What do you think?
Rate this book
Breaking Barriers
Beyond the Court
Nothing will stand between this tennis player and her grand slam. Not even love...
Maggie Taylor didn't get to be one of the best tennis players in the world by throwing out all her rules. She sticks to her routines and works hard to keep her heart from getting broken.
After all, "love" means nothing to a tennis player and Maggie knows first hand how complicated and messy relationships can be. Even her parents ended up getting a divorce. Instead of looking for love, she keeps her eye on the prize and her heart firmly locked away...even though it beats wildly for a certain best friend.
Rowan Amory has worked hard to make a name for himself and now he’s one of the best players of his generation. But lately, all he cares about is spending time with his loved ones and wondering if his best friend, Maggie, loves him back.
He was young and stupid when he agreed to a no-strings-attached agreement, not realizing a decade would pass and he still wouldn't have the courage to ask for more. But now, he's more than ready for the next step. All he has to do is convince Maggie to abandon the list of rules between them and trust that he'll be there to break her fall.
Will throwing out the rules result in a double fault? Or will taking the relationship to the next level be as easy as "game, set, match"?
Beyond the Court is a friends to lovers tennis romance and the second book in the Breaking Barriers series. This book can be read as a standalone.
Maggie Taylor didn't get to be one of the best tennis players in the world by throwing out all her rules. She sticks to her routines and works hard to keep her heart from getting broken.
After all, "love" means nothing to a tennis player and Maggie knows first hand how complicated and messy relationships can be. Even her parents ended up getting a divorce. Instead of looking for love, she keeps her eye on the prize and her heart firmly locked away...even though it beats wildly for a certain best friend.
Rowan Amory has worked hard to make a name for himself and now he’s one of the best players of his generation. But lately, all he cares about is spending time with his loved ones and wondering if his best friend, Maggie, loves him back.
He was young and stupid when he agreed to a no-strings-attached agreement, not realizing a decade would pass and he still wouldn't have the courage to ask for more. But now, he's more than ready for the next step. All he has to do is convince Maggie to abandon the list of rules between them and trust that he'll be there to break her fall.
Will throwing out the rules result in a double fault? Or will taking the relationship to the next level be as easy as "game, set, match"?
Beyond the Court is a friends to lovers tennis romance and the second book in the Breaking Barriers series. This book can be read as a standalone.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2026
11 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Stef C.R.
7 books79 followersProject leader by day, romance author by night, Stef C.R. lives in West Michigan with her husband and not one, not two, but three cats.
When she's not working or writing stories, she spends her time reading fantasy and romance, endlessly cheering on the Red Wings, Charles LeClerc, and listening to Noah Kahan.
When she's not working or writing stories, she spends her time reading fantasy and romance, endlessly cheering on the Red Wings, Charles LeClerc, and listening to Noah Kahan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
Did not finish
February 14, 2026I wish they would just talk to each other.
February 14, 2026
I was so looking forward to this book as I have loved tennis since I first picked up a racket in middle school. This book cute and started off super strong but the miscommunication completely took over the whole entire story and wasn’t enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this tennis sports romance! I don't know squat about tennis but thankfully there was a tennis guide in the front of the book to help.
Rowan was the best friend golden retriever MMC and Maggie is our determined independent FMC. I enjoyed reading about their friendship to lovers journey from current day and flashbacks showing their history. Rowan was so swoon-worthy the entire book! I'm looking forward to reading about other characters in this world.
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
Rating 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
Rowan was the best friend golden retriever MMC and Maggie is our determined independent FMC. I enjoyed reading about their friendship to lovers journey from current day and flashbacks showing their history. Rowan was so swoon-worthy the entire book! I'm looking forward to reading about other characters in this world.
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
Rating 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
February 21, 2026
Thanks to Stef C.R. for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Serve, Smash, Ace… and Love!
‘Beyond the Court’ is a fast-paced sports romance that focuses more on what happens off the court than on the game itself. While the sports element provides a solid backdrop, the heart of the story lies in emotional struggles, mental pressure, and the evolving relationship between the main characters.
The writing style is accessible and easy to read, making this a book you can breeze through in a short time. The dual first-person perspective brings the reader close to both protagonists, allowing insight into their thoughts and feelings. Themes such as self-doubt, expectations, and personal growth are clearly present and relatable, especially within a competitive sports environment.
That said, the storyline remains fairly predictable. Many plot developments follow familiar genre paths, and there are few moments that truly surprise. The side characters stay mostly in the background and could have benefited from more depth. Additionally, the pacing feels uneven at times: some scenes linger a bit too long, while other developments are resolved rather quickly.
‘Beyond the Court’ is an enjoyable and approachable read for fans of sports romance, but it lacks the extra emotional layer that would make it truly memorable. A solid story that entertains, without fully standing out.
Sports Romance | Dual POV | Friends to Lovers | Friends with Benefits | Slow Burn | Shared History | Rules to Break | Emotional Healing | Personal Growth
Serve, Smash, Ace… and Love!
‘Beyond the Court’ is a fast-paced sports romance that focuses more on what happens off the court than on the game itself. While the sports element provides a solid backdrop, the heart of the story lies in emotional struggles, mental pressure, and the evolving relationship between the main characters.
The writing style is accessible and easy to read, making this a book you can breeze through in a short time. The dual first-person perspective brings the reader close to both protagonists, allowing insight into their thoughts and feelings. Themes such as self-doubt, expectations, and personal growth are clearly present and relatable, especially within a competitive sports environment.
That said, the storyline remains fairly predictable. Many plot developments follow familiar genre paths, and there are few moments that truly surprise. The side characters stay mostly in the background and could have benefited from more depth. Additionally, the pacing feels uneven at times: some scenes linger a bit too long, while other developments are resolved rather quickly.
‘Beyond the Court’ is an enjoyable and approachable read for fans of sports romance, but it lacks the extra emotional layer that would make it truly memorable. A solid story that entertains, without fully standing out.
Sports Romance | Dual POV | Friends to Lovers | Friends with Benefits | Slow Burn | Shared History | Rules to Break | Emotional Healing | Personal Growth
February 19, 2026
★★★.5
While I was reading, it was impossible not to think about pwmov, because this book has the vibes.
Beyond the court by @stefwritesstories tell the story of two besties, Rowan and Maggie, professional tennis players who are in a friends with benefits relationship 👀with a set of rules meant to keep their friendship intact…but we all know the rules are mean to be broken 😮💨
It was a fast, fun and somewhat emotional read. Full of sweet, spicy and emotional moments, the chemistry between them was really, really good that kept me smiling and laughing. I was fascinated that it was narrated in dual timeline because that way I could understand the characters better, see their facet through the years, and read how slow they started to breaking (and adding) rules🤭
These two loved each other SO MUCH. Rowan had it BAD (like really bad) for her, to the point where he was willing to do anything for her, and accept whatever she was willing to give him 🥹I honestly feel like he was too much for her, but I do understand Maggie’s fears. She didn’t have the best relationship role models, and it broke my heart seeing how she felt insufficient for him, to the point of wanting to let him go so he could find someone “better”😭
Their communication (about their feelings) wasn’t great, they really struggled with that. It took them a long time to talk about it, and when they finally did…it didn’t just hurt Rowan, it hurt me too😩
As for the tennis, I’m so grateful Stef included a guide to help understand the basics of the sport, I enjoyed that part so much🤭and the balance between romance and sport was well done because it was the thing that connected Rowan and Maggie in the first place ❤️🩹
I hope we can have a book of Jacob and Elena 👀🤭
Thanks NetGalley and stef for this arc🧡
While I was reading, it was impossible not to think about pwmov, because this book has the vibes.
Beyond the court by @stefwritesstories tell the story of two besties, Rowan and Maggie, professional tennis players who are in a friends with benefits relationship 👀with a set of rules meant to keep their friendship intact…but we all know the rules are mean to be broken 😮💨
It was a fast, fun and somewhat emotional read. Full of sweet, spicy and emotional moments, the chemistry between them was really, really good that kept me smiling and laughing. I was fascinated that it was narrated in dual timeline because that way I could understand the characters better, see their facet through the years, and read how slow they started to breaking (and adding) rules🤭
These two loved each other SO MUCH. Rowan had it BAD (like really bad) for her, to the point where he was willing to do anything for her, and accept whatever she was willing to give him 🥹I honestly feel like he was too much for her, but I do understand Maggie’s fears. She didn’t have the best relationship role models, and it broke my heart seeing how she felt insufficient for him, to the point of wanting to let him go so he could find someone “better”😭
Their communication (about their feelings) wasn’t great, they really struggled with that. It took them a long time to talk about it, and when they finally did…it didn’t just hurt Rowan, it hurt me too😩
As for the tennis, I’m so grateful Stef included a guide to help understand the basics of the sport, I enjoyed that part so much🤭and the balance between romance and sport was well done because it was the thing that connected Rowan and Maggie in the first place ❤️🩹
I hope we can have a book of Jacob and Elena 👀🤭
Thanks NetGalley and stef for this arc🧡
January 16, 2026
For the past 10 years Maggie and Rowan have had an arrangement: no kissing, no cuddling, no telling anyone, no PDA and definitely no falling. Their chemistry in the bedroom is just as explosive as their singles records in the tennis world.
The problem with friends with benefits, is eventually someone wants more. Rowan has been in love with Maggie (Mags) for years but fears admitting to wanting more will push her away forever. Maggie has seen one too many relationships end in flames and wants to spare herself the eventual heartache; but maybe she’s ready for more with Rowan.. and why is the thought of him playing tennis with anyone else make her jealous?
In a series of flashbacks we get to watch this pair fall for each other, neither brave enough to ask for more… which brings us to now.. post Maggie’s sisters wedding.. with massive games ahead of us, a run at doubles tennis and a secret that Rowan been holding onto for the past year. If Rowan wants more, is it time for Maggie to let him go for good?
I was hooked from page one! While there were times I would scream at Maggie for not admitting her feelings, I could understand her fears of commitment. This was a spicy, fast paced book that I found hard to put down!
The problem with friends with benefits, is eventually someone wants more. Rowan has been in love with Maggie (Mags) for years but fears admitting to wanting more will push her away forever. Maggie has seen one too many relationships end in flames and wants to spare herself the eventual heartache; but maybe she’s ready for more with Rowan.. and why is the thought of him playing tennis with anyone else make her jealous?
In a series of flashbacks we get to watch this pair fall for each other, neither brave enough to ask for more… which brings us to now.. post Maggie’s sisters wedding.. with massive games ahead of us, a run at doubles tennis and a secret that Rowan been holding onto for the past year. If Rowan wants more, is it time for Maggie to let him go for good?
I was hooked from page one! While there were times I would scream at Maggie for not admitting her feelings, I could understand her fears of commitment. This was a spicy, fast paced book that I found hard to put down!
February 17, 2026
Rowan and Maggie - both professional and successful tennis players - have been best friends with benefits for 10 years. With a list full of rules that are broken on occasion, it keeps them wondering: are they more and dare they give into it?
I devoured this book: it’s fast paced, it pulls you in right from the start, it has moments that make you laugh, moments that leave you frustrated with them not clearing up the sky and moments that make you emotional. It was so good!!!
As a divorce lawyer and mediator I know all about the impact of messy divorces on children and I love how realistically the fears stemming from that are portrayed in this story: it adds another layer of depth to the connection and build of the relationship!
If you liked People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry and are looking to experience that thrill of excitement and love and found family, this book is for you!
Thank you @victoryeditingngc for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I devoured this book: it’s fast paced, it pulls you in right from the start, it has moments that make you laugh, moments that leave you frustrated with them not clearing up the sky and moments that make you emotional. It was so good!!!
As a divorce lawyer and mediator I know all about the impact of messy divorces on children and I love how realistically the fears stemming from that are portrayed in this story: it adds another layer of depth to the connection and build of the relationship!
If you liked People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry and are looking to experience that thrill of excitement and love and found family, this book is for you!
Thank you @victoryeditingngc for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions are my own.
January 30, 2026
Eeek, I was so excited to receive this ARC! I played tennis in high school and have always loved the sport, so it’s kind of wild that this is the first tennis related book I’ve read.
And it did not disappoint. This story follows Maggie and Rowan, both tennis players in a no-strings-attached relationship. Told through past and present timelines, we get to see how their arrangement unfolds and evolves. I absolutely ate this up in just a few hours (it’s a super short) fast read and the perfect palate cleanser. 🎾📚
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-sports romance
-tennis players
-friends with benefits
February 19, 2026
A friends with benefits, no strings attached agreement that slowly turns into something real and concrete over a decade…swoon! Successful tennis player Maggie didn’t want anything to stand in her way of reaching the top (apparently that is called a grand slam in tennis?!), not even love. But Rowen is determined to win her over—and he doesn’t like to lose either (on the courts or when it comes to love). Her stubbornness and drive, his patience and relentlessness, their chemistry and the spice, a bit of tennis action and drama (there is a tennis guide included!), even the miscommunication—it all works together for a fun, friends-to-lovers sports romance.
Thanks to the author for the eARC
Thanks to the author for the eARC
January 18, 2026
4.5 stars! Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Stef C.R. for this advanced copy! You can pick up Beyond the Court on February 19, 2025.
Stef is back at it with another DELICIOUS sports romance, this time of the tennis variety! From the first page, I felt immersed in the story, following along with Maggie and Rowan as they navigated their individual tennis careers and budding friends to lovers romance.
Maggie is the type of no-nonsense, will-keep-my-emotions-on-lockdown protagonist who we love to see break out of her shell throughout the course of the story. The only one she even remotely lets in is her best friend Rowan, a fellow tennis player who agreed to keep things platonic while also pursuing a physical relationship with Maggie.
Their sexual chemistry was off the charts from the get-go, but I love how we also see Rowan and Maggie's friendship grow throughout the years. Despite promising to just be friends, the two can't help but develop deeper feelings for one another (despite Maggie's refusal to date ANYONE after her parents' messy and public divorce).
There were admittedly several times when I wanted to shake Maggie by the shoulders and scream, "JUST DATE HIM ALREADY GIRL." But overcoming her fear of public scrutiny was something Maggie had to come to terms with on her own time.
All in all, if you want a steamy friends to lovers tennis romance, this is your book!
Stef is back at it with another DELICIOUS sports romance, this time of the tennis variety! From the first page, I felt immersed in the story, following along with Maggie and Rowan as they navigated their individual tennis careers and budding friends to lovers romance.
Maggie is the type of no-nonsense, will-keep-my-emotions-on-lockdown protagonist who we love to see break out of her shell throughout the course of the story. The only one she even remotely lets in is her best friend Rowan, a fellow tennis player who agreed to keep things platonic while also pursuing a physical relationship with Maggie.
Their sexual chemistry was off the charts from the get-go, but I love how we also see Rowan and Maggie's friendship grow throughout the years. Despite promising to just be friends, the two can't help but develop deeper feelings for one another (despite Maggie's refusal to date ANYONE after her parents' messy and public divorce).
There were admittedly several times when I wanted to shake Maggie by the shoulders and scream, "JUST DATE HIM ALREADY GIRL." But overcoming her fear of public scrutiny was something Maggie had to come to terms with on her own time.
