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Destination Unknown
An erotic gay saga of a tennis doubles team—one boy gay, the other straight—whose success depends on their sexual connection on and off the court.
It’s the summer of 1983, and Andy, a naïve, Southern Baptist lad about to be a senior in high school, is determined to resist any more forbidden crushes on boys. But handsome Rob, who just moved to Missouri from Maryland, captivates Andy instantly, and they quickly discover they have incredible chemistry as tennis doubles partners.
Unfortunately, Rob struggles to reconcile his attraction to Andy with his belief that he’s straight. He starts pulling away from Andy after nearly every physical interaction. This sets off an elaborate dance of approach and avoidance that ruins their doubles play and torments Andy—leaving Rob in the driver’s seat of their secret, sexual relationship, with his girlfriend and other girls he sees on the side.
And once Andy starts exploring his attractions to other males, the complications and threats to their relationship, both on and off the court, intensify significantly—and could potentially jeopardize their chances of fulfilling their doubles destiny.
It’s the summer of 1983, and Andy, a naïve, Southern Baptist lad about to be a senior in high school, is determined to resist any more forbidden crushes on boys. But handsome Rob, who just moved to Missouri from Maryland, captivates Andy instantly, and they quickly discover they have incredible chemistry as tennis doubles partners.
Unfortunately, Rob struggles to reconcile his attraction to Andy with his belief that he’s straight. He starts pulling away from Andy after nearly every physical interaction. This sets off an elaborate dance of approach and avoidance that ruins their doubles play and torments Andy—leaving Rob in the driver’s seat of their secret, sexual relationship, with his girlfriend and other girls he sees on the side.
And once Andy starts exploring his attractions to other males, the complications and threats to their relationship, both on and off the court, intensify significantly—and could potentially jeopardize their chances of fulfilling their doubles destiny.
460 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2025
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2026
5 stars.
A huge plus - a rare work by a male author which is more convincing in terms of all these steamy action.
I believe it is some sort of autobiography from Joe, some passages seem not fictioned and sometimes overly long because it is a true story, but it isn't excessive or feel redundant that it adds the honesty to the book by depicting what happened within a year thoroughly.
It was such an enjoyable read and will stay with me for long because the relationship between two boys are very real and what they end up with is true, yet heartbroken, but it is not a bad or sad ending. it is just what life is, hence it distinguishes itself from many soapy dramas in gay romance.
I wonder if this is what Joe been through when he was young, and couldn't say I am not jealous of having such a beautiful past that will stay with him for good.
The book deserves more recognition and exposure. It is one of the most authentics in mm romance, no formula written plot as we come across so much in this regards. It is true, beautiful and impacting. Everyone should give it a shot.
A huge plus - a rare work by a male author which is more convincing in terms of all these steamy action.
I believe it is some sort of autobiography from Joe, some passages seem not fictioned and sometimes overly long because it is a true story, but it isn't excessive or feel redundant that it adds the honesty to the book by depicting what happened within a year thoroughly.
It was such an enjoyable read and will stay with me for long because the relationship between two boys are very real and what they end up with is true, yet heartbroken, but it is not a bad or sad ending. it is just what life is, hence it distinguishes itself from many soapy dramas in gay romance.
I wonder if this is what Joe been through when he was young, and couldn't say I am not jealous of having such a beautiful past that will stay with him for good.
The book deserves more recognition and exposure. It is one of the most authentics in mm romance, no formula written plot as we come across so much in this regards. It is true, beautiful and impacting. Everyone should give it a shot.
August 27, 2025
I had so much fun reading this book. Destination Unknown is such a delightful romp through the days before the internet and cell phones. It stands as a poignant time capsule of that era. The musical soundtrack of this novel made the pages come alive, playing cinematically as I experienced the lives of Andy and Rob. The setting is a love letter not only to Columbia, Missouri, but also to the atmosphere and mood of growing up in a college town.
Beyond the thrills of competitive sport and sexual and emotional exploration, this book is an important documentation of gayness, specifically Midwestern gayness, in a time before queerness as we think of it now. As he masterfully develops his characters, the author presents sexuality with a refreshing naturalness.
I loved this debut novel and eagerly look forward to future offerings from Mr. Quinn!
Beyond the thrills of competitive sport and sexual and emotional exploration, this book is an important documentation of gayness, specifically Midwestern gayness, in a time before queerness as we think of it now. As he masterfully develops his characters, the author presents sexuality with a refreshing naturalness.
I loved this debut novel and eagerly look forward to future offerings from Mr. Quinn!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews