Courting Again

Courting Again is a warm, character-driven romance novel about Jessica McAllister, a woman in her early fifties whose 26-year marriage ends suddenly when her husband Brian asks for a separation. Adrift and emotionally raw, Jessica is nudged by her spirited friend Nancy to join a local pickleball community at the North Hills Community Center in Florida. What begins as an awkward attempt to fill her days and reclaim a sense of self slowly becomes something much richer. Through the rhythms of the sport — the learning curve, the doubles partnerships, the friendly rivalries — Jessica finds community, rediscovers her confidence, and opens herself up to the possibility of new love. The novel uses pickleball as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop, with chapter titles like "First Serve," "Fault Lines," "Break Point," and "Match Tie" reflecting the emotional beats of Jessica's journey. The story culminates in a sun-drenched summer celebration where Jessica has clearly found her footing — not just on the court, but in her life and heart. At its core, it's a hopeful, gentle story about starting over in midlife, the healing power of friendship and community, and learning to play again — in every sense of the word.