I really enjoyed the midcentury baseball feel of this story and found the characters entertaining.

Eddie is young, fun loving, and anxious when it comes to his baseball performance. He is incredibly friendly and doesn’t seem to know when to stop talking, something that can get him in trouble from time to time. But he can also keep a secret, namely that he’s gay.

Mark is anti-social, depressed and kind of grumpy, but it’s mostly from grief over his partner’s death and the fact that no one knew what they meant to each other. Mark is open with his sexuality with those he is close to and doesn’t want to be anyone’s secret again.

Eddie and Mark are perfect for each other. Their relationship is slow burn, starting purely professional, before turning to friendship, then more. Eddie is all in, but Mark worries about potential damage to Eddie’s career.

The people in Eddie and Mark’s life are all pretty great. Mark’s family disowned him when he came out to them, but he has found family in his friends, including an aging sports writer who knows (and keeps) their secret. Eddie’s support comes from an unexpected source and a close relationship with his mother.

Baseball is central to the story, which was a plus for this baseball fan.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.