ILANA LONG
AUTHOR
“Pickleballers delivers the ultimate serve…a fun new rom-com that will definitely have you hitting the court ASAP as you follow along with Meg’s new journey in the sport that comes with some unexpected game (and life) changing experience.”
—Cosmopolitan
“A funny, feel-good adventure you won’t want to miss.”
—Kirkus, starred review
“This spirited and well-plotted rom-com sparkles.”
—Publishers Weekly
PICKLEBALLERS
A romantic comedy by Ilana Long
Meg Bloomberg is in a pickle. When Meg’s ex turns out to be a total player, her bestie suggests a mood-lifting, pickleball excursion to Bainbridge Island. It’s supposed to be an easy lob, a way to heal—not the opening serve to a new courtside romance that’s doomed to spin out.
No matter how Meg tries, she can’t shake her feelings for Ethan Fine. A charismatic environmental consultant and Bainbridge local, Ethan seems like the real dill. But when Meg discovers that Ethan is sabotaging her home court, she decides the match is over.
It’s time for Meg to take control of her own game. And maybe, just maybe…love will bounce back.
Release: November 2024 Berkley/Penguin Random House
Meet Ilana
Ilana Long first heard about pickleball when her sporty friend confessed that she was addicted to a game that was “like ping-pong but standing on the table.” Shortly after, Ilana joined the pickleball craze despite her utter lack of eye-hand coordination. A stand-up comic, sketch comedy writer, and actress, Ilana studied and performed improv comedy at The Second City in Chicago. She is the author of the picture book, Ziggy’s Big Idea, and her essays appear in multiple books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She is a mom of twins and lives in Bellevue, WA with her husband.