Most Ardently

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 finds solace in the few times he can sneak out and explore the city dressed as a young gentleman. During one such excursion, Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky, rude young man. But in private, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart. And so 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. Prizes: Commended for Stonewall Book Award (Young Adult) 2025. Author Biography: Gabe Cole Novoa (he/him) is a Latinx transmasculine author who writes speculative fiction featuring marginalized characters grappling with identity. Gabe is the author of The Wicked Bargain and the Beyond the Red trilogy, written under a former pseudonym. He also runs a popular writing-focused YouTube channel, bookishpixie and is very active on Twitter @thegabecole.