This is Book 2 in the Breaking Barriers series (Book 1 is From the Sidelines by Rachel LaBerge... also of note - Book 3 is Quite the Pair by Kathryn Kincaid & the characters are all mentioned in this book - I recently read it as well & highly recommend it also!!). They are interconnected standalone books (meaning characters are mentioned & intertwined, but you can read the books as standalone novels).

This book is about Maggie & Rowan. I loved their story...their chemistry.... the plot, the characters, I loved it all!!!

The book is sweet & spicy. A good balance between the sport & their personal lives. Great ending. I look forward to reading more books by this author!!!

Thank you to the author (Stef C.R.), publisher (Victory Editing) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Beyond the Court was a truly enjoyable and engaging read, and I found myself flying through it from the very first chapters.

Despite being a shorter novel, the story felt complete and thoughtfully developed. The pacing was excellent, the writing flowed smoothly, and the balance between emotional depth and spice was spot-on, with the chemistry between Maggie and Rowan established early and carried consistently throughout the book.

The friends-to-lovers dynamic worked especially well. Maggie’s emotional guard, shaped by growing up in the public eye and witnessing her parents’ very public divorce, felt authentic and understandable. Rowan’s background and journey, coming from more humble beginnings and working hard to earn his success, added depth and contrast to their relationship. His quiet longing and hesitation to ask for more, even after a decade, created genuine emotional tension.

Rowan was a standout character. His sensitivity, loyalty, and emotional openness made him a refreshing MMC, especially for readers who appreciate a softer, golden-retriever hero rather than a possessive alpha archetype.

Overall, Beyond the Court was well written, emotionally engaging, and highly enjoyable. It’s a great choice for readers who love friends-to-lovers, sports romance, early spice, and men who fall first. I’m grateful for the chance to read and review it!

Thank you Victory Editing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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!