British author Fi Cazalet is set to release Mixed Doubles this January, a project widely considered to be the first-ever novel centered around the world of padel. This spicy romantic comedy blends the high-energy atmosphere of a padel club with a complex, emotional narrative, offering a fresh take on the sport within the fiction genre.
The Story and Inspiration Behind Mixed Doubles
The novel follows the life of 28-year-old Romy Mortimer, a padel coach struggling to move past a series of personal setbacks. Her journey is defined by the weight of her past, including a failed career as an elite tennis player, strained relationships with her parents and sister, and the trauma of an unfaithful ex-husband. The plot kicks into gear when she meets Ted Abbott, sparking an intense, immediate attraction that faces significant obstacles. The book utilizes several classic romance tropes to drive the narrative, which the author describes as follows:
- Will-they-won’t-they: A central tension that keeps the reader guessing about the future of Romy and Ted’s relationship.
- Workplace romance: The story unfolds within the intimate and high-pressure environment of a padel club.
- Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers: A classic progression that allows the characters to evolve from initial friction to deep emotional connection.
The author, who writes under the pen name Fi Cazalet to distinguish this raunchier, more commercial work from her previous novels published as FJ Campbell, is a lifelong squash player turned padel enthusiast. She currently works at a padel club in Hertfordshire, an experience that provided the authentic backdrop for the book. Despite the professional setting, she aims to keep her writing identity separate from her day-to-day career.
Cazalet characterizes the book as a fun and frothy read, perfect for the beach regardless of the reader's familiarity with the sport. She notes that the story is fundamentally about reconciling with one's past to secure a happy ending. Fans of authors like Ali Hazelwood, Lizzie Dent, or Beth O’Leary, as well as those who enjoy the tone of series like Ted Lasso or the book Heated Rivalry, are expected to resonate with the characters and the setting. Mixed Doubles is self-published but has undergone professional editing to ensure a polished experience for readers.
