It's always great to see broader perspectives represented in romance, and THE PROSPECTS by KT Hoffman is a cute romance starring a trans man who plays for a minor league baseball team, who falls for his teammate/quasi rival. I enjoyed our protagonist Gene, I liked love interest Luis, and as someone who likes to try and get to multiple baseball games each summer, the backdrop of minor league baseball worked well for me! I've really come to appreciate the romance genre and I love seeing queer and trans stories being included more and more (but there can ALWAYS be more). If you want a sweet romance and enjoy baseball and all it's highs and lows, this book is a good choice!

This book absolutely perfect, no notes. One of my favorite reads of the year.

It’s a must read for any baseball fans, supporters of inclusion in sports, or really anyone who’s looking for a heartwarming romance.

This book had spice with the perfect amount of consent that didn’t detract from the book, diverse characters in sexuality/culture/disabilities, baseball games that are described just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat but not so much that you get bogged down, and simply a delightful plot.

I was a little nervous about the third-person aspect of the book as usually I don’t love that, but I felt like the narration was perfect - we get a good balance of dialogue and seeing inside the Gene’s head, and even hear from the team’s baseball commentators.

I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, and KT Hoffman is now on my autobuy list!

I am never going to shut up about this book for as long as I live, like how soon is too soon to reread a book? Because I wanted to pick this one up again the moment I finished it. I FORGOT TO EAT!!!

From the beginning the whole reason I wanted to read this book was that the name Ionescu piqued my interest, I am Romanian and that is a very Romanian name, I don´t very often see my people in books, and even here it was not that much of a plot point, other than Gene calling his dad tata, which I found nice. Speaking of, I think the main reason I enjoyed this story so much was the characters, the whole cast is so well amazing and I love the feel of found family, a bonus for so many queer characters in one place, we love to see.

Both Gene and Luis deal with their mental health problems and I think each of them was very nicely handled. I loved their story and how they found their way back to each other, but I would have loved to know more about what happened between them before and why the fallout. Overall the romance was very well done, it grows slowly over time and it has a healthy base of friendship. Also, this book made me realize one of my favorite tropes is that “they were in love with the main character all along”, is that a thing??

The plot was the thing that worried me the most about this book because I know nothing about baseball, other than the fact that you are supposed to hit a ball and run. maybe??? If that´s something that is holding you back from picking up this book, don´t worry about it. I think the author did a really good job by including enough Baseball to make it a sports romance but not so much that you have to be an expert. Even as a complete noob, you can enjoy the story.

a hopeful, heartfelt, delightful romp. characters are fully developed, plot and internal reflection were balanced and the romance was lovely. i'm not usually a sports person but if it's queer then yes i love sports! will be telling everyone that i've gushed about check, please! with to read this and also everyone else i talk to.

A huge thank you to Dial Press for my ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Prospects" by K.T. Hoffman explores the journey of a trans man, Gene, navigating love and success within the realm of baseball. For the most part, I enjoyed it, but I do have a few issues that I believe impacted it's overall potential.

One glaring issue lies in the lack of character depth and development. If anything, the decision to focus on Gene as the central character feels misguided, as Luis, a secondary character, possesses greater potential for complexity. He has a much more turbulent, interesting mindset, and he went through some serious emotional growth between coming out to his family & making the decision to change careers. Gene, however, failed to undergo any significant personal growth in my opinion.
In the same realm, I felt that despite the characters being full grown men, there was a severe lack of maturity in the characters and I felt it detracted from the authenticity of the story. It seemed like the characters were cookie-cutter versions of each other, it was very easy to get confused on who was talking because there was no real personality to shine through for anyone. The lack of descriptive language and distinct character voices further contributes to this disconnect, and I found myself struggling to differentiate between characters and comprehend pivotal moments.

I was overwhelmed by the baseball terminology, and I don't know how to say this without being rude, but who actually cares about baseball..? Sure, let it be a significant part of the story by all means, but do you really need to write about the games with such profundity and make it one of the only things they do??

The novel neglects to address the serious themes of ADHD and anxiety—and whatever Vince is going through, too. Why was there no mention of seeing a psychologist and/or psychiatrist for literally any of them?
Why does Luis have a therapy dog?? If anything, he should have an ESA.
Seriously disappointing to see the negligence on both the writer and editor on this topic, as the absence of a discussion surrounding therapy or medication feels like a missed opportunity to portray a more nuanced portrayal of mental health, not to mention potentially helping a reader understand what they can/need to do for themselves.

I absolutely detest third act breakups, and this one was particularly weak, lacking sufficient justification and emotional resonance. Such a bore.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Prospects" offers moments of beauty and excitement, particularly in its portrayal of Gene's triumphs on the baseball field. I felt the excitement, and the devastation, right along with him. Overall, this is good for a debut novel. I can see myself checking out other books by Hoffman as they are released!

The Prospects is a rivals to lovers sports romance, and all of the things I loved when it comes to those! This was honestly just really sweet and kept me hooked from the start

Sports romances where the characters are on the same team are so great! I love watching them go from teammates to more. Teammates spend a lot of time together and it makes avoiding feelings hard.

One thing I learned from this book is that I know very little about baseball. I now know that minor leagues is plural because there is more than one and what a shortstop is. In some ways as a graduate student, I related to the challenges described for the players. Both are low paying jobs that you put up with to get to a better career. For some people, it is worth it and for others, it is not. I liked that this book didn't gloss over that.

It is really fun to watch Gene and Luis go from teammates to friends to lovers. They are in an environment where it is difficult to be gay and in Gene's case gay and trans. I don't think it would have made sense for their relationship to move too quickly. I did like that they supported each other even before they became good friends.

The Prospects does a great job balancing writing about difficult issues like mental health struggles and what it's like to be queer in a largely cis-gender space with a really heartwarming romance and lots of baseball. I am someone who reads sports romance with not a lot of interest in sports so I actually could have done with a little less baseball, but I fully recognize that's a silly thing to ask for. I recommend this to people who like books with good mental health and queer representation as well as people who like sports romance and books about people figuring out the lives they want. Also, there is a very cute dog and some very fun wear my jersey trope.

🌶️🌶️ - This story has a couple of open door scenes. They are described but leave a lot of details to the readers imagination.

🎧🎧🎧 - I listened to the audiobook version of this story. I got used to the narration but initially, it was a bit slow for me and I ended up speeding it up.

Reader, when I finished reading this delightful and heartfelt story, I let out a happy sigh and just sat there for a minute with a full heart, letting it sink in. Ugh. So good.

Something about seeing yourself in a character, especially when you don’t typically, remains incredibly moving. This story was a queer-rivals-to-lovers-sports-romance but in the most expansive way. To be frank, I’ll be reading whatever KT Hoffman writes next because this novel had me laughing, crying, looking up baseball terms and feeling a part of this imaginary family. From the way that ADHD and anxiety disorder were touched on and normalized, to everything about this loving relationship that was just so embodied in the FOR-NESS of it all… even in the hard parts, ugh it was beautiful. I want you to get into this joy, this vulnerability, this faith in all that’s possible.

From the very sexy consent practice that we don’t often get to see in romance novels, to the exhilaratingly described baseball games, I was IN IT. It takes them a while to get there but when they do, the chemistry between Gene and Luis is so tender and sweet. The hopes and dreams they make space for each other to have? 😭 May we each find folks who can hold space for and love us this way. Meeting us right where we are and planting an implacable faith in our visions for ourselves.

One part that I want to post everywhere, that resonated deep within me was this: ‘’the part that queer people maybe understand better than anyone else, is the act of a parent changing the shape of their home so it can fit you, and loving you as much as they always have. More, because they know you better now.’

I teared up when I read that, called a friend to share this quote with them and we’re in firm agreement - we want to see this reminder everywhere! YES!!

Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours, Dial Press and KT Hoffman for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.25

Such a sweet read that romance fans will absolutely love filled with wonderful queer joy.

The relationship between Gene and Luis is very sweet. I'm not over how FUN their interactions are! They balance each other so well. I wish there had been slightly more backstory/diving into their history or flashbacks/memories to give a bit more context for their initial antagonism.

Loved all the side characters and their interactions! I am a sucker for a good supporting cast and this book does a great job of it.

Lastly, while it may seem nitpicky, Dodger is described as a therapy dog though he seems to be somewhere in between an emotional support animal and a service dog (goes everywhere with Luis including hotels however has to fly cargo?) This did throw me off a bit as someone who works in rehabilitation especially since he's featured quite a bit.

The book was definitely heavy on the baseball to the point where I wasn't quite sure what was happening during some of the scenes so I think that could have been cut back on but overall didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Such a promising debut and can't wait to see what else Hoffman puts out. Will definitely be keeping this author on my radar moving forward!!

I can’t even write how amazing this book is. As a trans person and also latino, iit made me so happy to read this story. I’m so happy i got the opportunity to get the arc 🫶 I pre-ordered the physical copy already and can’t wait for everyone to be able to read this wonderful wonderful piece of art

"The Prospects" by KT Hoffman offers a unique and refreshing perspective on LGBTQ+ issues within the world of professional baseball. Gene's journey as the first openly trans player in the minor leagues is both inspiring and heartwarming, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals in the LGBTQ+ community in the sports industry. Hoffman does a commendable job of exploring these issues with sensitivity and authenticity, making this novel a compelling read for anyone interested in this important topic.
The novel also delves into the competitive world of major sports, showcasing the fierce rivalry between Gene and Luis as they navigate their complex relationship both on and off the field. The tension between the two characters is palpable, adding an exciting layer of conflict to the story. Readers will find themselves invested in the outcome of their interactions, eagerly turning the pages to see how their dynamic evolves over the course of the novel.
At its core, "The Prospects" is a romance that sizzles with chemistry and passion. The slow burn between Gene and Luis is expertly crafted, building up to a crescendo of desire that is both tender and intense. Hoffman excels at capturing the raw emotions of the characters, making their burgeoning relationship feel authentic and compelling. Fans of romance will be captivated by the love story at the heart of this novel.
Overall, "The Prospects" is a solid debut that offers a fresh take on LGBTQ+ representation in sports and a satisfying romance that will tug at readers' heartstrings. While the pacing may be a bit slow at times, and some of the plot twists feel predictable, the novel's strengths lie in its complex characters and nuanced exploration of important themes. Fans of LGBTQ+ romance and sports fiction will find much to enjoy in this engaging and thought-provoking read.
3.5/5 STARS!

This is a terrific baseball romance following two main players through a season in the high minor leagues on a fictional team. Gene (or Nes) is our POV character and is the first trans player to play professional baseball. Luis (or Nada) is Nes’s teammate from college, now traded to NES’s team and taking his spot at shortstop while Nes is moved back to his college position at second base. There’s something really delightful about the shortstop-second baseman pairing. We follow the season, with all the disappointment and the magic it contains, and Nes and Nada are turning back to friends from rivals and then to maybe more than friends. They build IKEA furniture together because Gene’s ADHD prevents him from doing it on his own, and Luis has panic attacks from his anxiety disorder, and it’s a lot of soft vibes à la Cat Sebastian. And then Nes, who has never really let himself want anything, begins to want Nada and also want to play in the majors, which he has always seen as impossible for someone like him, and the conflict becomes, can he have them both. The whole book feels like the beginning of the baseball season, when anything can happen and everyone is optimistic. Nes and Luis are special characters and I wish I could live in their world and be their friend. In the meantime, I’ll go read the book again. This is an incredible debut and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

I have read a lot of books and sports books can sometimes feel over played but honestly, this felt sweet.

I loved all the characters and the plot. I can't wait to buy it but I am so happy I read thus adorable mash of sweetness and love.

have read a fair amount of sports romance novels, and I typically read them more from the romance than for the sports, but this book was just SO GOOD.

I played softball growing up and love minor league baseball as an adult, so a book about minor league baseball was right up my ally, and from the first game in the book I was hooked. I hadn’t read any reviews or the synopsis for the book, so discovering in the early pages that the MMC is both trans and has ADHD elevated this book for me immediately and added even more aspects of the book that I could connect with and learn from.

I really appreciated that the entire book wasn’t fully focused on baseball, just like it wasn’t fully focused on romance, or self-acceptance, or second-chances, or anxiety, or forgiveness. Instead, it was a beautiful mix of all of the above.

This was super sweet and uplifting while dealing with difficult topics at the same time. Gene was such an endearing main character, and his romance was so quiet yet so beautiful! I’ve read a lot of sports romances, but never one surrounding a trans main character so that was super interesting.
The found family in this as with most sports novels was amazing and it felt like a warm hug to see Gene accepted by his teammates. I also loved that this was set in the Pacific Northwest as a PNW girlie, and it definitely made me interested in baseball, which is a HUGE accomplishment.

ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Had you told me a month ago that the easiest 5-star review I would ever give a book would be to a sports romance I would have let out a snort and went on with my day. BUT HERE I AM, GIVING THE PROSPECTS, A SPORTS ROMANCE, 5-STARS. Listen, there’s always room for people to change and this was the book to open my eyes to the power a sports romance can hold over someone.
This book is infused with such a sense of hope, from the characters struggle to even out their playing scores, to Gene’s (our main characters) hope over being the first openly trans baseball player to his love interests Luis’ struggles with what he truly wants in life. All of the characters felt real, like I wanted to join Gene and his team over a celebratory game of beer pong and I also wanted to feed Luis’ service dog, Dodger, some Dennies french fries.
This book was also queer as hell. So many queer characters from different backgrounds and at different points in their lives. WE LOVE TO SEE QUEER PEOPLE BEING HAPPY.
Cassie, you may be asking yourself, you haven’t mentioned the baseball yet? And you know what I was hoping we could skip that part but seeing as it is a huge portion of the book, I have to talk about it. I am not a sports girlie by any stretch of the imagination, so yes the more sports oriented portions of the books confused me. I think the author did a great job at explaining what they could, but I also did not feel as though the explanation was being dumbed down so I could understand it. There were still points in which I had to look terms up, but I was ok with that. Baseball is an important part of the book because it is important to our characters and with Hoffman’s writing, it made those parts enjoyable.
Can I talk about the writing for a sec? I’m new to the world of arc’s and debut authors and book selling in general, but Hoffman did something special here. The writing is exceptional and sort of goes along the lines of: start of sentence, interrupted side tangent that then circles back to the beginning of the sentence. When I first noticed this pattern I thought I would hate it but it actually made the reading experience better.
K.T. Hoffman has put himself solidly on the list of authors I will keep my eye out for in the future - I can’t wait to see what he writes about next!

Okay I adored this book. We have baseball. We have romance. We have mental health rep. And we have LGBTQIA rep. What more could you ask for? Hoffman does a fantastic job at bringing awareness to the faults of our society in a delightful and heartwarming way. This book was such a fun read and i thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the only thing I would change is how often third person was used . Gene and Luis were totally adorable from beginning to end .

God I just have so many feelings about this book. Hands down I think this will be one of my favorite books of 2024 if not my number one read of the year.

One of the big standout elements of this book for me was the way that gene so deeply loves his queerness. That connected with me on such a deep level. Loving yourself because of your queerness, not in spite of it is something so powerful. This was really exemplified in the way that he loves his body for being trans. I feel that so often in media we see the ways that trans people hate their body for not being cis, so it’s wonderful to see a character celebrate the beauty of a trans body.

Gene is such a standout as a MC, but the supporting cast is also impeccable. Luis is a dynamic and interesting character. Watching the development of his and Gene’s relationship is what really makes this book stand out to me. Vince and Baker were a delight as the old curmudgeons. And I loved the various side characters popping in to add some great personality and color to the world.

Most of all this book lets the gays win and I just need more of that in my life. Watching a queer person succeed just warms my heart. I cannot wait to read KT’s next book and you need to pick this one up ASAP when it comes out in April.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Incredible! I absolutely loved this one. Such a great book to curl up with. It was hard to pull myself away to do things, but I always looked forward to diving back in. Highly recommend!

The Prospects is the debut novel for KT Hoffman and it centers around Gene, the first openly trans baseball player in the Minors. Gene plays for the Beaverton Beavers (Portland’s triple A team) and truly loves it. He loves his coach, his teammates, and his routine. But then his old college teammate, Luis, gets traded to the Beavers. After Luis was scouted in college, he left without a word to Gene. Although Gene is super annoyed by the trade, his forever optimistic disposition wins out as he attempts to make amends with Luis. But Luis seems quiet, guarded, and much more reserved than Gene remembers and he begins to wonder if there was more to Luis’ sudden departure back in college than Gene thought.

This book made my little baseball-loving heart explode. It’s fair to say that hockey tends to dominate the sports romance market. So when I see a baseball romance, I immediately gobble it up. I also went into this book pretty blindly (other than knowing it was a baseball setting with a trans MC) and holy spice 🔥 Was not expecting it and definitely was not mad about it 😏 If sports romance, rivals to lovers, and domestic fluff is your thing, you’ll definitely want to check this one out!

Thank you to The Dial Press, NetGalley, and Colored Pages Book Tour for the ARC!