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hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's difficult to know where to start, when I loved everything so dearly, so let's talk about the writing first.
Hoffman made baseball, and sports interesting, which is a testament to how great his writing is. I myself have never been one for baseball, albeit I do enjoy a hot dog on the rare chance I am dragged to a game. (Sorry Astros, I'm a terrible fan) Somehow Hoffman made the moments during games exciting and thrilling, moreso then even some actions sequences I have read, or war scenes. Even in downtime, the snappy and witty banter between characters felt so natural, so simple. I had to remind myself I was reading a book and not listening in on conversations. I wasn't sure where this book was going to go when I first picked it up, I had mistakenly assumed it was focused on Gene and Luis, when it feels narrow minded to say a book of this depth only did that. It felt more akin to reading about Gene and his journey of learning to let himself want more, and what that means.
"Wanting has always felt presumptuous-to ask for something, something unlikely and rare, and then actually, really hope to get it? All for himself? He doesn't do that."
Gene has my entire heart, as well as any other organs I can spare, my love for him overflows. It is a lovely thing, to be known when you read a book, and that is how I felt reading Gene's story. His struggles with wanting, with leaving the comfortable place he has carved for himself. Much like a nice old sock, why would you leave it and want or try for anything further when you just got to where you are? Vince was a character I felt surprising attachment to right off the bat (pun intended), be it because he not only serves as a best friend to Gene, but also as an almost father figure in how much Gene admires and looks up to him. I was glad when none of these characters were perfect, not even Gene is exempt from doing things and saying things that just aren't good, or healthy. When
It is admittedly rare to find a book nowadays by a white author that has not only diversity in its writing, but good diversity, where the POC characters actually read that way and aren't just thrown in randomly for that good ol, "look, I'm not just writing about white people" vibes. I was continuously reminded of Luis's skin color (in a good way), not just by the author bringing it up randomly, but by his struggles, his family, and what he goes through differently then Gene. The inclusion of Luis and his anxiety, and how others perceive him as being more standoffish then he actually is, was masterfully done.
"But instead, he has his knees hugged up to his chest, his head shoved between them, his knuckles waxy white where he grips his elbows, his arms making a bracket around his body, as if to protect himself."
I feel so often when reading books about gay romance, one of the characters will be more masculine then the other, or presented in such a way where it is so clear that one is bigger, or somehow tougher, setting gender and queer society back years and years by the reinforcement of gender roles it feels. The way Gene and Luis slide fluidly between affection and want, neither of them huge and barrel chested, just felt like such a love letter in a way I can't quite put into words. Perhaps my own self commiserating with Gene and the terrible truth that no matter what I do or how hard I work out, I will never truly be any bigger, or gain the broadness and sheer masculinity that some men just seem to have that comes naturally. I just adore how Gene still paints his nails, wears earrings, has become comfortable enough in his identity to have a space that feels like him, and not feel like he has to commit fully to any gender stereotypes.
Because I somehow managed to go into this book completely blind, I had no idea this was even an adult romance and had spicy scenes in it. I was fully prepared for that fade to black moment, and then was so blown away and happily surprised when instead I was treated to sweet and intimate scenes between Luis and Gene. I haven't read any (one, but it was very poorly written) explicit scenes before between a man and a FTM, but how they were written in this book is how I now require them to be done. I was worried for a moment, that there would be those awkward conversations and moments of awkwardness, instead I was blessed with queer joy, and it was invalidating as it was steamy.
They lie chest to chest, one of Luis's legs slotted between Gene's, pressed up close against him, kissing without any direction at all until Gene starts to rock his hips.
I flipped to the back of the book at one point to read the author blurb, because it was truly so difficult to comprehend a book this truly fantastic being a debut novel. Yet it is. Hoffman, you will never see this, but thank you for this absolute gem of a book. It reads like it came from the heart, love soaked in every line and page. For baseball, for identity, for wanting. I felt both validated and fulfilled after reading, and I know I will treasure this story for years to come.
An absolute home run, one of my favorite reads of 2024, a MUST read!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go catch an Astros game, because I think baseball might just be more exciting now that I understand it.
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Ageismnotsobinaryart's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Car accident, Misogyny, and Racism
ana_the_frog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Car accident, Deadnaming, Death of parent, and Medical content
megansoetaert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
while this book dealt with mental health & transphobia, it wasn’t graphic and was still a lighthearted read. i’ve never read a sports romance before & was actually kind of surprised with how much “sports” was in the romance lololol… i’m glad i understand + like baseball! but i think anyone can enjoy this just don’t get too hung up on batting averages and shit lmao
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Car accident, and Death of parent
lunahale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will definitely be on the lookout for books that KT Hoffman writes in the future.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Deadnaming, and Car accident
ramunepocky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
bi_n_large's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Bullying, Homophobia, and Death of parent
difficultwomanreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia