The Open Era

by Edward Schmit

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance.

Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it's never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it.

Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked World #2.

The two players start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and brewing rivalry, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego.

With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net — he must decide if love means nothing or if love means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

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

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Edward Schmit is an author based in New York City. From theatre kid to graphic designer to creative director, he’s always exploring new ways to tell stories. A passionate mental health advocate, he’s worked in the nonprofit space for over seven years. The Open Era is his debut novel and combines three things close to his heart: queer love stories, mental health awareness, and the most beautiful sport in the world—tennis.

Find him on Instagram @edwardschmit and at edwardschmit.com.

Reviews

[gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember telling a friend at the start of last year that we'll be seeing a rise in queer tennis romances after the popularity of challengers and I'm so glad to have been right!

Tennis is not a sport I know anything about so I really appreciated how the author weaved exposition about the sports rules and terminologies into the narration without making it too obvious or glaring. Another thing about the writing was how palpable it made everything seem. From the setting descriptions to the emotions of Austin...it all felt very real to me.

I loved Austin as a character. The author did an amazing job writing in him in the in-between age where you feel old enough to do a lot of things and make decisions for yourself but also are naive and juvenile still. Austin was a very believable 20 year old to me. His struggles with his depression and anxiety was another aspect that made him very compelling to read about, especially when it intersected with his being a sports star with the weight of so many people's expectations coupled with his own on him.

As for his relationships with his family, beautiful! Tens all across the board. I was in tears when he had that talk with his coach/uncle, such wonderful connections with each of them. I can't say I feel the same for his relationship with Diego. One one hand I understand why it's surface level and infatuation at best given that the book takes place over the course of 10 days and given the set up for the open ending, on the other hand, I wish their relationship had been just more... especially since the book is being marketed as a slow burn.

All in all, this was a really interesting read with incredible character work. If you go in expecting more on the romance, you'd be a bit disappointed like I was but still an enjoyable read overall! Thank Berkeley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Schmidt’s “The Open Era” is a fun, thoughtful tennis-season journey that follows an out player, Austin Hardy, as he navigates the pressures of his first Grand Slam, the spark of something new with a fellow player, and the weight of his own anxiety. Like author Schmidt himself, Austin is almost successful at keeping everything in balance—almost.

The story is easy to follow, and Schmidt does a great job placing you squarely in the shoes of an excited but anxious tennis player stepping onto the stage of his first Open. Hardy wants to be seen as a great tennis player, but given his sexuality, the media and organizations holding/sponsoring the Open, he is held up as a gay man, who happens to be playing tennis. It is a difficult place for him to be and something he deals with throughout, working with his coach Robbie and therapist, Helen, to get to the root of (along with mental health). Elsewhere, I especially enjoyed watching the friendship build between Austin and Diego. Their early interactions are awkward in the most relatable way—those uncertain moments when you’re not sure what “this” is, followed by the shock and thrill of realizing the other person feels the same.

While the book handles mental health with sensitivity and honesty, I sometimes felt that focus overshadowed what I was most hoping to see: the romance between these two players and how they managed it under the bright, unforgiving lights of the US Open. Still, “Open Era” offers a heartfelt look at competing, connecting, and coping, and it makes for a compelling read both on and off the court.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

[Matthew Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I friggin’ love this dang book so much! 🎾🥹❤️

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD. I finished this book in one sitting, laid there in awe for a few minutes, and then immediately began maniacally pacing around my apartment because I was feeling SO EMO. The angst! The romance! The glitz and glamour of tennis! AHHHHHHH!

I don't know how Edward Schmit packed so much into this book, but it was massively impressive. ALSO, GIVE ME A SEQUEL!!! OR AT LEAST A NOVELLA!!! I MUST KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MY SWEET BABIES AUSTIN AND DIEGO!!!! These two anxiety-ridden loverboys deserve the world!!!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is pretty much right down the middle for me. Nothing objectionable but also not a lot that really stood out which is a shame since after Challengers I've thought we've been in desperate need of a queer tennis romance!

Full review to come closer to publication.

[Elvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loveddddd this!! Firstly, it’s refreshing to see a queer romance written by a queer author of the same identity as the characters in the story. I frequently find myself wanting more of that, so was nice to get that from this.

