Windy City Series – World of Bai

Book Review: “Play Along” By Liz Tomforde

This is the fourth book in the “Windy City” Series by Liz Tomforde. This book is the most recent one to come out with only one book left in the series that will release April 2025. I honestly have no clue how I am going to wait till April to read the next book, how unfair?!

“Mmm,” he hums. “I should warn you, Ken, I like it when you’re mean. It does something to me.”
Liz Tomforde, Play Along

My “Windy City” Series Reviews

Mile High – By Liz Tomforde

The Right Move – By Liz Tomforde

Caught Up – By Liz Tomforde

About The Book

Author: Liz Tomforde

Publisher: Golden Boy Publishing

Published Date: July 11th, 2024

Page Count: 384 Pages

Main Genres: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 4.51

Format: E-books

“You’re allowed to be mad at me. It won’t change how I feel about you.”
Liz Tomforde, Play Along

Synopsis

Kennedy

I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago.

But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand.

Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake.

Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband.

They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home.

Isaiah

As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman.

I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed.

We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material.

Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose.

So come on, wife… play along.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“C’mon wife. Play along.”
Liz Tomforde, Play Along

Rating

“You’ve never gotten a say in your own life, and the last thing I’m going to do is take that away from you again. Every option is yours, Kenny. Whatever you want to do, I will be your biggest supporter. But I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t allow you the space to fulfill your goals, to live up to everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

Liz Tomforde, Play Along

Review

Possible Spoilers Ahead

This book is also a baseball romance like the third one that I reviewed. The third book made me realize that I actually might like any sports romance you give me even if I am not a huge fan of the sport in general. However, I did not have nearly as high of hopes for this book because the snippets you get of Isaiah before this book really show off an arrogant immature man which was not appealing to me at all but once I got into his book and could hear his own personal narrative my tune turned real quick! This is probably my favorite book to date hehe.

We learned a bit about Isaiah and Kennedy’s relationship in Kai’s book (book 3) but it was very surface level but still very important to the narrative of this book. Isaiah crushing on Kennedy for years might have seemed pathetic to some in Kai’s book but as soon as Isaiah finds out she is no longer engaged he becomes the man he was destined to be and that’s when I knew I was done for! Well, that and the fact that they fake date… We all know how i feel about fake dating!

When they went to get married in Vegas and Isaiah kept asking if she was sure this was what she wanted my heart literally melted! We love a respectful king!

I do think Kennedy treated him so unfairly at the beginning of this book even if it was due to the pressures of her own family life. However, I do think this made way for an interesting plot point. Isaiah may not have known Kennedy all that well before he fell for her but he believed in fate and just knew she was the one, so he was ready to dive head first into anything she threw at him. I have no clue how he could “fake Date” his own wife who he was madly in love with only to make her ex fiancé jealous… That is just pure torture.

I really like the fact that they were married yet still trying to become each others friend. They were given the perfect opportunity to really get to know one another and grow into love which I felt was a really interesting plot point. Most Fake Dating books I read have this in some level but this book really pulled it off as they were already married so what does it hurt to get to know one another’s deeper secrets and even explore a bit with their intimacy.

Kennedy had a rough childhood, as did Isaiah but different in their own ways. This was a great way for them to connect. Especially because Kennedy was never taken care of directly by a parental figure whereas Isaiah had his older brother Kai who took on that role. Kennedy didn’t need anyone to take care of her but it was nice for her to finally have someone who she knew she could count on to take care of her when she need it and Isaiah was able to provide that for her because of the love he received from his brother.

These characters are probably my favorite so far in this series, which I have probably said before but I can’t help it, they are just so good together! However, the next and final book coming out in April 2025 is about Rio finally getting his chance at love and I don’t know how any of these other love stories could hold a flame to Rio’s.

I will see you in 2025 with my final review for this series! Goodbye, for now, Windy City.

“Grief seems like a privilege, in a way,” she says. “To have loved someone so much that you can’t imagine life without them.”
Liz Tomforde, Play Along

QOTD: What series do you wish never ended?

Book Review: “Caught Up” By Liz Tomforde

This is my Review for the third book in the “Windy City” Series by Liz Tomforde. This series has quickly became one of my favorites. The characters are so well written that they have me falling for each and every one of them!

I read this book about a month ago so I figured today, the one year anniversary of its publishing, would be the perfect day to release this review!

“You said it was my choice if I wanted to live up to expectations, and I do. But now, the only expectations I’m going to worry about are the ones I set for myself. And the only expectations I have for myself are to be happy and to chase the things I want.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

My “Windy City” Series Reviews

Mile High – By Liz Tomforde

The Right Move – By Liz Tomforde

Play Along – Liz Tomforde

About The Book

Author: Liz Tomforde

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Published Date: October 10th, 2023

Page count: 408 Pages

Main Genres: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 4.44

Format: E-Book

“How the hell am I supposed to forget what her laugh sounds like? What her lips taste like? I want her. Fuck, do I want her.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

Synopsis

Kai

I’m a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team.
I’m stretched too thin, but I don’t want help raising my son.

Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go.
Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can’t fire—his daughter.

Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached.

Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I’d be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever.

Miller

As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I’m desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can’t create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life.

With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player’s kid.

Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I’m eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer.

Besides, I’ve always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“Know what’s better than being the best at something you don’t love?
Being mediocre at something you do.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

Rating

“He’ll be on his hands and knees most of the time.” “As all men should be.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

Review

Possible Small Spoilers Ahead
No surprises here, I of course rated this book Five Stars!

The surprise is that I actually enjoyed a book about Baseball. I am not a huge baseball fan, nine innings is just a tad too much for me. I just don’t find it the most entreating to watch. However, I would much rather go to a baseball game over a football game!

This book is the single dad trope, if I am being honest with you, I have only ever read one other book with this trope and I did enjoy it but this book handled this trope so well! I will be taking recs for any and all single dad tropes from here on out!

Kai only wants what’s best for his son and if that means leaving baseball behind then that’s just what he will do! But of course his team doesn’t want this so they have been very accommodating of his situation, But Kai can not find a nanny he trusts enough with his son. That is until Monty, the head coach, hires his daughter Miller as the nanny and Kai doesn’t have a choice but to let her stay.

Kai can be a bit of a grump but that is exactly why I love him! He might be kind of rough edged on the outside but on the inside he is a true sweetheart! He is everything I want from a male lead! This man is like a walking teddy bear that makes my heart melt. He truly cares so much about every person in his life but because of his past it is really hard to let new people in which made it so much fun to see him let down his guard and see him fall in love with his hot nanny!

Miller was not my favorite character at the start. She is pretty stand off ish so I guess that makes sense haha. She struggles being in one place for too long which we learn from the start so I knew that we would have a rough third act “Breakup” and if you know anything about me its that I hate a third act breakup. Luckily the way it was written I didn’t mind this one. I think the third act break up was more along the lines of this famous proverb , “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If not, it was never meant to be.”

Both of our main characters are highly successful adults who are truly independent people. Kai does have his found family to support him but he makes it clear that he is strong enough to handle his own problems but having someone like Miller by his side really brought out the best in him and ultimately brought some much needed joy to him and his sons lives.

This book really focuses on these characters goals and passions in life but what I love most is that it shows that even if you are passionate about your career you may not be happy with that life style. Miller is constantly trying to prove herself to people but most importantly herself. She sets unreasonable goals and expectations for her career because she is great at what she does but being the best at what you do isn’t nearly as rewarding as stepping back and finding joy in the basics again. Sometimes our expectations for ourselves can ruin our true happiness and you got to remove yourself from those situations and find where your true passion began and let go of some of your unrealistic goals to find yourself again.

“Pressure is a privilege, Miller. Expectations are high because you’re successful. If you were average, no one would be waiting on bated breath for you. I think about that every night I take the mound. You just have to decide if your dreams and goals are worth the pressure. If you want to live up to the expectations set for you.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

With every new book I pick up by this author the more and more I fall in love with her writing and character building. I leave each book with a deep love for her characters to the point where I get so sad when I finish her books. I really love that this world is interconnected so I can see everyone’s relationships grow and flourish. I hope you come back for my fourth review for this series “Play Along”, this will be my last review for this author until the fifth and final book comes out in April 2025, so stay tuned!

“I’m not telling you what you should or shouldn’t do with your life. I just don’t want you to be so afraid to fail at something new that it keeps you from finding your happiness when you’re the reason I found mine.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

QOTD: If you had to choose between Football and Baseball, Which do you like more?

“If you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” His eyes are begging, pleading. “Make it with me.”
Liz Tomforde, Caught Up

Book Review: “The Right Move” By Liz Tomforde

This is the Second book in the “Windy City” Series by Liz Tomforde. I loved the first book so much (See my Full Review Here) But I was a little hesitant to pick up the second. The first book was a hockey romance which is something I love but this one was a basketball romance which I honestly was not interested in. This made me not want to read the second book as I don’t understand the appeal of basketball. However, upon further review my first love was Troy Bolton the Basketball Star in High School Musical so apparently it was easy to slip back to that time of my life.

“His quiet love. It’s always the loudest.”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

My “Windy City” Series Reviews

Mile High – By Liz Tomforde

Caught Up – By Liz Tomforde

Play Along – Liz Tomforde

About The Book

Author: Liz Tomforde

Publisher: Golden Boy Publishing

Published Date: February 7th, 2023

Page count: 426 Pages

Main Genre: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 4.41

Format: E-Book

“At some point, I should probably tell her that my love language is whichever one she wants it to be so she can stop guessing. I’ll make sure that girl feels loved however she needs.”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

Synopsis

RYAN

She’s a distraction, that’s what she is.

I’m the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago’s NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister’s best friend, to move into my apartment. She’s messy, emotional, and way too tempting.

But when the team’s General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can’t think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate.

The only problem? Faking it feels far too natural.

Having a fake girlfriend wasn’t supposed to be messy but having Indy under my roof and in my bed is complicated, especially when she wants all the romantic parts of life that I could never give her.

INDY

I never imagined I’d be living with my best friend’s brother, NBA superstar Ryan Shay. Even more unbelievable? He needs me to act as his loving girlfriend who’s suddenly changed him into a friendly and approachable guy.

Because, well…he’s not. He’s controlling of his space and untrusting of others.

Our arrangement isn’t one-sided, though. I’m in a wedding coming up, one where every one of my childhood friends, including my ex-boyfriend, will be in attendance, and there’s no better date than my ex’s celebrity hero.

Blurred lines make it almost impossible to separate real from fake. Falling for my roommate was never part of the deal, especially when Ryan is quick to remind me that he doesn’t believe in love.

I’m a romantic and can’t help fantasizing that he’ll change, but soon enough, I find myself questioning if sharing a roof with my best friend’s brother was the right move after all

Synopsis From GoodReads

“This is practically a how-to manual on how to please a woman. How are more men not reading these?”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

Rating

“I know I don’t have your history, but I want your future.”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

Review

Possible Spoilers Ahead

Like I mentioned above, I was not excited to read a basketball romance but this book really surprised me! Maybe I don’t care too much about the sport as I was originally expected. A football romance might still be too much for me though…

This book follows Stevie’s best friend Indy who is down on her luck and needs a place to stay. Stevie’s brother Ryan now has an empty room so he reluctantly lets Indy stay with him while she saves up for her own place.

This was a really cute fake dating read. Ryan is very Type A and Indy is a walking hurricane, realistically these two would hate each other but with a little forced proximity romance was able to grow. They may have had to fake their relationship at first but it didn’t take long before their little crushes on one another overtook their fake dating. Essentially they were only lying to themselves.

The banter was amazing with these two! I was swooning practically every page, especially when they would talk about Indy’s romance books. Ryan is the walking/breathing book boyfriend that Indy had always dreamt of. Maybe this is why I really liked the book, I am a sucker for a man with book boyfriend potential!

My favorite part of this book is the list they made for one another to help them better themselves. Indy has issues being alone but being left by the man she thought she would marry really had her shook so Ryan was determined to help her learn how to be alone and think of herself for the first time in her life by creating her a list, top of the list was sleeping in her bed alone without a wall of pillows beside her acting as a makeshift person. I love that Ryan was so willing to help Indy even in the beginning when he wasn’t sure he wanted her in his space.

Overall, this book really had me hooked from the beginning and I was truly shocked at how much I loved it! I truly am a sucker for all the characters in this world and I can’t wait to read the rest!

“How else would you get to live a thousand lives in the span of only one? The beauty of fiction is that it makes you feel things on a visceral level. You can cry with those characters, laugh with them. It teaches you to look at another’s perspective, to have empathy. In nonfiction, you simply learn about something instead of feeling it.”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

QOTD: What Sports do you like to read about in your Sport Romances?

“Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest.”
Liz Tomforde, The Right Move

Book Review: “Mile High” By Liz Tomforde

This is a the first book in the Windy City Series which has taken Booktok by storm! I kept seeing this book all over my FYP for months! I told myself its probably over hyped and does not deserve my time… Man oh man was I wrong!
This book along with the next three in the series are all currently on Kindle Unlimited if you would like to give them a try!

“That maybe one day I will love this woman, and maybe somehow, she will find a way to love me.”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High

My “Windy City” Series Reviews

The Right Move – By Liz Tomforde

Caught Up – By Liz Tomforde

Play Along – Liz Tomforde

About The Book

Author: Liz Tomforde

Publisher: Golden Boy Publishing

Published Date: June 4th, 2024

Page Count: 488 Pages

Main Genres: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 4.09

Format: E Book

“Being vulnerable and authentic is scary, man. Terrifying. But to the people who matter to you, the ones you’ve shown your true self to, they love you unconditionally. Why not let others love you unconditionally too? At least give them a chance to.”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High

Synopsis

ZANDERS

Chicago hockey isn’t complete without me – everyone’s favourite player to hate. I know my role, and I play it well. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy spending the majority of my game time in the penalty box before leaving the arena with a new girl on my arm each night.

What I don’t like is the new flight attendant on our team’s private plane. She works for me, not the other way around. But I’ll be sure to remind her of that, and I can guarantee, by the end of the season, she’ll be begging to quit her job.

But every road trip blurs the lines, and I can’t quite figure out if I keep pushing that flight attendant call button in order to push her buttons, or if it’s more than that.

STEVIE

I’ve been a flight attendant for years. I thought I’d seen it all, but when my new job lands me onboard working for the most egotistical and self-righteous diva in the NHL, I start to second guess everything. Including the promise I made to myself of never hooking up with an athlete again . . . no matter how annoyingly tempting he may be.

Evan Zanders is unfiltered, unapologetic, and too attractive for his own good. He loves his image, but I hate everything about it.

Everything but him.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“There’s only so much oxygen on an airplane. I don’t want his ego to suffocate the rest of us. You know, safety and all that shit.”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High

Rating

“It hurts a whole lot less to be hated when you’re not being yourself than it does not to be loved for who you are,”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High

Review

**Small Spoilers Possible**

This book was wonderful right from the start! I have been really into hockey the past year so following a hockey player was right up my alley but the part that surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed following the point of view of a flight attendant. This was a really great dynamic that caused forced proximity and I just ate it all up!

Stevie is quite insecure about her body which I would say is a trigger warning to be aware of. A lot of the book focuses on her thoughts and perceptions of herself and what others are going to think about the way her body looks. I think the book handles this insecurity very well but regardless it was hard to read these parts at times. Her mother plays a huge part as to why she has these insecurities which makes me so sad! You should love your children despite of the way their bodies look.

Stevie may have some insecurities about her body but Zander loves every inch of it! The fact that he practically worships this woman despite of her insecurities really had me swooning for him! But Zanders is not free from his own troubles. His family life is also not so great coming from divorced parents which causes his own insecurities in relationships. He needs a woman who is going to pick him and stay with him but how can he trust that they won’t up and leave him much like his mother did in his formative years.

Both of our characters are struggling in their own ways and the way Liz Tomforde wrote these struggles really worked! I felt like I could feel every emotion as if I were the characters themselves. This is a very big reason why I fell in love with this book. The struggles they each have felt like things typical people would face which in turn makes the book relatable.

I really hope you guys give this book and series a try if you haven’t already!

“Stevie,” Zanders says. “You following me?”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High

QOTD: Do you plan on picking this series up? – or – if you have read it already what did you rate it?

“You don’t have to love your body every single day. That’s unrealistic to expect, but I’ll be here loving it for the days you can’t.”
Liz Tomforde, Mile High