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Warning: Full spoilers for the book follow.
Tom Vellner’s Thirty Love is one of those lovely little gay books that I just happened to discover when I saw it sitting on the shelf of my local library. Since I’m always on the hunt for new queer romance–and since Heated Rivalry has lit a desire in me to read more sports romances of every type–I thought this one would be a good choice. I was fortunately proven correct, and it was exactly the sweet romance that I wanted, with just the right amount of spice. If you’re looking for your next great sports romance, then this should be it.
When the book begins, Leo is a very successful tennis player, but he has a problem. Or, more precisely, he has a rival who also happens to be a problem: Gabe Montoya. The two of them have cordially disliked one another for years, and it doesn’t help that Gabe manages to get the best of Leo on the court. As tends to happen in these cases, though, their mutual dislike masks something deeper and more complicated. Soon enough, they’re starting to fall head over heels for one another and, while it takes some time and work, in the end it all works out for them.
Unlike many sports romances, which tend to gloss over the sports part, Vellner actually does a very strong job of immersing us in the world of tennis. Now, to be sure, I know next to nothing about tennis, but Vellner made me feel like I did. More to the point, he also made me feel invested in the success of Leo’s career as much as I was invested in his romance and love story with Gabe. Personally, I love romances that allow me to feel like I’m an intimate part of the character’s life, that their goals are my goals. I may not know anything about tennis or feel particularly invested in it in the real world, but during the time I was reading Thirty Love I sure felt like I was!
Given the fact that it takes place in the context of professional sports, it’s not surprising that Thirty Love grapples with the ugly reality of homophobia. The Russian Sascha is particularly odious, and he seems to go out of his way to be as much of an asshole as he can possibly be. He’s superficially a little like Ilya Rozanov, except without Ilya’s genuinely good nature. Given how much he goes out of his way to be a terrible person and to be a virulent homophobe, it’s particularly satisfying to see Leo kick his ass in the final tennis match. Of course, the match itself is symbolic for Leo, and it marks the moment at which he finally comes into his own as both a tennis player and as a gay man. It’s the peak of triumph, and it had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen.
Moreover, figuring out his feelings for Gabe and trying to stay in the closet aren’t the only things Leo has to deal with. He also has to contend with the fact that his father has MS and that this, in turn, means he won’t always be there as a coach (though he will obviously always be there as a father). Anyone who’s ever had to contend with a parent’s failing health will find this aspect of the story particularly resonant, and I thought it was handled with a great deal of grace and sensitivity. Vellner knows how to use every element of his story to add layers and levels of emotional depth to the central romance.
I also loved the fact that Leo had a very supportive group around him. This includes his parents–and I admit that I teared up a bit when his mother welcomed him out of the closet with open arms–but also his friends, who are there with him through thick and thin. I’ve long thought that the best romances are those that show people being part of social groups that go beyond just the one best friend, and Vellner deserves a lot of credit for giving us a gay hero who has a group of folks who love him unconditionally and sometimes know him better than he knows himself.
The heart and soul of the book, however, is the relationship between Leo and Gabe. Vellner does an excellent job of showing the extent to which these two young men are clearly attracted to one another, even though it takes them quite a while to admit their feelings to one another. Vellner strikes the right balance between sweet and spicy, and the novel nicely straddles the line between open and closed door, giving us just enough to feel the heat and the passion and the love pulsing between our leads without overwhelming us.
Rather remarkably, this novel doesn’t rely on a third act breakup. Oh sure, things get a little uncertain there when their relationship leaks to the press, but it’s resolved pretty quickly. When it comes right down to it, queer love does triumph over all, both on the court and off. The moment when Leo sees Gabe up in the stands melted my heart, and I was cheering for him throughout that fateful match with Sascha. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to pull off the win, but he did, and my heart soared for him.
Altogether, then, I really loved this book. I mean, I knew I was going to, both because the cover is gorgeous and because I love me a sports romance. Even so, Vellner has a knack for crafting heroes who are both very likable and also a little flawed, and I loved both Leo and Gabe. I do wish that we’d gotten at least a few scenes from the latter’s point of view–we also know that I tend to prefer dual POVs–but Leo is such a great hero I’m willing to make an exception.
Go read this book. You won’t regret it!