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Queer Romance in the Ring: Celine Ong’s “Hold Me Like a Grudge” Redefines LGBTQ+ Sports Fiction
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Celine Ong, a writer based in Singapore, has quickly garnered attention for their vibrant and heartfelt storytelling. Raised amid the energy of mosh pits, Ong brings a unique sensibility to their writing—one that celebrates chaos, tenderness, and the full spectrum of queer experience. With a background in psychology and active involvement in the local LGBTQ+ community, Ong channels lived experience into narratives that resonate on both personal and communal levels .
"Hold Me Like a Grudge" follows Asher and Caleb, two professional wrestlers whose rivalry in and out of the ring serves as the catalyst for a slow-burning, deeply emotional romance. The novel is set against the backdrop of sports entertainment—a space rarely explored in queer fiction—where the physicality of wrestling parallels the emotional vulnerability required for intimacy. As the protagonists navigate their public personas and private desires, Ong deftly explores themes of masculinity, healing, and queer liberation.
Ong’s debut stands out for its nuanced portrayal of queer love. The novel’s central relationship is not merely a subplot but the heart of the narrative, portrayed with complexity, warmth, and humor. The characters grapple with internalized expectations, family dynamics, and the pressures of public life, all while discovering strength and joy in each other. Critics have lauded this balance: “Come for the wrestling and spice or for the healing and queer revolution; either way, Celine Ong’s debut is not to be missed, ” notes Jen St. Jude, author of "If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come" .
LGBTQ+ representation in sports literature often lags behind other genres, making "Hold Me Like a Grudge"a significant and timely addition. Ong’s background as both a community advocate and a queer creative informs their writing, ensuring that the novel’s representation is not tokenistic but deeply felt and authentic.
Professional wrestling is depicted as both spectacle and sanctuary—a place where boundaries can be blurred and identities explored without shame. Ong writes their queer characters as “chaos gremlins with bad manners, weird feelings, and big hearts, ” subverting stereotypes and offering readers a vision of queer life that is messy, joyful, and resilient .
The response to "Hold Me Like a Grudge" has been enthusiastic, especially among readers seeking authentic queer narratives. Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author, praised the book for bringing “the sweat, the drama, and the FUN” to romance fiction, highlighting the ways Ong’s storytelling celebrates both the spectacle and the intimacy of wrestling .
Within the broader literary landscape, Ong’s debut contributes to an ongoing conversation about LGBTQ+ visibility in media and literature. By centering queer joy and resilience, Ong challenges the trope of tragedy that has historically dominated queer fiction. Instead, "Hold Me Like a Grudge"foregrounds healing, chosen family, and the radical act of loving openly and fiercely.
Ong’s identity as a Singaporean author adds a distinctive layer to the novel. Singapore’s LGBTQ+ community faces unique cultural and legal challenges, making Ong’s visibility and success particularly meaningful for local readers. Ong’s work demonstrates that queer stories from Southeast Asia can resonate globally, challenging Western-centric narratives and broadening the scope of contemporary queer literature .
Beyond writing, Ong is engaged in various creative and community-based projects, including podcasting and arts advocacy, further amplifying queer voices in Singapore and beyond .
"Hold Me Like a Grudge"is only the beginning for Celine Ong, whose next novel, "Loser New Year, "is set for release in 2027 . Ong’s trajectory suggests a promising future for queer romance fiction that is both globally relevant and deeply tied to community.
Their work invites readers to celebrate the power of queer love stories—not as exceptions, but as vital narratives that reflect the diversity and richness of LGBTQ+ lives everywhere.
