This was such an incredible book. It was so tender and loving and gentle, not only in the story itself, but in the handling of the characters and the issues that are discussed within the story.

I really enjoyed the book. Overall I thought it was really well written and I found the characters to be likeable. Even though I'm not a huge fan of baseball I really enjoyed reading the things that the commentators were saying at the beginning of each chapter.

This was a good book that had the potential to be great. A lot of detail about the characters was lacking, but overall the book was a quick, easy read.

There was nothing really wrong with this book but nothing really happens either and it is approximately as long and as detailed as the endless baseball season so I understand why past me DNF the first time around. If you are in the mood for a relatively angst free slowburn book, this is definitely worth a try.

This was a super cute debut with lots of representation and the second chance trope! Luis and Gene were adorable together, and I am very content with how the story ended. I love the trans and queer joy, and the intersectionality with the sports world, as well as how ASL is incorporated. I will definitely keep an eye out for KT’s upcoming books. Thank you NetGalley, Dial Press and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dial press, for this review copy--all opinions are my own.

This is how you write sports romance. A brilliant balance of the game itself, complex team dynamics, a rich romantic relationship between Gene and Luis whose chemistry was off the charts! Moving, witty, sexy, tender, THE PROSPECTS delivered such a heartwarming, affirming, touching story of joy and hope, vulnerability and healing. The banter. The family and found family. The ADHD rep. The beautiful exploration and trans identity and experience, particularly in the arena of professional sports. It was all SO well done; I couldn't have loved this more! Can't wait for what K.T. Hoffman gives us next.

Okay so this was honestly my bad. I got all hyped about this book after reading about it in a Facebook group and forgot that I don’t know anything about nor care at all about baseball. Again, MY BAD! I usually find sports romances to be light on the sports and heavy on the romance but this was instead both. I did love the characters and their sweet relationship but sadly this one was kind of a drag for me in terms of pacing. But don’t let my opinion stop you! Especially if you’re looking for some trans joy, of which there is plenty in this book!!

“The Prospects” is a sweet romance between two baseball players. Gene and Luis played baseball together in college and reconnect when Luis is signed to the minor league team that Gene plays for. Their relationship initially struggles, but eventually they become friends and then lovers. Both men have their issues. Gene is the first transgender man playing baseball and Luis has severe anxiety. The author handles both in a sensitive and realistic manner. The chemistry between the two men was great and the spicy scenes were well-written. The side characters, especially Gene’s best friend Vince, added depth to the story. I enjoyed this story and rate it four and a half stars.

God, what a book! Gene and Luis hold my whole heart at this book. There was so much about this story that moved me in a very personal, very true kind of way. Gene is...well, Gene is so much like me it's a little uncomfortable? And I love him so much. And Luis! Protect Luis at all costs!

Overall, this book is such a fun look at baseball, a swooooony romance, and has lovely conversations around mental health and dreaming and believing in oneself. I loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Prospects is the debut novel by KT Hoffman. It’s a sports story, yes, but also more importantly a story about the family you’re born with and the family you make a long the way.

It’s about love. Love for a sport. Love for your family. Love for the scent of fresh cut grass. Love for yourself. Love for a game you remember listening to on the radio as Dave Niehaus gave the play-by-plays. Love for your friends. Love for your teammates. Love for a place.

Gene’s love for baseball, love of the fictional minor league Beaverton Beavers, fictional major league Portland Lumberjacks, and real Seattle Mariners is so visceral, I can smell the scent of stale beer, garlic from stanky (in a beautiful way) fries, and hear the train horns as they pass by the ballpark in Seattle.

If you want an amazingly written romance with gay and trans representation, check out KT Hoffman’s The Prospects.

I was super excited to read a queer sports romance and this lived up to the hype around it. The characters were so lovable and flawed and you really wanted to root for them. Also, much steamier than I was anticipating, which thank you! Highly recommend!

DNF for me at around 23%. It was often hard to follow, and I unfortunately wasn’t invested in the MMCs journey.

Thank you Publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy

The romance is so cute and enjoyable. Would love to read more boos from this author

This was so cute! The characters were so easy to root for, the writing was compelling, and the romance was palpable. Will definitely keep my eye on this author in the future!

Trans Rights Readathon

This took me nearly a month to read, which is indicative of my feelings about it. While this is very cute, and has tons of trans joy, and I enjoyed Gene, I could not wrap my head around Luis and the dog he takes everywhere.

If I were his teammate, had to share a room with him and his dog, I would no longer be his teammate. I won't turn this into /dogfree, but the pro-dog sentiments of every Western nation, specifically the US in this case, made this very difficult for me to enjoy.

I did like how accepting Gene's family and teammates were of his identity. I enjoyed reading a book set in Oregon, a state I want to visit. Baseball isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but that turned me off less than you know what.

However, don't listen to me. I'm only one voice. My sibling loved it.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press

Sigh, I was expecting so much more from this book. I don't know if it's just me but it felt very monotonous and it felt like nothing happened. The characters were likable. I do think it would've helped to be a baseball fan overall. Predictable and mediocre writing.

This book is incredible! As a queer baseball fan, this book gave me everything I wanted.

Gene felt real and like I could have a conversation with him. The love interest, Luis, was some of the best anxiety rep I've seen. I felt their chemistry but saw how real their conflicts were.

This book felt genuine and heartfelt to me.

It was the perfect book for pride month but really any time of the year!

The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman? Oh, it’s everything you want in a feel-good romance that’ll have you kicking your feet like a lovestruck teenager. In a nutshell: a minor league baseball team, old flames, and a rivals-to-lovers story that’ll make your heart do backflips. Yes, it’s as delightful as it sounds.

So, let’s talk about Gene and Luis. They were buddies back in the college baseball days. That is, until Luis decided to pull a Houdini, got scouted for the majors, and left Gene in the dust without so much as a “see ya, pal.” Ouch, right? Fast forward, and now Gene’s doing his thing with the Beaverton Beavers (great team name, BTW), only for Luis—Mr. Big Leagues himself—to come crashing back into his life, traded to the same team. And just like that, Gene’s carefully balanced world? Toast.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Oh, the drama!” You’re absolutely right. But it’s the best kind of drama—the kind that makes you laugh and swoon at the same time. I mean, I was literally giggling and kicking my feet like I was watching a rom-com on a Sunday afternoon. These two? Adorable. The chemistry, the tension, the “will-they-won’t-they”—it’s all there, and it’s glorious.

Gene’s optimism? Honestly, we could all use a bit of that. Even when life throws curveballs (see what I did there?), he just keeps swinging. The relationships in this book—whether it’s Gene and Luis or the whole lovable, quirky team—are like a warm hug. K.T. Hoffman nailed it with characters that feel real, with all their flaws and charm, and there’s representation here for everyone to see a bit of themselves.

And let’s not forget the feels. So many feels. By the end, I wanted to reread the whole thing just to experience the joy all over again. This is one of those rare rom-coms that leaves you with a goofy grin and the overwhelming need to recommend it to literally everyone in your life. So, consider this me doing just that.

Go grab this book, swing for the fences, and thank me later.

This book shines as a diverse and inclusive sports romance, with the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in professional baseball. Gene Ionescu, a trans man, and Luis Estrada, a closeted gay player, navigate their complex frenemies to lovers relationship amidst the high stake pressures of professional sports. I loved the diversity and authentic representation throughout this story.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, & Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.