The Prospects: A Novel (Dial Delights)

I thought this book was absolutely fantastic and groundbreaking, and I recommend it to trans guys I encounter on social media who are looking for book recommendations. The main character is a gay transgender man, just like myself and so many other guys who have never seen themselves reflected in print before. The book also features a rich cast of supporting characters: the sweet former college crush, the fiercely supportive best friend, the lesbian manager fighting tooth and nail to build a career in baseball, and the aging pitching star facing the end of his time in the spotlight. Because the story is set in the world of baseball—a sport I’m deeply familiar with from years of going to games and playing softball—I actually understood and appreciated all the sports references, which made the experience even more immersive. At its heart, the book is about choosing your own identity and path, insisting on claiming your place in an environment that doesn’t want you there, and daring to want something you’ve been told you’re not allowed to have. And because this is a romance novel, it’s not a spoiler to say that this time, the queer person gets to have it all. I highly recommend the audiobook as well, it's read by a trans person. I almost teared up when it started.

4.5 stars I love stories that center hope and optimism and joy, especially when they're queer stories! <i>The Prospects</i> does that in a way that feels honest, true, and possible. Gene is the most chaotically optimistic person I've read and I love him for it. He is unapologetically himself the whole time, flaws and fears and wants and all of it. He's gay, he's trans, he's neurodivergent (ADHD), he's an athlete. Luis is a darling with his anxiety and quiet support. I loved seeing their relationship bloom and grow, watching them settle into themselves. It's a very queer experience to give yourself permission to want things that someone like you hasn't achieved before and KT Hoffman captured it brilliantly. If you're like me -- not a baseball fan AT ALL -- don't let that stop you from reading this book. Yes, baseball is a huge part of Gene's life and story but it's done in such a way that even total noobs can understand. I never felt lost or bored by it. It's unpredictable and demands optimism in the face of uncertainty. It's perfectly Gene and perfect for him.

This book had been on my TBR for so long and I’m so mad I waited so long to finally read it! The book is all about Gene, a trans minor league baseball player who has made a good life for himself. He has a good group of friends and gets to play the game he loves. That is, until he finds out that Luis, his college teammate that left without a word after getting drafted, has just gotten traded to his team. Oh, and he plays the same position as Gene. Still upset with their past, Gene has to figure out not only how to be around Luis again, but how to work with him to help the team improve. This book had me in my feelings the entire time. As someone who grew up playing softball, there were so many instances where I could relate to Gene’s early journey and I thought KT Hoffman did a great job identifying how truly different softball and baseball are from each other. I loved seeing Gene be a confident, trans man so secure in themselves and upbeat and finding the joy in life, while still getting vulnerable. I also appreciated how Luis’s anxiety was depicted and seeing his journey throughout the story. This truly was a five star read for me and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. If this one isn’t on your TBR and you enjoy sports romances, you need to put it on your list ASAP.

A trans man who identifies as gay falls in love with another ball player on his baseball team. Lots to like here, but 340 pages of indecision can grow wearisome. Should they? Shouldn’t they? Will it hurt Gene’s career? Will it hurt Luis’s career? Will it hurt too much if one of them gets traded or picked up by the major leagues? Over and over. There are at least three break ups in the course of the novel. I found myself putting it down, not sure if I wanted to keep reading or not. I have to say, I’ve also grown weary of the enormous number of gay romance novels in the last few years centered around sports. That’s a personal preference, of course, and has nothing to do with the quality of this novel. And minor league baseball is written well enough here. My problem is the unnecessary pain Gene (it’s mostly Gene) keeps inflicting on them both. We’re supposed to root for him, but I kept thinking, “I’d never put up with that behavior in a real person. Why am I supposed to put up with it in him?” It feels like some authors see a story arc or “character development” and forget that in real life, people have limits and move on. Putting up with abuse, however well intended, isn’t healthy or loving. Obviously, other readers see these dynamics differently. The book has received several starred reviews. You know what you do and don’t like and can choose accordingly.

I bought this charming story based on a glowing review by The NY Times, and I was very happy I did. This is a debut novel for the author, but it certainly doesn’t read like one. The scene, the world of minor league baseball, is interesting and accurately set. The protagonist is an openly trans and gay man, with dreams of making it to the major leagues. He is optimistic, courageous, plucky, kind, slightly snarky, and immensely likable. The antagonist, who starts out as a sullen and moody closeted gay man, shows his kindliness, vulnerability, and affection as he becomes another protagonist, as the two men, who have a not always easy history, renew their relationship and fall in love. The book discusses some rather serious issues, including ADHD, anxiety disorder, coming out as trans and some of the difficulties associated with being transgender—but always in a positive and supportive manner. In short, the book is funny, sexy, captivating and thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommended.