I loved that it was about pickleball and had some romance bits here and there. It was a quick read and I read it in two days

Finally a romance where the main characters communicate like adults! This book was not only romantic, in a way that had me giggling and kicking my feet, but also refreshing. I never thought I'd spend my weekend not able to put down a book about Pickleball, but here I am. I can't wait to see what Kate does next, because I know it will be perfect!

Well, this was my first Kate Spencer romance and it definitely won't be my last! This was a cute, sexy rom-com that should 100% be made into a movie, pronto. I was literally casting the movie in my head as I read it.

Now, was this a groundbreaking rom-com? No. And don't go into this one expecting any kind of angst. But to me, it had just the right amount of solid plot, cute characters, and just enough spice that it came together to be just the contemporary romance I needed. Personally, I loved the fact that it takes place in a retirement city--all the adorable senior citizens had me laughing!--and I think both MCs, Niko and Bex, were well-developed and well-written. Overall, if you're looking for a sexy, summer romance, this one is perfect!

This was SUCH a cute novel. I went into this, knowing nothing about pickleball and trust me that you don’t need to to enjoy this. This was a sweet romcom with a bit of depth to it, and I loved the characters in their development throughout the book. No criticisms! Write more, Kate Spencer.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bex can't believe that the jerk who let the door to the hospital close in her face (while she was holding her mother's ashes) is the nephew of one of her dearest pickleball-coaching clients. Niko just wants to get his life back on track, get out of Sunset Springs, and get back to tennis. Tempers flare as these two meet in Loretta's hospital room. But is it hate-at-first-sight, or possibly something more? When these two realize their stories are similar and that they need each other, will fake-dating and lies lead to love "in the kitchen?" (pickleball reference ftw!)

After what felt like a bit of a slow start for me, I really enjoyed this book! Niko and Bex are a great grumpy/sunshine duo, and their banter was really fun to read and left a smile on my face. I definitely identified with Bex and her need to take care of others, often at the expense of herself and her needs. Because of this, it was just lovely to see the way she is cared for in the last quarter of the book by those around her. For Niko it was great to see the character's growth over the course of the novel, and really satisfying to see where he landed at the end. While I did see most of the turns and twists coming, it didn't distract or detract in any way from the story. I found the side characters charming and wished we had as much of them in the second half of the book as we did in the first.

Spice level (scale of 1-5): 4 (making out, multiple intimate scenes, discussion of kinks)

Stars: 4!

My thanks to Forever (yay Estelle!) and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC! All opinions are solely mine.

This is my first Kate Spencer read, and it won’t be the last. I breezed through it in less than a day and found it an absolute delight from start to finish. The enemies-to-lovers chemistry (which never really felt like ENEMIES but more that they got under each other’s skin) is great, and the motivations of both MCs felt believable and relatable.

Bex is trying desperately to hold on to her beloved tennis/pickleball club and her mother’s memory two years after her passing. Niko is still devastated after an injury took him off the pro tennis circuit, so he begins training at Bex’s club while staying with his elderly Aunt Loretta. Bex and Niko develop a grudging respect for each other and soon end up as partners in a doubles pickleball tournament (which would enable Niko to regain some bragging rights against an old nemesis and provide the funds Bex needs to renovate her club). Of course, romance ensues!

I adored the couple and their journey, but just as much I loved reading about the deep friendships they have with the older people in their lives, like Aunt Loretta and a number of other pickleball devotees who, even if they’re not family, are just as close as family to Bex.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley and Forever.

This was super cute & fun!

Bex & Niko were adorable and very entertaining. I liked that they were sort of dealing with the same issue, their parents, but in different ways. Their chemistry was well written and I enjoyed their dynamic.

I may also need to pick up pickleball because this book made it sound so fun. I liked that this was a different sport than hockey because it was so refreshing.

A great, charming and fun summer read. Would be a perfect beach read.

This book is a perfect blend of romance, rivalry, and redemption! Bex and Niko’s chemistry sizzles both on and off the court, making for an addictive read. The high-stakes pickleball tournament adds a fresh, exciting twist, and the fake-dating trope is executed flawlessly. Bex’s determination to save her family’s racquet club and Niko’s journey to reclaim his pride create compelling character arcs. Witty banter, heartwarming moments, and plenty of tension make this a must-read. If you love sports romances with strong leads, this one’s a winner!

This was such a sweet and emotional love story. I really enjoyed learning so much about this sport that has become such a phenomenon. This author never disappoints.

I loved this. Who knew pickleball could be sexy??

Bex runs her family's racquet court in a retirement town, which is mostly used for pickleball. Niko comes to town when his aunt gets hurt. While he's there, he's working towards getting back into professional tennis after a career ending injury. He's super snobby about pickleball, which is pretty much Bex's passion in life.

It had enemies to lovers, fake dating, lots of tension, steamy pickleball banter, lovable side characters, minor small-town villains, and a charming setting.

All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball was a great story. Niko and Bex have the best banter and to see how it all played out along with the grief was such a journey I was excited to be apart of. It also really made me want to play pickleball!