All in all, if you want a steamy friends to lovers tennis romance, this is your book!
March 5, 2026
This book was quite different to others I have read. You had chapters in present day but you also had chapters that go back to show you how they got to this point. I loved those snippets of their arrangement changing and adapting.
You follow Rowan and Maggie, both professional tennis players. As they try to excel in their careers while slowly realizing they are more than friends. But past fears will not make it easy on them.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
You follow Rowan and Maggie, both professional tennis players. As they try to excel in their careers while slowly realizing they are more than friends. But past fears will not make it easy on them.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
February 19, 2026
Thank you to Stef for the ARC!
Maggie and Rowan have been best friends and fwb since college, and they both play tennis.
I loved the dual pov and dual timeline of this book. Made their relationship feel so real, and I felt very invested in them as a couple.
Maggie has family trauma that makes her afraid of relationships, and Rowan is so patient and willing to wait for her.
Tropes:
dual timeline
dual pov
he falls first
best friends to lovers
tennis romance
Maggie and Rowan have been best friends and fwb since college, and they both play tennis.
I loved the dual pov and dual timeline of this book. Made their relationship feel so real, and I felt very invested in them as a couple.
Maggie has family trauma that makes her afraid of relationships, and Rowan is so patient and willing to wait for her.
Tropes:
dual timeline
dual pov
he falls first
best friends to lovers
tennis romance
February 23, 2026
The miscommunication trope always gets me in my feels, and this one didn't disappoint. Rowan was so down bad for Maggie (my fav type of MMC), and I was rooting for these two to just tell each other how they feel! Their chemistry & resulting spice was hot 🔥
My first time reading Stef C.R. but I enjoyed and will definitely check out her other works!
My first time reading Stef C.R. but I enjoyed and will definitely check out her other works!
February 19, 2026
Stef C.R.’s Beyond the Court is pure emotional sabotage in the shape of a tennis romance, and I was unwell in the best way. Published by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC.
Let’s just say this upfront: if mutual pining were an Olympic sport, Maggie and Rowan would have a decade’s worth of gold medals. This book is built on tension. Ten years of it. Ten years of rules, glances, almost-confessions, and the world’s most committed friends-with-benefits agreement.
At its core, Beyond the Court is about two professional tennis players who built their entire adult lives side by side. Maggie is determined to protect her independence at all costs. Rowan is hopelessly, quietly, steadfastly in love with her. They tell themselves what they have is simple. Physical. Contained. Manageable. Meanwhile, they travel the world together, win titles together, and share a history so deep it practically hums under every scene.
What made this reading experience so intense wasn’t the spice, though yes, the chemistry is undeniable. It was the emotional restraint. The way Maggie clings to her fear of repeating her parents’ very public divorce. The way Rowan accepts scraps of affection because even a fraction of her is better than nothing. There’s a quiet devastation in watching someone love that hard and wait that long.
At one point, Rowan admits, “All I’ve ever wanted was to be hers.” I had to set the book down. Because that’s the heartbeat of this story. Not the trophies. Not the rankings. Just that steady, unwavering love.
The dual timeline works beautifully here. We don’t just hear that they’ve known each other forever. We see the moments that shaped them. The early friendship. The first cracks in their “rules.” The subtle shifts from comfort to longing. It made the payoff feel earned, not rushed.
Was I frustrated? Absolutely. There were scenes where I wanted to physically step into the pages and force them to communicate like adults. But that frustration felt intentional. Maggie’s fear isn’t shallow. It’s rooted in trauma and public scrutiny. Watching her slowly unravel that fear and confront what she might lose hit harder than I expected.
And Rowan. Sweet, patient, golden-retriever Rowan. The kind of hero who doesn’t demand more but quietly hopes for it. The kind who would rather risk his heart than pressure hers. He’s the emotional anchor of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is for readers who love friends to lovers stretched over years, “he falls first and harder,” secret relationships, emotional slow burns, and strong female athletes navigating both ambition and vulnerability. If you crave yearning that makes your chest ache and grand gestures that feel earned rather than flashy, this will absolutely land.
I closed this book feeling wrung out, satisfied, and a little reflective about how fear can keep us safe but also keep us stuck. So I’m curious… would you risk everything for love if it meant possibly losing your safest person?
#BeyondTheCourt #StefCR #SportsRomance #TennisRomance #FriendsToLovers #HeFallsFirst #SlowBurnRomance #BookReview #RomanceReaders
Let’s just say this upfront: if mutual pining were an Olympic sport, Maggie and Rowan would have a decade’s worth of gold medals. This book is built on tension. Ten years of it. Ten years of rules, glances, almost-confessions, and the world’s most committed friends-with-benefits agreement.
At its core, Beyond the Court is about two professional tennis players who built their entire adult lives side by side. Maggie is determined to protect her independence at all costs. Rowan is hopelessly, quietly, steadfastly in love with her. They tell themselves what they have is simple. Physical. Contained. Manageable. Meanwhile, they travel the world together, win titles together, and share a history so deep it practically hums under every scene.
What made this reading experience so intense wasn’t the spice, though yes, the chemistry is undeniable. It was the emotional restraint. The way Maggie clings to her fear of repeating her parents’ very public divorce. The way Rowan accepts scraps of affection because even a fraction of her is better than nothing. There’s a quiet devastation in watching someone love that hard and wait that long.
At one point, Rowan admits, “All I’ve ever wanted was to be hers.” I had to set the book down. Because that’s the heartbeat of this story. Not the trophies. Not the rankings. Just that steady, unwavering love.
The dual timeline works beautifully here. We don’t just hear that they’ve known each other forever. We see the moments that shaped them. The early friendship. The first cracks in their “rules.” The subtle shifts from comfort to longing. It made the payoff feel earned, not rushed.
Was I frustrated? Absolutely. There were scenes where I wanted to physically step into the pages and force them to communicate like adults. But that frustration felt intentional. Maggie’s fear isn’t shallow. It’s rooted in trauma and public scrutiny. Watching her slowly unravel that fear and confront what she might lose hit harder than I expected.
And Rowan. Sweet, patient, golden-retriever Rowan. The kind of hero who doesn’t demand more but quietly hopes for it. The kind who would rather risk his heart than pressure hers. He’s the emotional anchor of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is for readers who love friends to lovers stretched over years, “he falls first and harder,” secret relationships, emotional slow burns, and strong female athletes navigating both ambition and vulnerability. If you crave yearning that makes your chest ache and grand gestures that feel earned rather than flashy, this will absolutely land.
I closed this book feeling wrung out, satisfied, and a little reflective about how fear can keep us safe but also keep us stuck. So I’m curious… would you risk everything for love if it meant possibly losing your safest person?
#BeyondTheCourt #StefCR #SportsRomance #TennisRomance #FriendsToLovers #HeFallsFirst #SlowBurnRomance #BookReview #RomanceReaders
February 21, 2026
3.75⭐️ 1.5-2🌶️ ARC REVIEW: 📖 BEYOND THE COURT 📖 by Stef C.R. ✨ This is book 2 in the Breaking Barriers series (4 different authors are writing 4 strong women in sports books with some character overlap). I enjoyed this tennis 🎾 friends-to-lovers romance! Determined, independent FMC + swoon-worthy golden retriever MMC that would do anything for her. I liked the mix of current day and flashbacks to the past to get their full history. He’s her person.
