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The Open Era
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26Love 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 tournament. 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 second in the world.
The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, 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 whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.
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 tournament. 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 second in the world.
The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, 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 whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
18 people are currently reading
12797 people want to read
About the author
Edward Schmit
1 book44 followersEdward 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.
Find him on Instagram @edwardschmit and at edwardschmit.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The open era is on my list of most anticipated releases of 2026, and I'm very grateful for the free copy I received from Berkley, I couldn't believe it when I saw it!
A few months ago a friend got the ARC and they told me it was very different from what they(and I) expected. And now I'm very grateful for the warning because it changed my whole experience with the book. The open era is a romance, but that's not the focus of the story. Don't get me wrong there is romance, but it is far from the focus of the book.
This is a story about a man struggling with anxiety, with unprocessed trauma and trying to navigate a public life with the hell that is the social media era. It is very relatable if you are in the LGBTQIA+ community, some of those comments are things we hear frequently and I cannot imagine how awful it is to public figures.
I love our main character, he felt very real to me, with flaws and just trying to live his life. I wish we got more time with him, got to see him getting better and overcoming what he is going through in this book.
The story is told in a short period of time, just a couple weeks. It mirrors real life in the way something can happen and just change everything for you.
The open era is the author's debut and I'm impressed, it deals with anxiety in an authentic way(coming from someone who struggles with it) and even though I wish it leaned more in the romance part I get why it doesn't. I will for sure keep an eye out to see where Edward Schmit goes next.
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
A few months ago a friend got the ARC and they told me it was very different from what they(and I) expected. And now I'm very grateful for the warning because it changed my whole experience with the book. The open era is a romance, but that's not the focus of the story. Don't get me wrong there is romance, but it is far from the focus of the book.
This is a story about a man struggling with anxiety, with unprocessed trauma and trying to navigate a public life with the hell that is the social media era. It is very relatable if you are in the LGBTQIA+ community, some of those comments are things we hear frequently and I cannot imagine how awful it is to public figures.
I love our main character, he felt very real to me, with flaws and just trying to live his life. I wish we got more time with him, got to see him getting better and overcoming what he is going through in this book.
The story is told in a short period of time, just a couple weeks. It mirrors real life in the way something can happen and just change everything for you.
The open era is the author's debut and I'm impressed, it deals with anxiety in an authentic way(coming from someone who struggles with it) and even though I wish it leaned more in the romance part I get why it doesn't. I will for sure keep an eye out to see where Edward Schmit goes next.
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
March 20, 2026
I am just a puddle of emotions right now. Tears in my eyes as I write this.
If Labyrinth by Taylor Swift was a book …
”I thought the plane was going down, how’d you turn it right around?”
Not only is this a fucking stellar, grand slam of a novel — this is a debut. Which is wild. It is well-crafted, well-written, moving, and meaningful. Books like this take some authors ages to craft. I am stunned.
Austin Hardy is one of my favorite characters in recent memory. I loved him so much. I loved how human he was — imperfect, stressed, and hurting. But also strong, resilient, brave, and steadfast.
The exploration of mental health and anxiety in this story was so thoughtful, introspective, and genuine. You can tell how much heart was put into writing Austin.
I loved that this plot wasn’t formulaic. It branches out in new directions from the standard MM / sports romance book. I loved the complexity of Austin and Diego’s dynamic and relationship. I was intrigued by Diego in general — he was just as human as Austin, for different reasons. And I loved him, too. These 2 boys are absolute gems.
Incredible story. Memorable characters. Written with purpose. Filled with glimmers of hope and optimism. A show-stopping, striking finale. What more can you ask for?
I’m calling it now. Edward Schmit will be an author to watch.
Anyway, my lunch break is almost over, so I have to collect myself and stop crying and somehow be a normal person while this book is fresh in my mind and heart!
I really hoped I’d get an eARC of this book when they were available for request — and thank you, NetGalley, for hooking me up!
Out in June 2026 — add this to your TBR.
Gonna tell my kids this was my Challengers 2.
If Labyrinth by Taylor Swift was a book …
”I thought the plane was going down, how’d you turn it right around?”
Not only is this a fucking stellar, grand slam of a novel — this is a debut. Which is wild. It is well-crafted, well-written, moving, and meaningful. Books like this take some authors ages to craft. I am stunned.
Austin Hardy is one of my favorite characters in recent memory. I loved him so much. I loved how human he was — imperfect, stressed, and hurting. But also strong, resilient, brave, and steadfast.
The exploration of mental health and anxiety in this story was so thoughtful, introspective, and genuine. You can tell how much heart was put into writing Austin.
I loved that this plot wasn’t formulaic. It branches out in new directions from the standard MM / sports romance book. I loved the complexity of Austin and Diego’s dynamic and relationship. I was intrigued by Diego in general — he was just as human as Austin, for different reasons. And I loved him, too. These 2 boys are absolute gems.
Incredible story. Memorable characters. Written with purpose. Filled with glimmers of hope and optimism. A show-stopping, striking finale. What more can you ask for?
I’m calling it now. Edward Schmit will be an author to watch.
Anyway, my lunch break is almost over, so I have to collect myself and stop crying and somehow be a normal person while this book is fresh in my mind and heart!
I really hoped I’d get an eARC of this book when they were available for request — and thank you, NetGalley, for hooking me up!
Out in June 2026 — add this to your TBR.
Gonna tell my kids this was my Challengers 2.
February 7, 2026
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.
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.
October 30, 2025
I friggin’ love this dang book so much! 🎾🥹❤️
March 20, 2026
The ending of The Open Era? Genuinely jaw-dropping and, more importantly as a reader it’s worth the wait because the characters have earned that moment.
With the cultural ripple effect of Challengers still making waves it’s also having a moment in the literary world. There’s a surge of tennis romance novels popping up everywhere and they hone in on everything: the intensity, the inner monologue of athletes, and the insurmountable pressure. However, in my observation many tennis romance novels often miss that the world of tennis operates with hierarchy, and has a history and culture that is built on privilege. There’s this unspoken mist of WHO gets to belong in the sport, and Edward enters that mist beautifully with Austin and Diego.
The Open Era doesn’t shy away from this and it accepts sports psychology and identity as key pillars to the narrative. We touch on the pressure of rankings, sponsorships, and an athlete’s public image. So much expectations are placed onto one person in tennis, it’s not a team sport, you don’t have someone to share these burdens with, the stakes are different.
I read another LGBTQ+ tennis romance this year, , which shares a similar tone and pairing dynamic. Thinking on it now, I left the book feeling….uncertain because key elements were missing. For me, The Open Era feels more authentic.
One detail that stayed with me is how both books I’ve read this year have paired a white lead alongside a Hispanic player. In , the resolution felt uncomfortable in ways I couldn’t initially articulate, the Hispanic character’s arc ultimately bends in service of the white protagonist’s victory.
In contrast, The Open Era refuses that imbalance and it’s ending delivers an equitable character arc for both.
Overall, this review is long but The Open Era raised the bar for me and I loved it (also this is a debut novel? OH MY).
My thanks to Berkley Romance and Berkley Publishing Group for the early digital copy, always and honour to say #berkleypartner
With the cultural ripple effect of Challengers still making waves it’s also having a moment in the literary world. There’s a surge of tennis romance novels popping up everywhere and they hone in on everything: the intensity, the inner monologue of athletes, and the insurmountable pressure. However, in my observation many tennis romance novels often miss that the world of tennis operates with hierarchy, and has a history and culture that is built on privilege. There’s this unspoken mist of WHO gets to belong in the sport, and Edward enters that mist beautifully with Austin and Diego.
The Open Era doesn’t shy away from this and it accepts sports psychology and identity as key pillars to the narrative. We touch on the pressure of rankings, sponsorships, and an athlete’s public image. So much expectations are placed onto one person in tennis, it’s not a team sport, you don’t have someone to share these burdens with, the stakes are different.
I read another LGBTQ+ tennis romance this year, , which shares a similar tone and pairing dynamic. Thinking on it now, I left the book feeling….uncertain because key elements were missing. For me, The Open Era feels more authentic.
One detail that stayed with me is how both books I’ve read this year have paired a white lead alongside a Hispanic player. In , the resolution felt uncomfortable in ways I couldn’t initially articulate, the Hispanic character’s arc ultimately bends in service of the white protagonist’s victory.
In contrast, The Open Era refuses that imbalance and it’s ending delivers an equitable character arc for both.
Overall, this review is long but The Open Era raised the bar for me and I loved it (also this is a debut novel? OH MY).
My thanks to Berkley Romance and Berkley Publishing Group for the early digital copy, always and honour to say #berkleypartner
November 16, 2025
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!!!
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!!!
February 2, 2026
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.
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.
October 7, 2025
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.
Full review to come closer to publication.
December 8, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
November 18, 2025
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!
October 27, 2025
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!
January 10, 2026
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.
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.
March 3, 2026
This was so cute and very good!! It was super funny and Austin’s anxiety was incredibly well-depicted.
One thing I liked about this that I wasn’t expecting to see was that the “third act breakup” to “realization to be a better person” pipeline wasn’t something that happened between the main character and the love interest, it happened more between the main character and himself. I think that made this story more impactful!!
Thank you to berkley for the e-galley!!
One thing I liked about this that I wasn’t expecting to see was that the “third act breakup” to “realization to be a better person” pipeline wasn’t something that happened between the main character and the love interest, it happened more between the main character and himself. I think that made this story more impactful!!
Thank you to berkley for the e-galley!!
March 13, 2026
The way I love this book. 🎾 full review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DV0n9v5jo...
March 16, 2026
4.5*
Do I know anything about tennis? No. Did I enjoy this book? Yes.
I really liked this. Austin was a very relatable character. The depiction of Austin’s anxiety felt very real and relatable as well as his awkwardness. I also really enjoyed Austin and Diego’s relationship, though I wish we got a bit more of it. Overall I had a good time with this book and I’m hoping to get more of Austin and Diego in the future.
Do I know anything about tennis? No. Did I enjoy this book? Yes.
I really liked this. Austin was a very relatable character. The depiction of Austin’s anxiety felt very real and relatable as well as his awkwardness. I also really enjoyed Austin and Diego’s relationship, though I wish we got a bit more of it. Overall I had a good time with this book and I’m hoping to get more of Austin and Diego in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Open Era is a cute, gay, rivals romance that is way more than just that, while also left me wanting just a bit more than it offered.
Against all odds, Austin has qualified for his first US Open at the young age of 20. Coming from a poor family wracked with the loss of Austin's father, coached for free by his father's long time friend, Austin has overcome so much being here, and he's making history too as the first openly gay male player to play in the US Open. But this comes with an immense amount of anxiety as he's shoved into the spotlight for his identity, but not necessarily his talent. But after an accident during practice, he has one more thing to worry about, Diego. The #2 male player in the world sweeps in to help Austin, launching a nationwide viral moment. Guarding his heart, Austin doesn't put too much stock into Diego's actions. That is until Diego follows up, suggesting they hang out. And then he does it again. And again. Is Diego just trying to get into his head? After all, they're on the same side of the bracket, so a head to head is inevitable, provided they can both win their matches. Or is it something more? Does Austin even have the capacity to focus on this as the rest of his life starts to spiral?
You're going to see a lot of comparisons, so let me get it out of the way. This had so many elements that I wanted to see in Heated Rivalry. My ongoing criticism when it comes to MM romance written by straight women is that they only really know how to write "in the closet" and "coming out" stories, because that's what is most visible to them as spectators of the queer community. But there is so much more than could be written about something like Heated Rivalry if it was an own-voices story, and those are what The Open Era had. Firstly, one of the primary plot points is Austin's difficulty in accepting his position as a trailblazer for gay men in sports while being frustrated that his talent doesn't get to stand on its own. In post-match interviews, he's not asked about his level of play, he's asked about what this means for gay kids around the world. And that IS important, and he IS a trailblazer, but he can't help but feel like he isn't being taken seriously as an athlete. This is SO interesting, and a great thread to weave into a sports romance, it was so refreshing to see an actual, nuanced take on what a gay male athlete might face at the highest level of play for a sport that historically hasn't seen out gay men before. This story didn't really concern itself with the "sneaking around" aspect, or "what will people think if they find out" which I fear is only going to become more popular with the explosive success of HR.
However, there were still some aspects of this that I wish were improved upon. Namely, Austin is so young, and many of the tensions and conflicts in this story come from that fact. Anxiety and mental health is arguably equally important to this book as the romance is. And Austin's anxieties come from all over, but are triggered primarily through social media. So as you might expect, there's a lot of social media posts, comments, and commentary about the state of social media from the perspective of a 20 year old. I didn't love this angle and I think the story suffered for it. As stated before, the openly gay man in a professional sport provides ample reason to have anxiety, on top of that the confusing interactions with Diego, his relationship with his trainer Robbie, and the death of his father. There's really no reason to introduce social media anxiety into the mix to water the rest of everything down. With Austin being so young, right out of high school and a college drop-out, I feel like this was trying to both be a "coming of age" MM romance book in addition to being a HR-esque "high level" sport romance. I would have liked it more if Austin was aged up a bit and the entire social media plot line was cast aside, and I think the story would have been stronger for it.
Overall though, I find it so refreshing to have an MM sports romance that takes a realistic look at what this might look like if it ever happened, while also maintaining the fantasy of falling in love with your rival. And I can't believe I'm saying this, I wish there was more sex in it.
Against all odds, Austin has qualified for his first US Open at the young age of 20. Coming from a poor family wracked with the loss of Austin's father, coached for free by his father's long time friend, Austin has overcome so much being here, and he's making history too as the first openly gay male player to play in the US Open. But this comes with an immense amount of anxiety as he's shoved into the spotlight for his identity, but not necessarily his talent. But after an accident during practice, he has one more thing to worry about, Diego. The #2 male player in the world sweeps in to help Austin, launching a nationwide viral moment. Guarding his heart, Austin doesn't put too much stock into Diego's actions. That is until Diego follows up, suggesting they hang out. And then he does it again. And again. Is Diego just trying to get into his head? After all, they're on the same side of the bracket, so a head to head is inevitable, provided they can both win their matches. Or is it something more? Does Austin even have the capacity to focus on this as the rest of his life starts to spiral?
