This romance was a great blend between humor and heart-felt vulnerability. I also enjoyed the Pickleball context and felt the author made it accessible to readers who have never played the sport! The physical connection between Meg and Ethan was well-written and I liked that their relationship roadblacks were mostly external miscommunications or misunderstandings than intentional, but there were several times when I wanted to shake them both! The humor of the the book does center quite a bit on puns and second hand embarrassment, so if you don’t love that type of humor, you might struggle to connect. Otherwise, I think rom-com readers who enjoy rivals to lovers, instalust turned slow-burn relationship building, and a fun sports competition will breeze through this new release!

In this sports romance story, which not surprisingly is all about pickleball, Meg Bloomberg has recently taken up the game with her best friend, Annie, who is a highly skilled player. Meg is still deeply hurt by a surprise divorce after a two-year marriage. Her already low self esteem has barely started to recover, so she is not sure it is helpful to be the worst player in the league. When Meg meets Ethan Fine on a ferry to Seattle from Bainbridge Island, the proud birthplace of the pickleball, she is immediately attracted to him.

When Meg runs into Ethan again, it seems he is responsible for the possible loss of her home court. Meg decides to take a vacation to the hallowed grounds of Bainbridge and once again Ethan turns up since he lives there. They begin a tentative relationship of sorts with a lot of missteps along the way.

This book is heavily filled with all things pickleball to the extent that the romance and Meg’s finding of a new, confident self takes a back seat. The natural beauty of the PNW is also definitely an important part as well. Meg seemingly has no backbone especially when confronted with her ex who shows up to play the game in Seattle causing her more pain and disappointment.

I am not a fan of stories with continual miscommunications such as ones between Meg and Ethan as well as her very poor self-worth. There is also some confusing information about one of the team players that was odd. Perhaps aficionados and fans will enjoy all the details of pickleball as well as the attendant puns and stylizing of the game’s ins and outs as life lessons.

I learned a lot about pickleball reading this book. Did you know it originated in Seattle, Washington? I didn’t! Meg, the FMC, had a lot to offer. While she initially started playing pickleball to get out of the depression caused by her husband leaving her, she soon discovered she loved the sport and it became a vehicle of growth for her in other areas of her life. The single POV meant that we got to watch as her sadness and self-doubt gave way to joy and confidence. The MMC, Ethan, was not as well developed and we never got his viewpoint, but he was a sweetheart of a character and supported Meg well.

I felt like Meg’s friendship with her best friend Annie was an essential part of the story as well. That relationship was just as strong as her romantic relationship. Other side characters were very helpful in supporting Meg’s growth as well.

As I hinted about by calling this a lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers book, there’s a lot of miscommunication in this one. But the trust issues both characters had made it understandable why they would struggle. The romance is all closed door, sadly. But there was definitely some great kissing!

This was a fun read with uplifting themes of self-discovery and finding joy. And pickleball.

This was so cute! I loved all the puns.

I didn't know what to expect going into this book. A book about pickleball? I have to admit, I had to look up what pickleball was lol. But I love a wacky premise for romcoms so this seemed right up my alley.

I found the story to be a lot of fun. It's filled with humor, enemies/rivals to lovers goodness and a unique sport to add to sports romances. The characters had great chemistry too.

A wonderful debut!

DNF. Pickleballers wasn't for me. I had a hard time with the third-person narration. I thought there were a lot of unnecessary tidbits added into the story. It made the reading experience feel bogged down. I didn't feel connected to Meg. I found her and Ethan's first scene together cringey. I didn't feel the chemistry between them. There was a lot going on at the beginning of the book. Within the first 10%, there's divorce, pickleball, pigs, and making out with a stranger. It was a lot. Despite having a unique premise, I just couldn't get into this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

With all the hype pickle ball is getting lately I had to read this one. I liked the rival aspect that pickle ball brings in and the humor of it also since typically it is not an overly competitive sport. I enjoyed all the characters and found myself giggling and kicking my feet multiple times.

The premise is unique and refreshing, offering readers a glimpse into the sport while developing the connection between the main characters. The chemistry between the leads is charming, with playful banter and moments of genuine warmth. However, the story struggles to maintain its pace, with certain plot points feeling a bit predictable and some character interactions lacking depth.

While the book delivers on humor and a light, breezy vibe, the romance sometimes feels rushed, leaving little room for emotional build-up. That said, the author’s enthusiasm for pickleball shines through, making the setting one of the highlights of the story. Overall, Pickleballers is a pleasant, quick read for fans of sports-themed romances, but it falls short of a more engaging, deeper romantic experience. It’s a solid pick if you’re looking for a fun, easy escape, but don’t expect it to linger long after the final page.

