En match for livet

by Jane Costello, Catherine Isaac, Hege Frydenlund (Translator)

Det er aldri for sent for å gjøre comeback!

Jules er en alenemor midt i førtiårene som er like lite begeistret for trening nå som da hun var tenåring. Samtidig som datteren legger ut på en lengre utenlandsreise, sier Jules i et øyeblikk av panikk ja til å bli med på et amatørlag i tennis, selv om hun knapt kan spille.

På tennisbanen får Jules til sin store overraskelse nye venner, og en gnist hun trodde var borte tennes. Kanskje finner hun mot til å gi kjærligheten en ny sjanse?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Sports

351 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

I’m the internationally bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which have been published under the name ‘Catherine Isaac’.

The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!

I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just what my heart needed. 48 year old gets her second chance at love. I love the love story but really love all of the bits about being gentle with yourself, being a mother to a daughter, perimenopause... All of it. It was witty and snarky and heartwarming and I adored it. The audio is WONDERFUL.

[Stephanie Wilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t played tennis since high school, so naturally after finishing this book I immediately asked my husband if we could go play this weekend… and then bought myself a new racket and tennis balls. Truly the only reasonable response.

I loved Jules. She has this chaotic mom energy that felt real to me. The overthinking, the spiraling, the trying to hold everything together while falling apart a little on the inside. I found her endlessly charming and entertaining to follow.

But beneath the humor and romance, there’s a deeper story here about grief, reinvention and trying to figure out who you are after years of putting everyone else first. It was lovely watching Jules slowly build a life for herself again through friendship, tennis, work and love. This book left me smiling and apparently one step away from joining a tennis league.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

[eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

nu wil ik ook tennissen

[Angie Miale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a fan of Costello’s book “It’s Getting Hot in Here” and this was one of my most anticipated reads for this year. Sadly, this one was not for me. Widow Jules is going through empty nesting as her 18 year old daughter goes backpacking around Europe. She lives next to a tennis facility and she (for no reason) decides to join a tennis team even though she hates sport and exercise. The first 30% of the book I really appreciated the set up and character building. I think Costello really writes the perimenopausal experience well, she nails the low grade anxiety and irritability.

I think the tennis action got a little boring and the plot was extremely repetitive.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for the ARC.

I really like that it is about a woman in her late forties trying to move forward after grief. The boyfriend sounded like a dream man--intelligent, talented, kind, athletic, and hot! The story itself was just nice...nothing that felt outstanding, but in a way that was a perk because it felt quite believable. Pick up when you want a low spice, realistic romance.

[Bethanys_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Such a beautiful and funny book! A woman in her 40s takes a second chance at love, while also picking up tennis for the first time! I loved this one and thought it was done so well

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forty Love by Jane Costello is a heartwarming later in life journey of self discovery story. The novel features Jules, a middle aged widow and single mom on the verge of empty nesting. She is at a crossroads in her personal and professional life and decides to join a tennis club in order to get her groove back. Over the course of a season she finds friendship, a romance, and her self confidence.

As a middle aged empty nester myself, it was easy for me to relate to Jules. It was refreshing to see an older protagonist find friends and a renewed purpose through a new hobby. I enjoyed watching her navigate her grief, her changing relationship with her daughter, and her growing feelings for an old crush. Sam is charming as her love interest, but almost takes a backseat to Jules’ journey of self discovery.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Anna Spearpoint. Although I might have preferred a cast of voice actors for the various characters, this narrator is warm and expressive. Ultimately I’d recommend this breezy and enjoyable story that also has a lot of heart 3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to Zibby Publishing and Librofm for a gifted listeners copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! Main character Jules is a 47 year old woman whose husband died 5 years ago. She threw herself into parenting their tonnage daughter and work, but with her daughter graduated from high school and work getting stressful, she has to find something else to occupy her time which ends up being tennis. Not to mention the reappearance of her teenage crush in her life at the tennis club…

This really was just the perfect light and funny read I needed during a stressful and busy time. But with enough depth too as it takes on middle age, motherhood, friendship, family, and more, along with romance and tennis! If you miss Sophie Kinsella, or if you loved British chick lit during the early 2000s but would like it to be about middle aged women now that you’re older yourself - then this book is for you! I enjoyed Jane Costello’s book It’s Getting Hot in Here last year, but this one was even better.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for my e-ARC (out now); all opinions are my own.

[Jamie Brandenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely won me over. I found myself laughing out loud more than once. It wasn’t all fun and games; there was emotional depth to Jule and her struggle. Watching her navigate widowhood while also facing her daughter leaving home gave the story an authenticity that every mother can relate to. The author created a perimenopausal character who felt honest, as it is something that I am dealing with, and it is quite a challenge. This book reveals the truth about getting older. The search for happiness or how our perspective on what it means does change and challenges us to find balance. It is incredibly freeing to let go and find the real pieces of you.

I also absolutely adored her snarky brother. He brought so much humor to the story and lightened the heavier moments. While tennis plays a major role in the plot, I genuinely enjoyed that aspect too. Seeing Jules reconnect with herself through the sport and fully give herself over to something she loved was empowering. A clear message that age should not stop us from continuing to do what we love.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sounded hood hut honestly I found it so boring. I had to DNF just before the end because the plot was soooo slow moving. Hard pass for me.

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

[Elyse (Elyse’s Epilogues) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forty Love by Jane Costello
Published by Zibby Publishing on May 19th
Narrated by Anna Spearpoint
3.5 ⭐️

📖 Jules is dropping her daughter off at the airport on her 6 month European backpacking trip and will be an official empty nester. Even more empty, as she is widowed. A quiet rediscovery of herself, amidst some work strife, perimenopause anxiety, a renewed love for tennis and an old boyfriend reentering her life gives her more than enough to focus on while her daughter is away.

💭 This is a very light and sweet British romance. It was refreshing to have an older and more mature FMC. It’s not a passionate or sexy novel - it’s slow and soft in an emotionally thoughtful and mature romcom. This is a good option to toss in your beach bag and leave any troubles behind.

🎧 Narration was great, I really enjoyed the audio production. Either mode of consuming is recommended.

Thank you to Zibby for the gifted book and box of goodies and to Libro fm for the advanced listening copy.

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried… it’s a fun read for anyone, but as a new tennis player in my 40s it was especially fun to read!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Thank you to Zibby Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up Forty Love now.

Though I haven't read a Jane Costello book before, Forty Love IMMEDIATELY charmed me! I love that this story focuses on an older FMC dealing with teenage/adult children, finding romance later in life, discovering your passions, being burnt out/under pressure at work, struggling with grief, building female friendships, and so much more.

Jules might come across as your typical, overanxious helicopter mom, but her struggles are real and relatable. Throughout the course of the story, we witness her confront so many fears and insecurities as she settles into the life she wants to live. And at the heart of that life, of course, is tennis.

I love when sports romance books capture a specific sort of spark or magic where the sport itself isn't the main focal point/doesn't overtake everything. Tennis felt like the natural backdrop to Jules' journey of self-discovery, representing a past she left behind so many years ago and the future she's trying to build with her new tennis teammates and sexy tennis club member, Sam.

In that same vein, the romance between Jules and Sam was wonderful and delicious, but not the main focus! It felt naturally integrated into Jules' overall growth, as she realizes she can move forward with a new man years after her husband's untimely death. Sam not only connects with Jules on a physical and emotional level, but he also invigorates her self-confidence and reminds her why he and Ed fell for her in the first place (I love the inclusion of Sam being an early love/the one who got away).

But I think my favorite part of this story is how Jules realizes that she can and should put her desires first -- namely, her desire to play tennis and really cultivate it as a hobby. From the beginning of the book, we watch Jules stress over her 18-year-old daughter traveling Europe, her job that's going through restructuring, her meh boyfriend (who she's not particularly into), all while swallowing down her own dreams and desires. Playing tennis and forming bonds with her teammates unlocked the parts of Jules she kept hidden from the world, and I just loved seeing that growth happen on page.

All in all, if you're looking for a romance/heartwarming women's fiction book featuring an older FMC and relatable struggles, this is the book for you!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Zibby Publishing for the ARC and Libro.FM for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first Jane Costello book and she's made a fan out of me! I'll definitely dive into her backlist after posting this review. The audiobook really brought this story to life; while this was an immersive read, I listened to most of the story on audio and I have zero regrets. The narration was fantastic and had me laughing from the beginning--British humor just does it for me!

While Forty Love is a second-chance romance, I'd argue that the romantic storyline takes a backseat to the journey of self-discovery and finding joy in one's 40s. While I'm not quite there yet, I appreciated what Jules experiences and the way Jane wrote her character makes her grief, life experiences, and insecurities feel not only seen, but deeply relatable. I love the relationship Jules has with her daughter (and how honest they are with one another), as well as the friendships she has with her new tennis team. The support, camaraderie, and affection they have for one another speaks volumes-I wish to have and maintain these types of friendships myself!

I highly recommend this read to women looking for a charming and sweet story about a single mom discovering a new way of life and path forward. Bonus points for the second chance romance bits!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you Zibby & Libro.fm for the gifted copies!

Forty Love
Jane Costello
Publishing Date: May 19, 2026

🎧 Narrator: Anna Spearpoint 🎧

I prioritized this one after winning a LFL giveaway from Zibby, and I’m so glad I did! This was such a fun and relatable romance!

Jules is a single mom and widow in… middle… age. I refuse to concede to the fact that being in your 40s means that you’re middle aged… but regardless of this, Jules is going through it. Her daughter is going off on an international vacation, leaving Jules an empty nester.

This book had me laughing right out loud. Jules and her situation are so genuine and relatable. It felt so authentic and refreshing. Underneath all the humor there is grief and loss and a ton of heart. The mom energy was on point. The anxiety, the spirals, the selflessness, the loss of self, the love.. it was all so real. Aside from all this you’ll also find:

🎾 Found family
🎾 Small town
🎾 Single mom
🎾 Second Chance Romance
🎾 Tennis
🎾 Perimenopause Rep
🎾 Mental Health Rep
🎾 Self Discovery & Reinvention

🎧 Anna Spearpoint’s narration was great! Highly recommend this format!

I am so happy to have read this one and definitely want to check out this authors other work!

[Elisa Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Forty Love expecting a fun tennis romance and ended up getting so much more. This was such an unexpected hit for me, 4.25 ⭐️.

Jules is a widowed empty nester whose daughter heads off on a solo trip around the world, leaving her feeling a little lost and unsure of what comes next. In an attempt to distract herself, she joins a local women’s tennis team despite barely knowing how to play, and reconnects with an old crush along the way.

What I loved most was how relatable Jules felt. I always enjoy reading about FMCs in their 40s, and this really captured that feeling of trying to rediscover yourself after your kids start growing up and needing you less. The romance was definitely there, and Sam was absolutely swoon worthy, but to me the heart of the story was Jules finding confidence, friendship, joy, and a new version of herself through tennis and more. Forty Love has the perfect balance of rom, com, and relatability.

I also preferred reading this one in print. Nothing against the narration at all, I just found myself really enjoying sitting with the story.

Thank you to Zibby and Libro.fm for the gifted advanced copies. All thoughts are my own.

[Liza Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Zibby Publishing for the advance reader copy of Forty Love by Jane Costello!

It is safe to say that I loved this book from the very first page. As someone who has played tennis since the age of six and now works as a tennis coach, I cannot begin to describe how accurate Jane’s depiction of a women’s tennis team felt. The dynamics, personalities, and love for the sport were written in such an authentic way that I felt right at home.

I came into this expecting a fun, easy rom-com, but this book turned out to be so much more. Jane touches on topics like becoming an empty nester, raising a child with ADHD, dealing with grief, and navigating a career pivot in middle age. The writing is spectacular, and every character feels important and fully alive on the page.

I was so happy for Jules. She finally started figuring out her tennis game, found herself a hot boyfriend, and opened her own business after dreaming about it for over two decades. But more importantly, she rediscovered her love for tennis and found the right people to share it with.

Also… can I come play a match with her team, please? I want tea and cake afterward too 😂

[Stephanie Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forty Love was such a charming, feel-good romance with a refreshing older heroine at the center of the story. Jules is recently widowed, adjusting to life as an empty nester, and trying to rediscover herself when tennis unexpectedly pulls her back into the spotlight. I really enjoyed watching her grow more confident while reconnecting with old dreams, new friendships, and a former crush who suddenly reappears in her life.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the strong focus on relationships beyond the romance. Jules’ friendships with the women at the tennis club were warm and supportive, and I especially loved the family dynamics with her brother. The romance itself was sweet and nostalgic without feeling overly dramatic.

As someone who enjoys tennis, Chapter 50 was a standout moment for me. The detailed Wimbledon scenes felt magical and completely immersive — it honestly felt like a love letter to the sport. There was also an Ally McBeal reference that made me smile and added an extra layer of fun nostalgia.

I switched between the audiobook and physical book, and the audiobook narration was fantastic. The British accent brought so much personality and humor to the story that I found unable to put it down. I loved the tennis aspect and found the whole story an uplifting, adorable read that perfectly balanced humor, heart, and second chances.

If you enjoy later-in-life romances, tennis settings, and stories about starting over, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Tanmeet Samra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review. I’m giving this book 3.5, 4 stars rounded up. It’s a single POV book and while I do enjoy dual POV books, I think this books does really well with the single POV of the FMC. I appreciated that the main characters are a bit older in life so it added some level of maturity which can be lacking in some books and there was a healthy balance of the relationship side for the FMC and her personal side with friends and family. There was no heavy drama and I think it’s because of the maturity of the characters. However, this book wasn’t serious, it was still a light read and I enjoyed the tennis plot as well! This book was balanced out very well.

[Books_et_bouquins · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 and 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 in Jane Costello’s books … she combines 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 in a tender and hopeful way.

Our FMC, Jules, is 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 (an age I love reading about!), experiencing the “empty nest” syndrome and wondering what to do with her life, now that she has less responsibilities to keep her (and her mind) “occupied”.

I loved watching her 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴， and how 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘴 helped her rediscover a sense of purpose while becoming part of a warm and supportive community.

The first part of the book felt a little slow, but once everything was established, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯. I was rooting for Jules and hoping she would finally find the happiness she deserved.

💕And there’s also 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 with her high school crush ☺️ A relationship that develops gradually and feels realistic, especially since Jules first needed to accept the idea of moving on before truly opening her heart again, and also putting herself first after years of being there for everyone she loved.

With a little push from her brother, her daughter and her friends, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 “𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨”．

📖 Overall, 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 is a feel-good read that leaves you with a feeling of hope and tenderness.

𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚:
✨Second chances in 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 and 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦
✨Friendship and community
✨Fun moments
✨Self-discovery in midlife
✨Rediscovering passion and purpose

I received an ARC from Zibby Publishing in exchange for an honest review

[Celeste • Likely All Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

This was a very cute story, and I wish it would have received more hype. I initially went in thinking it was a romance, but it was more of a coming of age story imo. The fmc is in her late forties, a widow, and about to be an empty nester. I enjoyed her search for herself through friendship, romance and humor. There is a romance element, but it isn’t strong until the last part of the book. We get introduced to him right away, and I wished that he was a bigger part of the story from the start. The tennis aspect was fun, and now I want to join a league!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)

Thanks to Zibby Publishing and Libro.fm for my gifted ARCs & ALC. All opinions are my own.

FORTY LOVE tells the heartwarming self-rediscovery story of Jules, a widow and new empty-nester in Manchester, England. Her only daughter goes off to live her life and Jules is left behind, anxious and on the precipice of major changes at her workplace thanks to corporate mergers etc. When she takes a chance and joins a nearby tennis club, she discovers community, self-confidence, and maybe even love.

There was so much I enjoyed about this book: FMC in her late 40s, finding out who she is and what she wants, working through lingering grief from the traumatic loss of her husband. Jules’s love interest is someone she had a fling with before she met her husband and so there were some light second-chance vibes there as well. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say this one didn’t fully click with me for some reason, but it very well may have been a mood or timing issue on my end. Overall it was just a touch lighter than I’ve been wanting in my romances lately, even though it dealt with grief and mental health. Even so, I recommend this one to readers who are looking for a fun summer read with feel-good vibes and just the right amount of sports - especially you love stories about women getting their groove back in midlife!

Audio thoughts: I listened to quite a bit of the book on audio and thought Anna Spearpoint handled the story well. I recommend the audio if you enjoy romcoms on audio, especially if you’re a fan of British accents!

[Courtney Kooy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I loved how tennis helped Jules find herself and improve her mental health. The themes of grief and finding new love were gentle and well done. I loved seeing her grow and get a renewed zest for life in her late 40’s! 4.5 stars rounded up 🌟

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story line. Pretty predictable ending, but a decent.read.

[holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam texting gave me Aidan from love island vibes! Can’t bear it

[Michelle S.]

I am dnfing at 50%…I really wanted to read a tennis book because Wimbledon but this just didn’t do it for me. I will try a different one

[Kelly (The Happiest Little Book Club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rom-com was super lovely and a great way to finish off June.

This book is great for those that like:

- British Accents (I listened to the audio)
- tennis
- second-chance love stories
- female friendships

I am most definitely the target audience for a book like this so really enjoyed it.

[Danielle (bookslamour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Forty, Love
By Jane Costello

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: 📖🎧
Publishes: 5/19/26
Publisher: Zibby Publishing
Audiobook: Zibby Publishing
Narrator: Anna Spearpoint

🙏 Thank you @zibbypublishing & NetGalley for the ARC & #gifted finished copy and @librofm for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

A hilarious and uplifting midlife rom-com about Jules, a 47 year old single mother and widow who impulsively joins a struggling amateur women's tennis team to distract herself from the reality of becoming an empty nester. What begins as a spur of the moment decision to revisit the sport she loved as a child turns into a heartwarming journey of friendship, self-discovery, and an unexpected second chance with her childhood crush.

It isn't often we get a romance with a female main character in her 40s, and I’m here for it! I loved getting to follow Jules as she navigated grief, self discovery, empty nesting, and all the uncertainty that comes with major life transitions. While the story touches on some heavier themes, it leans much more into humor, hope, and playfulness than emotional weight. I personally would have loved it to dig a little deeper into the heavy, but I'm always a sucker for romances that really tug on my heartstrings. I still found it to be a warm, uplifting, enjoyable read.

Overall, this was a sweet story about rediscovering yourself, finding new passions, and embracing the idea that it's never too late for a fresh start. As a former competitive high school tennis player (who hasn’t played in 20+ years), this one hit especially close to home and honestly inspired me to dust off my racquet this summer. I only wish the "Rusty Racquets" existed near me because I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

I was lucky enough to experience this one in both audio and print, so I immersive read whenever I could. The audiobook was fantastic, the British narrator perfectly captured the characters' personalities, humor, and emotional moments. I would recommend either format.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

Forty Love is a wholesome story about single mum Jules finding herself and maybe love again while dealing with the anxiety of her 19 year old daughter travelling around Europe and the grief of losing her husband.

It touches on a few different themes but none of them are explored in much depth. The romance doesn’t start until around 50% and it doesn’t quite develop enough. The romance was the weakest part of the book for me.

That said, I really enjoyed seeing Jules rediscover her love of tennis and build strong female friendships. It was refreshing to see a woman not defined by motherhood or reduced to just a love interest, but one who is genuinely thriving. I also loved that she’s a 47 year old perimenopausal woman, which is a demographic that’s often overlooked in romance books.

An easy, comforting read, but I was left wanting a bit more from it.