American tennis star Leo Chambers is determined to win the US Open by thirty, the age when many players feel retirement looming. He’s just a year away from that dreaded birthday, but he can’t find his focus—considering he hasn’t told anyone he’s gay, he’s clashing with his strict coach (who also happens to be his dad), and he still can’t figure out how to beat his longtime nemesis on tour, Gabe Montoya, who, well, hits different. Gabe is playing better than ever, and Leo can’t seem to escape him—and maybe he doesn’t want to escape him.
Leo’s other obstacle is Sascha Volkov, a Russian legend who has such a powerful influence on the tennis world, he would destroy Leo’s career if he found out that he’s gay.
No distractions, Leo reminds himself. But when Gabe makes a shocking announcement, Leo is thrown off his game—in more ways than one. Ready? Play.
Attention Heated Rivalry fans! Thirty Love is a standout debut that delivers a similar slow-burn, steamy MM romance—this time set in the world of professional tennis—with leads that are just as memorable. While the romance is compelling, the book is just as much about pro tennis, family loyalty, and learning to accept yourself under intense pressure. It’s clear that Tom Vellner knows tennis well, as the story is filled with detailed scenes from life on the ATP Tour. The season builds toward the biggest stage in American tennis—the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium! Romance readers will also enjoy the classic tropes: enemies-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers, slow-burn tension, and forced proximity, all wrapped in plenty of sports drama and emotional stakes!
The story follows Leo Chambers, a top American men’s tennis player determined to win the US Open before turning 30—a milestone he sees as his last real shot at a Grand Slam. But his focus is slipping as he’s closeted, clashing with his strict father and coach, and can’t seem to beat his rival on the ATP Tour, Gabe Montoya. Everything changes when Gabe publicly comes out as the first openly gay male player on the tour, shaking the tennis world and forcing Leo to confront feelings he’s long tried to ignore.
The story is told in a 3rd-person POV that focuses on protagonist Leo, allowing readers to really understand his inner conflict and empathize with him. Leo and Gabe are both American players, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Leo is intense and very careful about how he presents himself, while Gabe is confident, charismatic, and much more comfortable in his own skin. At the beginning, Leo genuinely dislikes Gabe and sees him as a threat to his career—but there’s also an undeniable attraction beneath the surface that Leo refuses to acknowledge. Gabe’s decision to come out changes everything, and chance encounters make it so their rivalry slowly begins to shift into something deeper, and romance fans will eat it all up—especially some very steamy moments along the way!
The real emotional core of the story is Leo’s relationship with his father, Johnny Chambers—a former tennis star whose career ended early because of MS. Their relationship is complicated, built on love but also years of pressure and expectations. When Johnny suffers a setback, Leo’s loyalty is on full display and makes him even more likable. The supporting cast—from a homophobic Russian superstar rival to Leo’s French-Canadian best friend and fellow player, along with coaches and other competitors—brings the tennis world to life and makes the story very engaging!
The pacing is relentless, which makes the book easy to binge! Leo moves from one tournament to another, mirroring the nonstop grind of the ATP Tour. Vellner does a great job writing the tennis matches—some of the most exciting moments come during longer battles where Leo pushes through intense games and epic five-setters, and tennis fans will especially appreciate how authentic and immersive those scenes feel! It all builds toward a big tournament finale, which feels like a win-or-lose-it-all situation. It’s intense, but the emotional payoff is powerful and very satisfying!
If you’re a big tennis fan, enjoy sports romances with a bit of spice, or character-driven tales about finding the courage to live authentically, you’ll likely love this book! The audiobook is especially recommended, as Mark Sanderlin brings the characters and the excitement of the matches to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re in the stands watching it all unfold!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Thirty Love is read by award-winning narrator Mark Sanderlin, who is known for his work across romance and LGBTQ+ fiction.
Sanderlin gives protagonist Leo Chambers a steady, controlled voice layered with moments of anxiety, perfectly conveying his focused, intense personality and the pressure he feels from keeping his personal life private and his father’s expectations. In contrast, he makes Gabe Montoya sound relaxed, confident, and charismatic, highlighting their opposites-attract energy and bringing their rivalry to life. Early in the story, Sanderlin captures the sharp edge in their conversations, especially from Leo’s side, making a romance seem almost impossible. But as the story unfolds—especially after Gabe publicly comes out—Sanderlin subtly shifts Leo’s voice in both inner monologues and dialogue to show his shifting feelings toward Gabe. The texting sequences between them are entertaining and believable, as Sanderlin brings Leo’s conflicted thoughts and increasing attraction to life in a way that’s engaging and immersive.
