The Open Era

A sizzling new adult sports romance, for fans of Heated Rivalry, Challengers, Carrie Soto is Back and Red, White and Royal Blue.

'A debut romance that will capture your heart' Cosmopolitan

Game. Set. Perfect Match?

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 tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal.

If the newly found fame wasn’t enough to send Austin spiralling, then tripping and falling in front of the very talented, very attractive, (probably) straight World #2, Diego Cruz, is the last straw.

Only, the awkward gaffe marks the start of a blossoming friendship off the court. But when Diego admits his attraction to Austin, the flirty banter and mixed signals start to throw Austin off his game. And neither player wants to acknowledge their looming showdown at the fourth round of the US Open.

Only one can win in the game of tennis, but who will win in the game of love?

‘Edward Schmit serves up decadent romance and delicious chemistry in his stunning debut. This is what sports romance dreams are made of’ B.K. Borison, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘Edward Schmit serves a stunning ace with this heartfelt and page-turning exploration of what it means for fierce competitors to surrender to something greater than themselves. A winning debut’ Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of The Guncle

"Whether it was from the dreamy, courtside romance or high stakes of professional tennis, my heart pounded its way through every page of Edward Schmit's spectacular debut’ Robbie Couch, New York Times bestselling author

‘With the intensity of Challengers and the sweetness of Wimbledon, Edward Schmit's debut The Open Era has quickly become one of my top pieces of tennis media ever’ Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Never Been Shipped

‘An absolute grand slam of a debut!’ Simone Soltani, USA Today bestselling author of Ride with Me

‘As exciting (and with as many twists!) as a five-set Sinner-Alcaraz final. Sweet, sharp, funny, and full of heart’ Josh Duboff, author of Early Thirties

‘Pivoting seamlessly from sporting rivalry to swoon-worthy romance, this a gripping and memorable debut’ Zac Hammett, author of See You At The Finish Line

‘Game, set, match, readers…this is about to be your next five-star obsession!’ Chip Pons, author of Winging It with You

‘This book will win your heart in straight sets!’ Tobias Madden, award-winning author of Anything But Fine

‘An ace of a romance told in such a tender way that you won’t be able to put it down!’ Matthew Hubbard, critically acclaimed author of The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

‘A beautiful romance, full of longing, heat and athletic men doing athlete things’ Los Angeles Times

‘[A] compulsively readable debut...This is a welcome addition to the growing subgenre of tennis romances’ Publishers Weekly

‘Schmit enters the romance genre with a smashing forehand...This book is sure to quench readers' thirst for more queer representation in sports books and will be enjoyed by fans of Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry (2019) and Taylor Jenkins Reid's Carrie Soto Is Back (2022)’ Booklist