Secondly, Austin and Diego are easy to root for. While their relationship isn’t earth shattering to read, it’s fun and flirty and believable and is definitely a good time.

There were a few sections that were reminiscent of the style of a fanfic (see: pulling from real life interviews) but while it took me out of the story a little, overall I didn’t mind it.

I also was slightly unconvinced by the ending, but given this was a romance and wasn’t initially set up to be a series as far as I’m aware, I think overall the ending made sense. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more space in the book, though, to allow the ending to feel more natural.

Was a great plane read and is one I’ll recommend to my friends and see being a fairly popular summer romance during pride month overall. I’m excited to read more in the future!

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Open Era is a charming sports romance that centers on the improbable run of rookie Austin, when he wins a challenger match and finds himself competing in his first Grand Slam tournament.

To be completely honest, I often struggle with single POV romances, but this one won me over thanks to Austin's relatability. Even though he's dealing with the mounting pressure of advancing in the US Open, his increasingly hard-to-manage anxiety disorder, and a new and confusing relationship with his rival, I always understood his conflicted feelings and frustrations. This made him a very likable character, but unfortunately left his romantic interest more of a mystery.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read that honestly made me want to watch more tennis. Perfect as a vacation read or as a delightful escape from the never-ending winter weather.

Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[gretamitg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sounded right up my alley, when my co-worker mentioned, that she had just finished reading it. And my prediction was right. Turns out, my love for a story involving tennis may have started with Carry Soto is Back, but it did not end there.
I read this book in a day, and I think that's a good way to experience it, since it takes place over the course of only a few days. There are a lot of emotions in this book.
I am no stranger to anxiety/panic attacks and found the representation of the weird ways one might deal with them quite accurate.
It did feel a little undercooked at times, but the way it ended fit perfectly.

I will say, that I absolutely despise miscommunication and there were a few instances here, where I felt a little talking would have done wonders for everyone involved. That and a few minor things are why you're only seeing 4 instead of 5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

[Carrie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what we need right now - a well written, funny, heart-felt tennis romance. I just hope this won't be a one and done. Please tell us there will be a sequel!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! It really showcases the struggles of mental health, while giving a realistic look into the world of professional sports. The pacing of this book is absolute perfection; slow enough to really get a sense of the main character's emotional struggles and metal state and then super fast to the point of feeling like a tennis match itself. The back and forth of the character's inner monologue truly gives voice to what it feels like to struggle in silence. An emotional rollercoaster that leaves you wanting more!

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Berkley Romance for the digital copy to review!

Y’all. I am *obsessed* with this book and this story. Like. OBSESSED. I full on devoured it. I did not want to put it down. I wanted to follow these two men to the ends of the earth and watch them be HAPPY.

Austin is so so so relatable to me. His anxiety attacks - I felt them in my soul. The immense pressure he’s under. The weight of loss sitting heavy on his heart. The loneliness. Feeling like he’s a poster boy when he wants to just be. Also dealing with a crush on his fellow tennis star?? I love him I love him I love him.

Diegoooooo!!! This man both made me melt and frustrated me. His sweetness and heart and genuine kindness got to me. I loved his Mario kart dorky self. But when he *spoiler* reader I lost my mind along with Austin. I was on my kindle swiping through the pages so fast to find out wtf was going on. This MAN. THESE MEN.

There are scenes in this incredible book that couple be taken from my therapy sessions and I mean that as a compliment. Austin has one of the best depictions of anxiety that I experience on page.

The end had me with tears rolling down my face. I cannot wait for people to experience this incredible book.

[Braden Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. When one thinks m/m sports romance they often think of goosebump inducing tension and sweaty trysts in locker rooms. THE OPEN ERA by Edward Schmit is no such book. This story is pitched as a slow-burn romance between twenty year old American tennis pro - Austin, and his sexy Mexican rival - Diego. I think I’ve seen this film before. And while the openly out Austin falls first for Diego and the two develop a friendship over Mario Kart that eventually turns into some sweet moments, you will find little to no steam here. This is not sporty smut. This is honestly more of a commentary on mental health and anxiety in sports and how love can often feel the same as anxiety.

If you deal with any sort of anxiety or depression you will find a lot of relatable material here surrounding panic attacks and the false narratives our anxieties weave. I really thought that was one of the strengths of this story. That and the commentary on what it's like being an out athlete in your field. But, if you’ve come for the romantic aspects, I would almost categorize this more as a literary fiction instead of a romance. And maybe that’s because I’m tennis balls deep in sports smut a lot of the time, but the two spend so much time apart and there’s an open ending that it doesn’t feel like it overwhelmingly falls into the m/m romance category.

This book is kind of depressing to be honest, and that’s not to say that m/m romances aren’t depressing, I’m just not entirely sure if the ball flew over the net for me. I read this in one sitting so I was obviously invested in seeing what would become of Austin and Diego, but I was sadly left wanting so much more from the pair and the story. I’m not really into the sports aspects of my romances anyway, but after reading another m/m tennis romance that really educated me on the sport this one felt more shallow. I feel like their romance had just begun when the book ended and maybe the idea is to have a sequel that explores that, but I just felt underwhelmed.

And you don’t need to have a lot of smut to sell me, but this felt very juvenile in that department. I will definitely give the author another shot with his future books because we love the gays, but the narrative that was presented in the way it was presented felt fairly played out and I wanted more from a queer sports romance. Regardless, special thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. It's certainly not a bad book, it just might not be a memorable one for me.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This started off really strong, I was loving the initial angst and I was really invested in Austin and Diego and where their relationship would go.

It kind of dragged as it went on.

I still liked Austin as a main character. He was very funny and relatable, someone you wanted to root for. I liked Diego with Austin, but the chemistry wasn’t really there. I more so wanted them to be together because Austin really liked him. Diego didn’t really have a personality as much as I hate to say it. Sure he was charming and kind and cool, but he didn’t really give us a lot of depth. There were moments where he showed he struggled at the end, but by then I wasn’t really sold on his character.

Lots of miscommunication and jumping the gun throughout the entire book. At first the angst hit hard and made me emotional for Austin, but by the end it was getting old and I was over it.

This was a super cheesy book, a little too much for my taste.

Austin’s dynamic with Robbie was very interesting. That may have been one of my favorite parts of the book. I thought what Robbie did to Austin at the end was unfair, but I also can see where he is coming from. It probably was better for Austin overall.

I know it’s a sports romance, but I didn’t care much for the tennis matches. If you love tennis you’ll love this. Sometimes in sports romance the sport takes a back seat to the romance, but this was pretty evenly matched. (Pun not intended ha ha) And not knowing much of anything about the sport, I couldn’t wait to get those parts over with.

There was one part that really threw me off. I don’t shame Austin at all for doing it to release the pressure of his anxiety, but the burping scene really threw me for a loop when it happened, and I don’t think I could come back from it sadly. That was the turning point of me starting to not care about this book as much. I just couldn’t get it out of my head!

One of the strongest parts about this book was the mental health representation. Austin went through a lot of very real feelings and it was nice to see a book talk about that, as painful as it is, and have him work through it. Helen was a nice addition to the cast of characters. She really had a lot of wisdom and helped Austin a lot.

This might really be up people’s alley. It was easy to get through, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. If I was younger I think I would have enjoyed this more.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC!

First of all, stunning cover - I like this style much more than some of the cartoon covers in fashion at the moment. Second, I think this book will get a lot of Heated Rivalry comparisons - this is part of the reason I picked it up - but I think readers looking for an HR fix will be disappointed. This book, IS about two tennis stars (Diego, ranked #2 in the world and Austin, the real POV character, down in the 200s), who become friends and then maybe something else. This whole book takes place over the course of the US Open.

I'd call this book more of a New Adult title - both boys are in their early 20s and the spice level here is minimal (calling this out specifically for those Heated Rival folks). Also, though they are in the same sport and are therefore rivals, their disparate place in the sport means that again, this is not a good read-alike for HR.

I did like the first line of the book, as someone who has watched Wimbledon (the romcom, not the sporting event) manyyyyy times, and I think the exploration of mental health challenges in sport was interesting here. I also liked that Austin, an out gay man had to reckon with attention FOR that, as a boundary breaking player, when he just wanted to play tennis - that was an interesting tension. I didn't think the romance worked as well as some of these other elements - at one point not too far along in the romance plot, Austin thinks of Diego as "the love of his life" and I was like HUH? Now? Even for a delulu 20 year old, it didn't make sense. I think the pacing and plotting of the romance, which had its cute moments, was just off for me.

MVP character though - the therapist!!

For those who like a lower-spice, mildly angsty book, this might work for you! I do think the mental health stuff was the most interesting part for me. But pls, don't rec this as a Heated Rivalry read-alike - I think that way leads to disappointment.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austin Hardy is a 20 year old professional tennis player, who has just qualified for his first Grand Slam tournament, the US Open. Austin came out in high school and while there was some heartbreak involved with that, his family was accepting, and it wasn't that big a deal. But upon coming to the US Open, he is not only a novice, but the first openly gay male player. As a result, there is a brighter lens on him than there normally would be for a low ranked player. Austin has anxiety issues, and when he has a panic attack during practice, the number 2 ranked player, Diego Cruz, comes to his aid. Diego is a strong contender to win the Open, is devastatingly attractive, and straight...probably? They begin a friendship, that turns flirty, but is this love?
I really enjoyed this book. The story is Austin's point of view, so we feel all his feelings- his attraction to Diego, confusion over the mixed messages from Diego, pride over achieving this career goal, frustration that his sexuality and not his skill set are the focus of the press, his deep grief over his father's death, and the crippling anxiety attacks. I actually checked, and there was only 1 out queer male player as of Jan 2025, so the press scrutiny tracks - the many openly queer players are women. I was rooting for Austin throughout the book, and honestly, I liked the fact that this 20 year old read like a 20 year old. He's still a kid in many ways, navigating the world that is surreal in its publicness, competitiveness and pressure. I think an author's talent is revealed by making a character that isn't like you very relatable, and I think Schmit did an amazing job. If this is his debut, I can't wait to see what he does next. I received an ecopy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Amy Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely charming and bingeable gay-boy romance set in the world of professional tennis. Well written, respectful of the reader’s intelligence, and—refreshingly—free of grave crimes against literature. Aside from tennis and romance, Austin's struggles with his mental health in the from of panic attacks take center stage.

Austin is a lower-ranked player at his first Grand Slam, on the best run of his life, and he just happens to attract the attention of young phenom Diego Cruz—a thinly veiled stand-in for Carlos Alcaraz, with plausible deniability in that he’s Mexican, not Spanish.

The subplot involving his anxiety and the need to divorce his phone for a while brings a welcome, old-fashioned rhythm to the story, forcing both characters—and the reader—to be patient rather than indulging in the usual instant gratification of modern life.

The forces that temporarily drive the couple apart can feel like manufactured misunderstandings. Still, this is a fun read for tennis fans—the author is clearly steeped in the sport, even borrowing a detail from Andre Agassi’s autobiography. Toward the end, things loosen: the coach’s actions are confusing, Diego’s motivations occasionally inscrutable, and not everything feels fully earned. But taken as a whole, it’s a good read, with the added bonus that the action on the court is clear and nicely choreographed.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Open Era completely surprised me in the best way. This was SO good, especially for a debut novel. It instantly reminded me of Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (and not just because we’re all currently obsessed), with rival athletes who have undeniable chemistry but very real obstacles standing in the way of a relationship. The tension between tennis and love was done so well, and the question of whether it’s possible to have both felt genuine and earned.

Diego and Austin were incredibly cute together. While this wasn’t super spicy, the longing, desire, and emotional pull between them more than made up for it. You could feel how badly they wanted each other, and how much it messed with their heads and their game.

I especially loved Austin’s storyline as the first openly gay male tennis player because it was such a major, meaningful part of the book and handled thoughtfully. The anxiety representation was also fantastic and felt painfully real at times; it really hit home and added so much depth to his character.

Overall, this was a fun, emotional, and real MM sports romance with something important to say. A strong debut that I’ll definitely be thinking about for a while!🎾💙

Thank you to NetGalley, Richard Schmit, and Berkley for the eARC of this book.

