Lots of tips sprinkled in for playing pickleball, and a fun cast of characters. This book had a lovely and satisfying ending!

Ok, I have never played pickleball in my life, but this story was absolutely delightful! And I now I want to learn how to play!
It also features two of my absolute favorite tropes, fake dating and enemies to lovers!!
Bex has inherited the ownership of a worn down racquet club after the loss of her mother. She desperately wants to keep the doors open for her mother’s legacy and all the members who have become her friends. Nick is a tennis pro who had a terrible injury and is trying to make a comeback. Bex’s rival club is hosting a pickleball tournament and the prize money would save her club. In a funny turn of events, Nick and Bex need each other’s help so enter fake dating and hilarity ensues! The banter is top tier along with their chemistry!
This story was beautiful watching Bex figure out how to navigate her 20s, the loss of her mother and to create her own new legacy at the club.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!

Read if you like:

Enemies to lovers vibes
Small-town feel
Sports romance
Relatable characters
Humor
Emotional depth

My thoughts:

All's Fair in Love and Pickleball is utter perfection. Kate Spencer delivered so much more than a pickleball romance. Bex and Niko have taken up residence in my heart and on my favorites shelf.

I'll start off by saying that if I had even one complaint, it would only be that it's a little slow to start. It doesn't have a plot that immediately grabs you and keeps you captivated. It does, however, have a cast of characters that does. Bex, Niko, Loretta, Deb, Ed and all the rest of the Sunset Springs Racquet Club crew stole the show from the very start. Every single character was well-rounded and well-developed but even more important, they had such heart and wonderfully defined personalities. Bex and Niko may have been the leads here but Loretta and Ed also stole a piece of my heart. Not to mention Maureen and Deb making me genuinely laugh out loud.

Don't let the cutesy cover of this one fool you. It's a little deceptive when it comes to what's between the pages. Yes, it's a romantic comedy with fake dating, enemies to lovers vibes, and pickleball playing but it also focuses heavily on grief (specifically from loss of a parent) and mental health. Bex's love for pickleball and the racquet club is wrapped up in her love for her mom and the thought of losing it so soon after losing her mom is something she struggles with throughout the book. It fuels a lot of her determination to save the place. With Niko, he's trying to come back from a serious injury and there's a lot going on in his head surrounding that. I think the thing that made this really stand out to me is how Kate Spencer approached these topics. They were such an intrinsic part of the characters but there was also so much more to them than just their struggles. It felt so natural and relatable.

Seeing Bex and Niko grow together was the best part of this book. I loved the animosity and tension between them at the start but seeing that change over the course of their fake relationship was just too good. Niko started out as this elitist grump (which can be overlooked since he's a literal Greek tennis god) but Bex was able to bring out another side of him. Seeing Bex come out from behind her shadow of grief brought me so much joy. Playing pickleball with Niko reminded her of her love of the game and her fake relationship with him reminded her that she still had so much life and potential.

This was sports romance done right. Pickleball was an actual part of the story, not just a brief mention. I knew nothing about it going in but I feel like I know it now. I'm not gonna lie and say I'm going to rush out and play but I'm certainly more interested than I was before.

Overall, All's Fair in Love and Pickleball moves to the top of my recommendation list. Readers will come for the pickleball but stay for Bex, Niko, and the Sunset Springs Racquet Club crew. 

TL;DR

Utter perfection. The writing, the story, the characters; I have nothing bad to say about any of it. Kate Spencer did the impossible and even made me care about a sport. I have nothing but good things to say about All's Fair in Love and Pickleball. I highly recommend it.

This was a fun romance that I was easily able to read in one sitting (helps that it piqued my interest in trying pickleball this year!) Bex has taken over the Sunset Springs Racquet Club after her mom passed away, hoping to keep her family’s legacy going. She’s developed a found family in the seniors she coaches and plays with every day. But when one is injured on the increasingly deteriorating courts, she encounters her serious and ill tempered nephew, Niko, a former tennis pro out of the game after a career ending injury. They are immediately at odds and it doesn’t help that he’s one more thing to worry about when she already is doing the math for costly repairs. However the two realize they can help each other by fake dating and taking part in a pickleball tournament so he can rehab his image and she can use prize funds to save the club. What they don’t expect is sparks to fly on AND off the court.
Some points had me frustrated beyond belief (communicate yall!) but for the most part, I loved this book and found the banter between everyone from Bex and Niko to Loretta and Deb, to make the read so fun.
Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

All's Fair in Love and Pickleball is my first pickleball romance read, and it was so good! I loved the characters, found family, Dodgeball movie vibes, and the romance.

The romance has a major grumpy/sunshine feel with a heap of fake dating on top. These are two of my favorite tropes, so the love story between Bex and Niko was a big hit for me. Nico has such a grumpy exterior, but once Bex gets to know and understand him, she sees the kind, sensitive, and wounded man underneath. A former tennis star, Niko is looking to ressurect his carreer after an injury (and bad temper) that has stalled his success. Bex is layered and interesting too. Desperate to save the business that defines her and her relationship with her deceased mother, she faces a lot of financial and emotional challenges. I felt for her as a fellow motherless daughter and related to many of her emotions. Luckily for both characters, there's an upcoming pickleball tournament that could help them both if they play together and win. It reminded me a bit of the movie Dodgeball in this regard, which I loved.

The chemistry between Bex and Niko is fun to watch develop. It’s not just about the heat (though there’s definitely some of that!), but about the trust and partnership that grows between them as they open up and work together on and off the court. Their banter is sharp and playful and sometimes antagonistic, and I appreciated how their emotional arcs felt grounded in real insecurities, dreams, and needs. I also really liked how their relationship helped each of them reconnect with what they wanted in life—Niko with his career and sense of purpose, and Bex with her confidence and ability to dream bigger.

Though there are some serious issues explored, including grief, financial troubles, career struggles, and more, the story has a light and positive tone. The found family aspect, which includes many meddling senior citizens, is fabulous and comical, as is the fun banter and pickleball play. Aunt Loretta and the other racquet club regulars absolutely stole some scenes for me with their matchmaking schemes, court-side commentary, and sincere loyalty.

This is definitely worth checking out if you like fun, heartwarming, and sexy contemporary romances with a dash of sports rivalry and a big community spirit. Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

All's Fair in Love and Pickleball was cute! I loved the contrast between Bex and Niko and loved seeing how they work well together. I also enjoyed the found family Bex has in her community.
Super fun and quick read!

Kate Spencer delivers a delightful and heartwarming rom-com with 'All's Fair in Love and Pickleball'. This novel masterfully blends humor, romance, and the charm of pickleball into a narrative that's both engaging and emotionally resonant.

Bex Martin is determined to keep her late mother's racquet club afloat amidst financial struggles and the threat of closure. Enter Nikolaus "niko" Karras, a former tennis star seeking redemption after a career-halting injury. When a misunderstanding leads the public to believe they're a couple, Bex and Niko decide to maintain the facade, especially as they team up for a high-stakes pickleball tournament that could solve both their problems.

The opposites-attract trope shines here. Bex's vibrant and chaotic energy contrasts beautifully with Niko's brooding demeanor. Their chemistry is palpable, and their banter adds a layer of authenticity to their evolving relationship.

The ensemble of racquet club members, especially the older patrons, infuses the story with warmth and humor, creating a sense of community that's both endearing and relatable.

Spencer tackles grief, personal growth, and the challenges of legacy with sensitivity, ensuring the narrative remains grounded amidst the romantic escapades.

All's Fair in Love and Pickleball is a cute romance about Bex trying to, not only honor her mother's memory, but also run a business (racquet club) that's in dire need of repairs. Enter Niko, a professional tennis player, and nephew to one of the regulars of the racquet club Bex runs. He's handsome, confident, and thinks pickleball is a joke and not a real sport.

I love that Kate Spencer included ADHD representation and gave a glimpse into how it can affect people. In reading this, I was hoping to get a better understanding of pickleball, but I didn't get what I was looking for. I feel like we got a lot of Bex's unique clothing style than we did the actual sport. In All's Fair in Love and Pickleball, you do get great banter between Bex and Niko, but many tender and heartfelt moments as well. I will say that the fluffy romance to melancholy was well-balanced.

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity

I will read anything Kate Spencer writes. I miss her voice in my ears every week via a podcast so much that if she wrote a new thesaurus, I'd probably read that. While this book does not beat In a New York Minute for me, I did enjoy it a lot. I thought there was really no slow burn for the characters or any reason why they fell for each other aside from Niko just showing up. It went from zero to ten with no real ramp-up or explanation or good reason for them to be into each other. The premise was adorable and the FMC was likable and flawed. I was into it.

3.75 rounded up!

this was such a fun read! fake dating, dislike to lovers, pickleball/tennis, and trying to save a failing family club. sign me up!

i absolutely devoured kate spencer's writing. she was able to articulate the fmc's feelings so clearly that i felt like i was truly inside of her head. i loved the banter between the two mcs and they had such sweet, heartfelt moments together.

the pacing felt a bit off kilter to me. something happens very early on which i understand why but it kind threw me for a loop. also, the tying up of loose ends felt a bit rushed and i wanted more!

also i completely fell in love with the side characters and all of the strong relationships throughout the book.

thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this arc :) can't wait to check out more of her work and this is such a fun summer read!

This is my first Kate Spencer read and it did not disappoint! I had an absolute ball of a time reading this (sorry I had to 😂) and breezed through it so fast! All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball is a perfect rom-com for Spring/Summer. It was charming, witty, and entertaining. The enemies to lovers aspect didn’t really give off too much of an enemies feel, more love dislike to lovers but it was still great. I adored their banter, chemistry, and the deep friendships and connections they have with the seniors throughout the book was heartwarming and joyful.

I really liked the setting, plot and writing. Bex and Niko are polar opposites. Bex is bright and colourful, with a hint of vulnerability, and a passion for pickleball. Niko is broody, organized, a bit irrational, and all about tennis. And despite being opposites, they clicked really well together, had some really good steamy tension, and made a good team, on and off the court. Both the MC’s motivation and commitment towards each other and their passions felt realistic and meaningful. I really enjoyed this one and loved reading about their journey together. Definitely a feel-good read that checked all the boxes!

Tropes/What to expect:
🧡 Grumpy/Sunshine
🌴 Opposites Attract
🧡 Pickleball trainer x pro tennis player
🌴 Enemies to lovers
🧡 ADHD Rep
🌴 Depiction of Grief
🧡 Fake Dating
🌴 Saving the family pickleball business

Thank you NetGalley & Forever Publishing for the arc copy! 🫶🏻

Who knew pickleball could be so steamy?!

The playful banter between Bex and Niko was so fun, I didn’t want to put it down!

I also loved how determined and vulnerable the characters were and how the story touched on grief and found family amidst the backdrop of romantic tension.

✨Kate Spencer serves up a great read coming June 3rd! ✨

🌴Bex Martin is desperate to save the racquet club she inherited from her mother; it’s her family’s legacy and all she has left of them.

Former tennis bad-boy Niko Karras is looking to reinvent his egotistical public image and reclaim his career after a life-changing injury.

The two join forces in a high-stakes pickleball tournament. Bex needs the prize money to save the club, and Niko needs to win to restore his reputation.

Except everyone assumes they’re a couple, on and off the court.

The only problem? Faking a relationship feels a little too easy…

Read if you like:
🌴fake dating
🌴grumpy/sunshine
🌴banter
🌴found family

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball releases June 3, 2025

After losing her mother to cancer, Bex inherits her family’s racquet club, and must learn to juggle her regular pickleball coaching with the club’s looming financials and repairs.

When a member of her club is injured, Bex welcomes their nephew — a professional tennis player — to train for an upcoming qualifier while he oversees his aunt’s recovery.
Soon after, Bex and Nikolaus find themselves fake dating and competing in a pickleball tournament as doubles partners to smooth over the fact that they get caught kissing by the LA Times reporter whom is there to write a profile piece on Nikolaus.

- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- opposites attract
- fake dating

I find it a bit weird to base an entire story around a tournament, only to gloss over the actual winning game…
Overall, this is a fun summer read that serves as a great palate cleanser, but could benefit from having more depth and better communication between the main characters.

2⭐

LIKED:
- My favorite part of this book was definitely Bex’s coping with her mom’s passing. The small moments of reflection were compelling and endearing and it was very clear that this part of the story came from a very personal place with the author (and she mentioned such in her acknowledgements)
- The older patrons of the club were fun. They were very colorful and added a lot making the club feel more real.
- The cover is great. I love the simple graphical nature of it but it is quite illustrative of what the book will be about. I could take or leave the title.

LAMENTED:
- I found their relationship really underwhelming. I know this is supposed to be an enemies to lovers, but…why? Why didn’t they like each other? It needed to have more reasoning to it and some actual tension in my opinion.
- Niko also just bugged me. His character arc felt really flimsy and his motivations were murky. He is absolutely sullen and grouchy and then they kiss and he’s magically not grumpy any more? Like, I love to see a grump grow some compassion but, it just felt like a cop out.
- Unfortunately, the main issue I had here was that this book…was boring. For example, it both had not enough and too much pickleball. I don’t know if it was trying to be a sports romance or not, but I don’t think it was successful.
- Okay so now I’m going to get pretty pedantic, so take it with a grain of salt, but pickleball did not become popular in places outside of the PNW, mainly Washington until the late 2010s. This took place in SoCal and Bex’s parents are supposed to have bought and built a pickleball club in like the 90s? I don’t know, that was hard to look past for me. If it had been a tennis + pickleball or tennis into pickleball, sure, but there didn’t really ever seem to be an explanation for this. Not that it necessarily needed it, but it just bugged me, personally..

LONGED FOR:
- More sports for a sports romance.
- More chemistry between the leads.
- More tension in the story and the romance.

Will I read the next one? : Unfortunately…no. This is the second book by Kate Spencer I’ve read and I’ve had the same issues with both.

All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer

Kate Spencer is one of my favourite romance authors. Her books are always fun, sweet and entertaining and this one didn’t disappoint.

Bex is running her family’s racquet club and trying to keep it afloat when Niko, a pre-tennis player lands in her life. This one is so fun, with hilarious retiree side characters, a dessert setting and a lot of pickleball puns. I loved both Bex and Nico, they were realistic characters that were interesting and charming.

A refreshing lemonade of a book on a hot summer day. Wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Thank you to @readforeverpub for my copy! This one is out on June 3rd! Also check out Kate Spencer’s other books - they are both fantastic.

I got an ARC of this book hoping for a cute love story while learning about the sport of pickleball. While the story was good, I did not get the pickleball I wanted. It felt like you could replace pickleball with any sport and it would still be the same story. I wanted there to be more pickleball and what the sport is and less of some of the other aspects. The MMC is literally learning the sport so why not show us him learning and let us learn along with him then just say “he is so good right away”. I get that he is a tennis prodigy but I am sure there are new rules and aspects that I would have loved to hear about. The story itself was good overall but it sort of all just felt forced and none of it was really natural.

3.5 stars

Super cute story. The FMC & MMC had great chemistry, and the supporting cast was hilarious. Plotline was predictable but I didn’t mind.

This was the perfect summer read for me! Not so fluffy that there was no substance but not so serious that it left me melancholy. Bex inherited the tennis/pickleball club she runs from her mom and is determined to keep up the place she was raised in, a beloved spot in the community, and the dream of her mom and dad (who passed when she was young). Her entire life is work and her friends are a group of eccentric octogenarians who she gives pickleball lessons to at the club. When she meets Niko, a tennis bad boy who is trying to make a comeback in the sport, it’s not on the greatest of terms. He barks at her, she bites back but then they discover that he’s the nephew of one of Bex’s pickleball friends and students. He needs a place to train; she has the only one close by while he helps his aunt recover from an injury. Blurting something out to a reporter doing a story on him leads to the two of them faking a relationship and entering a pickleball tournament together to get him some much-needed positive publicity and her, a cash prize that will help her save the aging racket club. Time together only makes their attraction to one another become more and more obvious but what happens when they no longer have to fake it anymore?

I thought their chemistry was perfection! Hate then love and he’s the perfect broody steamy bad boy while she’s a vision in bright colors and cheerfulness. Kate Spencer’s writing is excellent. She delves into her characters’ trauma well (Bex with the loss of her mom, Niko with the loss of his career) enough to add depth and dimension but not so much that it brings the whole book down. I really really loved this one and I don’t even play pickleball!

This was such a fun, cute summer read! I absolutely loved how it was set in the world of pickleball and at a racquet club - it really made me want to try out pickleball for myself! Bex was a great main character and I loved how passionate she was about the club. Niko was the epitome of a broody, swoonworthy love interest and I was rooting for them the entire time. I really loved the supporting characters as well and was so happy with the ending. This will definitely be popular when it comes out!

Such a sweet read! I’ve never read a pickleball romance and this had such big rom com vibes, so adorable. It was fast paced with pretty good character development. I enjoyed Bex and Niko’s tension and banter!