Big Dill: A Small Town Pickleball Romance by Cathryn Fox

Big Dill is the first in a fun series of small-town romantic comedies (rom-coms) written by Cathryn Fox. I have read numerous titles by Nova Scotia’s bestselling author, Cathryn Fox. From her sport romances, both the football and hockey, to her contemporaries, but by far, I enjoy her rom-coms the most. I adored her romantic comedy series Hot Scots in Kilts and her standalones set in Nova Scotia: Hooked on You, set in Lunenburg, and The Burbs and the Bees, set in the Annapolis Valley. But Big Dill, set in Churchill Falls, might be my favourite one yet.

Jami Gant is in her late 20s; she has a degree in early childhood education, teaches yoga, and designs athletic wear. In the past few months, she has lost her fiancé, her yoga studio, and her apartment, thanks to her now former fiancé, all because: “some girl who looked better in yoga pants—pants I designed and sewed, by the way—walked in.” Wallowing in her woes at a bar, she ends up having a one-night stand with a big, strong, gorgeous man giving off lumberjack vibes… a “lumber-snack”. She leaves before morning, not even learning each other’s name. Now, a little over a month later…

Jami’s moving from the city of Halifax to her brother’s small town. Until other accomodations become available, she will be living with her brother, Jaxon, and his best friend, Brody, just until she gets back on her feet. Jaxon has been her rock her entire life. Their parents are forgetful Dalhousie professors with exceptionally high expectations, and both Jami and Jaxon broke away from their parents after graduation. Jaxon is athletic, a pickleball champion, with a business degree, and has recently opened a pickleball social with his best friend in Churchill Falls, Labrador.

“The plane bucks again. I rock with it, my spine cracking like bubble wrap. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I’m grateful for the distraction. I yank it out, praying it isn’t the airline texting ‘good luck with the landing’, but no, it’s my brother.”- Jami

After landing in Churchill Falls and an embarrassing exit off the plane, Jami gets picked up at the small airport by her brother and his best friend, Brody, who turns out to be her one-night stand, the “lumber-snack”. They both pretend not to know each other, not wanting to ruin her brother’s friendship and business relationship. Besides, she is only there temporarily for the summer, until she gets on her feet. She is definitely a city girl, and not a small-town girl where even the mayor knows the type of toothbrush you bought this morning and recommends one with softer bristles.

Brody Murray’s last girlfriend, Elsie, burned him as well by going to university in Toronto and didn’t come back, so he doesn’t want to become involved with someone who doesn’t plan on staying. He is the physiotherapist at the social, Jaxon’s pickleball partner, and they are training for a pickleball tournament at the end of the summer in Alberta.

“I first heard about such a sport from my brother, I thought it was some kind of competitive pickle-eating event.”- Jami

Told in alternating chapters, in the voices of Brody and Jami, this fun read contains some of Newfoundland and Labrador’s traditions, such as being “Screeched In,” which includes kissing a cod. Jami experiences the traditional local cuisine of Jiggs dinner: corn beef and cabbage, and she is introduced to fried baloney sandwiches. Brody introduces her to his family, who welcomes her with open arms, which makes this a found family romance troupe. Big Dill is filled with sarcastic and witty banter, and lots of references to the cold weather of Churchill Falls, including their mosquito season, aka summer.

I had the good fortune to receive a special edition copy of Big Dill with beautiful stenciled edges and a coloured picture of a couple watching the stunning Northern Lights at the front of the book. This was an unforgettable, fun story. I cannot wait to read more in this series!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox writes heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romances filled with witty banter, unforgettable characters, and happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t dreaming up heroes to fall in love with, Cathryn is busy being a wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. She lives in beautiful Nova Scotia with her husband; she has a soft spot for dogs, sunny days, pizza, red wine, and anything chocolate- especially brownies, because saying no has never been he strong suit.

The first in her Pickleball Romance series, Big Dill, will be released September 8th. The second, Dill Dough, is set to be released in November. For more on Cathryn Fox, visit her at www.cathrynfox.com

Publisher: Foxy Ink (September 8th, 2026)
Paperback 5.5″ x 8.25″ | 404 pages
ISBN: 9781997855101

“I often write books set in my home province of Nova Scotia because, well…LOOK AT IT. I think it’s simply breathtaking, and I love giving readers a little vacation along with their love stories.
But I’ve also been lucky enough to live in three different places in Newfoundland and Labrador, and believe me when I say that province is absolutely spectacular. Rugged coastlines, colourful little towns, ocean views, incredible people…there’s just something about it that stays with you.
So, when I started writing my new Pickleball Small Town Romance series, with each book set in a different Newfoundland and Labrador community, I wanted more than anything to capture some of that beauty on the page. I wanted readers to fall in love with the characters, laugh at their antics, swoon over the romance…and then immediately start checking flights and packing bags.
I received an early review for BIG DILL, and I honestly can’t stop smiling.
The reviewer said: “Readers who appreciate Authors who embed their novels with local culture and colloquialisms will appreciate this book. (see: fish, affectionate phrases, and dishes) Too often you’ll read a book, and it’s a generic setting. Not so here, as the Author from the start sets up the story with humor. (see: Jamie’s departure from the aircraft). By the end, the Reader who may never have traveled farther than the pages of the book will have traveled to Newfoundland, Canada.”
YESSSSSS!!! That right there. That means so much to me because that’s exactly what I hoped to do. Come for the pickleball. Stay for the romance. Laugh at the chaos. And maybe leave with Newfoundland and Labrador on your travel bucket list.
Although fair warning…once this series takes you to Dildo, Newfoundland, in DILL DOUGH, I cannot be held responsible for your Google search history.“- Cathryn Fox

Sue Slade

Sue Slade has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. After working with children and adults with special needs, she now has her midlife dream job of working with books. Sue manages an independent, locally owned bookstore, Dartmouth Book Exchange, and is known for planning and executing amazing, engaging book events. Through her charismatic sharing centred around books and community, Sue has created an interactive cornerstone for authors, customers, and book lovers of all ages. Sue is an avid reader, and her reviews cross over many genres. As the East Coast Advocate for The Miramichi Reader, Sue champions Atlantic Canadian literature by featuring the diverse works and unique communities that define her home region.