[Elysha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Open Era is an amazing debut by Edward Schmit. It follows Austin, an openly gay pro tennis player and his struggles with anxiety and relationship with fellow tennis pro, Diego, throughout the US Open.

First of all I absolutely devoured this book within a 24 hour period. It was very much a couldn’t put down but also didn’t want it to end.

I loved Austin’s story throughout this book. His struggle with his anxiety was very well written and felt so real. As someone who’s had generalized anxiety disorder I felt very seen by it, especially with the degree it takes up your life and thoughts. I won’t go into spoilers but I did find Austin’s journey with it very realistic.

I also really enjoyed Diego and Austin’s relationship. The author did a great job balancing the excited part of a new friendship/relationship but also the struggle of dealing with it on a national stage during a major sports competition.

I’m not a fan of tennis and my knowledge of it is very try limited but I will say that didn’t stop me from loving this book.

I will definitely be rereading The Open Era again and recommending this to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was one of the most refreshingly realistic romances I’ve read lately. Austin and Diego’s friendship was so much fun. I really enjoyed all of the adventures they went on and could definitely feel the chemistry between them. This book takes place over the course of about a week so obviously there’s not a whole deep relationship but the progression from friends to more than friends felt very natural and I was definitely invested.
I also really liked how Austin’s anxiety was handled. It was something that he wasn’t ready to be honest about so it was kind of like another character in the book; always lingering close by but never really addressed. With all of the pressure Austin was under with the tennis you could really feel his anxiety start to build and it was clear that something was going to happen. There is a lot of tennis in this book which is great because with every tennis book I read I get a little bit closer to actually understanding the rules.
The ending of this book was somewhat ambiguous which might not work for everyone but I felt like it really fit with the story. It felt like the most realistic ending and I like that there’s so many things that could have happened after the book ended.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have utterly no words to describe what I'm currently feeling! This is hands down my first 5-star book of the year!!

I genuinely just love these characters so much; they feel like real people to me. It’s like I didn’t just read about them, I lived alongside them (sounds cheesy I know). I was so deeply rooted in their stories that every triumph felt like relief, and every moment of danger made me want to wrap them in bubble wrap and protect them at all costs. By the time I reached the final chapters, I was an absolute wreck. I was sobbing, not just because the plot was emotional, but because everything felt so raw and real.

The book stripped everything down to the most fundamental, instinctive forms of human emotion: love, fear, grief, hope. But at the same time, it explored them in such a layered, nuanced way that it felt impossibly complex and beautifully human. It’s hard to even articulate it right now (I’m honestly so delirious), but something about the way the story handled these emotions, so simply, yet with such depth, hit me harder than I expected.

Anyways, I'm recommending this book to everyone I know, you'd better pick this up when it comes out!

[Nasty_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the Publisher for this ARC!

When my colleague handed me this tennis romcom I was actually quite sceptical, especially as all the book-ish news outlets are already praising this as "Book of the year" "Cant miss this" etc. and with Heated Rivalry and Icebreaker going on as well.

But I got to be honest I really enjoyed it!! It was so much more than just a tennis romcom! It deals with mental health issues, whats it like to be out as a queer person and how trauma effects us and our family! I was a bit frustrated with Austin at times but that just added to the charm of his character and made him feel very real!
What I also loved beyond meassure was how exciting the tennis matches were! As a tennis enthusiast myself I really loved that Schmit really captured the tension and thrill of it! (Also continously saying that women paved the way for Tennis. Because Hell yeah.)
So yeah I enjoyed this greatly! Who wouldve thought that sport romcoms are actually fun if you care about the sport they are playing!

[CJ Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just devoured this book before bed, and now it’s 2 am and I’m wiping tears off my eyes.

Thank you, Edward Schmit and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of The Open Era in exchange for an honest review.

Finished this book in one sitting before bed, with a candle lit and a huge glass of water, and I absolutely loved it. This is rare for me. Normally, takes me at least two or three days. But this novel gripped me, and I genuinely could not put it down.

It is almost written for me in a way. Queer man who grows up a tennis protege, and struggles with anxiety and the general belief that he is enough. And yet, it felt so fresh and different. The story sort of subverts typical sports romances. It really allows you to get a positive and negative view of each character, allowing them to feel like real people instead of just glamorized book characters.

The raw discussions of mental health and what it means to be a public figure and queer were so beautifully written. I laughed, I cried, I cried some more, and then I was just grateful to have read this book.

[Scott S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Berkley and Edward Schmit for an advanced copy (coming June 2, 2026).

This is a book I wish I could have read as a teenager, and I’m glad it exists now. Professional tennis has yet to see an openly gay man compete in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, and I hope that one day soon that changes.

Twenty-year-old Austin Hardy becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam at the US Open. After an anxiety attack on a practice court, he is helped by world number two Diego Cruz. The moment sparks an unlikely friendship as the tournament unfolds, with Austin navigating public scrutiny, competition, and his mental health.

The novel’s exploration of mental health and the cost of being a queer public figure is nuanced and thoughtful. It highlights the homophobia and heteronormativity that remain embedded in men’s professional sports, and underscores the courage it would take for someone to come out.

I finished the book wishing I could hand it to my younger self—and hoping for a sequel to see what comes next for Austin and Diego.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This feels very much like a debut novel. The writing is great but the plot had some problems, especially in the third act. Austin is a strongly written character who feels all too real as a 20 year old. I had to keep reminding myself how extremely young Austin and Diego are, because sometimes they drove me crazy and not in a good way. The tennis is well used, with genuine high stakes.

This is the second gay tennis romance ARC set at the US Open that I’ve read in the past month. I don’t want to make comparisons because there’s room for more than one, but I highly recommend Tom Vellner’s Thirty Love, which features somewhat older and more settled characters. I am learning so much about professional tennis in 2026!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[Alaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

buying myself a bullhorn so I can shout "WE NEED AN EPILOGUE" loud enough that Edward might hear me

This book felt so special- and not just because of the innocence of having a first big love, the heavy focus on sexuality and exploration of queer relationships, but because of the representation of anxiety, the struggle of managing your mental health and competitive nature as a professional athlete, the heavy notes of grief and the beautiful growth we see in Austin as the story progresses.

It was special because Edward Schmit managed to perfectly capture a character whose struggles and decisions, felt so real and so so human.

Cannot lie this book left me in such a state that I sat and stared at the wall for several minutes just to come to terms with the fact that it was over and I have so many questions I need answered. Give me more Austin and Diego!!!!!!

[Isabelle Agnew · Rating 3 out of 5]

*As a Collections Management Librarian, I received a free copy of this book for consideration for our collection.

This was a slow roll for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and there was just an overarching lack of tension for me. I felt disappointed in the third act, as everyone just started being... mean (for lack of a better word) to Austin. I just couldn't grasp why that was. And nothing felt resolved by the end. Overall, it was a pretty good debut, but I just hoped for more.

[Chip Pons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a grand slam! Edward Schmit bursts onto the rom-com scene with a debut that serves everything you want in a romance—sharp banter, rivals-to-lovers tension, and a tender, timely exploration of anxiety and resilience, all wrapped in a love story that will leave you breathless. The Open Era proves he’s a voice you’ll be cheering for from here on out. Game, set, match, readers…this is about to be your next five-star obsession!

[Shouty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ACTUALLY CRIED AND I DO THAT PRETTY RARELY FOR BOOKS! I WOULD PROTECT AUSTIN HARDY WITH EVERY MOLECULE IN MY BODY!!!! THEIR LATE NIGHT HANGS PLAYING MARIO KART WERE SO CUTE! I LOVED WHEN DIEGO GAVE HIM THE WATCH! I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND TENNIS SCORING BUT I UNDERSTAND INTENSITY AND HEARTACHE AND TRIUMPH AND THIS BOOK HAD IT ALL!

[Gretal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, but I don't know if I'd necessarily call this a Romance novel. In that regard, I think I'd just want a little more. That said, I really liked how much tennis was in this, and the themes explored regarding anxiety and queerness, and I definitely am curious about what Edward Schmit writes next.

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a book with tennis as the main backdrop, and this one did not disappoint!

Thanks to Berkley and Edelweiss for the DRC.