This book was just OK for me. I have never played pickleball. If I were into the sport I may have found it charming, but it was a little too silly for me. There were a lot of “slapstick” elements and overly-coincidental occurrences. I’m usually good at suspending disbelief as a reader, but there were a few things here that were over the top. That being said, I loved the setting as I consider Seattle my third hometown (adopted by marriage). The book did a great job conveying the beauty of the PNW.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#Pickleballers:⁣
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Thank you @berkleyromance for my gifted copies. #BerkleyPartner⁣
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Me before: “IDK about this. Have we taken pickleball too far?”⁣
Me after: “FOMOOP!!” (Fear of missing out in pickleball) ⁣
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Honestly, this was fun. I didn’t know how I’d feel about it with pickleball being the center of it all. While, yes, it’s a lot about it and I hope to never hear that word in the next 5-7 minutes, I really enjoyed it. ⁣
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I loved Meg and Annie. I think their friendship was my favorite part. The banter was definitely there as well, and Meg with her post divorce life was definitely such an understanding character. ⁣
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Overall, heavy of the pickle, heavy of the banter, heavy of the friendship, a solid laugh and read.⁣
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Out now!⁣
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QOTD: What’s a sport you’ll watch? Not a sports ball person, name your current read!

Vividly depicted with many themes and stories in this one book, Pickleballers by Ilana Long introduces readers to the popular sport by the same title.

Ethan and Meg take center stage, and we get to know them a little at a time. The core issues revolve around their serious lack of communication skills. Meg comes out of her comfort zone with Ethan repeatedly after meeting by chance on a ferry a few months after her husband divorces her unexpectedly. But when her and her ex’s paths keep crossing on the pickleball court, she has something to prove—to him and herself.

There are beautiful descriptions of the Pacific Northwest, particularly Bainbridge Island. Long paints a vivid picture of nature, assisting the reader to appreciate the sights that residents see and enjoy daily. The story has twists and turns, as well as laughter, tears, and cringe-worthy moments. Throughout it all, Meg is evolving and enjoying her art once again. There is closure with the epilogue that takes place a year later with some happily ever afters and a surprise or two.

Pickleballers is filled with pickleball matches, players, and lessons set in a picturesque setting that made me want to get out on the court.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

Pickleballers by Ilana Long
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 11/12

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley for my advanced copy!

Meg is having a rough time after her divorce, so she and her best friend Annie head to Bainbridge Island for some pickleball therapy. It’s supposed to be a carefree getaway, but things take a twist when Meg meets Ethan. He’s charming, handsome, and seems perfect—until Meg realizes he’s the guy responsible for tearing down her home pickleball courts.

This debut novel is full of lively characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. Meg and Ethan’s connection is instant and electric, and the drama that unfolds makes their story even more compelling. Meg’s friendship with Annie is one of the book’s highlights, with lots of laughs and pranks.

Listening to the audiobook was a pleasant surprise since the author narrates it herself. Her voice fits the vibe of the book perfectly.

If you’re in the mood for a cute, breezy romance with a unique twist involving pickleball, this a great choice. It’s perfect as a light read to break up more serious books, and I’m excited to see what this author writes next!

This is just my opinion and I think it might have to do with me not a fan of pickleball.
This book sounded like it was gonna be cute, and it was but there was wayyyy too much pickleball info for me. Then again it is all in the name lol
Some of the characters are a bit lame and need more depth, character development and info I think.
The female friendship between Annie and Meg was fantastic and I think it really took 1st place (star of the story). I didn't really feel anything for the characters and the chemistry seemed off and kinda forced.
This first part of this story is very pickleball-heavy heavy then we go into another part of the book and its an adventure (hiking in the mountains and camping) then hopped right back to the pickleball tournament. It hopped around to some extreme things. A lot going on when it came to subplots. I felt like I was in a rut that I couldn't get out of in this book bc the conflicts just kept coming back and it was repeating, making it hard to read and get into.
This was a quick read for me and I am sad to say that it wasn't bc it was really interested in it it was bc I was trying to get to the good parts and to the end as soon as I could. sorry
Even though it wasn't a book for me, I am glad to have the opportunity to read it.

‘Get out of her own way.’

A pickleball primer combined with a Hallmark worthy rom com is what you get when you pick up this book. Whether you know the game or don’t, you’ll find yourself hurting with laughter as Meg navigates post divorce life on her way to finding her HEA. So much fun!

Pickleballers serves up (pun intended) a perfect mix of sporty fun, spicy romance, and laugh-out-loud moments that make it a total ace of a read!

Set against the backdrop of an ultra-competitive pickleball community, this story introduces us to a fiery, determined heroine who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty on the court. Enter the hero: a handsome, skilled player with an irresistible bad-boy edge and just enough swagger to make things interesting. Their chemistry is undeniable from the first match, sparking with every clever comeback, competitive rally, and flirtatious glance.

Long brings the pickleball world to life with vivid descriptions and pulse-pounding game sequences that make you feel like you’re right there, rooting from the sidelines. But it’s not all fun and games—beneath the surface, “Pickleballers” explores personal growth, trust, and the complicated dance of letting someone in. Their steamy encounters are as satisfying as a perfect serve, with plenty of heat and humor that make the romance feel genuine and thrilling.

If you’re looking for a feel-good story with plenty of athletic action, sexy tension, and unforgettable characters, “Pickleballers” is a winner. Ilana Long has crafted a tale that celebrates competition, passion, and the joy of finding someone who can keep up both on and off the court. A must-read for sports romance fans who love a good rally of wit, charm, and heart!

Thanks so much to Berkley Romance for my ARC!

Pickleball is the hot trend now and it was refreshing to see a rom com novel using a sport other than hockey. Funny enough I have never played, hocky or pickleball, but a day before I started reading Pickleballers, my mom who does play was explaining the ins and outs of pickleball to me. And honestly it made reading the book a little more enjoyable because I understood the basics and what terms like "the kitchen" meant. I was able to form a better picture in my head and it made it more relatable. I think fans of pickleball would really like this novel. I did find it to be all a bit silly at times, the main character always trying to hide, and the bickering of the pickleball community. But there were many laugh out loud moments and the love interest was sweet and interesting. I like the friendships of the main character, especially Annie and Rooster. One aspect that didn't work for me was the side love interest story of Annie. But the main characters had a cute and sweet developing enemy to lovers story arc, and fun banter between them. I think this would appeal to folks that like to play pickleball, but to anyone that just a little competitive love story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review an advanced early copy.

✨ Review ✨ Pickleballers, written and read by Ilana Long

Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Meg starts playing pickleball with her bff Annie after her sudden divorce from her crummy husband (he alerts her he's leaving on the back of a home improvement store receipt). She begins to fall in love with the sport, and she becomes part of a local pickleball community, which is under threat of destruction as a school renovation that plans to remove their courts to restore the wetlands. Alongside this, Meg's challenging for a beginners spot at the local picklesmash tourney to help her group raise funds for new courts.

Meg, early on, encounters a hottie on the ferry back to Seattle, and they hit it off with their banter and fun immediately. When he appears again though, her skepticism grows -- is he a friend or a foe?

Much of the book takes place on Bainbridge Island as Meg tries to reestablish her identity post-divorce. The book is full of painting, pickleball, hiking, and adventures galore, and I loved the banter between Meg and Ethan throughout the book. This was a perfect light read for a hard week!

(Note I loved how this worked in this history of Bainbridge Island - from pickleball to Japanese internment. I thought the author did this really well without it becoming a distraction from the plot!)

🎧 This was really such a fun read and I love that the author read the audiobook too. Minus Annie's chipmunk voice (that admittedly she executes as promised), I loved listening to this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: f/m contemporary romance
Setting: Seattle and Bainbridge, Washington
Length: 10 hours 50 minutes
Pub Date: November 12, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ pickleball
⭕️ sports romances
⭕️ Seattle and the outdoors
⭕️ banter-filled relationships

This book is not for me, though I’m sure others will enjoy it. It’s called a rom-com, and the humor comes from slapstick rather than wit. I found the pace to be slow and the tone to be pretty depressing (especially given the opening, with the main character’s boyfriend abandoning her). This was too much drama and not enough fun for me. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

What I did like was the female friendship between Annie and Meg and how they lifted each other up in their times of need and also when to pull back and let them shine on their own. I liked this book in theory more than actuality. I found some of the characters' actions and plots immature, as well as so "high school." This is a freaking rec sport, you're all middle age. Everyone needed to calm down! I also felt like this book was a bit disjointed it started off so hot about pickleball, and then midway through switched to a vacation romance where she's painting and hiking mountains and putting down roots in a whole new city, then randomly was like oh yeah this is a book about pickleball and hopped back in at the pickleball tournament. The main reason I didn't rate this higher is because I found myself skimming a lot.

Read if you like enemies to lovers, sports romances. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 11/12!

my thoughts:
in her debut novel, Ilana Long dives right into the world of pickleball, blending sports with small-town charm and plenty of quirky characters!

Pickleballers brings lighthearted fun to the page, filled with court-side drama, friendships, Pickleball history and a splash of romance. It’s easy, breezy, and packed with moments that’ll make you smile—perfect for a quick escape if you’re a fan of the sport or just looking for something a little different.

while it didn’t quite keep me hooked all the way through, Pickleballers was a solid 3-star read, scoring points for its unique premise and playful vibe—a great pick if you’re in the mood for something light and fun!!

Kate’s rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice level: .5

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meg Bloomberg’s life is currently in a slump—her career, her divorce, and her vision for her life. Her best friend decides she needs an active outlet and teaches her how to play pickleball. They’re so into it that they set off on a pickleball getaway to Bainbridge Island (where pickleball was founded)! Through all of Meg’s ups and downs (and mishaps), Ethan Fine keeps creeping back into the forefront of her mind. He’s an environmental consultant and Bainbridge local who seems like the real deal. While trying to save her home courts, battling her ex in a tournament, and finding herself—Meg decides it’s time to take back control of her own life.

