Scan barcode
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
A book I picked up by chance, that is now one of my favorites. Funny, sweet, and with writing as great as the characters and the story, The Prospects is easily going to be one of my top reads of 2024. This is going to be a whopper of a review, because I truly adored this book.
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 Vince started crying and had to leave the field, I felt my own eyes well with tears because you could feel the sheer frustration of and heart wrenching of that scene, of having that moment taken away. Even when Vince is shown to be not so perfect, it is so aching real, because while Gene goes through his own struggles, so does Vince. The ageism that Vince faces, and his own desires to keep going with the sport that has been his life and that he is in love with, made me tear up. I never considered before what aging players have to go through, gentle ribbing and teasing likely hitting spots that are sore and ache because of the countdown they have, their own bodies giving up long before they are ready.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
Content Warnings
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
y’alllllll this was so cute!!! 😭😭 i loved Gene and Luis so much, i was rooting for them from the start. they were just so cute & good for each other!
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
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
absolutely amazing 🥹 would actually kill a man for luis and gene and i’m not joking. this was so heartwarming but also such a gut punch in the absolute best way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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 basically listened to this entire book yesterday while I was doing various cleaning things around my apartment, and I am happy to say I loved every second of it. The characters are what will definitely pull you in at the beginning, and this little baseball team will feel like a found family by the end. I don't usually gravitate towards sports books, but this one was free on LibroFM for the month so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm so glad that I did!
I will definitely be on the lookout for books that KT Hoffman writes in the future.
I will definitely be on the lookout for books that KT Hoffman writes in the future.
Content Warnings
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
“He understands wanting to look queer. It had made his life harder, but it also made everything in him quiet in a way he never thought he’d achieve.”
This review is not spoiler free
I am going to preface this by informing you that I know absolutely nothing about Baseball – I have never played it before, I have never watched it before, it is not a game I have any particular interest in and therefore have zero knowledge of. Consequently, this means that I had not a single clue what was happening during the games, or what any of the sports jargon meant, but that is my experience with every single sports book and it doesn’t impact my enjoyment at all. For someone who is not at all a sports enjoyer, I love sports books so much, probably for the found family element within teams, but alas. Regardless, I absolutely adored this book, it was so sweet and sad in places, and so beautiful!
I loved the main character, Gene, so much, and it broke my heart the way that he wouldn’t allow himself to want anything, and how he’d only let people see the good in him, and not the bad too. I loved watching him throughout the book and letting that hope turn into want and allowing himself to want big things for himself instead of just being comfortable with what he had, and aspiring for more. I loved his dynamic with the team, and I loved that he always wore his trans flag cleats, and that even though he’d faced prejudice for it and it had been harder for him, he loved being out and proud and loudly a trans man in sport. I loved the way that he and Baker had an understanding of each other, and both looked out for each other, even the times when they were angry and expressing themselves wrong, they’d still been saying what they’d said with the other person in mind. I adored Gene’s dynamic with Vince; their friendship was my absolute favourite thing. And I truly truly adore Gene’s dynamic with Luis – the steady trickle from reluctant teammates again to friends to more, and how his growing feelings for Luis made it even harder for him to come to terms with the fact that in this sport, people come and go and leave. It was sad watching him struggle with that, knowing that Vince would be retiring soon and assuming Luis would be moving up soon, but I’m glad that he managed to come to terms with it and find it more bearable than he had, and that he still got to keep the people that meant the most close.
My favourite character was Luis, I loved him so much, he was very misunderstood and people, including Gene, often thought the worst of him because he was closed off, and didn’t often share parts of himself, and wasn’t comfortable in team social situations. I resonated a lot with how vicous his anxiety could be, and it was heartbreaking to learn that he’d been in that car accident because he’d been having a panic attack. I loved that he had Dodger, his emotional support dog, and seeing Dodger interact with Luis and how he comforted him when he was getting anxious. It was evident to me how much baseball was making Luis anxious, especially when he had a panic attack again about being moved up, and how he’d shared that it wasn’t the first time that it had happened, and I’m glad that he made the decision for himself to take a step away from baseball and go back to school instead. It was really sweet when he came out to his family too and how supportive and accepting they all were. I loved his dynamic with Gene too and the slow build up of their friendship again and their relationship, and how it turned out that Luis had liked Gene back then too, before he’d came out, and had kept tabs on him, bless his heart. I also loved that the last game they’d played of the season, they’d worn each other’s jerseys to make it evident without really saying anything that they were dating.
I absolutely adored Vince too!! I was quite annoyed with him tbh when he took his frustration and anger out on Gene about it being his last season and how he couldn’t perform due to his injury, but I was so glad when they made up again. Their friendship was so sweet and I loved it so much! I loved that Gene had been made to feel instantly welcome by Vince coming out to him and introducing him to his husband, and how Gene lived in the apartment attached to their house. I loved their weekly rituals and their entire dynamic! And I loved how Vince had teased Gene about Luis even before Luis was on their team, and how he just continued to do so as Gene got closer to Luis again and ended up with him. Vince’s relationship with his husband was so sweet too, and it filled me with joy to learn they were going to become parents once Vince retired.
All in all, I really really loved this book !!! And I’d love to read anything else the author writes, even more books about sports that I don’t understand, because this was really enjoyable and I adored absolutely everything about it!!
Content Warnings
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Bullying, Homophobia, and Death of parent
chrisiant's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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
Ahhhh, sweet gay and trans baseball cuties being cute and sincere and vulnerable and hopeful and it’s just the best and fluffiest but also good and earnest and a little horny and very sweet and only the people on Twitter are dicks (and that one pitcher I guess.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia