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He has never been much good at wanting things, Gene. It’s a foreign feeling to him. Hope? Hope is comfortable, well-worn. His favorite, most familiar feeling. But hope isn’t selfish; hope is so easy to turn in someone else’s direction.

Until The Prospects, I couldn't recall the last time I genuinely didn’t want a book to end. It took me several days to finish the last two chapters of this book, primarily because I kept putting off finishing it. But sadly, like baseball games, all books must eventually come to a close. The Prospects was exactly what my queer, nonbinary, baseball-loving heart needed to break out of a slump. It is a delightfully sweet, unapologetically trans and gay book. That said, the plot and characters have many shades of dimension beyond those characteristics. There is a great deal to love about this book, and it truly hit a grand slam in my heart.

The Prospects encapsulates so much of what I love about baseball—the excruciating lows and ecstatic highs of emotion, the camaraderie of the team, the charged spirit of a home game crowd and giddiness of being part of it, and more. This book also brought me much needed baseball joy when admittedly I haven’t felt that in a while because of my home team moving away (amongst other nonsense). Over the course of the book, I became nearly as invested in the Beaverton Beavers and these players, as I am in my home team. Which is saying a lot, since baseball has been a love of mine ever since I went to my first game when I was six years old. The characters are so lovable and endearing, and often relatable. The amusing antics of the three Kyles, Ernie’s genial warmth, Vince’s heart and loyalty. I came to be fond of them all, as well as enjoying their chemistry as a team.

I saw many pieces of myself reflected in these characters, making them that much closer to my heart. I could relate to Gene’s feelings of not being “enough�� and to the constant imposter syndrome, which I grapple with daily. As optimistic as Gene is when it comes to those he loves, it is much more challenging to be hopeful for himself and allow himself to want things, due to fear of disappointment. I understand this all too well, in addition to his worry that letting himself love and be loved isn’t worth the risk. Luis, I wanted to wrap in a warm fuzzy blanket and give him a hug. His anxiety, how deeply he feels and cares, his search to find a path he loves (and the fear and uncertainty that come along with that), all resonated deeply with me. It was uplifting to see how both Gene and Luis were able to face their fears and find happiness in spite of those insecurities and anxieties. Watching Gene learn how to let in his family, friends, Luis, and the team—and that it is okay to want things for yourself despite being terrified, despite the possibility of disappointment—was beautiful. Likewise, I adored Luis�� journey of discovery and self-exploration to not only share his vulnerabilities with Gene, but also to figure out what will truly make him happy in life, even if it means leaving behind what’s familiar.

With this book, you really can't help but be romantic about baseball. I genuinely couldn’t contain laughs, multiple tears were shed, I felt the ecstatic rush of a well-earned win. I’m generally not a huge romance reader, and especially hesitate to read baseball romances, because I love the sport so much. In some other sports romances, it feels like the author likes the concept of a sports romance but doesn’t actually love the sport. And unfortunately, it shows. Not so for this book! I adored the fact that you can feel the author’s love of baseball. For me, KT Hoffman captured the magic and energy and consuming joy that’s specific to baseball. The Prospects delivered lightness and heart, and, of course, baseball, when the joy of the sport has been missing from my life. It also brought hope and queer and trans joy during a time when that is so very needed. Through it all, I experienced the emotional ups and downs of watching your favorite team. As memories of the best baseball games do, The Prospects will stick with me for a long time."