Maggie is a professional tennis player and is the daughter of a pro tennis coach, so she’s used to being in the public eye but she’s learned to keep things private. She trusts just one person with all of her secrets - her best friend Rowan. He also plays professional tennis 🎾, and they’ve had a friends with benefits arrangement since meeting as freshmen at Stanford. Ten years later and that arrangement still holds but in the last year Maggie has realized she wants more. Rowan has been in love with her since college and didn’t want her with anyone else, so he said yes to the idea. She never wanted a relationship but it’s because she was scared. Scared to open up her heart to someone and they’d break it (like her parents). She thinks she’s damaged goods. 🥺
He wants her to let him be her world—He can’t deny her anything. He’s always saying "Anything for you, Mags." He wants to ask for more but doesn’t want to spook her/scare her away. She wants to ask for more but doesn’t want him to resent her if the press ruins their relationship (she’s seen it happen with other players and her parents). As both win titles and are excelling in their careers, Maggie is second-guessing herself because she thinks she’s not good enough for Rowan and should let him go. While there’s a lot of miscommunication (or lack of communication) over the years, I think that Maggie needed to figure out on her own that her parents’ divorce and her mom leaving didn’t mean her own relationship would fail.
❤️ He Doordashes her ice cream 🍦 when she has her 🩸
❤️ He’s so patient - gives her space - knows her so well
❤️ List of rules for her to control her feelings
❤️ ‘Good girl’
❤️ Eyes 👀 on me
Favorite quotes:
All I've ever wanted was to be hers.
All she's ever wanted was the agreement.
All I can think about is that I want to do
everything with her. Forever.
As much as it'll break my heart to do it, I think I need to set him free. He needs to find someone he's worthy of. Someone worthy of loving him the way he deserves to be loved.
"Mags, it's never been about the agreement for me.”
"I love you too, Rowan."
“You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say those words.”
"You're not your parents, Mags. This is different. We're different."
"I love you so much.”
"I love you more, Mags.”
Read this if you like:
*Tennis romance
*Pro tennis player FMC & MMC
*Friends to lovers
*Golden retriever energy
*FWB
*Praise/light degradation
Content warning: divorce (mention/off-page/not main characters), cheating (mention/off-page/not main characters)
Thank you to Stef CR for the gifted ARC!
Maggie is a professional tennis player and is the daughter of a pro tennis coach, so she’s used to being in the public eye but she’s learned to keep things private. She trusts just one person with all of her secrets - her best friend Rowan. He also plays professional tennis 🎾, and they’ve had a friends with benefits arrangement since meeting as freshmen at Stanford. Ten years later and that arrangement still holds but in the last year Maggie has realized she wants more. Rowan has been in love with her since college and didn’t want her with anyone else, so he said yes to the idea. She never wanted a relationship but it’s because she was scared. Scared to open up her heart to someone and they’d break it (like her parents). She thinks she’s damaged goods. 🥺
He wants her to let him be her world—He can’t deny her anything. He’s always saying "Anything for you, Mags." He wants to ask for more but doesn’t want to spook her/scare her away. She wants to ask for more but doesn’t want him to resent her if the press ruins their relationship (she’s seen it happen with other players and her parents). As both win titles and are excelling in their careers, Maggie is second-guessing herself because she thinks she’s not good enough for Rowan and should let him go. While there’s a lot of miscommunication (or lack of communication) over the years, I think that Maggie needed to figure out on her own that her parents’ divorce and her mom leaving didn’t mean her own relationship would fail.
❤️ He Doordashes her ice cream 🍦 when she has her 🩸
❤️ He’s so patient - gives her space - knows her so well
❤️ List of rules for her to control her feelings
❤️ ‘Good girl’
❤️ Eyes 👀 on me
Favorite quotes:
All I've ever wanted was to be hers.
All she's ever wanted was the agreement.
All I can think about is that I want to do
everything with her. Forever.
As much as it'll break my heart to do it, I think I need to set him free. He needs to find someone he's worthy of. Someone worthy of loving him the way he deserves to be loved.
"Mags, it's never been about the agreement for me.”
"I love you too, Rowan."
“You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say those words.”
"You're not your parents, Mags. This is different. We're different."
"I love you so much.”
"I love you more, Mags.”
Read this if you like:
*Tennis romance
*Pro tennis player FMC & MMC
*Friends to lovers
*Golden retriever energy
*FWB
*Praise/light degradation
Content warning: divorce (mention/off-page/not main characters), cheating (mention/off-page/not main characters)
Thank you to Stef CR for the gifted ARC!
February 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Breaking Barriers continues with the addition of Beyond the Court by Stef CR. While love may mean zero in the game of tennis, love is what this entire story is about and orbits around. The title is perfect as the story happens more off the court than on. Under 250 pages, it is a quick read that serves up a sports romance that pulls at your heart strings, has two friends pining quietly for each other, and them finally admitting their feelings for one another.
Rowan and Maggie have been best friends for some time. Early on we find out that Rowan has strong feelings for Maggie, but has never shared them with her. It was almost painful at times reading about what Rowan was willing to do to be close to Maggie, while Maggie barely reciprocated at times. While Rowan loves openly and generously, Maggie is guarded and doesn’t feel like she is good enough for him. So for now the friends with benefits relationship will suffice for them both.
Being not only best friends but tennis partners brings a different level of complication to their feelings. Maggie can’t imagine Rowan playing with anyone else, but struggles to give him what he fully wants from her. Stef does a fantastic job in giving us present day mixed with flashbacks to truly allow the reader to see into these two. And as life continues to get more complicated, so do the feelings. There were times I wanted to scream just talk to each other! The miscommunication between these two had me so frustrated. They almost ruin everything due to the fact they just aren’t open with each other.
Stef has added a wonderful book to this series. Along with her amazing writing talent, she truly lets a light shine on the pressure females feel in sports and the ceilings they have to break to succeed. I can’t wait for the next two in this series and look forward to reading them.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Pro Tennis Players
🎾Golden Retriever MMC
🧡Independent FMC
🎾Best Friends to Lovers
🧡He Falls First
🎾Secret Agreement
🧡Flashback Timeline
The Breaking Barriers continues with the addition of Beyond the Court by Stef CR. While love may mean zero in the game of tennis, love is what this entire story is about and orbits around. The title is perfect as the story happens more off the court than on. Under 250 pages, it is a quick read that serves up a sports romance that pulls at your heart strings, has two friends pining quietly for each other, and them finally admitting their feelings for one another.
Rowan and Maggie have been best friends for some time. Early on we find out that Rowan has strong feelings for Maggie, but has never shared them with her. It was almost painful at times reading about what Rowan was willing to do to be close to Maggie, while Maggie barely reciprocated at times. While Rowan loves openly and generously, Maggie is guarded and doesn’t feel like she is good enough for him. So for now the friends with benefits relationship will suffice for them both.
Being not only best friends but tennis partners brings a different level of complication to their feelings. Maggie can’t imagine Rowan playing with anyone else, but struggles to give him what he fully wants from her. Stef does a fantastic job in giving us present day mixed with flashbacks to truly allow the reader to see into these two. And as life continues to get more complicated, so do the feelings. There were times I wanted to scream just talk to each other! The miscommunication between these two had me so frustrated. They almost ruin everything due to the fact they just aren’t open with each other.
Stef has added a wonderful book to this series. Along with her amazing writing talent, she truly lets a light shine on the pressure females feel in sports and the ceilings they have to break to succeed. I can’t wait for the next two in this series and look forward to reading them.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Pro Tennis Players
🎾Golden Retriever MMC
🧡Independent FMC
🎾Best Friends to Lovers
🧡He Falls First
🎾Secret Agreement
🧡Flashback Timeline
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Stef C.R. for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie and Rowan have been best friends for nearly a decade since they met in university; traumatized and emotionally closed-off from her parents’ tumultuous and public divorce, Maggie drafts a friends-with-benefits agreement to keep her from catching feelings and repeating the mistakes of her parent’s public relationship. As she and Rowan continue to win tournaments and become elite tennis players, she’s forced to address her rocky relationship with her tennis coach father and figure out what kind of relationship she really wants. The story follows a past and present timeline of their relationship and the various tennis tournaments across the world.
Maggie, Maggie Maggie. She’s determined to create a name for herself in the tennis world without the looming shadow of her parents smothering her. I have so much love for her. She’s emotionally avoidant and scared to have Rowan openly and publicly; she doesn’t want her relationship to be torn apart in the news like her parents; she craves and fears emotional intimacy so deeply, she holds Rowan tightly while keeping him at arm’s length to protect herself. Watching her work through the trauma and coming to terms with what she wants was so sweet and hopeful.
Rowan is a sweetie pie; a golden retriever with a golden retriever. He encourages Maggie and supports her through everything. He’s a social butterfly who makes friends everywhere he goes and he’s loved Maggie through it all.
There is a bit of miscommunication between Maggie and Rowan (which can be frustrating some times), however, it’s necessary for Maggie to come to terms with her feelings and desires for a relationship with Rowan.
I’m excited for Jacob’s and Elena’s story next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maggie and Rowan have been best friends for nearly a decade since they met in university; traumatized and emotionally closed-off from her parents’ tumultuous and public divorce, Maggie drafts a friends-with-benefits agreement to keep her from catching feelings and repeating the mistakes of her parent’s public relationship. As she and Rowan continue to win tournaments and become elite tennis players, she’s forced to address her rocky relationship with her tennis coach father and figure out what kind of relationship she really wants. The story follows a past and present timeline of their relationship and the various tennis tournaments across the world.
Maggie, Maggie Maggie. She’s determined to create a name for herself in the tennis world without the looming shadow of her parents smothering her. I have so much love for her. She’s emotionally avoidant and scared to have Rowan openly and publicly; she doesn’t want her relationship to be torn apart in the news like her parents; she craves and fears emotional intimacy so deeply, she holds Rowan tightly while keeping him at arm’s length to protect herself. Watching her work through the trauma and coming to terms with what she wants was so sweet and hopeful.
Rowan is a sweetie pie; a golden retriever with a golden retriever. He encourages Maggie and supports her through everything. He’s a social butterfly who makes friends everywhere he goes and he’s loved Maggie through it all.
There is a bit of miscommunication between Maggie and Rowan (which can be frustrating some times), however, it’s necessary for Maggie to come to terms with her feelings and desires for a relationship with Rowan.
I’m excited for Jacob’s and Elena’s story next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
I read Beyond the Court as an ARC, and I was excited to be back in the Breaking Barriers world. The cameos from characters in the other books were such a fun touch and made the series feel connected without overshadowing Maggie and Rowan’s story.
Maggie and Rowan have had a friends-with-benefits “agreement” for ten years. And from early on it’s obvious: this was never just about the agreement for him… and honestly, probably not for her either.
Now here’s my thing. I’m not a huge miscommunication trope lover. And these two avoid saying what they actually feel for so long that I was internally yelling, YOU BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER. PLEASE JUST TALK. I understood why Maggie hesitated, especially with her parents’ messy divorce, the public scrutiny, and the pressure of relationships in professional sports. It made sense for her character. But whew. The stubbornness tested me.
I really appreciated the depth of Maggie’s backstory and how much her family dynamics shaped her fear of commitment. Andi calling her out? Absolutely necessary. Sometimes you need the sister to say what everyone else is thinking.
Rowan’s long-term pining was honestly one of my favorite parts. The “it was never about the agreement for me” energy? Elite.
The ending satisfied me. I did roll my eyes just a little at the ending (and yes, I called it happening exactly that way), but it fit the big, dramatic romance vibe.
Overall, this had strong female athlete energy, long-term friends-to-lovers tension, and a whole lot of “we’re together in every way except the label” angst.
Would I keep reading the series? Yes.
Would I have preferred slightly less emotional avoidance? Also yes. 😌
I read Beyond the Court as an ARC, and I was excited to be back in the Breaking Barriers world. The cameos from characters in the other books were such a fun touch and made the series feel connected without overshadowing Maggie and Rowan’s story.
Maggie and Rowan have had a friends-with-benefits “agreement” for ten years. And from early on it’s obvious: this was never just about the agreement for him… and honestly, probably not for her either.
Now here’s my thing. I’m not a huge miscommunication trope lover. And these two avoid saying what they actually feel for so long that I was internally yelling, YOU BOTH LOVE EACH OTHER. PLEASE JUST TALK. I understood why Maggie hesitated, especially with her parents’ messy divorce, the public scrutiny, and the pressure of relationships in professional sports. It made sense for her character. But whew. The stubbornness tested me.
I really appreciated the depth of Maggie’s backstory and how much her family dynamics shaped her fear of commitment. Andi calling her out? Absolutely necessary. Sometimes you need the sister to say what everyone else is thinking.
Rowan’s long-term pining was honestly one of my favorite parts. The “it was never about the agreement for me” energy? Elite.
The ending satisfied me. I did roll my eyes just a little at the ending (and yes, I called it happening exactly that way), but it fit the big, dramatic romance vibe.
Overall, this had strong female athlete energy, long-term friends-to-lovers tension, and a whole lot of “we’re together in every way except the label” angst.
Would I keep reading the series? Yes.
Would I have preferred slightly less emotional avoidance? Also yes. 😌
February 16, 2026
Thank you to the author for a gifted e-ARC!
Maggie Taylor has worked hard to become one of the best tennis players in the world, all the while protecting her heart because she knows that love doesn’t last. But after years of a no-strings-attached agreement with her best friend and fellow tennis player, Rowan Amory, both friends are left wondering if there might be something more to their relationship than just sex.
I'm absolutely in love with Maggie and Rowan! These two are such a cute couple together, and despite having a friends with benefits agreement for ten years, their chemistry is absolute fire throughout the whole book. One of my favorite things about this one is how relatable both MCs feel in their fears and their desires. After watching her parents' very public divorce and being embroiled in the media sensation it caused, Maggie is sure that she doesn't want a relationship that can be used as fodder for the media. But the longer her entanglement with Rowan continues, the less sure she is. But that fear still lingers, paralyzing her in a way that feels so real. Meanwhile, Rowan is so anamored with Maggie that he's willing to agree to just about anything in order to be with her...in whatever way she's willing to offer. Despite developing real feelings for her early on, he's not willing to jeopardize their friendship by asking for anything more until it's absolutely clear that she may never allow there to be anything more.
Read if you like:
Tennis romance
Friends to lovers
Friends with benefits
Golden retriever MMC
Black cat FMC
He falls first
Dual-POV
**This is part of an inconnected series, with each book written by a different author. The books can all be read as standalones.**
Maggie Taylor has worked hard to become one of the best tennis players in the world, all the while protecting her heart because she knows that love doesn’t last. But after years of a no-strings-attached agreement with her best friend and fellow tennis player, Rowan Amory, both friends are left wondering if there might be something more to their relationship than just sex.
I'm absolutely in love with Maggie and Rowan! These two are such a cute couple together, and despite having a friends with benefits agreement for ten years, their chemistry is absolute fire throughout the whole book. One of my favorite things about this one is how relatable both MCs feel in their fears and their desires. After watching her parents' very public divorce and being embroiled in the media sensation it caused, Maggie is sure that she doesn't want a relationship that can be used as fodder for the media. But the longer her entanglement with Rowan continues, the less sure she is. But that fear still lingers, paralyzing her in a way that feels so real. Meanwhile, Rowan is so anamored with Maggie that he's willing to agree to just about anything in order to be with her...in whatever way she's willing to offer. Despite developing real feelings for her early on, he's not willing to jeopardize their friendship by asking for anything more until it's absolutely clear that she may never allow there to be anything more.
Read if you like:
Tennis romance
Friends to lovers
Friends with benefits
Golden retriever MMC
Black cat FMC
He falls first
Dual-POV
**This is part of an inconnected series, with each book written by a different author. The books can all be read as standalones.**
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beyond the Court by Stef C.R. was everything I want in a friends-to-lovers sports romance and then some.
I love a good friends-to-lovers story, but making them FWB for ten years? That elevated the emotional stakes in such a unique way. This wasn’t insta-anything. This was history. Shared routines. Shared beds. Shared silence. A decade of feelings sitting just beneath the surface.
Maggie and Rowan already know each other inside and out, which made the transition from “no strings” to “what are we actually doing?” feel layered and real. There’s something so satisfying about watching two people who are already deeply connected realize they’ve been in love the whole time.
Maggie’s hesitation made so much sense. I really appreciated how the story explored how the relationships we grow up around shape our views on love. Her parents’ divorce clearly left a mark, and instead of it being dramatic for drama’s sake, it felt grounded. She loves Rowan, but she’s terrified of ruining the one stable thing she has. That internal battle felt authentic.
And Rowan? Ugh. Ten years of wanting more and finally deciding he’s done pretending he doesn’t. I ate that up. The patience. The devotion. The quiet “I’ll wait for you, but I’m not giving up on us.” Energy. Yes please.
It was also refreshing to read about a relationship that was already developed. They weren’t strangers figuring each other out. They were two people who already knew the rules and had to decide whether they were brave enough to break them.
I’m really loving this world and how it’s being written by different authors. It keeps the universe cohesive while still feeling fresh with each story.
This one is definitely worth the read. Game, set, match. 💛🎾
I love a good friends-to-lovers story, but making them FWB for ten years? That elevated the emotional stakes in such a unique way. This wasn’t insta-anything. This was history. Shared routines. Shared beds. Shared silence. A decade of feelings sitting just beneath the surface.
Maggie and Rowan already know each other inside and out, which made the transition from “no strings” to “what are we actually doing?” feel layered and real. There’s something so satisfying about watching two people who are already deeply connected realize they’ve been in love the whole time.
Maggie’s hesitation made so much sense. I really appreciated how the story explored how the relationships we grow up around shape our views on love. Her parents’ divorce clearly left a mark, and instead of it being dramatic for drama’s sake, it felt grounded. She loves Rowan, but she’s terrified of ruining the one stable thing she has. That internal battle felt authentic.
And Rowan? Ugh. Ten years of wanting more and finally deciding he’s done pretending he doesn’t. I ate that up. The patience. The devotion. The quiet “I’ll wait for you, but I’m not giving up on us.” Energy. Yes please.
It was also refreshing to read about a relationship that was already developed. They weren’t strangers figuring each other out. They were two people who already knew the rules and had to decide whether they were brave enough to break them.
I’m really loving this world and how it’s being written by different authors. It keeps the universe cohesive while still feeling fresh with each story.
This one is definitely worth the read. Game, set, match. 💛🎾
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has been on my TBR for months since I found out it existed, and it was worth the wait.
Maggie and Rowan are professional tennis players that have been best friends since college, but they also have a secret spicy agreement with a few rules. But what are rules for if not meant to be broken?
The story develops over 10 years of an angsty situationship where love grows stronger over time, with a few time jumps here and there. We learn that Maggie was really affected by her parents very public and polemic divorce when she was a teen, which has made her skittish and close off with everyone except Rowan. And our golden retriever hero has been so down bad for our heroine that he accepts any and all scraps she gives him. But Rowan is getting tired of having to hide and not being able to yell from the roofs how much he loves Maggie. They are a perfect match, but Maggie has to choose between facing her fear of scandal or losing the man she loves, while Rowan has to take the next step to truly and for all be open with Mags about his feelings for her.
Overall, this was a very angsty but spicy story that includes some miscommunication from our main characters. At times I wanted to hit them in the head with a book so they can get over themselves and just TALK, but I was hooked from start to finish and had a big smile on my face while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stef C.R for this advanced copy!
Maggie and Rowan are professional tennis players that have been best friends since college, but they also have a secret spicy agreement with a few rules. But what are rules for if not meant to be broken?
The story develops over 10 years of an angsty situationship where love grows stronger over time, with a few time jumps here and there. We learn that Maggie was really affected by her parents very public and polemic divorce when she was a teen, which has made her skittish and close off with everyone except Rowan. And our golden retriever hero has been so down bad for our heroine that he accepts any and all scraps she gives him. But Rowan is getting tired of having to hide and not being able to yell from the roofs how much he loves Maggie. They are a perfect match, but Maggie has to choose between facing her fear of scandal or losing the man she loves, while Rowan has to take the next step to truly and for all be open with Mags about his feelings for her.
Overall, this was a very angsty but spicy story that includes some miscommunication from our main characters. At times I wanted to hit them in the head with a book so they can get over themselves and just TALK, but I was hooked from start to finish and had a big smile on my face while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stef C.R for this advanced copy!
February 12, 2026
ARC REVIEW
I’ve been waiting for Maggie’s story since her introduction in Blair’s book, and this couple absolutely delivered on depth and tension. The chemistry between them was undeniable—so intense that even their competitors could see it from a mile away.
Maggie, my sweet girl, frustrated me and made me love her all at once. Because of her complicated past, she swears off romance entirely, even while fully aware of her feelings for Rowan. Ironically, they do everything except put a label on what they are. Watching that push and pull was both infuriating and compelling.
I’ll admit, the flashbacks tested my patience at first. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that their tension had been building for years. To truly understand their dynamic, you needed those glimpses into the past—especially the Italy trip, which felt like the turning point for everything. In many ways, Jacob’s constant slipups force them to confront the questions they’ve both been avoiding.
Rowan is the definition of selfless. No one but someone deeply devoted would have stayed as long as he did, continuing to put his heart on the line. He deserved that grand gesture—he was the one risking the most and hurting the deepest.
I also loved the friendship dynamics with their competitors. And Jacob and Elena? I need their book immediately. The energy is undeniable, and I would absolutely read a full novel about them.
I’ve been waiting for Maggie’s story since her introduction in Blair’s book, and this couple absolutely delivered on depth and tension. The chemistry between them was undeniable—so intense that even their competitors could see it from a mile away.
Maggie, my sweet girl, frustrated me and made me love her all at once. Because of her complicated past, she swears off romance entirely, even while fully aware of her feelings for Rowan. Ironically, they do everything except put a label on what they are. Watching that push and pull was both infuriating and compelling.
I’ll admit, the flashbacks tested my patience at first. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that their tension had been building for years. To truly understand their dynamic, you needed those glimpses into the past—especially the Italy trip, which felt like the turning point for everything. In many ways, Jacob’s constant slipups force them to confront the questions they’ve both been avoiding.
Rowan is the definition of selfless. No one but someone deeply devoted would have stayed as long as he did, continuing to put his heart on the line. He deserved that grand gesture—he was the one risking the most and hurting the deepest.
I also loved the friendship dynamics with their competitors. And Jacob and Elena? I need their book immediately. The energy is undeniable, and I would absolutely read a full novel about them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the best book I’ve read in a really long time. To start, I seriously appreciated the tennis explanation at the beginning of the book. It made the material incredibly easy to understand, and made a sports book super accessible to someone like me who doesn’t watch. It’s also dual pov and goes back in time at some points, but the author makes sure to include the location and time at the beginning of every chapter, which is so helpful.
Rowan and Maggie have been best friends for over 10 years, and have a friends with benefits agreement put in place by Maggie. The book starts with the list, and whenever there’s an adjustment, the chapter ends with the updated version. That’s another small detail that I really appreciated- how easy it was to keep up with all of this.
Rowan has been in love with Maggie for years, and Maggie caught feelings along the way, but they’re both terrified to ruin the friendship.
This book has so much yearning from both sides that my heart genuinely ached through most of this book. These are two not so perfect people, as everyone really is, who would be perfect for each other. While this book is relatively short to go through their entire 10 years together, it gives the perfect snapshots to show exactly how special this relationship is to two people.
I will absolutely be rereading this book, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it just as much the second time around.
Rowan and Maggie have been best friends for over 10 years, and have a friends with benefits agreement put in place by Maggie. The book starts with the list, and whenever there’s an adjustment, the chapter ends with the updated version. That’s another small detail that I really appreciated- how easy it was to keep up with all of this.
Rowan has been in love with Maggie for years, and Maggie caught feelings along the way, but they’re both terrified to ruin the friendship.
This book has so much yearning from both sides that my heart genuinely ached through most of this book. These are two not so perfect people, as everyone really is, who would be perfect for each other. While this book is relatively short to go through their entire 10 years together, it gives the perfect snapshots to show exactly how special this relationship is to two people.
I will absolutely be rereading this book, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it just as much the second time around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2026
ARC Review
🎾 Beyond the Court 💗
A Breaking Barriers Novel
Written By: @stefwritesstories
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.755/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.7/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
Maggie Taylor didn’t become one of the best tennis players in the world by breaking her rules. She thrives on routine, keeps her heart guarded, and refuses to believe love belongs in her game plan — especially after watching relationships fall apart.
Rowan Amory? He’s been in love with her for years.
What started as a no-strings-attached agreement between best friends turned into a decade of pining, tension, and a list of rules just begging to be broken. Rowan’s ready for more. Maggie isn’t sure she can risk it.
OH. THE. PINING.
This was my first Stef read and such a fun friends-to-lovers sports romance. Thank you, Stef, for letting me read Beyond the Court ahead of release!
Maggie is fiercely independent and convinced that “no strings” is the safest option — even when her heart clearly didn’t get the memo.
And Rowan? Certified golden retriever energy (plus an actual golden retriever 🥹). The way he shows up for Maggie — steady, patient, unwavering — made him impossible not to root for. That quiet devotion? Elite.
If you love years of unresolved tension, a rulebook begging to be broken, and a hero who’s been down bad from day one — this one serves.
Tropes:
🎾 Professional Tennis Players
🎾 Golden Retriever MMC
🎾 Strong, Independent FMC
🎾 Secret Agreement
🎾 Pining
🎾 Beyond the Court 💗
A Breaking Barriers Novel
Written By: @stefwritesstories
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.755/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.7/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
Maggie Taylor didn’t become one of the best tennis players in the world by breaking her rules. She thrives on routine, keeps her heart guarded, and refuses to believe love belongs in her game plan — especially after watching relationships fall apart.
Rowan Amory? He’s been in love with her for years.
What started as a no-strings-attached agreement between best friends turned into a decade of pining, tension, and a list of rules just begging to be broken. Rowan’s ready for more. Maggie isn’t sure she can risk it.
OH. THE. PINING.
This was my first Stef read and such a fun friends-to-lovers sports romance. Thank you, Stef, for letting me read Beyond the Court ahead of release!
Maggie is fiercely independent and convinced that “no strings” is the safest option — even when her heart clearly didn’t get the memo.
And Rowan? Certified golden retriever energy (plus an actual golden retriever 🥹). The way he shows up for Maggie — steady, patient, unwavering — made him impossible not to root for. That quiet devotion? Elite.
If you love years of unresolved tension, a rulebook begging to be broken, and a hero who’s been down bad from day one — this one serves.
Tropes:
🎾 Professional Tennis Players
🎾 Golden Retriever MMC
🎾 Strong, Independent FMC
🎾 Secret Agreement
🎾 Pining
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Perfect for fans of Carrie Soto Is Back and Challengers, Beyond the Court by Stef C.R. was a fun, emotionally layered sports romance that really worked for me.
Maggie is a fantastic protagonist that is fiery, funny and always keeping everyone around her on their toes. I loved being in her head, both on and off the court. Rowan is sweet and very puppy-like, which makes the years of mutual yearning almost painful in the best way. There were so many moments where I wanted to scream, "just tell her how you feel!!!". The slow burn truly pays off, with undeniable chemistry and spice between them.
I also really appreciated the family dynamics in this book. Maggie’s relationships with her sister and father added emotional depth, especially with the complex emotions surrounding parents, marriage and failure. These elements helped ground the romance and made it feel more real.
My only small gripe is that I would have loved even more tennis but I’ll admit I’m tennis greedy. That said, the sports elements included were well done and didn't overshadow the story.
I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-burn sports romance, funny characters and satisfying emotional payoff.
* Special thanks to #NetGalley for access to an advance reader copy *
#NetGalley #BeyondtheCourt
Maggie is a fantastic protagonist that is fiery, funny and always keeping everyone around her on their toes. I loved being in her head, both on and off the court. Rowan is sweet and very puppy-like, which makes the years of mutual yearning almost painful in the best way. There were so many moments where I wanted to scream, "just tell her how you feel!!!". The slow burn truly pays off, with undeniable chemistry and spice between them.
I also really appreciated the family dynamics in this book. Maggie’s relationships with her sister and father added emotional depth, especially with the complex emotions surrounding parents, marriage and failure. These elements helped ground the romance and made it feel more real.
My only small gripe is that I would have loved even more tennis but I’ll admit I’m tennis greedy. That said, the sports elements included were well done and didn't overshadow the story.
I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-burn sports romance, funny characters and satisfying emotional payoff.
* Special thanks to #NetGalley for access to an advance reader copy *
#NetGalley #BeyondtheCourt
Review of advance copy
"What am I waiting for? A...miracle."
“I want to love you until it’s devastating.”
Maggie & Rowan. Let's start this off by saying that the angst I had reading this book - I almost had to turn to the end to see if they got their HEA. This is told from past and present timelines and the build up is so stressful in the very best way. I couldn't read fast enough. I loved the story line, the tennis aspect, the agreement they had - and the rules written down is top tier! Ten years is a long time and walking through that timeline with them was so fun but so anxiety producing.
Rowan is an amazing MMC who let's Maggie be who she needs to be and lets her work out all the feelings she has over her parents' divorce and subsequent press coverage (her dad's famous). He never makes her feel badly about her decisions to remain "friends" but stays steady and stands by her. Swoon. I knew this was going to come to a screeching halt at some point because his yearning just couldn't go on forever. It was worth it. Loved the secondary characters (her sister is a love) and am excited for Jacob's book! This was a quick read - 219 pages on my Kindle.
what to expected in this book:
*sports romance - tennis
*friends with benefits arrangement (with rules)
*friends to lovers
*estranged from parents
I received a complimentary eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the author.
“I want to love you until it’s devastating.”
Maggie & Rowan. Let's start this off by saying that the angst I had reading this book - I almost had to turn to the end to see if they got their HEA. This is told from past and present timelines and the build up is so stressful in the very best way. I couldn't read fast enough. I loved the story line, the tennis aspect, the agreement they had - and the rules written down is top tier! Ten years is a long time and walking through that timeline with them was so fun but so anxiety producing.
