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Peter in Progress
When COVID hits, Peter Hughes finds himself unemployed, out of shape, and living in his mother’s basement. Not where he thought he’d be in his mid-thirties.
Then he discovers Ryan’s Fabulous Fitness, a gay-forward online workout program. Peter can’t look away, and before long, he’s not only transforming his he’s reckoning with his sexuality, too.
Peter emerges from the pandemic newly out and totally unprepared. Nevertheless, he dives headfirst into gay life, stumbling through app-fueled hookups, steamy underwear parties, and New York’s chaotic dating scene. His renewed rite of passage gets even more complicated when romantic tensions pit Peter’s loyal college roommate against the charming fitness coach who changed everything. If he can’t choose between them, he might lose them both.
Told with wry humor and aching honesty, Peter in Progress is the comic and crushing portrait of a man remaking himself in the aftermath of denial. It’s about the bodies we build, the stories we outgrow, and the courage it takes to start over—from within.
Then he discovers Ryan’s Fabulous Fitness, a gay-forward online workout program. Peter can’t look away, and before long, he’s not only transforming his he’s reckoning with his sexuality, too.
Peter emerges from the pandemic newly out and totally unprepared. Nevertheless, he dives headfirst into gay life, stumbling through app-fueled hookups, steamy underwear parties, and New York’s chaotic dating scene. His renewed rite of passage gets even more complicated when romantic tensions pit Peter’s loyal college roommate against the charming fitness coach who changed everything. If he can’t choose between them, he might lose them both.
Told with wry humor and aching honesty, Peter in Progress is the comic and crushing portrait of a man remaking himself in the aftermath of denial. It’s about the bodies we build, the stories we outgrow, and the courage it takes to start over—from within.
400 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 18, 2026
I loved this book. I found it moving, honest and relatable. I laughed. I cried. Andy has a gift.
June 23, 2026
BLURB:
As the pandemic begins, Peter returns home to Rhode Island. An online fitness show sparks a queer awakening & forces him to confront his feelings about his best friend. Back in NYC, he navigates dating, friendship, & self-discovery.
REVIEW:
This is the author’s debut novel & if you enjoy stories about self-acceptance & self-discovery, put this book on your list! I’ve read a lot of queer awakening books, but this is the kind of book that stays with me because of how real the story feels. I loved that the MMC is older (he’s 31 but that’s considered older for a queer awakening) & he learns so many things about himself that guide him toward self-acceptance. I also loved how the story authentically captures gay life & the altered reality of life during the pandemic. As reading, I could sense the author drew from his own experiences, as parts of the story feel almost too realistic and personal.
Told in Peter’s third-person POV, you get really interesting insight on his emotional journey & a bird’s-eye view of the characters who cross his path. At the onset of the pandemic, spending time alone leads him to online workouts, & his undeniable attraction to the instructor—who later comes into the story—propels his queer awakening. Was I reading this & thinking, “How does someone suddenly realize they’re gay at 31?” YES!!—but as you get to know Peter, understand his past, & see how he kept parts of himself buried, it makes sense. As Peter moves to NYC for a reinvention, there’s a lot of gay dating culture on display—real-life dating apps, new friendships, and NYC events (Pride, Fire Island). Interspersed are flashbacks with his best friend Adam, who he has unresolved feelings for—and who adds emotional weight to his choices.
The book is cleverly structured into parts. The first two detail months of Peter’s life as he experiences significant growth & new adventures. I took my time with the book because it was so enjoyable & it felt like binge-watching a TV series that I didn’t want to end. There are heated scenes, but they’re written as part of Peter’s self-discovery. Peter’s main romantic relationship is universally relatable—it starts off as a dream relationship that slowly begins to show its cracks, & soon he must make some tough decisions about what he wants.
The ending reminded me that this story isn’t, by any means, a romance or just a queer coming-out story. You’ll root for Peter, question him, & ultimately respect how far he’s come—and you may see a lot of your own life journey reflected in what he goes through. This book left me inspired, motivated, and totally impressed that this is a debut novel—and I think it will be the same for many!
As the pandemic begins, Peter returns home to Rhode Island. An online fitness show sparks a queer awakening & forces him to confront his feelings about his best friend. Back in NYC, he navigates dating, friendship, & self-discovery.
REVIEW:
This is the author’s debut novel & if you enjoy stories about self-acceptance & self-discovery, put this book on your list! I’ve read a lot of queer awakening books, but this is the kind of book that stays with me because of how real the story feels. I loved that the MMC is older (he’s 31 but that’s considered older for a queer awakening) & he learns so many things about himself that guide him toward self-acceptance. I also loved how the story authentically captures gay life & the altered reality of life during the pandemic. As reading, I could sense the author drew from his own experiences, as parts of the story feel almost too realistic and personal.
Told in Peter’s third-person POV, you get really interesting insight on his emotional journey & a bird’s-eye view of the characters who cross his path. At the onset of the pandemic, spending time alone leads him to online workouts, & his undeniable attraction to the instructor—who later comes into the story—propels his queer awakening. Was I reading this & thinking, “How does someone suddenly realize they’re gay at 31?” YES!!—but as you get to know Peter, understand his past, & see how he kept parts of himself buried, it makes sense. As Peter moves to NYC for a reinvention, there’s a lot of gay dating culture on display—real-life dating apps, new friendships, and NYC events (Pride, Fire Island). Interspersed are flashbacks with his best friend Adam, who he has unresolved feelings for—and who adds emotional weight to his choices.
The book is cleverly structured into parts. The first two detail months of Peter’s life as he experiences significant growth & new adventures. I took my time with the book because it was so enjoyable & it felt like binge-watching a TV series that I didn’t want to end. There are heated scenes, but they’re written as part of Peter’s self-discovery. Peter’s main romantic relationship is universally relatable—it starts off as a dream relationship that slowly begins to show its cracks, & soon he must make some tough decisions about what he wants.
The ending reminded me that this story isn’t, by any means, a romance or just a queer coming-out story. You’ll root for Peter, question him, & ultimately respect how far he’s come—and you may see a lot of your own life journey reflected in what he goes through. This book left me inspired, motivated, and totally impressed that this is a debut novel—and I think it will be the same for many!
June 29, 2026
A story that hit close to home
Peter in Progress resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Like Peter, I came out later in life, and his journey of learning to navigate the gay world brought back many memories of my own. Although Peter struggled with being overweight and I struggled with being extremely thin, we shared the same fear that no one would ever want us because of how we looked.
His relationship with his best friend also hit home. My own closest friendship changed after I came out. We remained friends, but we were never as close again.
Everyone’s story is different, but the emotions in this novel felt remarkably real. If you’ve ever questioned where you belong or whether you’ll be accepted, Peter in Progress may speak to you as powerfully as it spoke to me.
Peter in Progress resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Like Peter, I came out later in life, and his journey of learning to navigate the gay world brought back many memories of my own. Although Peter struggled with being overweight and I struggled with being extremely thin, we shared the same fear that no one would ever want us because of how we looked.
His relationship with his best friend also hit home. My own closest friendship changed after I came out. We remained friends, but we were never as close again.
Everyone’s story is different, but the emotions in this novel felt remarkably real. If you’ve ever questioned where you belong or whether you’ll be accepted, Peter in Progress may speak to you as powerfully as it spoke to me.
June 8, 2026
This book is a masterpiece. Andy Barrow’s first book is filled with writing that is articulate, flowing, and thoughtful; the character development makes it feel like I know each one personally; and the plot is captivating and compelling. I know nothing of the experience of coming out, but Andy’s descriptions and knowledge left me learning and understanding along with the main character. I love the detail and thought put into this book, and I truly cannot wait to read another by Andy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The author’s friend gave me a copy for our neighborhood book club!
I absolutely loved how Andy Barrow takes the reader through Peter’s journey of coming out later in life as a gay man, while also discovering queer culture.
This book beautifully explores self-acceptance, and seamlessly captures the idea that growth is about the journey, not the destination.
I absolutely loved how Andy Barrow takes the reader through Peter’s journey of coming out later in life as a gay man, while also discovering queer culture.
This book beautifully explores self-acceptance, and seamlessly captures the idea that growth is about the journey, not the destination.
June 30, 2026
A modern take on an important coming-of-age theme! Saucy and poignant at the same time. You won’t want to put it down!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Peter in Progress is a unique look into gay awakening, as it happens for Peter later in life when he has the vocabulary and introspective ability to perfectly articulate his feelings. At the same time, his cautious and sometimes awkward foray into gay life is an endearing return for readers into early explorations of their sexuality.
Peter in Progress is a must-read for those who enjoy romance novels (especially love triangles!), themes of self-discovery and -acceptance and fully realized characters that feel as if they were plucked from your own life.
Peter in Progress is a must-read for those who enjoy romance novels (especially love triangles!), themes of self-discovery and -acceptance and fully realized characters that feel as if they were plucked from your own life.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews