A pickleball-centered romance? Why not. Big Dill is funny, with solid character voices and an enjoyable slow-burn romance. It doesn’t stick out as something worth a rave, but it’s a fun and pleasant sports romance that did give me a few smiles.

Brody Murray is a physiotherapist whose hobby is participating in Ironman triathlons. He doesn’t believe in nonsense and he definitely doesn’t want a complicated relationship. He’s back on his home pickleball court looking for competition and good times, not true love.

Fashion designer Jami Grant is Brody’s sister’s best friend, and she’s trying to get her life back on track after her whole world imploded. Her evil ex stole her company, her designs and her hopes for the future in a single break-up. Now she has to start all over – and is shocked to realize that Brody is the hot guy she had a one-night stand with. Gulp. It looks like this is one conflict that’s not going to be solved on the pickleball court.

This is a simple, lighthearted romance that moves quickly and has plenty of banter and playful back and forth between them. The central couple is adorable. Jami has been through a lot, way too much, and deserves a break already. Brody is strict, grumpy and by the book, but he’s the guy who’s willing to listen, to compete and get sweaty with her (in more ways than one). It’s fun watching them try to compete against each other and try to figure out where life is taking them next.

A bonus point? The pickleball contests go a long way toward explaining how the sport is done and why it is done the way it is. I found the entire affair delightful. Big Dill is such a cute little novel, and serves up some pickleball fun.

Lisa Fernandes has been reviewing romance novels ever since her great aunt left a Billie Douglas book out in the bathroom. She’s currently working on a biography about Julian Sands.