Rowan is an amazing MMC who let's Maggie be who she needs to be and lets her work out all the feelings she has over her parents' divorce and subsequent press coverage (her dad's famous). He never makes her feel badly about her decisions to remain "friends" but stays steady and stands by her. Swoon. I knew this was going to come to a screeching halt at some point because his yearning just couldn't go on forever. It was worth it. Loved the secondary characters (her sister is a love) and am excited for Jacob's book! This was a quick read - 219 pages on my Kindle.
what to expected in this book:
*sports romance - tennis
*friends with benefits arrangement (with rules)
*friends to lovers
*estranged from parents
I received a complimentary eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the author.
February 22, 2026
I’m giving Beyond the Court by Stef C.R. a solid 4 ⭐️!
If you loved the competitive energy of Carrie Soto is Back or Challengers, this interconnected standalone sports romance will be right up your alley. The sunny, tennis-core vibes are immaculate, but it’s the character depth that really sold me. I loved both main characters, particularly Rowan; it was so refreshing to see an MMC who is genuinely open and communicative about his emotions. The story beautifully weaves in themes of reconciliation and the struggle to maintain personal authenticity under the harsh microscope of sports media portrayal. My only major critique - and the very reason I wanted to rip my hair out - is the heavy use of the miscommunication trope. You're telling me these two have been in a best-friends-with-benefits situationship for 10 YEARS, they are entirely in love with eachother… to the point where Rowan bought a ring to propose, they literally confess their feelings to each other in Italy, and yet they still aren't actually together?! Gosh it had me so stressed, but it paid off in the end.
🎾 Sports romance (tennis)
🎾 “As you wish”
🎾 Best friends (w/ benefits)-to-lovers
🎾 Secret relationship
🎾 Authenticity in media
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest thoughts - I can’t wait to see the rest of the characters “beyond the court” in their own standalones 😉
If you loved the competitive energy of Carrie Soto is Back or Challengers, this interconnected standalone sports romance will be right up your alley. The sunny, tennis-core vibes are immaculate, but it’s the character depth that really sold me. I loved both main characters, particularly Rowan; it was so refreshing to see an MMC who is genuinely open and communicative about his emotions. The story beautifully weaves in themes of reconciliation and the struggle to maintain personal authenticity under the harsh microscope of sports media portrayal. My only major critique - and the very reason I wanted to rip my hair out - is the heavy use of the miscommunication trope. You're telling me these two have been in a best-friends-with-benefits situationship for 10 YEARS, they are entirely in love with eachother… to the point where Rowan bought a ring to propose, they literally confess their feelings to each other in Italy, and yet they still aren't actually together?! Gosh it had me so stressed, but it paid off in the end.
🎾 Sports romance (tennis)
🎾 “As you wish”
🎾 Best friends (w/ benefits)-to-lovers
🎾 Secret relationship
🎾 Authenticity in media
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest thoughts - I can’t wait to see the rest of the characters “beyond the court” in their own standalones 😉
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first Stef C.R. book, and I will definitely be going back for more. Beyond the Court tells the story of Maggie Taylor and Rowan Amory in the form of a dual timeline, year's long situationship, professional tennis players, spicy, friends to lover's romance book.
I love when a book includes a dual timeline, it's always interesting to see what the MC's have experienced in their past's and how those experiences have shaped them. Because of the insights Stef has given us of Maggie and Rowan's past, I was able to better understand and connect to the MC's and it made reading this book even more enjoyable. The quiet yearning portrayed by both Maggie and Rowan, mainly Rowan, is absolutely perfect. This is another book where the banter between the MC's and other characters and the emotional moments were on point. When it comes to a spicy book, sometimes the spice can overtake the plot. That was not the case with this book, it has the perfect balance of spice that compliments the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this well written, sports romance book and definitely recommend giving it a read. Thank you to Stef C.R., Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love when a book includes a dual timeline, it's always interesting to see what the MC's have experienced in their past's and how those experiences have shaped them. Because of the insights Stef has given us of Maggie and Rowan's past, I was able to better understand and connect to the MC's and it made reading this book even more enjoyable. The quiet yearning portrayed by both Maggie and Rowan, mainly Rowan, is absolutely perfect. This is another book where the banter between the MC's and other characters and the emotional moments were on point. When it comes to a spicy book, sometimes the spice can overtake the plot. That was not the case with this book, it has the perfect balance of spice that compliments the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this well written, sports romance book and definitely recommend giving it a read. Thank you to Stef C.R., Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maggie and Rowan agreed to a casual friends with benefits arrangement back in college. It works for them as they navigate life as professional tennis players. But decade later, they both realize that they want something more; only neither of them knows how to make the first move.
Read if you like:
-Friends to Lovers
-Dual Athletes
-Hangups Holding a Heart Back
How to describe Beyond the Court? A Golden Retriever and his golden retriever want nothing more than to keep their skittish kitten forever but aren't sure how to do that without spooking her.
I adore Rowan. He is by far my favorite character in Beyond the Court. Nearly everything I highlighted was something he said or from his internal monologue. He is such a great friend, both on and off the court. I love not only his relationship with Maggie, but also with Jacob, one of the other players. In sum: Rowan is precious and must be protected at all costs.
Though I was rooting for Rowan and Maggie the whole time, I was also shouting at them at multiple times throughout the book because I needed them to see what was right in front of them. Was I overly invested? Yes. Do I regret it? No. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I just need to wait for the next book from Stef!
Read if you like:
-Friends to Lovers
-Dual Athletes
-Hangups Holding a Heart Back
How to describe Beyond the Court? A Golden Retriever and his golden retriever want nothing more than to keep their skittish kitten forever but aren't sure how to do that without spooking her.
I adore Rowan. He is by far my favorite character in Beyond the Court. Nearly everything I highlighted was something he said or from his internal monologue. He is such a great friend, both on and off the court. I love not only his relationship with Maggie, but also with Jacob, one of the other players. In sum: Rowan is precious and must be protected at all costs.
Though I was rooting for Rowan and Maggie the whole time, I was also shouting at them at multiple times throughout the book because I needed them to see what was right in front of them. Was I overly invested? Yes. Do I regret it? No. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I just need to wait for the next book from Stef!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked this book but didn’t love it. In terms of tennis, I know the basics but it was nice to have the explanation of the tennis words at the beginning! They were used throughout but there wasn’t a ton of tennis or tennis technicalities so it would be fine to read as a non-expert for sure. This was my first tennis sports romance. I also hadn’t read book one and didn’t feel like I was missing out. However, I liked the side characters so I might read the first and third books!
There was a lot of spice but I didn’t feel connected to the characters because they didn’t really seem to have a lot in common besides both playing tennis and being attracted to each other. I liked both characters and definitely understood Maggie to a point!
Throughout the book, it was sweet how Rowan was so clear Maggie was The One even when she wasn’t giving him the same level of validation. However, to me it was frustrating that Maggie was so resistant to the relationship. Some friends to lovers are just close friends who are attracted to each other but in this case, they were in love and in a relationship in every way but title.
If you’re a fan of tennis sports romance or friends to lovers, definitely give this book and series a read!
There was a lot of spice but I didn’t feel connected to the characters because they didn’t really seem to have a lot in common besides both playing tennis and being attracted to each other. I liked both characters and definitely understood Maggie to a point!
Throughout the book, it was sweet how Rowan was so clear Maggie was The One even when she wasn’t giving him the same level of validation. However, to me it was frustrating that Maggie was so resistant to the relationship. Some friends to lovers are just close friends who are attracted to each other but in this case, they were in love and in a relationship in every way but title.
If you’re a fan of tennis sports romance or friends to lovers, definitely give this book and series a read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews