Love and Other Scores

by Abra Pressler

'The chemistry between these two beautiful men will leave you fanning yourself like you're baking courtside at the Australian Open final' CLARE FLETCHER

Gabriel is a global tennis superstar and heart-throb. As he eyes his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, the pressure is getting to him. After an intense practice session, Gabriel finds refuge in a bar, where he meets Noah.

Oblivious to sports, Noah doesn't recognise Gabriel, but there is an instant connection. The more time they spend together in the blazing heat of a Melbourne summer, the more their feelings and attraction grow.

Both Gabriel and Noah have their reasons for wanting to keep their romance private. With the stakes so high, will they be willing to risk everything for love all?

Serving up a swoonworthy romance full of twists and turns, Love and Other Scores is a bright and entertaining story from a new Australian voice.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Queer, LGBT, Sports, M M Romance, Audiobook

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2023

Reviews

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love And Other Scores has a cute, if fairly standard, rom-com conceit. It follows the exact trajectory you’d expect. It’s all palatable enough, except for some moments of ick (“his swaying arse is like a siren song, luring me to the deep”? thanks, I hate it). The side characters and their relationships with the leads are strong, though, and keep Love And Other Scores on solid(ish) ground. Pick this one up to read in the sweaty, sleepy days between Christmas and New Year.

My full review of Love And Other Scores is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Nathan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just actually love this book so much. I can’t explain why, it’s not like it was ground breaking in anyway.

But it was fabulous, and I would read an entire series.

[✨ jami ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

fun concept but boringggg book.

I find some romances so annoying because they fail to ever actually tell a story or drive forward a plot. everytime any complication arose it was resolved within like the same chapter. felt like there was absolutely no stakes and the plotline was very very predictable.

also ig this is unrelated but the audiobook has an australian doing a fake french accent and it's actually diabolical

[Liam Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fun to read while the Australian Open is on, and I thought the forces keeping them apart were unique and understandable BUT I was never that sat for the chemistry between them and like the murder side plot was a bit out of place

[Chris Leow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is refreshing to see a queer Australian romance that speaks to characters of such diversity. There is an irony to the story beginning in the streets of South Yarra known to be the gay suburb of Melbourne but stereotypes stem from truths.

The writing isn't complex but the dialogue speaks truth to Gabriel's third language and limitations in expression. The variety of relationships, traumas and melting pot of characters on the professional sporting circuit was great to see represented although fictional.

The narrative dives into complex family relationships and domestic violence which speak to so many different stories and upbringings in a humanizing way. The empathy garnered for both characters stories speaks to the messiness of life and timing especially for the epilogue chapters.

On a more personal level the story filled a void within me that I didn't realise existed. There are many quotes that brought me to tears or had me kicking and squealing like a teenager again but the one that struck me deeply was: "... I want to know what it feels like to be myself, just this once..." The fear of truly expressing your authentic self when repressed for so long is one so aptly summarised into a single phrase.

My recent trip to Melbourne was too short so it was nice to be transported down the familiar streets of north Melbourne suburbs, the Yarra and Southbank. I would absolutely recommend this modern Australian story authored by a fellow Canberran and read and reviewed by another.

[Marian. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good one, a bit cliché but a good one nonetheless. Gabriel and Noah's relationship, although it started a bit fast, I feel like it was what Gabriel needed to get out of his father's shadow a bit, which leads to some problems with him, plus Noah's past also makes an appearance. I was expecting some things regarding the drama since from the beginning you see more or less where it's going but not the plot twist that was thrown at me. Gabriel and Noah made a nice couple, I'm not going to lie that there were moments that didn't quite add up for me but otherwise it's more than good enough to pass the time reading it.

📌I received an e-copy through edelweiss, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

---

Este fue uno bueno, un poco cliche pero uno bueno al fin y al cabo. La relación de Gabriel y Noah aunque empezó un poco rápido siento que era lo que Gabriel necesitaba para salir un poco de la sombra de su padre, lo cual lleva a algunos problemas con el además el pasado de Noah que también hace presencia, me esperaba algunas cosas con respecto al drama ya que desde un principio ves mas o menos a donde va pero no el plot twist que me lanzaron. Gabriel y Noah hicieron una bonita pareja, no voy a mentir que hubieron momentos que no me terminaron de cuadrar pero de resto para pasar el rato leyéndolo esta mas que bien.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid debut from a new Aussie voice and must i say it is so refreshing seeing queer romances get their flowers in the traditional publishing space.

The premise of a novel structured around a grand slam tournament is fantastic, and I enjoyed the tennis aspect a lot. This novel was well structured, and I’m sure that all the points Pressler wanted to make were made.

