Tennis isn’t the only thing weighing on Leo: He’s gay and not out to anyone. He doesn’t always agree with his father, legendary tennis player Johnny Chambers, who retired to coach Leo after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis cut his own career short. After Johnny suffers a stroke that keeps him from traveling as much as usual, Leo switches up his game, and the success he finds in his father’s absence drives a silent gap between them. When Gabe comes out, becoming the first openly gay male tennis pro on tour, his coach quits and he attracts the homophobic attention of Sascha Volkov, a Russian player who consistently ranks No. 1. Gabe and Leo are eventually able to bury the hatchet long enough to start practicing together, only to find that their chemistry doesn’t stop at the tennis court. Even after realizing they play for the same team, their secret romance is not without barriers. The things that divide Leo and Gabe become the things that bring them together: Sascha, the media, and their own fear. This is a well-written (very) slow burn that focuses much more on sports than on romance, though the gradual thaw from enemies to lovers is highly satisfying. While the spice is relatively mild, fans of gay sports romances will appreciate the snappy dialogue, compelling characters, and high-stakes pacing.