Some of the most emotional scenes are Leo’s conversations with his father, Johnny. Even when they disagree, Sanderlin’s delivery makes it clear how much Leo respects his father and how badly he wants to make him proud. Keep some tissues handy toward the end, as Leo pushes himself to try to win a major championship while Johnny recovers from a serious setback—Sanderlin’s performance brings out all the feels!
Sanderlin’s pacing perfectly matches the story, moving quickly from tournament to tournament. During intense rallies or thrilling five-set matches, his narration makes you feel the pressure of every point, as if you’re right there in the stadium watching it unfold. He also gives distinct voices/accents to the side characters—from the outspoken Russian rival to Leo’s loyal French-Canadian best friend, as well as the other players and coaches—making the audiobook feel like a full cast performance at times!
This audiobook is perfect for listeners who enjoy sports romances, stories about family loyalty, and narrator performances that give each character a distinct, compelling voice while bringing both the emotional moments and the high-energy scenes vividly to life!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Thirty Love is read by award-winning narrator Mark Sanderlin, who is known for his work across romance and LGBTQ+ fiction.
Sanderlin gives protagonist Leo Chambers a steady, controlled voice layered with moments of anxiety, perfectly conveying his focused, intense personality and the pressure he feels from keeping his personal life private and his father’s expectations. In contrast, he makes Gabe Montoya sound relaxed, confident, and charismatic, highlighting their opposites-attract energy and bringing their rivalry to life. Early in the story, Sanderlin captures the sharp edge in their conversations, especially from Leo’s side, making a romance seem almost impossible. But as the story unfolds—especially after Gabe publicly comes out—Sanderlin subtly shifts Leo’s voice in both inner monologues and dialogue to show his shifting feelings toward Gabe. The texting sequences between them are entertaining and believable, as Sanderlin brings Leo’s conflicted thoughts and increasing attraction to life in a way that’s engaging and immersive.
Some of the most emotional scenes are Leo’s conversations with his father, Johnny. Even when they disagree, Sanderlin’s delivery makes it clear how much Leo respects his father and how badly he wants to make him proud. Keep some tissues handy toward the end, as Leo pushes himself to try to win a major championship while Johnny recovers from a serious setback—Sanderlin’s performance brings out all the feels!
Sanderlin’s pacing perfectly matches the story, moving quickly from tournament to tournament. During intense rallies or thrilling five-set matches, his narration makes you feel the pressure of every point, as if you’re right there in the stadium watching it unfold. He also gives distinct voices/accents to the side characters—from the outspoken Russian rival to Leo’s loyal French-Canadian best friend, as well as the other players and coaches—making the audiobook feel like a full cast performance at times!
This audiobook is perfect for listeners who enjoy sports romances, stories about family loyalty, and narrator performances that give each character a distinct, compelling voice while bringing both the emotional moments and the high-energy scenes vividly to life!
The audiobook of Thirty Love is read by award-winning narrator Mark Sanderlin, who is known for his work across romance and LGBTQ+ fiction.
Sanderlin gives protagonist Leo Chambers a steady, controlled voice layered with moments of anxiety, perfectly conveying his focused, intense personality and the pressure he feels from keeping his personal life private and his father’s expectations. In contrast, he makes Gabe Montoya sound relaxed, confident, and charismatic, highlighting their opposites-attract energy and bringing their rivalry to life. Early in the story, Sanderlin captures the sharp edge in their conversations, especially from Leo’s side, making a romance seem almost impossible. But as the story unfolds—especially after Gabe publicly comes out—Sanderlin subtly shifts Leo’s voice in both inner monologues and dialogue to show his shifting feelings toward Gabe. The texting sequences between them are entertaining and believable, as Sanderlin brings Leo’s conflicted thoughts and increasing attraction to life in a way that’s engaging and immersive.
Some of the most emotional scenes are Leo’s conversations with his father, Johnny. Even when they disagree, Sanderlin’s delivery makes it clear how much Leo respects his father and how badly he wants to make him proud. Keep some tissues handy toward the end, as Leo pushes himself to try to win a major championship while Johnny recovers from a serious setback—Sanderlin’s performance brings out all the feels!
Sanderlin’s pacing perfectly matches the story, moving quickly from tournament to tournament. During intense rallies or thrilling five-set matches, his narration makes you feel the pressure of every point, as if you’re right there in the stadium watching it unfold. He also gives distinct voices/accents to the side characters—from the outspoken Russian rival to Leo’s loyal French-Canadian best friend, as well as the other players and coaches—making the audiobook feel like a full cast performance at times!
This audiobook is perfect for listeners who enjoy sports romances, stories about family loyalty, and narrator performances that give each character a distinct, compelling voice while bringing both the emotional moments and the high-energy scenes vividly to life!
