 2025
3.5⭐
Cute novel, where Fitzwilliam Darcy magically gets transported from book to real life. The plot is quite a bit more involved than that, and as is, this novel is good. Seeing as there is more than 6 months until publication, I'm hoping for some oomph to be added during editing. The writing is fine, the plot is fine, but there is repetition throughout which could be replaced with more detailed scenes, and injected with actual humour. There was a scene between Zoe and Nick which had them laughing until they wept tears, but was not even remotely funny for the reader. I think this book can be a Hallmark movie of the week, but would rather it be punched up to become a Netflix rom-com.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Cute novel, where Fitzwilliam Darcy magically gets transported from book to real life. The plot is quite a bit more involved than that, and as is, this novel is good. Seeing as there is more than 6 months until publication, I'm hoping for some oomph to be added during editing. The writing is fine, the plot is fine, but there is repetition throughout which could be replaced with more detailed scenes, and injected with actual humour. There was a scene between Zoe and Nick which had them laughing until they wept tears, but was not even remotely funny for the reader. I think this book can be a Hallmark movie of the week, but would rather it be punched up to become a Netflix rom-com.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I applaud the quirkiness of the plot, yet that same quirkiness also makes the book feel a bit flimsy at times—and that’s coming from someone who loves both Austen and time-travel(-ish) romances.
Basic plot: The FMC is a hardcore romance reader. After a string of disappointing real-life experiences, she’s basically outsourced her love life to books. One day she wanders into a tiny bookshop run by a grumpy-but-hunky bookseller (yes, he’s the MMC) who pointedly refuses to stock romance. For reasons we learn later, the FMC finds an old, battered copy of Pride and Prejudice—and steals it. The next day, Fitzwilliam Darcy (the P&P MMC) appears in real life. The FMC tries to make Darcy her boyfriend (and, frankly, gaslights him), but after a few days
Don’t worry: the story does land on a happy ending (though it felt a bit… stretched).
YAY for
😊 The dynamic between the leads. The MMC is genuinely compelling: grumpy in a way that reads as layered rather than rude, and grounded enough to feel like a real person—not just a trope. His chemistry with the FMC carries a lot of the book. The FMC, on the other hand, reads a bit whiny to me at times, and her choices can be frustrating—but she still lands as “messy but readable,” especially because her emotional neediness fits the premise (someone who’s been living on fictional comfort for too long). When the two are on the page together, the story has its best moments.
😊 The initial magical realism twist. The “book character in real life” setup is clever, playful, and very on-theme for a romance that’s in conversation with Pride and Prejudice. The early sections are genuinely fun: the novelty, the wish-fulfillment, and the subtle tension of “this can’t possibly last” work really well. I also liked the hint of mystery around the bookshop and the late mother’s role—it adds texture beyond the central romance. It’s a strong hook… right up until the magic starts stacking new rules on top of old ones and the story pushes it a little too far.
NAY for
🤔 How Darcy is treated. And, like other reviewers, I struggled with the sexual aspect—it was a no for me. More broadly, I never quite saw him as a person in this story; he felt like a prop, “literally just a character.” Maybe that was intentional—to highlight the contrast between the MMC and Darcy—but I’m not convinced, especially because the main takeaway seems to be: FMC, you should be your own hero/savior. That’s fine, but I missed a clearer secondary message of: and choose someone who fits the real you, not just someone “perfect” in the abstract.
🤔 The magic logic eventually breaks. I can suspend disbelief once and accept the core premise. But when the plot escalates into characters jumping in and out of books, it lost me. At that point it felt more metaphorical than functional, and I disconnected. Magical realism works best (for me) when it stays simple—once it over-explains or over-expands, it risks snapping the reader out of the story.
🤔 It sometimes reads like fanfiction. There’s a level of fangirl energy that tipped into indulgent for my taste—and I say that as a fangirl.
My Bottom Line & Note for the Author
An enjoyable read with a charming premise and a strong romantic dynamic—but it could use a tighter hand to achieve that Ashley Poston–style sweet spot: whimsical magic grounded in real emotion, with cleaner narrative rules and a more seamless payoff.
----
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Basic plot: The FMC is a hardcore romance reader. After a string of disappointing real-life experiences, she’s basically outsourced her love life to books. One day she wanders into a tiny bookshop run by a grumpy-but-hunky bookseller (yes, he’s the MMC) who pointedly refuses to stock romance. For reasons we learn later, the FMC finds an old, battered copy of Pride and Prejudice—and steals it. The next day, Fitzwilliam Darcy (the P&P MMC) appears in real life. The FMC tries to make Darcy her boyfriend (and, frankly, gaslights him), but after a few days
Don’t worry: the story does land on a happy ending (though it felt a bit… stretched).
YAY for
😊 The dynamic between the leads. The MMC is genuinely compelling: grumpy in a way that reads as layered rather than rude, and grounded enough to feel like a real person—not just a trope. His chemistry with the FMC carries a lot of the book. The FMC, on the other hand, reads a bit whiny to me at times, and her choices can be frustrating—but she still lands as “messy but readable,” especially because her emotional neediness fits the premise (someone who’s been living on fictional comfort for too long). When the two are on the page together, the story has its best moments.
😊 The initial magical realism twist. The “book character in real life” setup is clever, playful, and very on-theme for a romance that’s in conversation with Pride and Prejudice. The early sections are genuinely fun: the novelty, the wish-fulfillment, and the subtle tension of “this can’t possibly last” work really well. I also liked the hint of mystery around the bookshop and the late mother’s role—it adds texture beyond the central romance. It’s a strong hook… right up until the magic starts stacking new rules on top of old ones and the story pushes it a little too far.
NAY for
🤔 How Darcy is treated. And, like other reviewers, I struggled with the sexual aspect—it was a no for me. More broadly, I never quite saw him as a person in this story; he felt like a prop, “literally just a character.” Maybe that was intentional—to highlight the contrast between the MMC and Darcy—but I’m not convinced, especially because the main takeaway seems to be: FMC, you should be your own hero/savior. That’s fine, but I missed a clearer secondary message of: and choose someone who fits the real you, not just someone “perfect” in the abstract.
🤔 The magic logic eventually breaks. I can suspend disbelief once and accept the core premise. But when the plot escalates into characters jumping in and out of books, it lost me. At that point it felt more metaphorical than functional, and I disconnected. Magical realism works best (for me) when it stays simple—once it over-explains or over-expands, it risks snapping the reader out of the story.
🤔 It sometimes reads like fanfiction. There’s a level of fangirl energy that tipped into indulgent for my taste—and I say that as a fangirl.
My Bottom Line & Note for the Author
An enjoyable read with a charming premise and a strong romantic dynamic—but it could use a tighter hand to achieve that Ashley Poston–style sweet spot: whimsical magic grounded in real emotion, with cleaner narrative rules and a more seamless payoff.
----
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
💭Most Ardently Yours is the kind of book that feels like a warm hug and a very targeted love letter to romance readers—especially those of us who grew up worshipping Mr. Darcy and quietly measuring real men against fictional standards.
Zoe Knight is a struggling romance writer who has officially given up on men in real life. Fictional men, however? Thriving. She finds comfort, validation, and companionship in book boyfriends, with Darcy firmly reigning supreme. Romance novels are her safe place, her escape, her emotional support system—and honestly, same. So when fate (and an unforgiving London downpour) pushes her into Baskerville Books, a shop she’s avoided for years because it screams women not welcome, chaos ensues in the best way.
Baskerville Books is the embodiment of everything Zoe despises: male-centric displays, “serious” books by men for men, and zero romance in sight. Enter Nick Baskerville—the annoyingly attractive, painfully grumpy owner who proudly refuses to stock romance novels and somehow hasn’t read Austen (a crime, frankly). Their first interaction is pure gold: sharp banter, ideological clashes, bruised egos, and a very memorable argument involving Pride and Prejudice. The bookshop setting plus enemies-at-first-meeting energy? Delicious.
What really worked for me was how deeply this story gets romance readers. It explores how fictional men raise our standards, how women are judged for loving romance, and how books become lifelines during grief, loneliness, and heartbreak. Zoe’s backstory is heavy—losing her mother to cancer, her father to his own failures, and later her confidence to an emotionally destructive ex who crushed her writing dreams. Crispin Carter might genuinely be one of those characters you want to throw into the Thames. Watching Zoe reclaim her voice, her creativity, and her sense of self was incredibly satisfying.
The supporting cast adds so much heart. Bianca, her lifelong best friend, is pure found-family comfort. Mrs. Atallah, Zoe’s flat owner, quietly steals the show with her warmth and wisdom. Even the history of Baskerville Books—passed down through generations of book lovers—adds emotional depth and reinforces the idea that books save people.
And yes, the book is absolutely packed with literary references. Jane Austen fans, especially Pride and Prejudice devotees, will feel very seen. This novel leans hard into Austen parallels, Easter eggs, and thematic nods—it’s unapologetically indulgent. Fair warning: if you haven’t read Pride and Prejudice, this will spoil parts of it. If you have read it? You’ll probably be grinning the whole time.
That said, while I adored Zoe as a protagonist, the romance itself didn’t fully live up to its potential for me. Nick is charming in theory, and he does redeem himself, but the emotional build-up between him and Zoe felt rushed. Their first meeting crackled, but after that, I wanted more shared moments, more tension, more earned intimacy. The feelings seemed to jump ahead before I was fully convinced. A slower burn would’ve elevated this from great to unforgettable.
Still, this book was a joy to read. It’s light, visual, humorous, and genuinely uplifting. I flew through it in a day and felt good the entire time—which absolutely influenced my rating. It may not be extraordinary, but it speaks to things I deeply relate to: loving books fiercely, believing in fictional comfort, and learning that you don’t need a man (fictional or real) to save you—you can be your own hero.
Overall, Most Ardently Yours is a witty, comforting romcom that celebrates books, self-growth, friendship, and the magic of stories. It’s not perfect, but it’s charming, heartfelt, and written with so much love for readers like us.
✨Don’t read the blurb. Go in blind. Trust me.
𝐏.𝐒 That opening line alone deserves a standing ovation.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Slightly generous rating, yes—but zero regrets. Books that make me feel seen earn bonus points.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary romance, Romantic fantasy
🔸I’d 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 this to -
📚 Romance reader girlies
📖 Jane Austen & Pride and Prejudice fans
💌 Anyone who has ever wanted a book boyfriend
☕ Book club readers looking for discussion-worthy themes
💭Most Ardently Yours is the kind of book that feels like a warm hug and a very targeted love letter to romance readers—especially those of us who grew up worshipping Mr. Darcy and quietly measuring real men against fictional standards.
Zoe Knight is a struggling romance writer who has officially given up on men in real life. Fictional men, however? Thriving. She finds comfort, validation, and companionship in book boyfriends, with Darcy firmly reigning supreme. Romance novels are her safe place, her escape, her emotional support system—and honestly, same. So when fate (and an unforgiving London downpour) pushes her into Baskerville Books, a shop she’s avoided for years because it screams women not welcome, chaos ensues in the best way.
Baskerville Books is the embodiment of everything Zoe despises: male-centric displays, “serious” books by men for men, and zero romance in sight. Enter Nick Baskerville—the annoyingly attractive, painfully grumpy owner who proudly refuses to stock romance novels and somehow hasn’t read Austen (a crime, frankly). Their first interaction is pure gold: sharp banter, ideological clashes, bruised egos, and a very memorable argument involving Pride and Prejudice. The bookshop setting plus enemies-at-first-meeting energy? Delicious.
What really worked for me was how deeply this story gets romance readers. It explores how fictional men raise our standards, how women are judged for loving romance, and how books become lifelines during grief, loneliness, and heartbreak. Zoe’s backstory is heavy—losing her mother to cancer, her father to his own failures, and later her confidence to an emotionally destructive ex who crushed her writing dreams. Crispin Carter might genuinely be one of those characters you want to throw into the Thames. Watching Zoe reclaim her voice, her creativity, and her sense of self was incredibly satisfying.
The supporting cast adds so much heart. Bianca, her lifelong best friend, is pure found-family comfort. Mrs. Atallah, Zoe’s flat owner, quietly steals the show with her warmth and wisdom. Even the history of Baskerville Books—passed down through generations of book lovers—adds emotional depth and reinforces the idea that books save people.
And yes, the book is absolutely packed with literary references. Jane Austen fans, especially Pride and Prejudice devotees, will feel very seen. This novel leans hard into Austen parallels, Easter eggs, and thematic nods—it’s unapologetically indulgent. Fair warning: if you haven’t read Pride and Prejudice, this will spoil parts of it. If you have read it? You’ll probably be grinning the whole time.
That said, while I adored Zoe as a protagonist, the romance itself didn’t fully live up to its potential for me. Nick is charming in theory, and he does redeem himself, but the emotional build-up between him and Zoe felt rushed. Their first meeting crackled, but after that, I wanted more shared moments, more tension, more earned intimacy. The feelings seemed to jump ahead before I was fully convinced. A slower burn would’ve elevated this from great to unforgettable.
Still, this book was a joy to read. It’s light, visual, humorous, and genuinely uplifting. I flew through it in a day and felt good the entire time—which absolutely influenced my rating. It may not be extraordinary, but it speaks to things I deeply relate to: loving books fiercely, believing in fictional comfort, and learning that you don’t need a man (fictional or real) to save you—you can be your own hero.
Overall, Most Ardently Yours is a witty, comforting romcom that celebrates books, self-growth, friendship, and the magic of stories. It’s not perfect, but it’s charming, heartfelt, and written with so much love for readers like us.
✨Don’t read the blurb. Go in blind. Trust me.
𝐏.𝐒 That opening line alone deserves a standing ovation.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Slightly generous rating, yes—but zero regrets. Books that make me feel seen earn bonus points.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary romance, Romantic fantasy
🔸I’d 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 this to -
📚 Romance reader girlies
📖 Jane Austen & Pride and Prejudice fans
💌 Anyone who has ever wanted a book boyfriend
☕ Book club readers looking for discussion-worthy themes
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I love Jane Austen. I love Pride and Prejudice adaptations. And I have a real love of cringe regency in modern times stories like Lost in Austen and Austenland. So I'm really the ideal audience for this book. Those stories are silly and goofy and that’s what I expected from this.
