I received this title as an ARC on Net-galley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you Dial Press for the copy!

I don't know much about baseball but I'm excited to read every queer sports romance I can find!

Minor league baseball player Gene has achieved more than he's ever hoped for. He's the league's first transgender player, and he's playing for the league at all. Until his former college teammate and friend Luis is sent down to the minors and onto his team... into his position. The two bash heads at every turn but slowing begin to understand and even love each other.

The Good
I devoured this book. From the moment I started I was drawn into the world of Gene and Luis in a way I couldn't predict. I had to do some googling on baseball terms because I truly don't know anything about the sport and the different leagues but once I go into it I was in.

I loved Gene. I love the theme of hope vs wanting and how we try to protect ourselves from disappointment. He was so bright and optimistic but also so full of fear and insecurity. I loved Luis too. I loved how his anxiety was handled and represented in this book. Gene and Luis's love story was really "rivials" to friends to lovers in a way I really loved. They both cared about and supported each other and I almost cried multiple times even at happy parts.

Tropes:
— Rivials to Lovers
— Trans MMC
— Sports Romance

Horn Level: 3/5