I’m just leaving finishing this book feeling as if the romance and characters were a little half baked due to the prose which at times fell flat. We were fed sweet dialogue, but when the cadence of every single character is pretty much the same, it feels like blank faces speaking to each other. There wasn’t anything given in terms of the evocative language needed to really immerse me into the characters and their story. If it were there, it maybe could’ve excused the instalove. Maybe.

Basically, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this book. It was fine and kept me occupied on a Monday night. I just wasn’t really rooting for the romance at all and didn’t feel much chemistry between *any* of the characters - but i loved victor and i loved Gabi and Lukas’ friendship - those were characters with Voices!

Hats off to the author for an exciting debut and I’ll be looking out for her Roland Garros romance ;)

[Joseph Treeby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love and Other Scores was a book with quite a simple storyline, but it was enjoyable and sweet to read.

I did like the characters, and how they bonded with one another, and the romance scenes were descriptive and quite steamy.
I’m not into tennis but Abra Pressler wrote it in a way that was engaging.

I just wished for a bit more from this novel. I wanted there to be more stakes— as things were resolved a bit quickly.

I feel like Noah’s character needed a bit of work— it would have been interesting to learn more about his past and he felt quite overshadowed by Gabriel.

But this book did well with representation and inclusion in sports with the LGBT. Just a couple of things bugged me a bit😁

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

LITERALLY IMPECCABLE!! First 5 star read of the year and my god was it a fantastic read. Feels like this book was made just for me with a combination of all the things I love - Melbourne, gay romance and tennis. I couldn’t put this book down and just needed to keep reading.
The plot kept me interested and was paced well, maybe somewhat predictable but definitely not in a bad way. I loved almost all of the characters involved and really enjoyed the small details included about local Melbourne and the tennis matches, although a few of the tennis details could have been a little more accurate like the seeding system. The chemistry and attraction between Gabi and Noah was just the right amount for me especially being based off a meet-cute between two men of different cultural backgrounds with a minor language barrier. Definitely wasn’t expecting a couple of spicy scenes but was pleasantly surprised with them! Just a really lovely gay romance novel, and one I’d definitely find myself reading again come AO25.

[SuzReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Gabi and Noah. And most importantly I love Margie. I really enjoyed all of the supporting characters actually.

I do think it was doing to much with all the drama side quests but I still fell in love with gabi and Noah anyway

[Peyton Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. not bad, just boring

[Katelyn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

AusOpen based Gay Romance. Say less

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rlly loved this book. Gabriel is so cute!!

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings: homophobia, domestic violence (in the past), alcoholism, medical emergency, hospitalisation, home invasion, stalking

I'm genuinely shocked it's taken this long to get a romance between someone who comes to Melbourne for the Australian Open and a nobody living in Melbourne who just so happens to bump into the tennis player. Genuinely shocked.

Anyway. This was cute! I loved the dynamic between Gabi and Noah. I loved seeing South Yarra and Richmond and Carlton and Melbourne portrayed in loving detail. I did feel like there were times when the relationship was a little on the rushed side, but that's not entirely surprising when the Australian Open takes place over two weeks.

I didn't expect the subplot around Noah's past, and it was a TAD darker than I would have liked it to be? But the way the story played out was, ultimately, extremely charming and I'm really glad I gave this a shot (despite my hatred of tennis).

[Jessica (bibliobliss.au) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read of 2024 & I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Set during the Australian Open with a scorching Melbourne summer, now is the perfect time to pick up LOVE & OTHER SCORES!

I absolutely devoured this queer romance read. Told from alternating POVs, this summer of love for tennis star, Gabriel & sports-oblivious barman, Noah captured me. Both were so sweet & this developing relationship gave me all the good vibes.

I’m a sports fan, but tennis has never been it for me. I actually really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes of the Aus Open, the media work, the training & what it’s like to be a player on tour that this story provides along with Gabriel’s relationship with his father/coach & manager.

LOVE AND OTHER SCORES joins the ranks of the many excellent Aussie romances out currently. Queer sports romance - love this as a genre pick! I highly recommend you pick this one up!

I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher.

[Sally Hetherington OAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel, a renowned tennis star and heartthrob, faces mounting pressure in pursuit of his first Australian Open Grand Slam title. Seeking solace after an intense practice, he crosses paths with Noah in a bar. Despite Noah’s lack of sports awareness, a genuine connection forms between them amid the scorching Melbourne summer. As their feelings deepen, both Gabriel and Noah grapple with the desire to keep their romance discreet. With high stakes, the question arises: will they be willing to jeopardise everything for love?

