Strange is that, the main argument of the novel is that Tennis is a macho sport… well, truth be told in Europe Tennis is probably the most likely candidate to have gay professional players. And no, this is not due to the actual presence of out players, but simply since Tennis is seen like a sophisticated sport, something the common man hardly will play.
But in any case, European misconceptions or not, being gay and a professional player is something that doesn’t match well in any sport, at least to the public opinion, and so Jared and Daniel, teenager lovers who became player and trainer, had seen their dreams smashed; the downfall was not so hard, Jared survives giving few 1 hour lessons each week to people willing to pay more than the average to boast they have a former champion as instructor, and Daniel has a more common job as tennis teacher in a poshy club. They could be happy, but regrets make their life a nightmare, and also their relationship is under duress.
When Connor enters their life, I feared the worst; 18 years old and pretty, and willing to do everything necessary to reach his goal, I was scared he would have been the final blow to Daniel and Jared’s relationship and instead he was their only chance to survive. Connor is not gay, and even if he has a special relationship with Spencer, a same age kid, his is more the jealousy of best friends who don’t like to share a special bond.
Trying to make Connor a better player, Daniel starts to heal also Jared, and four year later their initial defeat, both Daniel and Jared are well aware of what they are losing if they don’t win this time, and it’s not a trophy or money, it’s their happiness and love.
I really liked that, even if Alan Chin didn’t neglect Jared and Daniel’s relationship, quite the opposite actually, he also gave enough insight in the other couples waltzing around, Connor and Shar, Spencer and Harman, even the Baroness and Alma. It makes for a full rounded novel, btw a very long novel considering today standard at over 300 pages, but not boring at all. I read it in a day, with barely a break, and even if the sex was almost non-existent, or better not detailed, it was nevertheless a satisfying romance, maybe even more right for that reason.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1968
Amazon: Match Maker
Amazon Kindle: Match Maker
Paperback: 342 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1615815872
ISBN-13: 978-1615815876
Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bott