Well, this book was super cute but way toooo much detail on the pickleball game. I skipped over many parts. I felt that the pickleball took over and the love story just floated in te background. I would have enjoyed more involving the love stories of the characters, but then I am a romantic at heart. Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so much fun. I truly enjoyed everything about it from the cover, the story, to the competition. Thank you for the early opportunity to look at this one!

So I love pickleball, so a romance about two pickleballers, sign me up! Pickleballers follows Meg, a recent divorcee working on finding her next serve, and when her best friend brings her to her pickleball league, her life is filled with new challenges and community—until Ethan Fine, her fleeting ferry hookup shows up and threatens everything. So this isn’t really a romance—I meant that’s the B plot, but it’s Meg’s story and her journey with pickleball. There’s a lot of pickleball in this, which is cute, but I think it took away from a lot of character development. The connection leaned heavy on the insta love and there’s just a lot of things going on that I never truly felt connected to the characters. Meg is very lost, and my heart went out to her, but I felt placed too in the middle of what she was going through. The ending of this closed door romance is also way too pretty for me; I love a HEA, but I like it to feel realistic and this feel off the rails. Still, I did really love the friendships in this thought and the pickleball community. That was easy to root for and just really fun. It’s a sweet and fun read, especially for pickleball fans!

I'm raising my rating up to three because the whole pickleball thing is right there in the title. Only I was mislead into believing that this would be a romance with pickleball, instead of a sports novel about pickleball with some romance sketched in. The sports part bored me stiff; not the fault of the author, but I loathe sports, and find fiction about them tedious. I was reading for the romance, which seemed secondary to the sports aspect.

Cute read, definitely targeted to the Pickleball lovers. Adding to sports to any romance always become an auto read for me!

Sporty romcom. The author is plainly addicted to pickleball! My game is tennis, but I have dabbled in pickleball and can see the attraction. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the sport and the community it produces for players.
The real treat was the ridiculous situation's Meg got into in this novel. There were some funny moments and witty dialogue and lots of Seattle skyline and natural beauty. I enjoyed the insight into an artist’s mind during the creation of their art. There are some heavier topics but they aren’t delved into deeply.
A very easy afternoon read that will have you googling pickleball courts before you know it!
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Pickleballers
This author did a fantastic job using humor to connect the ‘struggles’ of "Picklerballers" and finding courts to play. A cute story plays out among the characters. I’m sure others will find it adorable.

I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I knew anything about pickleball, but alas, I know nothing and it really was central to the storyline. The plot felt predictable at times, but it is a cozy, slow burn, low spice romance and is perfect for pickleball readers!

noooooo we have gone TOO FAR. this book is trying WAY TOO HARD to be trendy and relevant with the whole pickleball fad and it’s so cringe. i got 8% in and that was GENEROUS. truly it felt like a fever dream with a steamy car hookup scene with a stranger from a ferry in the first few pages??? no thank you, not for me

The banter in this book was fabulous. I’ve always wanted to be a pickleball girlie. Loved the Pacific Northwest setting.

Pickleballers by Ilana Long is a fun debut romantic comedy set in the pacific northwest.

This was a fun read! I inhaled this book within 24 hours and laughed out loud several times. I enjoyed how light-hearted it felt, though there are also sweet and romantic moments from time to time.

I definitely learned a lot about pickleball via this book! It is prominently featured throughout, and honestly is kind of its own character.

Unfortunately, the pacing was off and it ran a little long for me--both things I find very common with debut writers in a genre. Some of the banter between our leads felt a little on the cheesy side, too.

I'll definitely read more adult fiction from this author in the future!

This was such a cute, sweet read. This is the first pickleball themed sports romance I've seen, so I had to check it out! This one is definitely heavy on the humor with lots of silliness, which is honestly what everyone needs every once in a while. I read this one as a palette cleanser after finishing up a few heavier reads, and it was a delight. Meg is sweet, especially given she's just coming out of a divorce. Her friend introduces her to pickleball to get her back out there and lift her spirits, and it's just what Meg needs. Ethan seems like a really stand-up guy who has a big heart. I love that instead of being a big, bad developer or something, he threatens the pickleball courts because he wants to protect and restore the area's natural environment. If you're looking for a silly and sweet sports-themed romance, give this one a try!

Pickleball is becoming such a popular activity, that for a non-Pickleballer, I found this novel both informative and entertaining! I loved the background facts on the game, and was enthralled with players and their dynamic. The story took us on a bumpy path and all the feels to the HEA. Sweet, quick and comfy read!