This was a quick, easy, and engaging read that hooked me emotionally. The Australian setting adds a unique charm. Abra is a promising voice in LGBTQIA fiction, so if you love this genre, definitely pick it up.

[Charmi Zielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. The dual POVs made it great and really gave you a insight into the MMCs minds. I know nothing about tennis except what I played on Wii sports, the author tried to explain it in a way that was easily understandable. While I did understand some of it, parts went over my head. I have a thing for people being so caught up they slip into their native language and I LOVE how Abra Pressler did this. This was only my 3rd ever MM romance and it did not disappoint.

Thank you to beauty and lace magazine, and MacMillan publishing for sending me a copy of the book.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements that I liked about this book and I do love the Australian backdrop. The book does have predictability to it, which can be a comfort for readers. There were some language technique choices I wasn’t really a fan of though.

[em · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was… okay. i enjoyed it overall but i never really felt connected to the characters at all and a lot of it just felt very predictable.

[Ashley T · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really cute! The chemistry felt a bit rushed but it was a really satisfying, cute lil page turner

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute queer, tennis romance by a local Canberra author! Very cool👏👏

[shae ambry · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was cute

except as someone who has taken the melbourne to albury train more times than i can count it is definitely not a 3 hour journey as this book portrays

[Kelsey Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Jayden Masciulli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this! A sweet and charming modern gay rom-com, with two well-drawn lead characters and a specifically wonderful backdrop of the Australian Open during a hot Melbourne summer. Film adaptation when?!

[Victoria Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tennis in the Melbourne summer isn’t the only reason things are getting hot and sweaty…

French-born tennis star Gabriel Madani arrives in Australian ready to get his hands on his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. But before the Open kicks off, he decides to clear his head by wandering Melbourne’s streets, stumbling upon Mark’s Place and the cute bartender who doesn’t seem to recognise him. Noah Burgess has zero interest in sports, and his knowledge of tennis is limited to the obvious big names of the game. All he sees in Gabriel is a gorgeous guy that he has an instant connection with. Noah decides to show Gabriel around his Melbourne, which can easily be summed up as donuts and drag shows, and it’s hard to deny their mutual attraction. Even though Gabriel isn’t out to his family, let alone the public, and Noah has worked hard to keep himself on the down low, they can’t not give into their feelings for one another, even at the risk of exposing their private lives so publicly. As Gabriel balances tennis matches, adventures with Noah, and his struggle to come out to family, he comes to realise that it’s time to stand up more for what he wants in life, and it’s more than just the constant tennis.

Do I know anything about tennis? Absolutely not.
Was I absolutely enthralled by the tennis scenes? Yes, yes I was.
I am literally Noah.

You had me at queer sports romance! Abra has served (hehe) up a super fun and sweet romance set against the blazing Aussie summer. It had everything I love about sports romance and queer romance all rolled into one fabulous read. The romance between Gabriel and Noah was swoony and a little bit spicy, and I could not get enough of the two of them. On top of the romance, the friendships surrounding both characters were really sweet and fun too, adding another depth to each character.

Getting to explore Melbourne through Noah and Gabriel’s eyes was really fun. And although I’ve only visited Melbourne a few times, I felt like I instantly knew my way around the city (but don’t actually ask me to navigate you anywhere). Abra definitely captured the vibrancy of the city, especially in the summer, and if this book doesn’t make you want to visit Melbourne, then I don’t know what will.

As someone who doesn’t really have an interest or knowledge of tennis, I really appreciated how Abra explained the game - the added bonus of Noah being clueless about the game is that you as the reader get to learn about the sport as Noah does. I’m far from an expert, but I feel like I have a better appreciation of the game. And the way she crafted and wrote the tennis scenes had me so captivated! I probably watch like a grand total of five minutes of the actual AusOpen every year, but I was so invested in Gabriel’s matches and felt like I was court side watching everything play out before me.

Abra has such a wonderful writing style and I’m excited to see what she’s cooking up next - if it’s half as good as Gabriel and Noah’s story, it’s going to be a fun read. In the meantime, I’m definitely going back to read her previous books because I need more, pun totally not intended!

While I’m still probably not going to be watching the Australian Open this year, if you were to tell me that Gabriel or Lukas was playing, I’d be ALL over it. These two are my new favourite players.

Trigger warning for domestic violence. Most of the book references past abuse, but there is a scene near the end of the book that is very much present violence. While it was clear that something was eventually going to happen, it was an intense shift from the rest of the narrative, but Abra handled it really well. Meanwhile Gabriel also faces being publicly outed by the media, before he’s even had a chance to come out of family and friends.

Get in the zone for the Australian Open with this fun and flirty tennis romance that’ll have you getting hot and bothered without having step foot on the court!

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Other Scores by Australian author Abra Pressler is a wonderful work of fiction in the LGBTQ romance subgenre.

Gabriel always aspired to be a professional tennis player, a highly competitive sport that he has put in years of dedication and persistence to be the best. Facing his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, he struggles with the pressure and negative impact on performance. Gabriel seeks timeout and retreats to a bar where he meets Noah, they have an interesting interaction and hit it off right away.

Noah has no idea Gabriel is global tennis superstar and admired by many. As their friendship develops, they get to know each other well, their interactions and intimate moments become strong, and a bond is forged. Both have their reasons for wanting to keep their romance private and away from publicity, but will this be enough to build a future together?

The author effectively throws you into two opposite worlds according to the respective lifestyles of the protagonists. Everything about Gabriel and Noah was perfect, from the moment they met. The chemistry between them is instantaneous and will surely prove thoroughly engrossing. Their relationship develops at a slow-burning pace with plenty of twists and turns, and the overall effect is enchanting.

The characters leap off the pages with plenty of backstory, description, and motivation. Gabriel is impressively fleshed out, strong, dedicated, and complete with flaws. Noah Is a sweet, loveable man, struggling with problems of his own, readers will only want the best for his happiness. A strong cast of supporting characters rounded out the story nicely.

The setting is well developed and the plot, is enriched by the author's ability to keep the story real and the emotions intense. The Australian Open brings a layer of excitement and enthusiasm to the narrative that is positively infectious. Readers will be cheering from the sideline.

This is my first time reading a work by Abra, and she certainly sets the bar high when it comes to writing LGBTQ fiction. Her gift lies not so much in the fact that she writes a story about same-sex romance, but more in brave choices and demonstrating many different skills that really make this unusual and original novel work.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, it is so unique and beautifully written. It completely consumed me, surprised me, had me on the edge of my seat and made me feel so many emotions. Love and Other Scores takes a simple story and delivers a powerful message about finding the inner strength to do what is right even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Readers will be drawn to the book cover. The colours, fonts and texture are a standout on a bookshelf. I love how it incorporates the two main characters giving it a sense of curiosity to what the story is about.

If you have never read a MM romance, I encourage you to pick up a book. I highly recommend to LGBTQ romance fans and readers who enjoy a good love story.

Thank you, Beauty and Lace and Shawline Publishing Group for the opportunity to tread and review.,

[Emily Rainsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fairly hard sell on contemporary romance. It's not my favourite genre and I can be pretty picky about it. But I did actually quite enjoy this one.

Having lived a couple of years in Melbourne and even been to the tennis at Rod Laver, I loved the very Melbourne setting. There was a great sense of place without being over described.

Noah and Gabriel were both wonderful characters and their love story was very sweet and endearing. There was enough depth to both Noah and Gabriel's situations individually to give the story some meat on its bones. Margie was my favourite side character 💕

I have to admit, my eyes glazed over a little bit during the lovingly and play-by-play described tennis matches, but it made sense for them to be there.

I also would have loved to *see* the boys' connection form a little more, as I felt it jumped from "hot guy I just met and had a couple of conversations with" to "I love you and no one else gets me like you do" a little quickly for me, without having seen on-page much depth of conversation, especially from Gabriel's side.

I could really have done without the virgin trope, it's just a trope I find really unnecessary in adult novels, and overdone.

While there are external obstacles to the relationship, there is no big messy third act fight and break up which I loved, because I hate when drama is injected for the sake of it. Gabriel and Noah are two big sugary cinnamon rolls (doughnuts?) for each other and that was adorable.

I'm not sure how I felt about the ending? It felt like the falling action (after what felt like the climax, the final tennis game/Noah's situation) dragged on a bit and the resolution of their relationship... I dunno, I just didn't totally love the way it was tied up.

Also just a personal bug bear, but I don't understand why Noah would go from "haven't played the piano in years" to "I'm gonna study this at university". Like, he literally got a paying gig - do that! Go on Tiktok! It's 2024, why would you need a degree, just go do the actual piano playing!

Lastly, I thought a "grand slam" was when you win all four titles in one year?? Like, I'm not a sport person at all, but that was my understanding? It seemed to be used repeatedly to describe winning just one of the big titles, which seemed a bit odd?

Overall though, I do think this is a really solid debut, I had a good time reading it and it gave me feel good vibes.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

By some assessments, I should be completely the wrong audience for this novel, yet I really enjoyed it. It’s warm and engaging, with believable characters.

Gabriel is a highly successful, internationally known tennis player. However, he’s sacrificed a lot for his tennis success, and now, in his mid-twenties, he’s beginning to have regrets. Combined with the pressure of the Australian Open, this leads to a minor rebellion and he winds up in a bar.

There he meets Noah, who has no interest in sports and fails to recognize Gabriel. There’s an instant connection. As they spend time together, it quickly becomes clear to both that this is more than just lust. They’re developing feelings for each other.

But Noah has excellent reasons for wanting to fly beneath the radar. Gabriel, too, would like to keep their romance private. But Gabriel’s under a spotlight, one that their relationship may not survive.

Some readers may find it a little unbelievable that Noah doesn’t recognize Gabriel – but speaking as someone with no interest in sports, this is entirely possible. Indeed, likely. I do have to say that there was probably more detail about tennis than I really wanted, but the converse of that is the credibility it gives to Gabriel’s world.

As with most romances, the success of the novel rests on how much readers engage with the main characters. Both are warm and realistic characters, largely very likeable. They have problems and reservations that readers will easily understand. It’s not long before you’re cheering them on, hoping for the best, and holding your breath as they face problems.

This is set in Melbourne, with plenty of mentions of real locations. I found it vivid and a great backdrop. The writing style is easy, unobtrusively drawing you through the story.

So, this female, straight, sports hating reader really enjoyed the story of a male, queer, tennis star and his romance. It’s warm and believable, and will leave you smiling.

If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

An edited version of this review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.

[Nicole Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most excited I've been about a new author this year so far, which is funny, really, given that it was a complete accident I happened to come across it. But I've been trying to up my number of books read that are set in Australia recently, so there is that.

Gabriel is a French tennis star, or, at least, he's heading in that direction. He's not one of the names on everyone's lips, or even one of the names on a bunch of promotional material leading into the Australian Open. But he lives and breathes tennis, even if he is starting to get into the middle age of players in the game (at the ripe old age of 25).

Noah is just a Melbournian kid working in a bar that was recently sold to someone who has torn down the old aesthetic he loved and made it into a dime a dozen bar with tacky TV screens and a lot of space since no one visits there anymore. It doesn't help him that the current owner is a drunk who reminds him of the dad who abused him in childhood.

When Gabriel walks into said bar, it's a complete accident that is compounded by the fact that he leaves his cap behind. From that fairly humble and not overly memorable first meeting, the two boys catch up again multiple times without Noah ever knowing Gabriel is anything more than a French man here on work. In international relations, of all things.

And then he finally finds out from someone else other than Gabriel and it's a huge moment of betrayal. But wait, there's definitely more spark this book has to give after that! Trigger warning for the confrontation between Noah and his abusive father that you kinda know is coming all the way through, but it's very clearly sign posted and able to be skimmed with little confusion to the rest of the story.

These two interacting with each other is everything. Another thing that's everything is the descriptions of the inner Melbourne and suburbs landscape. Which, in conclusion leads me to thinking I just love this new author's writing style over all. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from here.

[Lucy Sweeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love And Other Scores by Abra Pressler
☀️☀️☀️

As a fan of tennis and romance there was a lot to enjoy here, but ultimately this played out exactly as I predicted to the point of losing connection with the book. It was cute and funny at times but the stereotypical plot was its downfall. It was too heavy handed with the darker subplots and skipped over a lot of moments that could have helped build a better understanding of character. The tennis was technically well written but not very engaging, and I expected more from in a book focusing on this. The portrayal of Melbourne was lovely and felt vibrant and authentic.

Both character's perspectives were interesting to read from but not overly distinctive. Insta-love isn't my favourite type of romance so this naturally felt quite rushed to me, but I enjoyed their banter, particularly in the second half, and also thought the sex scenes were decent. The supporting characters were mostly well done but I think there was one too many beats to Noah's side of things which made it feel bloated compared to Gabi's arc. I didn't feel particularly sympathetic towards them with the forced outing when it was so blatantly foreshadowed in several different scenes of them ignoring the possible consequences, but the fallout was well handled and emotionally charged.

For an easy read I did enjoy this overall, but I just found myself wanting more in a few aspects which would have taken this book to another level. I'd still recommend it to anyone wanting something simple and fun.


"Gabriel, my veritable cinnamon roll of a boyfriend, who doesn't like swearing because it makes him feel bad, thinks that being slightly difficult is enough to scare me off? Bless him. Bless his little cotton socks."