Thirty Love

Vellner scores big with his outstanding debut set in the fiercely competitive tennis world. Closeted Leo Chambers’s hopes of winning his first U.S. Open are dashed by Gabe Montoya, who defeats him in a first-round match thanks to what Leo feels is a bad call, sparking an on-court altercation and a very public feud. After Leo’s father and coach, Johnny, who has MS, has a stroke, Leo takes the rest of the season off to be with him. Leo comes back to the circuit right around the time that Gabe publicly comes out as gay. The rivals call a truce and, after a heartfelt apology, they start practicing together and even playing doubles matches. Attraction sparks on both sides, and their ensuing steamy secret relationship helps Leo find a new approach to the game, but he tries to remind himself that “there’s no room for love, except on the scoreboard.” Vellner creates as much tension during the breathlessly described tennis matches as in scenes where it seems the men might be caught stealing kisses in the locker room. Public pressure and newfound tension between Leo and Johnny adds to the drama. The emotions are heartfelt, and the characters leap of the page. This is an overhead smash. Agent: Bibi Lewis, Ethan Ellenberg Literary. (Mar.)