I have been playing pickleball for a few years now and was dying to have a sports rom-com centered around it, FINALLY! this to me was a lighthearted read focused on team work, found family, and the message of just because life is hard now, doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way. would recommend if you’re looking for a quick read with quirky side characters!

This simply was not it for me. Meg seems like she’s going to figure it all out and I think her story arc will be good! And I think Ethan is an interesting love interest! The banter was good, and their instant connection was good!
But this simply wasn’t it for me.

Thanks to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had a fun time while reading this book. I liked Meg and Ethan separately but had a bit of a hard time investing in their romance for most of the story although I did like the ending.

I liked the setting of Bainbridge Island, and I thought the residents of the town, particularly the ones involved in Pickleball were pretty funny. There was a lot of ball humor that had me at the very least smiling while reading. I thought the friendship Meg has with her bestie Annie was great, and I really enjoyed seeing Meg find her way back to what she loved after her divorce.

I don't think I ever smiled so hard for a sports romance single pov third person book! Woah. THIS WAS AMAZING. MEG AND ETHAN. AND A WHOLE LOT OF PICKLEBALL

CW: closed door/fade to black, very minimal language

The way I devoured this book is less than two days. I could not put it down.

if you like
- sports romance
- closed door/ftb
- single pov
- third person
- found family
- quirky side characters
- PICKLEBALL
you might want to pick this one up


*thank you Berkley Publishing Group and the author for an advance readers copy
1 like

Pickleballers was an okay read for me. I really liked the setting, the cast of characters and all the pickleball stuff. I just didn’t love the romance of it. I just wasn’t super into Meg and Ethan as a couple, they were both fine characters no issue with either of them, I just wasn’t invested in them together. Still a good enough book though and I’d read another book from the author.

I loved this book !! It was such an enjoyable and fun read! I had a blast! The romance in this one was really great and the MMC was so swoony! I felt like the FMC was so stinking relatable! This book had all the makings of a perfect and successful romcom! Give it a try!
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
spice: closed door 🌶️
CW: mild language and innuendo!

Pickleballers
⭐️⭐️

“You have that in you. I’ve never met someone who can imagine something like that. Something creative that touches people.”

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

Let’s start with the disclaimer that I give on most sports books. I know NOTHING about pickleball. In fact, if you see me post a review about a book that includes sports, please just assume I know nothing about the sport.
I still read sports romances because if the sport doesn’t overpower the romance then I typically still enjoy them. Unfortunately, this was heavy on the pickleball and very very light on the romance.
Let’s also remember, just because I don’t love this, doesn’t mean that you won’t.
I really do believe that this story started strong. However, as I continued the book just had a lot going on, and my little brain could not keep up. There were so many characters and so many subplots. I was struggling to focus.
The initial meet-cute was so good and I was excited to keep reading, but it ended up falling very flat for me.
In my Goodreads review, I said this was the Hallmark-ification of Pickleball. I stand by this statement. This had MAJOR Hallmark vibes. Between the dynamics of the friendships to the energy of the town, but most importantly their passion for pickleball, the hallmark movie energy was strong.
I think my biggest critique was the humor. I love a good joke and I love funny books, but these jokes felt too juvenile for my taste. It’s hard to explain but it just didn’t mesh. There was a lot of “pants and balls humor” I’ll let you decide what I mean by that…
The part of this story that I appreciate the most is how much you can see the author’s passion for the sport. You can really see how much she adores it!
Overall, this book wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t for me. This book is probably better suited for people who enjoy pickleball. This is out next week on November 12th!

Read If You Like:
🏓pickleball!!!
🏓dating after divorce
🏓mild rivalry
🏓hallmark movies
🏓eccentric characters

Meg is recently divorced from her dink of an ex husband, and is convinced to try to a new hobby- Pickleball - with her best friend Annie. The community embraces her, and she appreciates that most people are just out there to have fun. When a random stranger from the ferry turns out to be a not so random (and extremely attractive) environmental consultant named Ethan, with plans to shut down their court, Meg is conflicted by her growing feelings toward him. Preparing for her first tournament, Meg takes a trip to Bainbridge Island (birthplace of pickleball!) for a reset, and discovers a lot of things about herself, about Ethan, and some odd happenings with friends and competitors back home. Ultimately, Meg finds that she deserves a second chance and love, and that sometimes it's ok to put yourself first.

💭 This is not your typical sports romance! The pickleball trend is definitely hot right now, and this is such a cute and uplifting story about a sport that sets out to be inclusive. This felt like a love story to pickleball, the Pacific Northwest, and to being true to yourself. The banter is cute, the pickleball puns were hilarious, and the friendships and fellow pickleballers were definitely highlights! There were also some funny little twists that kept you guessing. Another highlight was learning some of the history of the PNW and of Pickleball! Who knew?! Definitely check this one out!