I think in a film format, you can often forgive poor decisions of the protagonist because the experience with the story is short, but in book format, it feels much more grating.
This book could have been a novella. The protagonist goes completely against the obvious choices for progress for manufactured obstacles that feel dissatisfying and irritating. Even the initial premise of what are we doing?
There could have been a much better way to That would be way more fun because then it doesn’t make the character unlikeable, just a moron (affectionate).
Even the silliness with Darcy felt just… womp womp. Who would give bland toast Darcy chow mein and kimchi pancake? He’s going to have a heart attack from having well seasoned food for the first time in his life. Darcy felt very one note to me. I found it hard to engage, in a similar way I don't often enjoy fan fic, because the author sees the character in a different way to how I experienced them. If the protagonist is such a fan, the author almost does Darcy a disservice by making him so boring.
I have a personal gripe with ‘dating’ media. I don’t love pop culture references or trending phrases because it cements a story to that time and then once that time goes out of flavour, it makes the book cringe, which is unfair for a fun story, right? And I also dislike when pop culture references are so thrust upon you that you’re alienated from the story when you don’t know the reference.
Throwing in popular romance authors of this era, name dropping for the sake of name dropping. If I haven’t read every romance, romantasy, etc. author… then I don’t know what you’re talking about. So it’s a bit of a risk that you’re relying on your reader to already be so deep in the pocket of romance to be able to genuinely engage with those references. Maybe if I read more romance I wouldn't feel bothered by this but Romance was one of my top genres in 2025 so I find it difficult to believe that I haven't done enough work here.
Ultimately, if you want a good brain-off read, you’ll probably enjoy this. Especially if you're already a fan of goofy Austen in modern day stories. We're also nearly 6 months from the release of the story so there's a chance for them to tweak this a bit and give it the charm the book really deserves. As is, it's just not as for me as I wanted it to be.
I love Jane Austen. I love Pride and Prejudice adaptations. And I have a real love of cringe regency in modern times stories like Lost in Austen and Austenland. So I'm really the ideal audience for this book. Those stories are silly and goofy and that’s what I expected from this.
I think in a film format, you can often forgive poor decisions of the protagonist because the experience with the story is short, but in book format, it feels much more grating.
This book could have been a novella. The protagonist goes completely against the obvious choices for progress for manufactured obstacles that feel dissatisfying and irritating. Even the initial premise of what are we doing?
There could have been a much better way to That would be way more fun because then it doesn’t make the character unlikeable, just a moron (affectionate).
Even the silliness with Darcy felt just… womp womp. Who would give bland toast Darcy chow mein and kimchi pancake? He’s going to have a heart attack from having well seasoned food for the first time in his life. Darcy felt very one note to me. I found it hard to engage, in a similar way I don't often enjoy fan fic, because the author sees the character in a different way to how I experienced them. If the protagonist is such a fan, the author almost does Darcy a disservice by making him so boring.
I have a personal gripe with ‘dating’ media. I don’t love pop culture references or trending phrases because it cements a story to that time and then once that time goes out of flavour, it makes the book cringe, which is unfair for a fun story, right? And I also dislike when pop culture references are so thrust upon you that you’re alienated from the story when you don’t know the reference.
Throwing in popular romance authors of this era, name dropping for the sake of name dropping. If I haven’t read every romance, romantasy, etc. author… then I don’t know what you’re talking about. So it’s a bit of a risk that you’re relying on your reader to already be so deep in the pocket of romance to be able to genuinely engage with those references. Maybe if I read more romance I wouldn't feel bothered by this but Romance was one of my top genres in 2025 so I find it difficult to believe that I haven't done enough work here.
Ultimately, if you want a good brain-off read, you’ll probably enjoy this. Especially if you're already a fan of goofy Austen in modern day stories. We're also nearly 6 months from the release of the story so there's a chance for them to tweak this a bit and give it the charm the book really deserves. As is, it's just not as for me as I wanted it to be.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
While I quite enjoyed Freya Sampson's novel The Lost Ticket, I can't say the same about Most Ardently Yours. Premise-wise, I was on board; I'm a big fan of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice in its various incarnations, so this should've been perfect. Unfortunately, this book wasn't my cup of tea.
Most notably, I did not jive with the narrative voice of this book: it was too of the moment. I get it--she was trying to place the character in the present and establish legitimacy within the contemporary romance genre; and the main setting here was a bookstore. However, even just the first few pages read like a list of BookTok's top authors and titles. I often have this issue with popular contemporary literature as these references will date the book to a specific moment in time and, thus, become stale and untimely soon. It's the equivalent of the awkwardness of the "how do you do fellow kids?" meme.
This initial vibe didn't bode well for the rest of the reading experience either.
I didn't care for the main character or her love interest. Their personalities somehow both bored and annoyed me at once, and I didn't enjoy following them through the story. It somehow felt juvenile and boring and I found it a slog to get through. Unfortunately, I also wasn't compelled by how the author described Mr. Darcy in this story and how he interacted with the main character.
Overall, I wasn't compelled by anything except the premise. If you're not picky and looking for a contemporary romance with references to P&P, I suppose this novel could suffice for a quick read. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood for a Hallmark Channel-level story and the contemporary references were too much for me to bear.
I'm truly sad because I've had pleasant experiences reading her other work but this one didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Most notably, I did not jive with the narrative voice of this book: it was too of the moment. I get it--she was trying to place the character in the present and establish legitimacy within the contemporary romance genre; and the main setting here was a bookstore. However, even just the first few pages read like a list of BookTok's top authors and titles. I often have this issue with popular contemporary literature as these references will date the book to a specific moment in time and, thus, become stale and untimely soon. It's the equivalent of the awkwardness of the "how do you do fellow kids?" meme.
This initial vibe didn't bode well for the rest of the reading experience either.
I didn't care for the main character or her love interest. Their personalities somehow both bored and annoyed me at once, and I didn't enjoy following them through the story. It somehow felt juvenile and boring and I found it a slog to get through. Unfortunately, I also wasn't compelled by how the author described Mr. Darcy in this story and how he interacted with the main character.
Overall, I wasn't compelled by anything except the premise. If you're not picky and looking for a contemporary romance with references to P&P, I suppose this novel could suffice for a quick read. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood for a Hallmark Channel-level story and the contemporary references were too much for me to bear.
I'm truly sad because I've had pleasant experiences reading her other work but this one didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a massive Pride and Prejudice fan. When I saw that Freya Sampson, an author I adore, wrote a book centered around Mr. Darcy coming to life, I about jumped for joy.
Mr. Darcy is a favorite romantic hero of mine. His character development in P&P so perfectly reveals his deeply loyal, generous and selfless nature beneath his proud and arrogant exterior. However, in this book, he is missing his shyness and charm. His reserved nature makes him so endearing in P&P, but he was much more talkative and strangely blunt in this book. (Yes, he is blunt in P&P, but it’s done differently.) Sampson's portrayal of Darcy and his dialogue weren't quite what I imagine of the character, but perhaps we all have different interpretations of what a 21st century Darcy would be like.
Freya Sampson usually writes such lovable, complex characters, but I failed to connect with this book's characters. They lacked depth and the dialogue felt awkward. The romance between Nick and Zoe felt rushed as there was very little build-up. It went from "enemies-to-love of my life" in very little time. I enjoyed the appearance of Dylan and Frank, though. (If you know, you know!) :)
Despite not connecting with the characters, I love the book's premise. How many of us wish we could spend an hour or two with our favorite fictional characters? Spending time with Mr. Darcy and traveling to the P&P world was a lot of fun. I did not expect to meet other P&P characters, so that was a nice surprise! I could feel Freya Sampson's love of P&P in her writing, and I really appreciate her preference for Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. Same here! He is the BEST!
Even though this book fell flat for me in some aspects, I still love Freya Sampson's writing. I will always be first in line to buy one of her books, and I will definitely read this book again when it is published.
Mr. Darcy is a favorite romantic hero of mine. His character development in P&P so perfectly reveals his deeply loyal, generous and selfless nature beneath his proud and arrogant exterior. However, in this book, he is missing his shyness and charm. His reserved nature makes him so endearing in P&P, but he was much more talkative and strangely blunt in this book. (Yes, he is blunt in P&P, but it’s done differently.) Sampson's portrayal of Darcy and his dialogue weren't quite what I imagine of the character, but perhaps we all have different interpretations of what a 21st century Darcy would be like.
Freya Sampson usually writes such lovable, complex characters, but I failed to connect with this book's characters. They lacked depth and the dialogue felt awkward. The romance between Nick and Zoe felt rushed as there was very little build-up. It went from "enemies-to-love of my life" in very little time. I enjoyed the appearance of Dylan and Frank, though. (If you know, you know!) :)
Despite not connecting with the characters, I love the book's premise. How many of us wish we could spend an hour or two with our favorite fictional characters? Spending time with Mr. Darcy and traveling to the P&P world was a lot of fun. I did not expect to meet other P&P characters, so that was a nice surprise! I could feel Freya Sampson's love of P&P in her writing, and I really appreciate her preference for Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. Same here! He is the BEST!
Even though this book fell flat for me in some aspects, I still love Freya Sampson's writing. I will always be first in line to buy one of her books, and I will definitely read this book again when it is published.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Most Ardently Yours is a charming, humorous romcom with a time-travel twist that will especially delight book lovers and Jane Austen fans. Packed with bookish references, wit, and heart, this story was an easy and enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages.
The story follows Zoe Knight, who has given up on her dream of becoming an author and is freshly heartbroken after being left by her ex. As a lifelong Pride and Prejudice superfan, she can hardly believe it when none other than Mr. Darcy suddenly appears in her world. But as the story unfolds, Zoe begins to question whether the “perfect man” from fiction would actually be perfect in real life.
The novel is written in a very visual, light, and humorous style, and I found it genuinely inspiring. I laughed a lot and enjoyed Zoe’s journey of self-discovery, identity, and self-worth. The central message that you don’t need someone else to save you, because you can be your own hero, is beautifully woven into the story.
While I loved Zoe as a protagonist and found her struggles relatable, I wished for a bit more emotional depth when it came to the romance. The MMC Noah, a grumpy bookseller, is a great contrast to Zoe’s hopeless-romantic personality, but he felt slightly underdeveloped. I would have loved more shared scenes and emotional build-up between them before they fell in love.
The pacing slows a little in the middle, but not enough to significantly impact my overall enjoyment. A personal highlight for me were the book club discussion questions at the end, such a lovely and thoughtful addition!
Overall, Most Ardently Yours is a witty, heartwarming romcom that celebrates books, self-growth, and the idea that perfection in fiction doesn’t always translate to real life. I highly recommend it to romcom readers, Jane Austen lovers, and anyone who dreams of having a bookboyfriend in real life!
The story follows Zoe Knight, who has given up on her dream of becoming an author and is freshly heartbroken after being left by her ex. As a lifelong Pride and Prejudice superfan, she can hardly believe it when none other than Mr. Darcy suddenly appears in her world. But as the story unfolds, Zoe begins to question whether the “perfect man” from fiction would actually be perfect in real life.
The novel is written in a very visual, light, and humorous style, and I found it genuinely inspiring. I laughed a lot and enjoyed Zoe’s journey of self-discovery, identity, and self-worth. The central message that you don’t need someone else to save you, because you can be your own hero, is beautifully woven into the story.
While I loved Zoe as a protagonist and found her struggles relatable, I wished for a bit more emotional depth when it came to the romance. The MMC Noah, a grumpy bookseller, is a great contrast to Zoe’s hopeless-romantic personality, but he felt slightly underdeveloped. I would have loved more shared scenes and emotional build-up between them before they fell in love.
The pacing slows a little in the middle, but not enough to significantly impact my overall enjoyment. A personal highlight for me were the book club discussion questions at the end, such a lovely and thoughtful addition!
Overall, Most Ardently Yours is a witty, heartwarming romcom that celebrates books, self-growth, and the idea that perfection in fiction doesn’t always translate to real life. I highly recommend it to romcom readers, Jane Austen lovers, and anyone who dreams of having a bookboyfriend in real life!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this ARC!
If you are looking for a fun, magical, original romance - and have always loved Pride and Prejudice - then this book is for you.
Most Ardently Yours is a book about a cynic, romance-hating, bookshop owner, a dazzling fictional book boyfriend and an inspiring romance author turned coffee shop worker. But most of all it's a story about self-confidence and wanting more from your life.
In this book we follow Zoe as she gets to live every book-lover's dream: meet her favorite fictional man. But as Mr. Darcy springs out of the book and straight into the 21st century, teaching him about modern technologies is not the only hardship she will face. When things go from bad to worse, Zoe discovers that real life can be better than a fictional one, and that heroines don't need knights in shinning armor, they can save themselves. Our main character, throughout the book, discovers that she is capable of much more than she thinks, that being honest is (mostly) a good idea, and that love always comes when we least expect it.
I enjoyed this book and thought the premise was really fun. I also loved the themes evoked throughout the story. Reading about Zoe growing into herself and falling in love with her life was really inspiring. However, the plot of the book, while magical, was a bit unbelievable at times. I also felt like the writing wasn't totally fleshed out and some parts were repetitive. There were a few paragraphs that felt like info-dumping, where the characters explained what was going on but in a stilted way that wasn't true to how someone would talk in real life.
All in all I wouldn't say that this was a great work of fiction but it was a fun, unserious time and did what, I believe, it set out to do.
If you are looking for a fun, magical, original romance - and have always loved Pride and Prejudice - then this book is for you.
Most Ardently Yours is a book about a cynic, romance-hating, bookshop owner, a dazzling fictional book boyfriend and an inspiring romance author turned coffee shop worker. But most of all it's a story about self-confidence and wanting more from your life.
In this book we follow Zoe as she gets to live every book-lover's dream: meet her favorite fictional man. But as Mr. Darcy springs out of the book and straight into the 21st century, teaching him about modern technologies is not the only hardship she will face. When things go from bad to worse, Zoe discovers that real life can be better than a fictional one, and that heroines don't need knights in shinning armor, they can save themselves. Our main character, throughout the book, discovers that she is capable of much more than she thinks, that being honest is (mostly) a good idea, and that love always comes when we least expect it.
I enjoyed this book and thought the premise was really fun. I also loved the themes evoked throughout the story. Reading about Zoe growing into herself and falling in love with her life was really inspiring. However, the plot of the book, while magical, was a bit unbelievable at times. I also felt like the writing wasn't totally fleshed out and some parts were repetitive. There were a few paragraphs that felt like info-dumping, where the characters explained what was going on but in a stilted way that wasn't true to how someone would talk in real life.
All in all I wouldn't say that this was a great work of fiction but it was a fun, unserious time and did what, I believe, it set out to do.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fun time!
I loved how invested we are into the character and just how much they add wit and emotion into the story (especially Mrs. Atallah, she was a hoot!). We really see our main character, Zoe, grow as a person and as a writer as her friends and Mr. Darcy help her earn her trust in herself back. It was so uplifting seeing how much they cared for her and one another throughout the whole book.
And Nick!!! Sweetie pie Nick! The way we are initially put off by his character because he highly dislikes romance novels but then you realize that there is a reasoning behind that, and the reasoning is so sad and dare I say, traumatic. I mean, I too, would hate romance novels for that reason. But truth be told, loved how much he held Zoe in such high regard even after the events of their first encounter. Truly, a yearnful man.
That being said, lord have mercy were there so many references to current pop culture !! They 1000% could’ve been taken out since it truly dates every book in my opinion. Name dropping so many modern things almost felt like the author was trying to make the story as relevant as possible by naming as many possible BookTok references - making it a bit cringe. It felt like every other paragraph had a pop culture reference and it wasn’t until the last half of the book that it became more enjoyable to read because there was less attention to the pop culture aspect of it all. Genuinely do not need to hear about Love Island, Xaden Riorson (yes, from Fourth Wing…), or anything like that in a book - personally!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Publishing for the ARC.
I loved how invested we are into the character and just how much they add wit and emotion into the story (especially Mrs. Atallah, she was a hoot!). We really see our main character, Zoe, grow as a person and as a writer as her friends and Mr. Darcy help her earn her trust in herself back. It was so uplifting seeing how much they cared for her and one another throughout the whole book.
And Nick!!! Sweetie pie Nick! The way we are initially put off by his character because he highly dislikes romance novels but then you realize that there is a reasoning behind that, and the reasoning is so sad and dare I say, traumatic. I mean, I too, would hate romance novels for that reason. But truth be told, loved how much he held Zoe in such high regard even after the events of their first encounter. Truly, a yearnful man.
That being said, lord have mercy were there so many references to current pop culture !! They 1000% could’ve been taken out since it truly dates every book in my opinion. Name dropping so many modern things almost felt like the author was trying to make the story as relevant as possible by naming as many possible BookTok references - making it a bit cringe. It felt like every other paragraph had a pop culture reference and it wasn’t until the last half of the book that it became more enjoyable to read because there was less attention to the pop culture aspect of it all. Genuinely do not need to hear about Love Island, Xaden Riorson (yes, from Fourth Wing…), or anything like that in a book - personally!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The moment I received this ARC, I knew it was going to be my first read of the year. Freya Sampson's books, for me, are always very wholesome, very charming, and very warm. They're always about a group of people who have little in common but come together to tackle a problem or solve a mystery, and there's something comforting about that. And since I said I wanted to be kinder to myself this year, what better way to start that but with a Freya Sampson book.
This is a slight departure from her previous novels, simply in the fantastical element of the book. I mean, Mr. Darcy being read out of a book, plucked from Regency England into modern day? So fantastical! And so every romance girlie's dream.
I love that we follow Zoe through this whole journey. Had Mr. Darcy's sudden materialization happened to someone like Nick, it wouldn't have worked. We needed to stand alongside someone who loves romance books as much as we do, who uses "book boyfriend" liberally, who understands what Mr. Darcy's appearance would mean, and Zoe does. She's the perfect heroine for this to happen to.
I actually took very few notes while reading this book that weren't fangirling; I was so engrossed in it that I found little to note for scrutiny. I loved the twist that reminded me a bit of Ant-Man and the Wasp, I fangirled hard at the Dylan and Frank cameo, and the supporting friend group continues to be ride-or-die awesome.
And Miss Sampson, why did you have to make me tear up with that dedication?
The moment I received this ARC, I knew it was going to be my first read of the year. Freya Sampson's books, for me, are always very wholesome, very charming, and very warm. They're always about a group of people who have little in common but come together to tackle a problem or solve a mystery, and there's something comforting about that. And since I said I wanted to be kinder to myself this year, what better way to start that but with a Freya Sampson book.
This is a slight departure from her previous novels, simply in the fantastical element of the book. I mean, Mr. Darcy being read out of a book, plucked from Regency England into modern day? So fantastical! And so every romance girlie's dream.
I love that we follow Zoe through this whole journey. Had Mr. Darcy's sudden materialization happened to someone like Nick, it wouldn't have worked. We needed to stand alongside someone who loves romance books as much as we do, who uses "book boyfriend" liberally, who understands what Mr. Darcy's appearance would mean, and Zoe does. She's the perfect heroine for this to happen to.
I actually took very few notes while reading this book that weren't fangirling; I was so engrossed in it that I found little to note for scrutiny. I loved the twist that reminded me a bit of Ant-Man and the Wasp, I fangirled hard at the Dylan and Frank cameo, and the supporting friend group continues to be ride-or-die awesome.
And Miss Sampson, why did you have to make me tear up with that dedication?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a fan of the movies Kate & Leopold and Lost in Austen, and the book Pride and Prejudice, this book sounded like a fun British rom-com by a new-to-me author.
What I liked: I liked the setting of the bookshop, the scene locations around London and England, and I believe Nick was a solid MMC. I enjoyed the interactions between FMC Zoe and Nick, and there was good tension in their meet-cute.
What I didn't like: I found the magic in the book to be unbelievable. I like magical realism, but the last 1/3rd of the book was ridiculous and it took me out of the story. I also felt like Darcy's personality was one-dimensional and I couldn't really get to know him as a character. The sexual references were over-the-top in frequency and cringy.
Overall impression: This was a zany adult rom-com for fans of Pride and Prejudice and other popular romance novels, but for me it lacked depth and believability and had too many sexual references.
Content Considerations: Moderate frequency of strong profanity (f--), many sexual references and innuendoes, one fade to black scene with some mild to moderate description, one other inference of intimacy occurring, one bi-sexual side character (implied, not explicit), several mentions of same-sex side characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
What I liked: I liked the setting of the bookshop, the scene locations around London and England, and I believe Nick was a solid MMC. I enjoyed the interactions between FMC Zoe and Nick, and there was good tension in their meet-cute.
What I didn't like: I found the magic in the book to be unbelievable. I like magical realism, but the last 1/3rd of the book was ridiculous and it took me out of the story. I also felt like Darcy's personality was one-dimensional and I couldn't really get to know him as a character. The sexual references were over-the-top in frequency and cringy.
Overall impression: This was a zany adult rom-com for fans of Pride and Prejudice and other popular romance novels, but for me it lacked depth and believability and had too many sexual references.
Content Considerations: Moderate frequency of strong profanity (f--), many sexual references and innuendoes, one fade to black scene with some mild to moderate description, one other inference of intimacy occurring, one bi-sexual side character (implied, not explicit), several mentions of same-sex side characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Indeed, the world is a total bin fire, I can assuredly say so even though it would have been nice if it was otherwise. But this is why I adore books about being good enough – for which I have a special shelf on Goodreads – like this one to remind us to feel really fucking good about ourselves even (or especially) if that doesn’t come easy in this cold world.
Who doesn’t feel broken or as if something might be wrong with them? Yup, who dares to admit that nowadays? There will always be people who put you down or abandon you. I am not saying it is easy to pick yourself up after that, but in most cases you can… no matter how long it takes, that is fine too.
Lots of wise words from Most Ardently Yours, but as I have been given an ARC I am not supposed to share these, there is only one solution: to read the book yourself :) And enjoy all the details that made this such a lovely book, such as Nonna coming from Sicily to berate Enzo’s parents for reacting badly when he came out. But you'll start at the page with the author cheering you on if you indeed are someone who worries about being worthy, a very upbeat beginning of this book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Who doesn’t feel broken or as if something might be wrong with them? Yup, who dares to admit that nowadays? There will always be people who put you down or abandon you. I am not saying it is easy to pick yourself up after that, but in most cases you can… no matter how long it takes, that is fine too.
Lots of wise words from Most Ardently Yours, but as I have been given an ARC I am not supposed to share these, there is only one solution: to read the book yourself :) And enjoy all the details that made this such a lovely book, such as Nonna coming from Sicily to berate Enzo’s parents for reacting badly when he came out. But you'll start at the page with the author cheering you on if you indeed are someone who worries about being worthy, a very upbeat beginning of this book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ ARC Review ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
📖: Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson
✩ NA, enemies-to-lovers, portal fantasy, self discovery, grief, forced proximity, book boyfriend comes to life ✩
My Rating: 3/✩✩✩✩✩
spice: 1/5
Thank you to the NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Most Ardently Yours follows romance-obsessed Zoe Knight who, after accidentally summoning the real Mr. Darcy from a stolen copy of Pride and Prejudice, must find a way to send him back to the pages of her favourite book with the help of a romance-sceptic bookseller, Nick.
Freya Sampson definitely knows how to hook a romance reader! Most Ardently Yours is a love letter to the "book boyfriend" trope. Watching Zoe navigate the real world with a literal Regency hero was delightful.
While the concept is brilliant, the execution struggled with pacing issues that made the story feel longer than necessary.
The tension felt repetitive rather than building toward a climax. I also found the "I loved you from the start" reveal a bit disappointing—I’m a firm believer that the best enemies-to-lovers stories require a genuine change of heart! It’s a 3-star read for me: charming and imaginative, but I’m looking for more "oomph" in the final polish!✨️
📖: Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson
✩ NA, enemies-to-lovers, portal fantasy, self discovery, grief, forced proximity, book boyfriend comes to life ✩
My Rating: 3/✩✩✩✩✩
spice: 1/5
Thank you to the NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Most Ardently Yours follows romance-obsessed Zoe Knight who, after accidentally summoning the real Mr. Darcy from a stolen copy of Pride and Prejudice, must find a way to send him back to the pages of her favourite book with the help of a romance-sceptic bookseller, Nick.
Freya Sampson definitely knows how to hook a romance reader! Most Ardently Yours is a love letter to the "book boyfriend" trope. Watching Zoe navigate the real world with a literal Regency hero was delightful.
While the concept is brilliant, the execution struggled with pacing issues that made the story feel longer than necessary.
The tension felt repetitive rather than building toward a climax. I also found the "I loved you from the start" reveal a bit disappointing—I’m a firm believer that the best enemies-to-lovers stories require a genuine change of heart! It’s a 3-star read for me: charming and imaginative, but I’m looking for more "oomph" in the final polish!✨️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So I have only read one other Freya Sampson book and this one was completely different. This was a carefree, silly, quirky, romance novel that 100% does not take itself seriously and does not care if you like it or not.
Okay, so surprisingly this is not my first book that has to do with regency time travel in the last 6 months, also not my first book that deals with books/fictional characters and time travel for that matter.
Zoe accidentally summons Mr. Darcy from an old copy of Pride and Prejudice and so the story unfolds. Is there also a romance storyline with a real character? Yes. Does that romance mimic Pride and Prejudice? Why, yes... yes it does. The story starts off really great and funny and eventually it just loses steam and about 3/4 of the way through it felt like it had its ending and then more things got added and I felt like it took away from the story and I was ready for it to wrap up.
There are parts of this that are extremely witty but does it outweigh the sheer silliness? I don't know. I think if you go into this with neutral expectations then you will think it is cute.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Okay, so surprisingly this is not my first book that has to do with regency time travel in the last 6 months, also not my first book that deals with books/fictional characters and time travel for that matter.
Zoe accidentally summons Mr. Darcy from an old copy of Pride and Prejudice and so the story unfolds. Is there also a romance storyline with a real character? Yes. Does that romance mimic Pride and Prejudice? Why, yes... yes it does. The story starts off really great and funny and eventually it just loses steam and about 3/4 of the way through it felt like it had its ending and then more things got added and I felt like it took away from the story and I was ready for it to wrap up.
There are parts of this that are extremely witty but does it outweigh the sheer silliness? I don't know. I think if you go into this with neutral expectations then you will think it is cute.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I am a top Pride and Prejudice fan. It is one of my favorite stories ever written, and I love it in all formats, so when I saw Most Ardently Yours, a book about Mr. Darcy coming to life in the real world, I had to request a copy. With that said, this book fell flat for me in a lot of areas, but shined in others.
Part of what I love about Darcy is his natural reservation that hides the soft, strong, and yearning interior. I feel like we lost a lot of that in this book, which, to be fair, isn't the actual work of Jane Austen. What I found to be true of Darcy, though, was more his gruffness rather than his simple awkwardness and shyness. While this was a comedy through and through, it was maybe a little too silly for me, and that's okay. I didn't adore Zoe's flightiness or her being unwilling to be honest from the get go, but I love magical realism and a good enemies-to-lovers trope, regardless, so there were still some parts that still took hold in my heart throughout the story anyway.
I feel like this will resonate with fans of Kate & Leopold more than anything else.
I am a top Pride and Prejudice fan. It is one of my favorite stories ever written, and I love it in all formats, so when I saw Most Ardently Yours, a book about Mr. Darcy coming to life in the real world, I had to request a copy. With that said, this book fell flat for me in a lot of areas, but shined in others.
Part of what I love about Darcy is his natural reservation that hides the soft, strong, and yearning interior. I feel like we lost a lot of that in this book, which, to be fair, isn't the actual work of Jane Austen. What I found to be true of Darcy, though, was more his gruffness rather than his simple awkwardness and shyness. While this was a comedy through and through, it was maybe a little too silly for me, and that's okay. I didn't adore Zoe's flightiness or her being unwilling to be honest from the get go, but I love magical realism and a good enemies-to-lovers trope, regardless, so there were still some parts that still took hold in my heart throughout the story anyway.
I feel like this will resonate with fans of Kate & Leopold more than anything else.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Like a good book boyfriend, Freya Sampson doesn't disappoint! this book was so fun! I loved the character of Zoe, and how she works at a literary themed cafe! She was so relatable with her love of romance novels, and especially Pride and Prejudice. It was so fun to hear so many names and characters that were so familiar! Right off the bat, her relationship with Nick starts out very Pride and Prejudice like, with not great first impressions, immediate annoyance (who doesn't like romance books?!) and the vibes were definitely tense! I loved her best friend, Bianca, Darcy (obviously) but also Mrs. Attallah, who absolutely killed me with her love of Drag race and had Mr. Darcy watching Love Island! This book has so much book magic, and without any spoilers, there was at least two twists that I did NOT see coming more than halfway through! I love Freya Sampson's books, and loved how there was even a nod to Frank and Dylan from her book The Lost Ticket during a scene when Zoe and Mr. Darcy are on a London double decker bus. It made my heart so happy! I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance stories but also has ever wanted to "Get lost in a book"......
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Interesting premise and cute story about what really happens if our truest wishes come true. Most Ardently Yours features fun nods to real-life bookstores and streets in London, as well as the mention of other book characters from different stories (like Xaden from Fourth Wing), while weaving in a truly magical tale. What happens if our book boyfriends came to life straight from the pages? Mr Darcy pops out of the book pages into Zoe's real life, just as she always wished he would! How dreamy! As he spends more time away from his Regency life in the modern world his love for TV, vehicles, and making his own meals takes charge. However, the main relationship - the one between Zoe and Nick - falls a little flat. I feel like there is so much time spent with Mr Darcy, whether it's taking care of him, or hoping he stays, I felt like it took away from the time we could have spent with Nick and Zoe. Which is such a shame, because they had such good chemistry.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Haven't I always told you: Nowadays in romance novels, the heroine saves themselves." Absolutely, Freya Sampson!! And that is why we love them!
While I'm not a big Jane Austen fan, I enjoyed this story of bringing Mr. Darcy for a visit in modern times. If you've ever imagined yourself in one of your five star reads, or dreamed of meeting your favorite characters IRL, this would be a good book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed the bookish references throughout the book. At times they were a little forced, but I didn't care. They were fun Easter eggs for avid readers of similar genres. My fave-- "Do you have the latest Emily Henry in?" "Emily who?" (gasp! lol).
The book is a little slow to get into, but picked up as it progressed. I would have liked to see a little more development of Zoe and Nick's story, but overall I enjoyed this light, warm read with a unique twist, especially for Jane Austen fans.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the digital copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
While I'm not a big Jane Austen fan, I enjoyed this story of bringing Mr. Darcy for a visit in modern times. If you've ever imagined yourself in one of your five star reads, or dreamed of meeting your favorite characters IRL, this would be a good book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed the bookish references throughout the book. At times they were a little forced, but I didn't care. They were fun Easter eggs for avid readers of similar genres. My fave-- "Do you have the latest Emily Henry in?" "Emily who?" (gasp! lol).
The book is a little slow to get into, but picked up as it progressed. I would have liked to see a little more development of Zoe and Nick's story, but overall I enjoyed this light, warm read with a unique twist, especially for Jane Austen fans.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the digital copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for access to the eARC. This is my honest review.
This was a quick & easy romance book to get lost in for a couple of hours. It is pretty obvious from the beginning that Zoe & Nick are going to have a romance brewing between them, but this did not take away for the enjoyment of getting lost in the story. I have not personally read Pride and Prejudice in its entirety, but I have seen the 2005 film multiple times, so I did have a basis understanding of who Darcy was as a character. I enjoyed the moments where he was just baffled by what 2026 looks like and that he was able to adapt fairly quickly considering the time in which he is a character from. The multiple twists throughout the second half of the book had me reading this without stopping. I also enjoyed the fact that we do not fully get an understanding of how Zoe was able to read Mr.Darcy out of the book or herself in and out, as well as Nick and his mom. It leaves an opening for a return to this universe in the future which I would gladly pick up.
This was a quick & easy romance book to get lost in for a couple of hours. It is pretty obvious from the beginning that Zoe & Nick are going to have a romance brewing between them, but this did not take away for the enjoyment of getting lost in the story. I have not personally read Pride and Prejudice in its entirety, but I have seen the 2005 film multiple times, so I did have a basis understanding of who Darcy was as a character. I enjoyed the moments where he was just baffled by what 2026 looks like and that he was able to adapt fairly quickly considering the time in which he is a character from. The multiple twists throughout the second half of the book had me reading this without stopping. I also enjoyed the fact that we do not fully get an understanding of how Zoe was able to read Mr.Darcy out of the book or herself in and out, as well as Nick and his mom. It leaves an opening for a return to this universe in the future which I would gladly pick up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Pride and Prejudice; it is one of my favorite books ever, so I was excited to read another book based on it. That being said, as I began to read and got into the heart of the book, at first it seemed a little too much - a character can come out of a book and join you in your world. But once I put aside reality, I really enjoyed this book, and I especially liked it when she returned him to the book and then had to join him there. The bits of Jane Austen's classic that got mixed into this version made it quite special. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 has to do with the story of his mom also being trapped in the book, and then how two years later, she can read them both out. I understand that this was a message about female empowerment and not needing a man to make you happy or feel necessary in the world, but it didn't quite work for me; there was something off about this plot point. Otherwise, a fun read, and I thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Zoe Knight, Pride and Prejudice superfan, somehow magicks her ultimate book boyfriend Mr. Darcy into existence in 21st century London. But what if Mr. Darcy isn't as perfect for her as he seems? She must team up with grumpy bookstore owner Nick to try and get Darcy back into his book before time runs out.
I absolutely loved all the bookish references in this book, especially all the mentions of various romance novels. This is truly a book for book lovers. I loved the premise of Mr. Darcy coming to life and what kind of "real" boyfriend he would be. However, what I didn't love was the execution of the plot. It felt a little stale and amateurish to me. And while I loved the exploration of Mr. Darcy as a real person, the storyline between Zoe and Nick was almost non-existant and lacked depth.
Thank you to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I absolutely loved all the bookish references in this book, especially all the mentions of various romance novels. This is truly a book for book lovers. I loved the premise of Mr. Darcy coming to life and what kind of "real" boyfriend he would be. However, what I didn't love was the execution of the plot. It felt a little stale and amateurish to me. And while I loved the exploration of Mr. Darcy as a real person, the storyline between Zoe and Nick was almost non-existant and lacked depth.
Thank you to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a big Pride and Prejudice fan but I typically am not a big fan of spin off books. However, the premise of this story sounded so fun I needed to try it. I enjoyed the idea and all of the essays on the importance of romance books. I was glad the author did not fall into many romance traps that would have made this book teeth grittingly sweet. But the story was not quite fleshed out as much as I would have liked. I loved the depth to Darcy when he traveled here- the author really did a great job including his misogynist tendencies and the culture shock. Later in the book though, these pieces were missing. I really wanted to believe and go along with the story and the magic just for the fun of it, but I found the story didn't quite sell it and hold me. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't suspend disbelief. It also felt a bit too meta at the end about the author and the writing process. It was my first book by Sampson, and I would try another.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 stars!
