Tennis Novels
When my children started preschool, I started tennis – the age-old sport that all the moms in my neighborhood adore. I stopped playing after a back injury, but right as my tennis career came to an end, I noticed an uptick in tennis as a theme in books – so I decided to gather all the tennis novels I read into one place for my fellow racquet sport lovers!
Unlike squash (which Jackie plays), tennis is a bit more mainstream, but it also has associations with the country club culture of the uber-elite – making the tennis court the perfect place to set some drama! As a former player, I find myself drawn to stories that center around the game, even tangentially.
Below, you’ll find contemporary and historical fiction about tennis because the drama on and off-court has been around for as long as the game has been played! You’ll even find some book club-worthy picks to discuss with your doubles partner after a match.
The Best Tennis Novels
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Fiction Tennis Novel
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Jump to section
The Best Historical Fiction Tennis Novel
The Island Club by Nicola Harrison – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Contemporary Tennis Fiction
Carrie Soto is Back
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Carrie Soto was the world’s most decorated tennis player who has come out of retirement to take back the title. Carrie was trained to be the best there was from a young age and has dedicated her entire life to winning- at the expense of everything else in her life.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this book so much, that I could not put it down. I alternated between reading and listening to the book and have to say that the audio version was really fantastic. My heart was pounding with each and every game played.
Adaptation
Serena Williams recently announced that she would be partnering with Netflix to make a limited series.
Find this book in: Books About Female Athletes / Books Like Daisy Jones and the Six / Ultimate Beach Reads 2019 / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books Ranked / Books About Sports / Books Becoming TV Shows / Tennis Novels
Forty Love
Author: Jane Costello
Year: 2026
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
If you love tennis, this is the romance for you. Jules has decided to accept an invitation to join the amateur tennis team of the local tennis club. As a single mother to a recently graduated teenager, she doesn’t think she has time for a hobby, but making friends and running into her old school crush really helps her embrace the game. I will not use the tennis metaphors here, but will this be Jules’ second shot at love?
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved watching Jules find herself after loss and single parenthood. The way she struggled with and then embraced being an empty nester was moving, and her growing romance with Sam had me searching for a fan! #gifted by Zibby Publishing
Find this book in: Second Chance Romance Books / Romance Novels About Grief / Tennis Novels
Moms Like Us
Author: Jordan Roter
Year: 2025
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This satirical novel revolves around the parents at a prestigious preschool in LA. Narrated by several of the moms, from the PTA president to the recently returned exile (and to the mom who orchestrated it) each woman is hell-bent on giving their children the best life has to offer. There are juicy secrets to uncover, affairs to examine, and the most pretentious preschoolers around.
Why Kirsten loves it
This one is perfect for fans of Mean Moms and Big Little Lies. I just love seeing the satire play out in all the lengths each mom would go to get what they wanted – from admission to a good elementary school or the best tennis club, these women didn’t stop until they reached their goals! This one was laugh-out-loud funny – a perfect Mother’s Day gift for any woman in your life! #gifted by the author
Find this book in: Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Tennis Novels
Apples Never Fall
Author: Liane Moriarty
Year: 2021
Genre: Fiction
More info: #1 New York Times Bestseller, Peacock Original TV Series
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The best thing about Liane Moriarty is that her books never fail to entertain. This book was easy to read and swept me into the Delaney family.
Joy and Stan Delaney have been married for 50 years, with four grown children who have all moved out. When a stranger named Savannah knocks on their door, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend, the Delaneys help her.
Months later, Joy and Savannah are missing, and the four children are not sure whether Stan is to blame.
Trigger Warnings
Eating disorder, Abuse
Why Jackie likes it
Liane Moriarty never fails to write page-turning plots with unforgettable characters. This book was entertaining from the first page to the last. I never knew what the characters would do next.
Find this book in: Books with Food in the Title / Tennis Novels
Historical Fiction About Tennis
The Island Club by Nicola Harrison
Author: Nicola Harrison
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is the story of the friendship between three women and the game that brought them together. Set on Balboa Island, Milly Kinkaid is trying to fix her marriage, Adele Lambert is a loaner trying to hide from her past, and Sylvia Johnson is risking everything for her new business: The Island Club.
Over the course of the summer, The Island Club’s tennis program will bring the three newly acquainted women together as they try to save the club that initially brought them together. While sharing that common goal, they are each struggling with something on a personal level – financial ruin, a failing marriage, and shame.
Why Kirsten loves it:
I couldn’t put this story down. Between the setting, the time period, and the ladies at the center of the plot, I was transfixed and quickly flipping pages. I loved each woman’s character development over the course of the novel, especially when they were bucking societal standards. It was equally parts thought-provoking and fun – the perfect historical fiction read for summer! #gifted by St. Martin’s Press.
Find this book in: Best Poolside Reads / Tennis Novels
Plot
A gripping novel about the life of tennis superstar, Alice Marble, that also includes a look at her little-known spy work during WWII. Alice started playing tennis and was an absolute powerhouse whose unbeatable strength and drive made her a trailblazer on and off the court. Her love life was as enthralling as her rise to tennis stardom, but her work in WWII really got this book over the net.
Trigger Warnings
Miscarriage
Why Kirsten likes it
I found Jenni’s telling of Alice’s life to be interesting and engaging. I learned a lot about the classism in tennis, what it took to be a spy, and Alice’s life. I found the struggle she had balancing life and love with tennis to be so compelling, There was maybe a touch too much tennis for me, but if you are a tennis fanatic I know it’s probably not enough and this would be a perfect selection for you!
Find this book in: Women in Sports Books / Female Spy Books / Tennis Novels
Expert Tip
- Don’t think to hard about the books in this category! They are all fun reads for seasoned and unseasoned tennis players alike.
- Try reading an historical fiction pick first and then a contemporary tennis novel to see how the game, ettiquette, and the culture of tennis have changed over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any fun books about tennis?
Yes! Tennis has started to become a popular topic in fiction and historical fiction – probably because of the popularity of books like Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Related Content
Epilogue
Those are my favorite tennis novels, but do you have any I should add to my TBR? Drop them below!!
