Book Review: The Open Era by Edward Schmit

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

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

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

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

This books follows the few weeks Austin Hardy spends fighting his way through the rounds of the US Open, where he has made it as a qualifier and finally has a chance to play on the biggest stage as an American tennis player. Austin is determined to prove he should be here, even though all of the reporters only seem to ask him about his sexuality and not tennis. When he has a panic attack while on a practice court and falls, he opens his eyes to Diego Cruz, the world number 2 tennis player from Mexico...who definitely shouldn't know who he is. Diego helps him up, briefly talking to Austin before going back to his own court. Austin is left even more confused when Diego reaches out later in the day to hang out and play video games in the hotel room.

Austin doesn't know how to handle this new friendship with Diego, especially since he can't seem to concentrate when Diego is around and they are on the same side of the draw for the US Open. Austin's coach, Robbie, is worried this could be a distraction, but Austin wants to know Diego better, and see why he seems to reach out whenever he can. But as all of this attention, from both Diego and the outside world, grows, so does Austin's anxiety disorder. Austin tries to fight his own brain, but the further he gets into the US Open the more he needs the therapist his coach wants him to meet with. Austin starts to learn more about himself, and the signs of an attack, but it gets harder and harder to play when his brain is telling him he isn't worthy of where he is.

Outside of tennis, Austin and Diego spend time hanging out at each other's hotel rooms, playing video games and exploring the city. Diego starts gifting Austin come of his sponsor gifts and inviting him to sponsor events for the Open. Austin's feelings for Diego grow deeper, only to reach a tipping point of Diego kissing him the night before a match...and then promptly ghosting him. Austin doesn't want to be someone's experiment, or distraction, and he tries to pull away, but something about Diego calms him down.

But when they are finally meant to meet on the court, they both don't seem to know how they can be together and be competition. Playing a grueling match that leads to one of Austin's worst panic attacks, the two try to hide how they feel about each other while battling it out in front of the cameras.

One thing I liked about this story, similar to In Your Court, is that the main character is already out/proud of who they are. This book does not concentrate on the process of coming out and how that can impact someone, but instead follows someone who is being their true self and just doing their thing. Austin is 20 years old working his way to be a top 100 tennis player and battle an anxiety disorder, him being a gay male tennis player is only really something that is brought up by others. Another thing we get to see in the story is how Austin is working through his father's death, and how he seems to occasionally use it as a crutch for how he is feeling. Austin tries to work through his anxiety throughout the book and we get to see the baby steps at him learning about how it impacts him and how he plays.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is it concentrates solely on the US Open and you can see the care taken to make sure the tournament and the grounds are explained correctly. It means the book itself only takes place over a few weeks and remains in New York City, instead of jumping around to all over the world. I liked how the game play was written as well and the inner thoughts of Austin as he was playing, especially when he starts to get anxious. Tennis is definitely a mental sport, and it is hard to come back from your brain betraying you.

I know it definitely feels like there are now a lot of tennis romances (but honestly, bring it on), but I am excited to see different people's takes on the sport and especially seeing more queer tennis romances make their way into traditional publishing. As a debut author, Edward Schmit did a really great job and I really enjoyed his writing style. I am excited to see what comes next from him.

I rated this book 4.5 / 5 stars!

The Open Era is out now!

StoryGraph