Description
At forty-two, Marcello Donati feels like his life is stuck on a permanent loop of dead-end routines and unfulfilled potential. Living with his mum and navigating a stagnant career, he makes the impulsive decision to train for a triathlon. What begins as a desperate bid for change turns into a complicated pursuit when he recruits Giles Rivers, a fitness-obsessed, impeccably stylish colleague, as his training partner. As they trade office small talk for long runs and gym sessions, Marcello’s carefully constructed sense of self begins to unravel, forcing him to confront long-suppressed questions about his identity.
Giles, meanwhile, is on a self-imposed hiatus from casual flings, hoping to find a meaningful connection. He never expected that focus to land on Marcello—a man who is charmingly vulnerable, undeniably funny, and perpetually confused about his desires. When Marcello confesses he’s curious about exploring his queerness, Giles finds himself stepping into the role of mentor, despite the obvious danger of losing his heart in the process.
This spicy, high-heat romance navigates the messy, awkward, and exhilarating terrain of mid-life awakenings. It is an exploration of labels, building confidence, and finding love in the most inconvenient, sweat-drenched corners of the gym.
