The Prospects - (Dial Delights) by Kt Hoffman (Paperback)

About the Book

"Gene Ionescu, a gay trans man in his third year in the minors with the Beaverton Beavers, is a solid shortstop, but he's no one's idea of a major league prospect. He's just happy to be here, though, getting underpaid six months of the year to play the sport he's loved since childhood. ... But his plans go awry when Luis Estrada--Gene's rival since their college days--gets traded to his team--and promptly takes Gene's position. After Gene's coach forces him over to second base, he and Luis can't manage a civil conversation off the field or a competent play on it--a major issue for the team since their two positions make up the critical keystone combination on the infield. But when Gene finds Luis having a panic attack in their shared hotel room, he offers to start extra practices together"--

Book Synopsis

"A queer sports romance and a triumphant debut . . . a heartstring-pulling tale of two minor-league baseball rivals who realize they play much better together."--Elle, The Best (and Most Anticipated) Romance Books of 2024, So Far

"I completely adored it."--Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue

AN ELLE AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Minor leagues. Major chemistry.

Hope is familiar territory for Gene Ionescu. He has always loved baseball, a sport made for underdogs and optimists like him. He also loves his team, the minor league Beaverton Beavers, and, for the most part, he loves the career he's built. As the first openly trans player in professional baseball, Gene has nearly everything he's ever let himself dream of--that is, until Luis Estrada, Gene's former teammate and current rival, gets traded to the Beavers, destroying the careful equilibrium of Gene's life.

Gene and Luis can't manage a civil conversation off the field or a competent play on it, but in the close confines of dugout benches and roadie buses, they begrudgingly rediscover a comfortable rhythm. As the two grow closer, the tension between them turns electric, and their chemistry spills past the confines of the stadium. For every tight double play they execute, there's also a glance at summer-tan shoulders or a secret shared, each one a breathless moment of possibility that ignites in Gene the visceral, terrifying kind of desire he's never allowed himself. Soon, Gene has to reconcile the quiet, minor-league-sized life he used to find fulfilling with the major-league dreams Luis inspires.

This triumphant debut romance reveals what's possible when we allow ourselves to want something enough to swing for the fences.

Review Quotes

"It may come as a shock to learn that this is KT Hoffman's debut novel since it captures all the perfectly frustrating magic of a great enemies-to-lovers romance."--Marie Claire, "The 25 Best Romance Books of 2024 (So Far)"

"The Prospects has everything you could want in a small-town romance: community, interpersonal drama and so much heart you'll find yourself grinning from beginning to end. Looking for a feel-good read? Hoffman makes you feel like you're on top of the world."--The New York Times Book Review, "The Best Small-Town Romance Novels"

"Hoffman's debut is entertaining, sexy and delivers a much-needed joyful tale of queer love."--USA Today

"In KT Hoffman's debut The Prospects, [teammates who] haven't the foggiest idea how to communicate during a game . . . find a surprising amount in common in the dugout--including an attraction neither can ignore."--Paste Magazine

"The Prospects is about dreaming big, finding love and blowing the roof off simply by existing. It's a debut so good it's in a league of its own."--BookPage, starred review

"Hoffman hits it out of the park with his feel-good queer frenemies-to-lovers debut . . ."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"What's so amazing about this novel tracing the relationship between the first openly trans professional baseball player and his rival-turned-lover is how epic it is. This is the biggest-hearted book, and you'll read it with a smile on your face."--BookRiot, "The 10 Best Debut Romance Books Ever Written"

"This debut romance explores the power of desire and the courage to reach for something more."--BiblioLifestyle

"The queer romcom I've been waiting for . . . The Prospects is a love letter to baseball, the Pacific Northwest, and trans joy. I adored every second of it!"--Alison Cochrun, author of The Charm Offensive

"This book is optimism and grit, dedication and unbridled joy. I fell in love with baseball, Gene and Luis, and the earnest beauty of KT Hoffman's writing. An absolute delight."--Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk

"A gorgeously written tale of queer joy and trans possibility, a heart-stealing romance and a loving tribute to the art of baseball--particularly the beauty, struggle, and camaraderie of the minor leagues . . . "--Anita Kelly, author of Love & Other Disasters

"My heart beat fast, my feelings soared, and then I got tickets to a minor league game."--Sabrina Imbler, author of How Far the Light Reaches

"KT Hoffman's debut is, pardon the sports analogy, a homerun. If you liked Ted Lasso, you will love The Prospects."--John Paul Brammer, author of ¡Hola Papi!

"The Prospects is the book I will reread every time I want to go back to a world where I feel safe, and loved, and like big-hearted underdogs can rule the world."--Alicia Thompson, author of With Love, from Cold World

About the Author

KT Hoffman is originally from Beaverton, Oregon and currently lives in Brooklyn. He received his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Stanford University. If he isn't writing about trans hope and gay kissing, he's probably white-knuckling his way through the ninth inning of a Seattle Mariners game. The Prospects is his debut novel.