by Kate Fagan
First published 2014
Kate Fagan loves basketball and plays for the nationally ranked University of Colorado team. She also loves her teammates, who happen to be devout Christians involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Kate joins their weekly Bible studies and attends their Evangelical Free Church, learning everything she can about their faith. She holds their hands during prayer sessions where they ask God to help people living sinful lifestyles. Each time homosexuality comes up, Kate feels exposed, as if a neon sign with an arrow points directly at her. She keeps her eyes open during prayers, watching her friends' closed eyelids and listening to their sincere words. Kate lacks the vocabulary to express her true feelings and identity. She only knows she carries a secret that grows harder to ignore. The closeted world of big time college sports makes everything more complicated. Kate must figure out how to reconcile her religious friendships with her emerging understanding of herself.
Genres: coming-of-age, contemporary, sports
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: closeted, coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: University of Colorado
Period: 21st-century
200 pages · Kindle Edition · Skyhorse
Content warnings: homophobia