This is a fun, quick summer read, which is exactly what I was hoping for!

Bex was cute, fun, determined and maybe a bit immature in her boy-craze. I mean, how many times can you mention the sounds coming from the next pickleball court over?? But overall, she's a great character.

Nico was very hot and cold. I feel this could have been explained better if we had his POV - just my opinion!

I was not a fan of the third act breakup. I know that this is part of romcoms 99% of the time, but this felt forced and the timing of it just seemed very off. It made the whole ending very rushed.

Solid 3.5 stars for this one. Definitely a fun one to start the summer reading!

Thank you to Forever for the advance reader copy and to Hachette Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I find Kate Spencer's books so delightful. And I am thrilled to be participating in a pen pal series this summer relating to this book. As a quick summary of how much I enjoyed the story, I immediately bought the paperback even though I already had the ebook and audiobook versions.

Bex is trying to keep the racquet club she inherited from her mom afloat. Niko comes to support his mom and practice his tennis. But somehow, one things leads to another and they become pickleball doubles partners and start fake dating.

This story is grumpy sunshine even down to the way they dress. And I loved the way he pays attention to her and picks up on every detail of what she wants. Oh my goodness! That first steamy scene... That's all I'll write about that.

I also found Bex's grief and process of dealing with her mom's death incredibly relatable. This had me crying, as she talked to her mom and as I thought more about where my mom would want her ashes scattered.

The other characters also added to the book, especially with a strong feeling of found family. Now I want to learn to play pickleball this summer.

Mia Hutchinson Shaw narrated the audiobook superbly. She's always one of my favorite narrators.

4.5 stars rounded up

This is a cute fake dating/close proximity around pickleball featuring a former tennis pro and an owner of a pickleball court. I enjoyed this story! I liked all the pickleball talk and their connection and scenes together. There is a fun competition associated too - all around cute, lighter, romance.

Thanks to @readforeverpub and @katespencer for an ALC!
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Fake dating a smug ex-tennis pro to save your failing racquet club? Questionable life choice. Catching actual feelings for him? 10/10 would recommend.
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I listened to this gem on audio and let me just say, Mia Hutchinson Shaw nailed it. Her narration had me fully convinced I was courtside watching Bex try (and fail) not to fall for Niko, and vice versa.
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Bex is sarcastic, stubborn, and stressed out, so obviously a relatable queen. Niko is infuriatingly charming with a serve and a smirk you will swoon over. And their “totally fake” relationship? Yeah, tell that to the tension in every single scene.
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Bonus points for the amazing found family feel in this one.
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It’s got:
🎧 Fake dating that spirals gloriously out of control
🎧 Slow-burn swoon with just enough spice
🎧 Rivalry turned romance and a narrator who delivers every eye-roll and flirty jab like it’s her job (because it is, and she’s crushing it)
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This book gave me life, laughs, and a newfound obsession with pickleball. If you need a romcom that hits all the tropes and sounds amazing in your ears, this is your next listen.

Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook. The narration was great and the story was cute and easy to fly through. I did find it a bit predictable but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.

Fake dating, fiery banter, secret softness… and a hero battling the yips.

Kate Spencer’s All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball is the kind of romcom that delivers on everything—laughs, longing, layered characters, and one of the best audiobook performances I’ve heard in a while.

Bex is the fiercely independent owner of a racquet club that’s seen better days. She’s dealing with grief after her mom’s death, managing her ADHD, and doing everything she can to save the place that means everything to her. Enter Niko—a cocky tennis pro with a swoony smirk and a PR problem. He needs her to be his fake girlfriend. She needs the tournament prize money. So they team up, fake a relationship, and definitely don’t fall in love.

Except… they totally do. And somewhere between the snarky nickname (princess), the kiss caught by a reporter, and Niko whispering “Let me take care of you”, things get very, very real.

What really hit me? Niko’s vulnerability. Beneath all that charm, he’s dealing with the yips—sports-related anxiety that’s wrecked his game and his confidence. Watching him navigate that, especially in contrast to Bex’s own mental load, made their emotional connection all the more satisfying. It’s not just about attraction—it’s about understanding each other in ways no one else ever has.

Add in sizzling chemistry, some truly steamy scenes (the audiobook narrator delivers 🔥), and you’ve got a love story that’s equal parts heart and heat.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the tension between the two characters and the fake dating aspect.

This might sound kind of crazy, but I almost wanted more pickleball 😂 I think the author did a great job describing the gameplay and it left me wanting a little bit more, especially at the end.

Highly recommend for a summer sports romance read!

Story: I enjoyed this book. I learned about pickleball and love tennis so now I’m thinking I may need to give pickleball a try. The romance between Niko and Bex was also sweet and delightful. I loved the mental health representation in this book as well. I do not want to give any spoilers so I will leave it there. This is a cute read for sure!

Audiobook review: I enjoyed the performance that Mia Hutchinson gave. I have not heard an audiobook from her before and I enjoyed this one. She gave a decent amount of emotion.

**Thank you Forever and Hachette Audio for this gifted copy**

This lighthearted love story was full of emotion that pulled at my heart strings and made me smile. Grief is hard and it comes in all forms. Both Bex and Niko lost something they cherished, something that made them who they were and now they had even more to lose. These characters were deep and emotional, captivating and fun. Kate Spencer wrote a story that pulled in the love of the game (whether it be pickleball, tennis or love). This narration, by Mia Hutchinson Shaw, made the story “real”. I am always skeptical of stories with one narrator trying to make it all come together but I seriously was roped in by her voice and the way she made the characters talk to me. Brava!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This book was adorable and so fun. The enemies to lovers relationship was cute and fun to watch grow. I appreciated a sports romance focused on something other than one of the obvious sports. I wish there had been a little more drama around the actual pickleball though - that aspect could have played a bigger role in my opinion. I really liked the side characters as well.

If you want a fun sports romance for the summer I would definitely recommend this one. And the audio was really well done.

This is a fun book! It reminded me of a Hallmark movie plot but instead of saving a bakery, bookstore, or Christmas tree farm they are coming together to save a pickleball business. I enjoyed the characters and the banter between them. I listened to the audio version and thought the narration was great. My one complaint about this book is the all of the sex - just a personal preference but not what I like to read. I think if you like spice and pickleball, you will love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Bex has inherited her mother's Raquet ball club, and it is in dire need of updates to stay open. The facility caters to a lot of elderly people and one of them is hurt, the grandson Nico is thrown into the mix as he comes to take care of his injured aunt. He is a pro tennis player coming back from an injury that could end his career. The banter is witty and the tension is high. I love this story as a fellow pickleball player. Cute, light and steamy.

I really enjoyed this rom com, full of witty banter, a great storyline and plenty of Pickleball innuendo. Definitely add this to your TBR list.

Whilst I got quite a giggle, there are a few heavier topics - bereavement, mental health, money problems - it is all dealt with so beautifully that it didn't feel weighty. I felt compassion not sadness, reflective rather than somber. With so much going on around them, I wanted these two to have a happy ending. (about 80% in, I wasn't sure of the detour but it set itself back on course)
I would thoroughly recommend this story to everyone. I listened to it on audio (thanks Netgalley!) and adored the narrator, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. Her voice was perfect and her comedic timing was spot on.

This was absolutely adorable. Who knew pickleball could be so hot?!? I adored the loathe to love aspect of this story with the melding family members. I was genuinely shocked the first time they hooked up that I had to rewind to verify that it wasn’t just her dreaming.

I also appreciated the flow of the story line and the natural development of their relationship. I had all the emotions listening to this audiobook. The narrator did a phenomenal job with all the characters!

All's Fair in Love and a Kate Spencer book

When I say this is my favorite Kate Spencer book yet, please know I mean it. Like, who knew I'd have so much fun reading a book about pickleball? I'm convinced only Kate could get me to love the sport this much. The enemies-to-lovers aspect in the book was perfect, and the narrator did a great job. You could genuinely feel the angst and tension and the build-up throughout the story. I absolutely loved this book. Niko and Bex have my entire heart and I cannot recommend this book enough!

Author Kate Spencer is a favorite of mine. I really enjoyed this well narrated audiobook about romance and pickleball! No spoilers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

Who knew a book about pickleball could be so romantic. This book had me interested in becoming a tennis or pickleball player. As someone who didn’t know about this sport I was worried it might not appeal to me but I over it!

This book had a cool community or characters that I loved to see throughout the story. The tennis club owner down the road, the elderly club members, a brooding retired tennis champion and a woman trying to keep her family legacy together. I loved the pacing of this story. It was fun and romantic with a hint of steam.

I recommend this book to anyone in need or a fun read this summer. It makes you want to be out on a tennis court falling I love with a racket in hand. Thank you so much NetGalley for a opportunity tot read this book.

Overall I love a good enemies to lovers trope but I struggled a bit with the foundation on this one. I could have used significantly more story building and banter in the first quarter or so of the book. It felt like we went from the hospital to “whoops, it’s been two weeks now and they still ‘hate’ each other.” We missed that transitory stage.
Niko absolutely should have been more mad at Bex when she messed up. Anyone should have seen that coming a mile away, and she looked naive and inexperienced. I liked the spicy scenes and the elderly found family concept was a really nice touch that I wish was more thoroughly fleshed out. Medium reaction on this one.

As far as the audio goes, no issues there.

Thank you Hachette Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read! I absolutely loved this book!!! The narrator did an amazing job bringing this story to life!!

Bex Martin is a pickleball loving free spirit who is fighting to save her late mother’s racquet club, which is falling apart and in need of some expensive repairs. Nikolaus "Niko" Karras, a former tennis pro with an abrasive personality, starts training at Bex's club after his aunt lands herself in the hospital. The two create fireworks (on and off the courts) thanks to a reporter who is after a story from Niko. The pair concoct a story to benefit them both by entering a doubles pickleball tournament as a pretend couple to win the cash prize for Bex and to save face for Niko.

3.5 stars

Pickleball enthusiasts will appreciate all the fun nods to the sport woven throughout this summery romance. Bex captures the spirit of pickleball perfectly—it's social, playful, and filled with lighthearted energy—especially when contrasted with the more structured, serious vibe of tennis (at least as it’s portrayed here). She’s bright, bubbly, and full of heart, making her the perfect foil to Niko, a sharp-edged former tennis star with something to prove. Their banter-fueled rivalry kicks off a classic enemies-to-lovers arc.

Bex’s fierce commitment to saving her late mother’s racquet club and honoring her “found family” of senior club members adds emotional depth. Meanwhile, Niko’s desire to reclaim the tennis career he lost too soon feels relatable and grounds his character beyond the typical brooding love interest.

While this wouldn’t top my list of must-read romances, it’s an easy, spicy, and entertaining story that’s perfect for a summer afternoon. Think of it as a literary popsicle—sweet, a little silly, and satisfying without weighing you down. If you’re looking for a low-stakes rom-com with a unique sports twist, this book serves it up with style.

Thank you to Forever and Hachette Audio for both the ARC and ALC versions of this book in exchange for an honest review!  I enjoyed the audiobook version more than reading the physical e-copy as the narrator brought more life into the character banter.