You're going to see a lot of comparisons, so let me get it out of the way. This had so many elements that I wanted to see in Heated Rivalry. My ongoing criticism when it comes to MM romance written by straight women is that they only really know how to write "in the closet" and "coming out" stories, because that's what is most visible to them as spectators of the queer community. But there is so much more than could be written about something like Heated Rivalry if it was an own-voices story, and those are what The Open Era had. Firstly, one of the primary plot points is Austin's difficulty in accepting his position as a trailblazer for gay men in sports while being frustrated that his talent doesn't get to stand on its own. In post-match interviews, he's not asked about his level of play, he's asked about what this means for gay kids around the world. And that IS important, and he IS a trailblazer, but he can't help but feel like he isn't being taken seriously as an athlete. This is SO interesting, and a great thread to weave into a sports romance, it was so refreshing to see an actual, nuanced take on what a gay male athlete might face at the highest level of play for a sport that historically hasn't seen out gay men before. This story didn't really concern itself with the "sneaking around" aspect, or "what will people think if they find out" which I fear is only going to become more popular with the explosive success of HR.
However, there were still some aspects of this that I wish were improved upon. Namely, Austin is so young, and many of the tensions and conflicts in this story come from that fact. Anxiety and mental health is arguably equally important to this book as the romance is. And Austin's anxieties come from all over, but are triggered primarily through social media. So as you might expect, there's a lot of social media posts, comments, and commentary about the state of social media from the perspective of a 20 year old. I didn't love this angle and I think the story suffered for it. As stated before, the openly gay man in a professional sport provides ample reason to have anxiety, on top of that the confusing interactions with Diego, his relationship with his trainer Robbie, and the death of his father. There's really no reason to introduce social media anxiety into the mix to water the rest of everything down. With Austin being so young, right out of high school and a college drop-out, I feel like this was trying to both be a "coming of age" MM romance book in addition to being a HR-esque "high level" sport romance. I would have liked it more if Austin was aged up a bit and the entire social media plot line was cast aside, and I think the story would have been stronger for it.
Overall though, I find it so refreshing to have an MM sports romance that takes a realistic look at what this might look like if it ever happened, while also maintaining the fantasy of falling in love with your rival. And I can't believe I'm saying this, I wish there was more sex in it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Open Era begins with Austin Hardy competing in the US Open against Diego Cruz. There's a tense moment, and then we flashback to see how the two grew close recently and why they now seem at odds.
Austin is openly gay and the first out man to compete at this level. He's also struggling with anxiety that intensifies with more pressure and attention. Diego is one of the most successful tennis players in the world, and a clip of him rushing to help Austin after a fall at practice has just gone viral. The two start a friendship that confuses Austin since Diego sends out some seriously mixed signals.
There are so many things I love about this book. First, the structure felt unique for a romance. As a huge lover of romance books, I never get sick of the standard setups for love stories, but I love it when a book plays out differently than I anticipated. This has everything I want in a romance, but it's a lot more of a character exploration than most.
Another thing I love is the serious focus on mental health. Austin starts seeing a therapist fairly early in the book, and his therapy sessions are a major part of the story. I've read a lot of books featuring characters with anxiety, but I've never read one that delved so deeply into the character's mental state. We see Austin's strengths, his flaws, and the moments in his past that shaped him. He has some major highs and devastating lows, and we are along for the ride the entire time. It left me feeling so protective and attached to him!
The whole book takes place over a few short weeks, so it's a fast-paced story. Somehow, though, the romance doesn't feel rushed. Austin and Diego's chemistry is electric. Their relationship has moments where the pair are intense rivals, but there are plenty of fun and romantic scenes, too. Both men are in their twenties and are still figuring themselves out. Both characters' story arcs have a light coming-of-age vibe.
The story is also filled with several supporting characters who have great dynamics with Austin. Austin's sister, Charlotte, was one of my favorite characters. Perhaps the best relationship in the entire book, though, is between Austin and his coach, Robbie. There are also some great discussions about phone addiction and the negative effects of social media. Plus, there's one conversation about openly queer women athletes being frequently overlooked that feels very timely.
This is a seriously good Summer romance. I recommend this most to romance lovers who enjoy strong, character-focused stories. Readers who love in-depth explorations of mental health should especially appreciate the care that was put into Austin's story. I can't wait to see what Edward Schmit releases next because this is an excellent debut!
Austin is openly gay and the first out man to compete at this level. He's also struggling with anxiety that intensifies with more pressure and attention. Diego is one of the most successful tennis players in the world, and a clip of him rushing to help Austin after a fall at practice has just gone viral. The two start a friendship that confuses Austin since Diego sends out some seriously mixed signals.
There are so many things I love about this book. First, the structure felt unique for a romance. As a huge lover of romance books, I never get sick of the standard setups for love stories, but I love it when a book plays out differently than I anticipated. This has everything I want in a romance, but it's a lot more of a character exploration than most.
Another thing I love is the serious focus on mental health. Austin starts seeing a therapist fairly early in the book, and his therapy sessions are a major part of the story. I've read a lot of books featuring characters with anxiety, but I've never read one that delved so deeply into the character's mental state. We see Austin's strengths, his flaws, and the moments in his past that shaped him. He has some major highs and devastating lows, and we are along for the ride the entire time. It left me feeling so protective and attached to him!
The whole book takes place over a few short weeks, so it's a fast-paced story. Somehow, though, the romance doesn't feel rushed. Austin and Diego's chemistry is electric. Their relationship has moments where the pair are intense rivals, but there are plenty of fun and romantic scenes, too. Both men are in their twenties and are still figuring themselves out. Both characters' story arcs have a light coming-of-age vibe.
The story is also filled with several supporting characters who have great dynamics with Austin. Austin's sister, Charlotte, was one of my favorite characters. Perhaps the best relationship in the entire book, though, is between Austin and his coach, Robbie. There are also some great discussions about phone addiction and the negative effects of social media. Plus, there's one conversation about openly queer women athletes being frequently overlooked that feels very timely.
This is a seriously good Summer romance. I recommend this most to romance lovers who enjoy strong, character-focused stories. Readers who love in-depth explorations of mental health should especially appreciate the care that was put into Austin's story. I can't wait to see what Edward Schmit releases next because this is an excellent debut!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 5, 2026
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.
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.
February 19, 2026
4
What makes The Open Era feel different from a lot of other books in this space is that it doesn’t try to be “a gay story” in the typical, trope-heavy way. The main character is gay, and that absolutely matters, but it’s just one part of who he is. The book is much more interested in showing him as a whole person—competitive, driven, insecure, masculine, fragile, self-conscious—all of which felt very real and recognizable rather than dramatized.
The story takes place in the world of competitive tennis and follows a young athlete dealing with rivalry, pressure, attraction, and figuring himself out along the way. You don’t need to be a tennis fan to enjoy it, but the sports backdrop only adds realism to the experience. As someone who played tennis when I was younger, I appreciated how accurately it captured the mindset of athletes—and especially what it can feel like to be a gay athlete navigating spaces that aren’t always emotionally open.
The book moves quickly and is very readable. The writing flows well without trying too hard to be poetic, and the emotional moments feel natural instead of over-the-top. There’s romance and some heat, but it’s not the point of the novel and never feels like it’s there just for shock value. It isn’t anywhere close to a smutty rivals-to-lovers story, but instead a much more character-driven and grounded story.
One of the biggest strengths is how layered the main character is. He’s confident and then suddenly unsure of himself. He’s focused and disciplined, but he also spirals at times. That push and pull made him feel like an actual person rather than a perfectly crafted protagonist. The book does a great job capturing the intensity of connection, the fear of letting yourself be known, and the way identity, ambition, and relationships can all collide at once.
If I had to point to one reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, it’s that the story stays fairly even-toned emotionally. It’s thoughtful and tender, but it didn’t hit those huge emotional highs or devastating moments that leave you wrecked (which I realize is not a requirement, but it wasn’t perfectly gripping in that sense). The ending is also more open than definitive—there’s no big cinematic finish—which might not work for readers who want everything wrapped up neatly. Personally, though, it made the story feel like it could continue, which I actually liked.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy literary-leaning romance or sports-centered stories that are more about internal growth than plot twists. You don’t have to be a gay man to connect with it, but many gay men will recognize pieces of themselves in it. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t try to declare itself important—it just quietly shows how complicated, scary, and rewarding it can be to finally let yourself be seen.
What makes The Open Era feel different from a lot of other books in this space is that it doesn’t try to be “a gay story” in the typical, trope-heavy way. The main character is gay, and that absolutely matters, but it’s just one part of who he is. The book is much more interested in showing him as a whole person—competitive, driven, insecure, masculine, fragile, self-conscious—all of which felt very real and recognizable rather than dramatized.
The story takes place in the world of competitive tennis and follows a young athlete dealing with rivalry, pressure, attraction, and figuring himself out along the way. You don’t need to be a tennis fan to enjoy it, but the sports backdrop only adds realism to the experience. As someone who played tennis when I was younger, I appreciated how accurately it captured the mindset of athletes—and especially what it can feel like to be a gay athlete navigating spaces that aren’t always emotionally open.
The book moves quickly and is very readable. The writing flows well without trying too hard to be poetic, and the emotional moments feel natural instead of over-the-top. There’s romance and some heat, but it’s not the point of the novel and never feels like it’s there just for shock value. It isn’t anywhere close to a smutty rivals-to-lovers story, but instead a much more character-driven and grounded story.
One of the biggest strengths is how layered the main character is. He’s confident and then suddenly unsure of himself. He’s focused and disciplined, but he also spirals at times. That push and pull made him feel like an actual person rather than a perfectly crafted protagonist. The book does a great job capturing the intensity of connection, the fear of letting yourself be known, and the way identity, ambition, and relationships can all collide at once.
If I had to point to one reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, it’s that the story stays fairly even-toned emotionally. It’s thoughtful and tender, but it didn’t hit those huge emotional highs or devastating moments that leave you wrecked (which I realize is not a requirement, but it wasn’t perfectly gripping in that sense). The ending is also more open than definitive—there’s no big cinematic finish—which might not work for readers who want everything wrapped up neatly. Personally, though, it made the story feel like it could continue, which I actually liked.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy literary-leaning romance or sports-centered stories that are more about internal growth than plot twists. You don’t have to be a gay man to connect with it, but many gay men will recognize pieces of themselves in it. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t try to declare itself important—it just quietly shows how complicated, scary, and rewarding it can be to finally let yourself be seen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
In The Open Era , tennis players Austin and Diego navigated new love and friendship as rivals competing at the US Open, while battling the emotional and mental health challenges that come with being high profile professional athletes.
Tension, and erratic, impulsive moodiness was the tone of this narrative, which aptly reflected the dimensions of Austin's anxiety disorder. And though there were "romantic" elements to this story, I thought this story was more focused on Austin's challenges with emotional dysregulation.
As a young, gay athlete new to the Open, Austin was predominantly managing his anxiety on the court, and his spirals due to the bigoted trolls across his SM, as opposed to his competitors and quality of play. He was supported by his loving family, and his amazing coach, and some very awesome fans on site, which was great to see.
And ofc he caught feelings for Diego, his very attractive rival and world #2, who he would eventually face in the tournament, because how could he not? Diego was a bright and shining star who took an instant liking to rookie Austin's "fumbling around on new legs" vibe, which was the kind of fun and sweet new friendship they both needed.
The highs and lows from all of the above mixed together was basically this story. I finished feeling all over the place and a bit spikey, because the end left me with the impression that The Open Era was more of a snapshot/capture of a high-tension, defining moment in Austin's life. And that his HFN/HEA was still tbd, as this closed out with Diego's standing in solidarity, and holding space for another try at their romance, now that the competition was out of the way.
This was a poignant lens into some of the more emotional and mental challenges pro athletes face in their arena, and I very much appreciated this insightful take on sensitivity, pressure, and the emotional fortitude required in competitive sports.
In The Open Era , tennis players Austin and Diego navigated new love and friendship as rivals competing at the US Open, while battling the emotional and mental health challenges that come with being high profile professional athletes.
Tension, and erratic, impulsive moodiness was the tone of this narrative, which aptly reflected the dimensions of Austin's anxiety disorder. And though there were "romantic" elements to this story, I thought this story was more focused on Austin's challenges with emotional dysregulation.
As a young, gay athlete new to the Open, Austin was predominantly managing his anxiety on the court, and his spirals due to the bigoted trolls across his SM, as opposed to his competitors and quality of play. He was supported by his loving family, and his amazing coach, and some very awesome fans on site, which was great to see.
And ofc he caught feelings for Diego, his very attractive rival and world #2, who he would eventually face in the tournament, because how could he not? Diego was a bright and shining star who took an instant liking to rookie Austin's "fumbling around on new legs" vibe, which was the kind of fun and sweet new friendship they both needed.
The highs and lows from all of the above mixed together was basically this story. I finished feeling all over the place and a bit spikey, because the end left me with the impression that The Open Era was more of a snapshot/capture of a high-tension, defining moment in Austin's life. And that his HFN/HEA was still tbd, as this closed out with Diego's standing in solidarity, and holding space for another try at their romance, now that the competition was out of the way.
This was a poignant lens into some of the more emotional and mental challenges pro athletes face in their arena, and I very much appreciated this insightful take on sensitivity, pressure, and the emotional fortitude required in competitive sports.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
During a high-stakes US Open, Austin battles anxiety, media pressure, and an intense romantic tension with his rival, top-ranked player Diego Cruz
I really enjoyed this book!
With writing that is clear and accessible, a funny MC that was easy to relate to, and relevant topics like grief and sexuality all taking place on tennis’s largest stage!? I couldn’t help but pick this book up again and again.
Great side characters (his coach and family are perfect!). A sweet, if a bit low key love interest. Fun banter. A fun setting of NYC. And so many fast paced and exciting tennis scenes (I was holding my breath and I don’t even watch tennis like that!). Despite the harder topics, this one is just plain fun.
Austin is such a great MC. He felt utterly lived in and self aware. While his budding romance with Diego was a fun “will they, won’t they?”, I also appreciated this single POV. From this one character, we get so much. Dealing with anxiety. The financial and physical and mental stressors of being a professional athlete. Dealing with grief - no matter how far removed it may seem. Dealing with your sexuality and/or “otherness” being seen first and foremost when you’re just trying to show up. And just being a human trying to make it in the world. He’s only 20 and we know it!
It is advertised as a romance and while there is that aspect, know that there is more of a personal/lit fic focus as we really get to know Austin above all else.
While I wish there were MORE pages and MORE romance and just MORE, I can appreciate where this author left these characters. It felt honest and true for where they were and how little time had passed from beginning to end! But gah do I want more!
For fans of Carrie Soto is Back and so many other fun sports romances and fiction reads, I highly recommend this debut!
READ FOR
LGBTQ+ Representation
Tennis, Tennis, and More Tennis
Metal Illness Awareness
More Lit Fic than Romance
I really enjoyed this book!
With writing that is clear and accessible, a funny MC that was easy to relate to, and relevant topics like grief and sexuality all taking place on tennis’s largest stage!? I couldn’t help but pick this book up again and again.
