Did you know that romance novels generate over $1.4 billion in revenue--making romance the highest earning genre of fiction?  Romance novels sold more than 39 million print copies in 2023, which represents a 52% increase over the previous year.  Sales of romance novels MORE THAN DOUBLED over 2021 sales, and last year was the third consecutive year of increasing romance sales.  Meaning: romance readers, we know you're out there, and we've got the book club for you!

Join Julie Iatron, Reference and Readers Services' Librarian AND romance devotee, for "Between the Sheets: A Romance Book Group."  We'll gather on Tuesday, August 12th at 6:30 PM in the conference room to discuss "The Prospects" by KT Hoffman.

KT Hoffman is an author of queer romance. His debut rom-com, The Prospects, was published by Dial Press (US) and Sphere (UK).  KT is originally from Beaverton, Oregon and currently lives in Brooklyn. If he isn’t writing about trans hope and gay kissing, he’s probably white-knuckling his way through the ninth inning of a Seattle Mariners game.

"Gene Ionescu, a gay trans man in his third year in the minors with the Beaverton Beavers, is a solid shortstop, but he's no one's idea of a major league prospect. He's just happy to be here, though, getting underpaid six months of the year to play the sport he's loved since childhood-a game that favors underdogs and optimists. He likes to keep his hopes in the day, inning by inning and game by game. But his plans go awry when Luis Estrada-Gene's rival since their college days-gets traded to his team...and promptly takes Gene's position. After Gene's coach forces him over to second base, he and Luis can't manage a civil conversation off the field or a competent play on it-a major issue for the team since their two positions make up the critical keystone combination on the infield. But when Gene finds Luis having a panic attack in their shared hotel room, he offers to start extra practices together. After all, the better Luis plays, the more likely he is to get called up to the majors and out of Gene's life. However, as they grow closer and the Beaverton Beavers gain playoff traction for the first time in over a decade, Gene's private dream of playing in the major leagues becomes a threat to his team's success-as well as his burgeoning relationship."

Join Julie to unpack this charming sports romance and talk characters, happily ever afters (or happily for now), and alllllll the romance tropes!  Copies of "The Prospects" are available at the Borrower Services desk.  For more information or questions, email jiatron@chelmsfordlibrary.org.  See you on August 12th at 6:30 PM!