This was an enjoyable read. I read through this one pretty quickly. I liked the tension between our main characters, it kept me engaged. I'm still thinking on the ending, but for me in the moment it personally felt a little long at the end. We went along the emotional roller coaster of our MFC through the entirety of the book so the end as she is still working through her feelings just felt a bit long. Not saying that it made it bad by any means just felt a little drawn out. Our MFC is trying to protect her heart and keep things in a tidy box. So at the very end her turmoil almost overpowered the chemistry between the main characters. Still overall an enjoyable read and I will definitely recommend it to others. I know a lot of people who will really enjoy it.

This was a great addition to the first book in the series. I think I would've understood it a little more if I knew more about pickleball, but it was a great read anyway!

Books have always been my “happy place.” For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of traditional romance. Lately, I have started to become a huge fan of “sports romance,” so I was glad to get a chance to read this.

As someone who has not played pickle ball since high school, I was a bit shocked about the huge “craze” that is currently going on. This book definitely piqued my interest a bit in regards to trying to play again.

In regards to the book, I hate to say that this is one where I didn’t really get a strong attachment to either of the main characters. I just couldn’t really get invested in this one, if I’m being honest. This book doesn’t have a prologue, and normally I’m really disappointed in not getting a “glimpse” of their future. With this book, I didn’t have that feeling at all.

All in all, this book was ok. I do feel like some POV from the MMC may have added to my enjoyment of the story.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long is fresh, fun, and full of flirty pickleball fueled chaos. It’s a Costa Rica retreat and second chance romance with a paddle wielding heartthrob redemption arc. All I could ask for!

Lulu’s voice had that perfect mix of vulnerability and millennial banter. I adored the sporty setup because pickleball deserves its romcom moment too. As for Tyler he brought serious charm. I did wish we got a little more clarity on their big fallout. Still, I flew through this one and totally see it being a beach bag favorite.

📖 Book Review 📖 I did not know a Picklecation Retreat existed until this book and now I am 💯 convinced I need one as soon as possible! Single mother Lulu Gardner is in desperate need of a change of scenery and is thrilled to tag along with her aunt for some sun and sport in Costa Rica. Embracing the Pura Vida, she even goes with a last minute change, leaving behind the resort and her daughter with family to embark on an adventure pickleball tour around the country. She’s not even going to let the fact that her high school fling, Tyler, also a former tennis player, now pickleball pro ruin this opportunity for her. Being back on the court together again is something neither of them imagined, but the spark is not left in the past. No pickleball experience is necessary to indulge in this delightfully delicious second chance romance with a heavy dose of adventure in the jungle. Ilana Long delivers a true golden pickle both on and off the courts in Pickle Perfect

This book is such a delightful, feel-good escape. It’s everything I wanted in a romantic comedy. It doesn’t try too hard to be funny; it just feels natural, like you’re hanging out with people who are genuinely fun to be around. What really made this story work for me was how it balanced lightheartedness with deeper themes about moving on from past mistakes and learning to take risks again. It’s not just about romance but about personal growth, and I loved seeing both Lulu and Tyler challenge each other to be better. I couldn’t put it down and found myself grinning like an idiot the whole way through.