{"product_id":"the-front-runner-9780452260726","title":"The Front Runner","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst published in 1974  The Front Runner raced to international acclaim - the first novel about gay love to become popular with mainstream. In 1975  coach Harlan Brown is hiding from his past at an obscure New York college  after he was fired from Penn State University on suspicion of being gay. A tough  lonely ex-Marine of 39  Harlan has never allowed himself to love another man. Then Billy Sive  a brilliant young runner  shows up on his doorstep. He and his two comrades  Vince Matti and Jacques LaFont  were just thrown off a major team for admitting they are gay. Harlan knows that  with proper training  Billy could go to the 76 Olympics in Montreal. He agrees to coach the three boys under strict conditions that thwart Billys growing attraction for his mature but compelling mentor. The lean  graceful front runner with gold-rim glasses sees directly into Harlans heart. Billys gentle and open acceptance of his sexuality makes Harlan afraid to confront either the pain of his past  or the challenges which lay in wait if their intimacy is exposed. But when Coach Brown finds himself falling in love with his most gifted athlete  he must combat his true feelings for Billy or risk the outrage of the entire sports world - and their only chance at Olympic gold.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67921828741173,"sku":"ByrdShop_0452260728","price":68.27,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780452260726.jpg?v=1794069261","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-front-runner-9780452260726","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}