Great side characters (his coach and family are perfect!). A sweet, if a bit low key love interest. Fun banter. A fun setting of NYC. And so many fast paced and exciting tennis scenes (I was holding my breath and I don’t even watch tennis like that!). Despite the harder topics, this one is just plain fun.
Austin is such a great MC. He felt utterly lived in and self aware. While his budding romance with Diego was a fun “will they, won’t they?”, I also appreciated this single POV. From this one character, we get so much. Dealing with anxiety. The financial and physical and mental stressors of being a professional athlete. Dealing with grief - no matter how far removed it may seem. Dealing with your sexuality and/or “otherness” being seen first and foremost when you’re just trying to show up. And just being a human trying to make it in the world. He’s only 20 and we know it!
It is advertised as a romance and while there is that aspect, know that there is more of a personal/lit fic focus as we really get to know Austin above all else.
While I wish there were MORE pages and MORE romance and just MORE, I can appreciate where this author left these characters. It felt honest and true for where they were and how little time had passed from beginning to end! But gah do I want more!
For fans of Carrie Soto is Back and so many other fun sports romances and fiction reads, I highly recommend this debut!
READ FOR
LGBTQ+ Representation
Tennis, Tennis, and More Tennis
Metal Illness Awareness
More Lit Fic than Romance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Austin, who just turned pro in the tennis world, has been open gay since high school. Which as never been an issue. Suddenly he's the first openly gay man man to compete in a Grand Slam and it IS a big deal. Along with his, sometimes, crippling anxiety and confusing friendship with fellow competitor Diego, who just happens to be ranked #2 in the world.
I really enjoyed Austin's inner monologue and humor. His battle with his anxiety is incredibly relatable and I can't imagine having to do this on a world stage. Along with seeming to never truly deal with the loss of his father.
Honestly, his dark humor is very relatable. "I could tell her I still text my dead dad's phone number. I don't feel lonely. I am lonely." And you could feel Austin's lack of friends in the tennis world and not really having anyone to open up to. His budding friendship with Diego felt so refreshing and hopeful for him.
That is, until the flirting and mixed feelings got involved. Was Diego flirting with him? Poor Austin, Diego was REALLY dicking him around in this story.
As I'm currently sitting back and watching the Winter Olympics, this story also did a really nice job showing how sport is so out of reach for so many who don't either have money or some kind of connections. Imagine how many amazing athletes there are who never get a chance because they can't afford it?
Austin, I love you and I want you to win all the trophies. The book does a nice job showing the fear of coming out in sports. Not only as part of the LGBTQ+ community but also with mental illness. I did find the ending a little more open than I personally prefer, but I'd love to read more about these characters. They've charmed me and I haven't gotten enough!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Austin's inner monologue and humor. His battle with his anxiety is incredibly relatable and I can't imagine having to do this on a world stage. Along with seeming to never truly deal with the loss of his father.
Honestly, his dark humor is very relatable. "I could tell her I still text my dead dad's phone number. I don't feel lonely. I am lonely." And you could feel Austin's lack of friends in the tennis world and not really having anyone to open up to. His budding friendship with Diego felt so refreshing and hopeful for him.
That is, until the flirting and mixed feelings got involved. Was Diego flirting with him? Poor Austin, Diego was REALLY dicking him around in this story.
As I'm currently sitting back and watching the Winter Olympics, this story also did a really nice job showing how sport is so out of reach for so many who don't either have money or some kind of connections. Imagine how many amazing athletes there are who never get a chance because they can't afford it?
Austin, I love you and I want you to win all the trophies. The book does a nice job showing the fear of coming out in sports. Not only as part of the LGBTQ+ community but also with mental illness. I did find the ending a little more open than I personally prefer, but I'd love to read more about these characters. They've charmed me and I haven't gotten enough!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Romance novels are normally not my thing. They are not a genre that I typically gravitate towards. I find that romance novels often depict unrealistic scenarios that, although fun to read, are unrelatable. Despite my bias, something about The Open Era intrigued me. As a gay man who loves tennis, this felt right up my alley. So I put my bias aside and jumped in, and I am so glad I did.
The Open Era is a powerful, relatable story about a gay man navigating a new challenging environment. This is the first romance novel that I felt was real – like this could actually happen outside of these pages. Although there were moments that felt romanticized, the story as a whole felt real.
I also related directly to Austin. As he navigates being the first gay man to make it to the US Open, I saw the emotions I felt as the first gay school board member in my town reflected. Similar to Austin, I didn’t want to be the gay school board member. I wanted people to judge me based on the work I did and how I represented my constituents; I wanted to be a school board member who happened to be gay. The journey that Austin went through, I also went through. Understanding the importance of representation and how to embrace it for the betterment of our communities. That deeply moved me and made me feel seen.
I also appreciated that The Open Era is not shy about how mental health impacts our everyday lives, and how hard it is to accept who you are. The Open Era was a fantastic read, and one I only put down because life got in the way. It is a story that will resonate with many readers. I highly recommend The Open Era.
I received a free eARC of The Open Era from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Open Era is a powerful, relatable story about a gay man navigating a new challenging environment. This is the first romance novel that I felt was real – like this could actually happen outside of these pages. Although there were moments that felt romanticized, the story as a whole felt real.
I also related directly to Austin. As he navigates being the first gay man to make it to the US Open, I saw the emotions I felt as the first gay school board member in my town reflected. Similar to Austin, I didn’t want to be the gay school board member. I wanted people to judge me based on the work I did and how I represented my constituents; I wanted to be a school board member who happened to be gay. The journey that Austin went through, I also went through. Understanding the importance of representation and how to embrace it for the betterment of our communities. That deeply moved me and made me feel seen.
I also appreciated that The Open Era is not shy about how mental health impacts our everyday lives, and how hard it is to accept who you are. The Open Era was a fantastic read, and one I only put down because life got in the way. It is a story that will resonate with many readers. I highly recommend The Open Era.
I received a free eARC of The Open Era from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Open Era follows Austin Hardy, the first openly gay male tennis player to compete in the Grand Slam tournament at the US Open. In the weeks leading up to the tournament on the practice field, Austin collapses due to his anxiety. When he wakes up, the first face he sees is Diego Cruz, fellow tennis star ranked number 2 in the world. Austin and Diego strike up a friendship to help make it through the stress of the tournament. The more time the two spend together, the more Austin’s feelings for Diego deepen. But it leaves Austin wondering: does Diego feel the same way as Austin? And does Austin have what it takes to push through his anxiety and win the tournament?
This is my second queer tennis read of the year and I’m not mad about it (although the scoring in tennis still confuses me). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this one up but I found I did enjoy it. In my opinion, there was strong anxiety/mental health representation in this book with the main character, Austin. It was a nice to see him learn to navigate through his anxiety and status as the first gay male on the court.
I will admit though, I went into this thinking the romance would be at the forefront of the story. And while there was a romantic subplot with Diego, by and far, this book is more of a personal growth journey for Austin.
If you enjoy sports novels of the queer variety with mental health representation, this one is going to be the one for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
This is my second queer tennis read of the year and I’m not mad about it (although the scoring in tennis still confuses me). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this one up but I found I did enjoy it. In my opinion, there was strong anxiety/mental health representation in this book with the main character, Austin. It was a nice to see him learn to navigate through his anxiety and status as the first gay male on the court.
I will admit though, I went into this thinking the romance would be at the forefront of the story. And while there was a romantic subplot with Diego, by and far, this book is more of a personal growth journey for Austin.
If you enjoy sports novels of the queer variety with mental health representation, this one is going to be the one for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Heated Rivalry but for tennis? My dreams are coming true!
This story was so cute! I loved reading about the US Open and the tennis terms but I also think it’s completely accessible to non tennis fans.
At first I appreciated that the entire book was narrated by Austin, but by the middle I realized why most romance books alternate between love interests. Some parts could have really benefited from directly reading Diego’s perspective.
I don’t know how I feel about the depictions of anxiety. I’m sure anxiety and panic attacks affect everyone differently but the all-of-a-sudden physical symptoms are not what I’ve experienced. I may not know the trigger but I’ll always feel them coming on slowly. I’ve never been in the middle of something and not known why I’m suddenly hyperventilating. This can be so personal so I know that this could all be valid and represent plenty of people’s experience, I just live with anxiety differently.
All in all I read this book so quickly and loved it. Both Austin and Diego felt like real people and for the most part I was rooting for their relationship. Queer romance can often struggle from the characters not making the same progress as a straight couple can within the same time frame. This just means there’s a chance for a sequel and I’d definitely read it!
Bonus thoughts I had through the book:
- Mario Kart makes me think of Heartstopper🥹
- Needing decaf and anxiety about not getting it is so real
- Love that it’s addressing the class barrier of tennis
- PHINEAS AND FERB MENTION
- GILMORE GIRLS MENTION
This story was so cute! I loved reading about the US Open and the tennis terms but I also think it’s completely accessible to non tennis fans.
At first I appreciated that the entire book was narrated by Austin, but by the middle I realized why most romance books alternate between love interests. Some parts could have really benefited from directly reading Diego’s perspective.
I don’t know how I feel about the depictions of anxiety. I’m sure anxiety and panic attacks affect everyone differently but the all-of-a-sudden physical symptoms are not what I’ve experienced. I may not know the trigger but I’ll always feel them coming on slowly. I’ve never been in the middle of something and not known why I’m suddenly hyperventilating. This can be so personal so I know that this could all be valid and represent plenty of people’s experience, I just live with anxiety differently.
All in all I read this book so quickly and loved it. Both Austin and Diego felt like real people and for the most part I was rooting for their relationship. Queer romance can often struggle from the characters not making the same progress as a straight couple can within the same time frame. This just means there’s a chance for a sequel and I’d definitely read it!
Bonus thoughts I had through the book:
- Mario Kart makes me think of Heartstopper🥹
- Needing decaf and anxiety about not getting it is so real
- Love that it’s addressing the class barrier of tennis
- PHINEAS AND FERB MENTION
- GILMORE GIRLS MENTION
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