{"title":"Ilana Long","description":"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, Long joined the pickleball craze despite her utter lack of hand-eye coordination. A stand-up and sketch comedy writer and actor, Long studied improv and performed at The Second City in Chicago. She is the author Pickleballers, her debut romcom, the picture book, Ziggy's Big Idea, and her essays appear in multiple books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.","products":[{"product_id":"pickle-perfect-paperback","title":"Pickle Perfect - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA second chance at love crashes one woman's tropical pickleball vacation and serves up an adorkably swoony romantic comedy.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLulu Gardner only takes predictable shots. After faulting on tennis stardom at eighteen, Lulu, now a thirtysomething single parent, is in control of her game. But when an unanticipated blunder threatens her teaching job, Lulu's stable, well-planned--okay, boring--world spins out. And somehow, her godparents convince her to join them for a \"de-stressing\" destination pickleball vacation in Costa Rica. Maybe an all-inclusive picklecation is just the pick-me-up she needs to loosen her grip. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOr it would have been if she wasn't backhanded by the sight of her high school fling Tyler Demming on the beachside courts. Fresh off the pickleball pro tour, the reigning bad boy of paddle sports is as studly and snarky as ever. Even though his public image took a hit with a ballsy publicity stunt, Tyler seems to be the big shot he's always been. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut Lulu's had years to steel herself against his rugged good looks and hypnotic charm. Despite the changes she sees in Tyler since their teenage days, Lulu will have no problem keeping her head in the game and her heart on the sidelines. Or so she tells herself....","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50102575136991,"sku":"9780593642252","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/KUolZe9eM09780593642252.webp?v=1781083518"},{"product_id":"pickleballers-paperback","title":"Pickleballers - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA pickleball newbie looking to recover from life's swings and misses crosses paddles with love in this debut romantic comedy.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMeg Bloomberg is in a pickle. When Meg's ex turns out to be a total player, she and her bestie take off for 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e It's time for Meg to take control of her own game. And maybe, just maybe...love will bounce back.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50103752917215,"sku":"9780593642238","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/C1C1BFbciq9780593642238.webp?v=1781097564"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/ilana-long.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}