This book follows Zoe Knight as she unknowingly and magically summons Mr. Darcy into the real world after an interesting encounter with a grumpy, pretentious bookseller named Nick.
The Good:
I loved the dynamic between Zoe and Nick! Their banter was great and I felt the chemistry. I also thought that the plot was super unique and fun!
The Okay:
I wasn't totally convinced on Mr. Darcy's character, however. It wasn't a bad portrayal necessarily, but it felt like he could have been any reserved 1800s Englishman.
The Not-So-Good:
I liked the overall ending, but it felt like it ended a little abruptly? I think I wanted more closure.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It was closed-door/fade-to-black, which I appreciated with my reading preferences. I will definitely be recommending this one when it is released!
This book follows Zoe Knight as she unknowingly and magically summons Mr. Darcy into the real world after an interesting encounter with a grumpy, pretentious bookseller named Nick.
The Good:
I loved the dynamic between Zoe and Nick! Their banter was great and I felt the chemistry. I also thought that the plot was super unique and fun!
The Okay:
I wasn't totally convinced on Mr. Darcy's character, however. It wasn't a bad portrayal necessarily, but it felt like he could have been any reserved 1800s Englishman.
The Not-So-Good:
I liked the overall ending, but it felt like it ended a little abruptly? I think I wanted more closure.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It was closed-door/fade-to-black, which I appreciated with my reading preferences. I will definitely be recommending this one when it is released!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What do you do when you steal a copy of Pride and Prejudice from a book store and then Mr. Darcy comes alive...?
I was a bit disappointed with this. It sounded like so much fun, but I couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to.
My biggest problem with this book had to be the characters. They were just so flat to me. I found that the romance element was confusing, almost love triangle-y, but also not at all. And there was just no chemistry between anyone, so I had no idea what relationship was going to happen, who I was supposed to be rooting for.
I think plenty of people will still enjoy this and have fun (especially fans of Ashley Poston books and Pride and Prejudice), but this just wasn't quite for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I was a bit disappointed with this. It sounded like so much fun, but I couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to.
My biggest problem with this book had to be the characters. They were just so flat to me. I found that the romance element was confusing, almost love triangle-y, but also not at all. And there was just no chemistry between anyone, so I had no idea what relationship was going to happen, who I was supposed to be rooting for.
I think plenty of people will still enjoy this and have fun (especially fans of Ashley Poston books and Pride and Prejudice), but this just wasn't quite for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was an enjoyable, light-hearted read that never took itself too seriously while still delivering a satisfying story. One of its greatest strengths was the playful way it wove in references to a wide range of other books, which added an extra layer of charm and made it especially fun for well-read audiences. These nods felt natural rather than forced, enhancing the narrative without distracting from it.
The characters were genuinely likeable and easy to root for, each with enough personality to feel distinct and engaging. The pacing was well balanced, moving along briskly without feeling rushed, making it an ideal book to relax with while still staying invested in the plot. Overall, this was a warm, entertaining read that left me smiling and would be perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable escape.
The characters were genuinely likeable and easy to root for, each with enough personality to feel distinct and engaging. The pacing was well balanced, moving along briskly without feeling rushed, making it an ideal book to relax with while still staying invested in the plot. Overall, this was a warm, entertaining read that left me smiling and would be perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable escape.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Zoe had a dream of becoming an author but her ex boyfriend made her believe her words weren't worthy of being read. After she helped him get his own book ready, he left her. Heartbroken and lost, Zoe stumbles through life believing she doesn't have what it takes to become an author.
Stumbling into a book store during a storm, (one she realizes is one she despises), she has words with the shop owner, Nick, who detests romance novels.
This is the beginning of an extremely addictive tale of book boyfriends, time travel and figuring out how love yourself and others.
Magically bringing her book boyfriend, Mr. Darcy, to life changes everything. Not all for the best either. Sometimes what you think you need to be happiest isn't really that at all.
The characters and story are unlike any I've read before. It truly is something special.
5 big stars. A must read.
Stumbling into a book store during a storm, (one she realizes is one she despises), she has words with the shop owner, Nick, who detests romance novels.
This is the beginning of an extremely addictive tale of book boyfriends, time travel and figuring out how love yourself and others.
Magically bringing her book boyfriend, Mr. Darcy, to life changes everything. Not all for the best either. Sometimes what you think you need to be happiest isn't really that at all.
The characters and story are unlike any I've read before. It truly is something special.
5 big stars. A must read.
Read
December 18, 2025There are many books that springboard from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and I fall for the promise of more of the P&P magic every time. It is with that hope that I began Most Ardently Yours by Freya Samson.
Most Ardently Yours takes place in modern day London with a MFC who conjures Mr. Darcy as an unsuspecting time traveler. There are some stretches of the book that require more imagination than I could conjure, but I have to admit that the book was compelling from page one and I stayed interested until the end.
The plot has some fantastic turns and the story is peppered with likable characters. My primary complaint is that the characters are very one-dimensional and lack depth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Most Ardently Yours takes place in modern day London with a MFC who conjures Mr. Darcy as an unsuspecting time traveler. There are some stretches of the book that require more imagination than I could conjure, but I have to admit that the book was compelling from page one and I stayed interested until the end.
The plot has some fantastic turns and the story is peppered with likable characters. My primary complaint is that the characters are very one-dimensional and lack depth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a sucker for anything Pride and Prejudice so they title grabbed my attention from the start. This is definitely a book for romance book lovers with lots of little references to some of the greatest book boyfriends of our time. It was a quick and light read for me. At one point there was an unexpected plot twist, and wondered if there was going to be a sequel. I really enjoyed the ending and all of the characters. Well done!
I prefer to read closed door clean romances and this book fits the bill with a little language in the beginning and end (not necessary and could easily be removed).
Thank you Net Galley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my review. I would happily read more books by Freya Sampson.
I prefer to read closed door clean romances and this book fits the bill with a little language in the beginning and end (not necessary and could easily be removed).
Thank you Net Galley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my review. I would happily read more books by Freya Sampson.
January 8, 2026
I was so happy to get this ARC! I enjoyed it, but did reach a point of feeling that all of the references to other romances books and “book boyfriends” became a bit over the top even being familiar with all of them myself. The time slip in this felt unique though and I was even surprised by the turns it took at times not realizing what direction it was taking when there were still 60 pages remaining and it felt it was wrapping up only to take another turn. Overall, I did love this book as a lover of Pride and Prejudice and of Freya Sampson’s books and she continues as a must read author for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A quirky, lighthearted read for lovers of books and romance! I enjoyed the premise and plot; it was a bit silly at times but felt fun and original. Unfortunately, I found the main character Zoe annoying, which detracted from my enjoyment. Also, the namedropping of other romance book characters and authors was a bit over the top! Overall, I feel like the bones of something really good are there - especially Zoe's arc as she finds herself and her confidence again - but the execution wasn't quite there. Still a cute read though, especially if you're a Jane Austen fan.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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