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Windy City #2
The Right Move
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
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
499 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2023
About the author
Liz Tomforde
8 books7,851 followersLiz Tomforde writes sports romance novels that depict realistic and healthy relationships. Her books offer a mix of witty banter and real-life struggles. Her heroes are alpha yet vulnerable, and her heroines are strong.
Born and raised in Northern California, Liz is the youngest of five children. She loves all things romance, traveling, dogs, and hockey.
When she's not traveling or writing, Liz can be found reading a good book or taking her Golden Retriever, Luke, on a hike in her hometown in Sonoma County, CA.
Born and raised in Northern California, Liz is the youngest of five children. She loves all things romance, traveling, dogs, and hockey.
When she's not traveling or writing, Liz can be found reading a good book or taking her Golden Retriever, Luke, on a hike in her hometown in Sonoma County, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,158 reviews
July 10, 2023
➸ 4.75 stars
— i’m shocked that i actually LOVED this book!! mile high was pretty good, but this book?? THIS BOOK WAS ON ANOTHER LEVEL. flawed characters will forever have my heart and indy and ryan are two of the most flawed characters that actually have real personalities. the communication and lack of toxicity was so refreshing. indy and ryan’s story had so much depth and realism and i loved that this story had the perfect balance between heavy and light moments. this book would get way too cheesy at times, i felt the author was giving ryan way too many book boyfriend characteristics just to mend him into indy’s “ideal book bf” and a man like him simply doesn’t exist — he’s blatantly the epitome of man written by a woman. but look idc bc he was written for me and ryan shay is top tier book bf!! this man had me feeling so GIDDY, and the slow burn in this book was absolutely delicious too. this book could’ve been 100 pages less tho, the pacing was slightly off because the ending felt like it should’ve been around the 80% mark; the last 20% unnecessarily dragged on for WAY too long — the conflict was so pointless and could’ve been skipped bc the reader wouldn’t miss anything.
↳ indy my precious book girlie, you deserve the whole world and nothing less. i love that she is a fun loving girl full of life but also emotional and feels everything on a deep level, but she would cry way too much lmao. but my heart broke for her because of her shitty ex bf and her shitty “friends” but i just love how ryan, stevie, zanders and rio showed her the importance of true friendship. her love for romance books and escaping reality was so relatable lmao. indy had depth and she has the biggest heart and that was what truly made me love her character sm. i loved her acts of bringing ryan out of his shell and living life how he should since he was so sheltered was everything to me she made him trust and feel again!! she deserved to be loved and im so glad ryan was the one to show her how a relationship was supposed to be.
— i loved the daily updates she would send vee, they would make me laugh and they were just the best addition to this book.
↳ RYAN SHAY, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!! he fr be setting expectations to the mf moon for all the book bfs out there. if i thought my standards were already HIGH well they are fucking astronomical now, he LOVED and CARED so hard. i loved that he was portrayed to be sensitive and emotional. the fact he does ALL the love languages in his own way was *chefs kiss*. actually let me just list out reasons why i love ryan mf shay!!
1: he lets indy move into his apartment even though he is reluctant, guarded and doesn’t like to have his space invaded, rent free just so she can save up money - and when she moves in he lets her brighten up his apartment with colour as he only likes things in black and white.
2: pays for her fertility treatments
3: QUIET LITERALLY LEARNS SIGN LANGUAGE THE MOMENT HE FOUND OUT HER DAD WAS DEAF!!!
4: she only likes to drink iced coffee so he puts coffee in the fridge every. single. morning. so when she gets up it’s already cold so she doesn’t have to water it down with ice.
5: loves her quietly yet so fiercely, worships her, pushes indy to do what she wants and allows her to be unapologetically herself, stands up for her, respects her and helps her move on from her shitty ex and shows her what’s it like to be loved and adored.
↳ “you know that jersey you’ve got with my last name on it? when you see it hanging there in your closet, let it serve as a reminder to you, that soon enough, it’ll be her last name too.” GOODFUCKINGBYE 🤭😩🫠😮💨
6: builds her a bookshelf next to his own shelf and reads her romance books 😩
7: takes care of her flowers whenever she’s away for work, and always buys her flowers just so he can see her face light up when she comes home!! man was fr overwatering and killing flowers that were in a vase bc that’s how dedicated he was.
8: made sure she always had food to eat wherever she was bc she’s a vegetarian and replaces all his food with vegetarian safe options just for her. 🫶🏼
9: bought her a family house before they were even officially together bc he knew he wanted to spend forever with her
— like omg?? i died at how he showed his love through actions. his development throughout the book was so refreshing to read - since he was a bit of an asshole to indy at the start but his back story ripped my heart out and his growth and love for indy put it back together. it’s the smallest things that count the most 🥹❤️🩹
this book is for all the hopeless romantic girlies out there. i will definitely be rereading this book in the near future, it gave me all the feels MZs book give me - it had the perfect amount of tension, angst, spice and slow burn. i hope rio and dom get their own book, i love them both sm and they both deserve their special someone too!!
”sometimes the quietest love is the loudest.”
— i’m shocked that i actually LOVED this book!! mile high was pretty good, but this book?? THIS BOOK WAS ON ANOTHER LEVEL. flawed characters will forever have my heart and indy and ryan are two of the most flawed characters that actually have real personalities. the communication and lack of toxicity was so refreshing. indy and ryan’s story had so much depth and realism and i loved that this story had the perfect balance between heavy and light moments. this book would get way too cheesy at times, i felt the author was giving ryan way too many book boyfriend characteristics just to mend him into indy’s “ideal book bf” and a man like him simply doesn’t exist — he’s blatantly the epitome of man written by a woman. but look idc bc he was written for me and ryan shay is top tier book bf!! this man had me feeling so GIDDY, and the slow burn in this book was absolutely delicious too. this book could’ve been 100 pages less tho, the pacing was slightly off because the ending felt like it should’ve been around the 80% mark; the last 20% unnecessarily dragged on for WAY too long — the conflict was so pointless and could’ve been skipped bc the reader wouldn’t miss anything.
”you should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future.”
↳ indy my precious book girlie, you deserve the whole world and nothing less. i love that she is a fun loving girl full of life but also emotional and feels everything on a deep level, but she would cry way too much lmao. but my heart broke for her because of her shitty ex bf and her shitty “friends” but i just love how ryan, stevie, zanders and rio showed her the importance of true friendship. her love for romance books and escaping reality was so relatable lmao. indy had depth and she has the biggest heart and that was what truly made me love her character sm. i loved her acts of bringing ryan out of his shell and living life how he should since he was so sheltered was everything to me she made him trust and feel again!! she deserved to be loved and im so glad ryan was the one to show her how a relationship was supposed to be.
— i loved the daily updates she would send vee, they would make me laugh and they were just the best addition to this book.
↳ RYAN SHAY, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!! he fr be setting expectations to the mf moon for all the book bfs out there. if i thought my standards were already HIGH well they are fucking astronomical now, he LOVED and CARED so hard. i loved that he was portrayed to be sensitive and emotional. the fact he does ALL the love languages in his own way was *chefs kiss*. actually let me just list out reasons why i love ryan mf shay!!
1: he lets indy move into his apartment even though he is reluctant, guarded and doesn’t like to have his space invaded, rent free just so she can save up money - and when she moves in he lets her brighten up his apartment with colour as he only likes things in black and white.
2: pays for her fertility treatments
3: QUIET LITERALLY LEARNS SIGN LANGUAGE THE MOMENT HE FOUND OUT HER DAD WAS DEAF!!!
4: she only likes to drink iced coffee so he puts coffee in the fridge every. single. morning. so when she gets up it’s already cold so she doesn’t have to water it down with ice.
5: loves her quietly yet so fiercely, worships her, pushes indy to do what she wants and allows her to be unapologetically herself, stands up for her, respects her and helps her move on from her shitty ex and shows her what’s it like to be loved and adored.
↳ “you know that jersey you’ve got with my last name on it? when you see it hanging there in your closet, let it serve as a reminder to you, that soon enough, it’ll be her last name too.” GOODFUCKINGBYE 🤭😩🫠😮💨
6: builds her a bookshelf next to his own shelf and reads her romance books 😩
7: takes care of her flowers whenever she’s away for work, and always buys her flowers just so he can see her face light up when she comes home!! man was fr overwatering and killing flowers that were in a vase bc that’s how dedicated he was.
8: made sure she always had food to eat wherever she was bc she’s a vegetarian and replaces all his food with vegetarian safe options just for her. 🫶🏼
9: bought her a family house before they were even officially together bc he knew he wanted to spend forever with her
— like omg?? i died at how he showed his love through actions. his development throughout the book was so refreshing to read - since he was a bit of an asshole to indy at the start but his back story ripped my heart out and his growth and love for indy put it back together. it’s the smallest things that count the most 🥹❤️🩹
"you're chaotic as fuck, blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else"
this book is for all the hopeless romantic girlies out there. i will definitely be rereading this book in the near future, it gave me all the feels MZs book give me - it had the perfect amount of tension, angst, spice and slow burn. i hope rio and dom get their own book, i love them both sm and they both deserve their special someone too!!
February 12, 2023
need a ryan shay ASAP
i’m a simple girl, buy me a fucking house and gimme babies
i’m a simple girl, buy me a fucking house and gimme babies
February 10, 2023
5 stars
I loved this book so much. Ryan Shay is the ultimate book boyfriend.
Overall, I’d say that this book was very much a lesson in what to expect from a man IRL or otherwise. Every single little action of his was so telling that he was a great person. Don’t get me wrong, Indy was equally amazing, but well, since I’m a woman living in a society in which men like this are practically non existent, I did focus my attention on how great the hero is.
The plot never got to be overly dramatic nor was it stupidly cheesy, I felt like I was reading about two very great people as individuals who together were absolute goals and total soulmates.
I related so much with Indy about her people pleasing habits and some other things (most things actually except her love for hosting and being such an extrovert), so maybe that made this book stand out even more to me.
I loved how Indy’s heartbreak was portrayed as well. Too often I see the scenario of the heroine being cheated on by a long term boyfriend and it’s always so cliched and glossed over. I understand the need to focus on the current romance but humans are not robots, there isn’t a reset button and we do carry our past with us even if we heal from it. I liked her progression of getting over the ex. I liked that she still suffered from the betrayal but day by day she blossomed more and more and eventually got to have so many realisations about herself, her friends, her ex relationship and she saw her heartbreak as blessing in disguise.
It was a long book (approx. 550 pages) but it never got tedious to read even though the plot itself wasn’t exactly new or all that complex. I just loved the mostly calm and cozy vibes I got from the couple.
And one thing I’ll mention, this is one of the few times when the hero’s reluctance and insecurities regarding relationships actually made sense. After reading his story and understanding what he went through only 4 years prior and how the aftermath of a specific event crushed him enough to damage his mental health, I felt so bad for him. And seeing him meet Indy and her absolutely lovable and caring self was such a great thing to read.
I loved this book so much. Ryan Shay is the ultimate book boyfriend.
Overall, I’d say that this book was very much a lesson in what to expect from a man IRL or otherwise. Every single little action of his was so telling that he was a great person. Don’t get me wrong, Indy was equally amazing, but well, since I’m a woman living in a society in which men like this are practically non existent, I did focus my attention on how great the hero is.
The plot never got to be overly dramatic nor was it stupidly cheesy, I felt like I was reading about two very great people as individuals who together were absolute goals and total soulmates.
I related so much with Indy about her people pleasing habits and some other things (most things actually except her love for hosting and being such an extrovert), so maybe that made this book stand out even more to me.
I loved how Indy’s heartbreak was portrayed as well. Too often I see the scenario of the heroine being cheated on by a long term boyfriend and it’s always so cliched and glossed over. I understand the need to focus on the current romance but humans are not robots, there isn’t a reset button and we do carry our past with us even if we heal from it. I liked her progression of getting over the ex. I liked that she still suffered from the betrayal but day by day she blossomed more and more and eventually got to have so many realisations about herself, her friends, her ex relationship and she saw her heartbreak as blessing in disguise.
It was a long book (approx. 550 pages) but it never got tedious to read even though the plot itself wasn’t exactly new or all that complex. I just loved the mostly calm and cozy vibes I got from the couple.
And one thing I’ll mention, this is one of the few times when the hero’s reluctance and insecurities regarding relationships actually made sense. After reading his story and understanding what he went through only 4 years prior and how the aftermath of a specific event crushed him enough to damage his mental health, I felt so bad for him. And seeing him meet Indy and her absolutely lovable and caring self was such a great thing to read.
February 23, 2023
OBSESSED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. this is my favorite book of all time. no words.
i thought mile high was unbeatable.. but wow. indy, my romantic, i loved her so much. she touched a part of my soul i didn’t know existed. and ryan, my secret softie, he understood her so well. the way this book showed that the loudest loves are the quiet ones.
seeing all the characters come together + seeing my babies zee & vee again!!!! also im gonna need a rio book.. immediately. i just know that’s gonna be hilarious.
“do you think i’m a trainwreck, ryan?”
“you’re more like a cute little fender bender.”
i thought mile high was unbeatable.. but wow. indy, my romantic, i loved her so much. she touched a part of my soul i didn’t know existed. and ryan, my secret softie, he understood her so well. the way this book showed that the loudest loves are the quiet ones.
seeing all the characters come together + seeing my babies zee & vee again!!!! also im gonna need a rio book.. immediately. i just know that’s gonna be hilarious.
“do you think i’m a trainwreck, ryan?”
“you’re more like a cute little fender bender.”
February 13, 2023
The fact that this man is not real makes me want to jump head first off the highest bridge
April 18, 2023
5 stars
This is a book about “quiet love being the loudest” and god I loved that!!!!! I want Ryan Shay’s quiet love so bad!!
Ryan Shay set the bar for book boyfriends up so high!! He loves so quietly but so fiercely. He loves through his action not just with his words. He’s a robot who doesn’t trust easily, and that’s for a freakin valid reason. He’s a good freakin human being and needs to be protected! Who cares about grand gestures when you could have a man who loves like Ryan Shay loves Indy!
Ryan Shay’s guide on how to love quietly:
1- He learned ASL so he could talk to the her dad and tell him he loved his daughter without needing translation.
2- He brought her flowers and took care of them too much when she’s away that they died from being overwatered.
3- The way he made her coffee, put it in the fridge to cool so it wouldn’t get watered down when she added ice??
4- He built her a bookshelf.
5- The way he showed her over and over again with small subtle gestures how he cares and loves her without admitting it.
Indy on the other hand was so ✨charming✨ she was so charismatic, so emotional, so soft, so smart, so fierce, so romantic, so loyal, and so relatable. She reads romance to escape reality and romanticize everything. I love her so freakin much!!!
Those characters were a representation of what I want to have!! The quiet love between them through their actions. Their communication and how they talked about everything. The rules on the fridge. Their banter. The push and pull. The way they accepted each other different personality. The teasing slow burn I could barely handle. I loved all their domestic fluff so much. Their romance and the way they loved each other was perfect to me.
#1 Mile high ~ 4 stars
#2 The right move ~ 5 stars
This is a book about “quiet love being the loudest” and god I loved that!!!!! I want Ryan Shay’s quiet love so bad!!
Ryan Shay set the bar for book boyfriends up so high!! He loves so quietly but so fiercely. He loves through his action not just with his words. He’s a robot who doesn’t trust easily, and that’s for a freakin valid reason. He’s a good freakin human being and needs to be protected! Who cares about grand gestures when you could have a man who loves like Ryan Shay loves Indy!
Ryan Shay’s guide on how to love quietly:
1- He learned ASL so he could talk to the her dad and tell him he loved his daughter without needing translation.
2- He brought her flowers and took care of them too much when she’s away that they died from being overwatered.
3- The way he made her coffee, put it in the fridge to cool so it wouldn’t get watered down when she added ice??
4- He built her a bookshelf.
5- The way he showed her over and over again with small subtle gestures how he cares and loves her without admitting it.
Indy on the other hand was so ✨charming✨ she was so charismatic, so emotional, so soft, so smart, so fierce, so romantic, so loyal, and so relatable. She reads romance to escape reality and romanticize everything. I love her so freakin much!!!
Those characters were a representation of what I want to have!! The quiet love between them through their actions. Their communication and how they talked about everything. The rules on the fridge. Their banter. The push and pull. The way they accepted each other different personality. The teasing slow burn I could barely handle. I loved all their domestic fluff so much. Their romance and the way they loved each other was perfect to me.
#1 Mile high ~ 4 stars
#2 The right move ~ 5 stars
February 26, 2023
protect my short 6'3 basketball championship king Ryan Shay at all costs. his only flaw is that he is not allowed to use BLUE™ as a term of endearment/nickname. Lance Orion has trademarked that word. 🤺
October 25, 2023
5+ stars
After reading the first book in this series, I knew I wanted Ryan Shay’s book asap. And when I saw it was with Indy… I was even more excited. This one was perfection. I'm 100% sure this is going to be a contender for my top read of 2023. Seriously, I was blown away.
Ryan is one of the biggest stars in the nba and has been made team captain of the Chicago Devils. He’s one of the best guys ever, but he doesn’t always come across warm or inviting. To his teammates, or just people in general. He’s close with his twin sister, Stevie, but aside from that has some major trust issues. Then enters Indy.
Indy is Stevie’s best friend and needs a temporary place to stay. Stevie sweet talks Ryan into this, even though it’s the last thing he wants. He’s one of those people that values his privacy and doesn’t like people in his space. But Indy, she invades his life in every way possible. And with time, he starts to like here there.
Watching these two slowly fall for one another… it was beautiful. Ryan Shay is everything and Indy was incredibly relatable for me and I loved watching both of their growth in this story. Honestly, I feel like I could gush about this romance all day long. I want to reread it asap and can’t wait until it comes on audio so I can do just that.
If you’re looking for a best friends brother/sports romance with fake dating, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic look no further. This one was truly perfect for me and there wasn’t a thing I didn’t love about it! Liz Tomforde is definitely an author to look out for, I have a feeling she's going to be a must read for me!
“Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest,”
After reading the first book in this series, I knew I wanted Ryan Shay’s book asap. And when I saw it was with Indy… I was even more excited. This one was perfection. I'm 100% sure this is going to be a contender for my top read of 2023. Seriously, I was blown away.
Ryan is one of the biggest stars in the nba and has been made team captain of the Chicago Devils. He’s one of the best guys ever, but he doesn’t always come across warm or inviting. To his teammates, or just people in general. He’s close with his twin sister, Stevie, but aside from that has some major trust issues. Then enters Indy.
Indy is Stevie’s best friend and needs a temporary place to stay. Stevie sweet talks Ryan into this, even though it’s the last thing he wants. He’s one of those people that values his privacy and doesn’t like people in his space. But Indy, she invades his life in every way possible. And with time, he starts to like here there.
“And I’m messy. You don’t like messy.”
“I like your mess.”
“And I’m needy. I have no idea how to be alone.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone. I want you to be with me.”
Watching these two slowly fall for one another… it was beautiful. Ryan Shay is everything and Indy was incredibly relatable for me and I loved watching both of their growth in this story. Honestly, I feel like I could gush about this romance all day long. I want to reread it asap and can’t wait until it comes on audio so I can do just that.
If you’re looking for a best friends brother/sports romance with fake dating, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic look no further. This one was truly perfect for me and there wasn’t a thing I didn’t love about it! Liz Tomforde is definitely an author to look out for, I have a feeling she's going to be a must read for me!
October 30, 2023
Petition #4048 for Rio's book.
April 26, 2023
5 stars.
“ Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest,”
Well I enjoyed the previous book in the series and was quite excited for this one ! I swear, Best friend’s brother romances are so underrated ! Was I excepting it to turn out as one of my favorite romances ever? Nope, absolutely not !
Where do I even begin with ?
Indigo needed somewhere to live so she could set some money aside to deal with her health issues ( I’ll phrase it this way. Please, check the trigger warnings it might be a sensitive subject for some.) Being a flight attendant didn’t pay much plus her health assurance didn’t cover the cost, she was in a delicate situation after leaving unexpectedly her ex-apartment. Rayan was a lone wolf, and it lasted five years, since his one and final relationship ended badly. They became roommates because Rayan couldn't deny his twin sister a thing. She was the only thing he ever cared about at the exception of his sport. Rayan was a little mean with Indigo at the beginning ‘cause he valued his quiet and peaceful condo and she was a messy nuisance. With all the frenzy that came with his title as the best NBA player even internationally; the intimacy of his appartement was his only escape, Up until her. Indigo was an emotional mess at that time because she had ended a six years relationship with her childhood best friend whom cheated on her without any remorse.
The romance was so well done, literally a masterpiece. The transitions from strangers to friends to lovers are globally the sum’ of me being here, reading endless and endless contemporary romances.
“I want you, Indy. I want us. I want our little life we’ve built even when we thought we were pretending. I want you in our house because you’ve made it a home. I want your mess and your chaos. I want your genuine smiles, ”
The little attentions, the awareness of every single shifts in the mood, learning about each other and building a tight friendship based on trust and a mutual respect and being reconnaissent and grateful for earning it just put the growing romance to an other level.😭
“ Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
Looking over at her, her expression is soft, hopeful.
“What?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing. I just know how big that is coming from you.”
The two of them worked together on changing little by little their habits to accommodates so they could live in harmony under the same roof —when they didn’t have to, just because they wanted to— All that without being in the shadow of the success of one or the other, or overwhelmed by the ambitions or needs that accompany their works. My point is, love is a lot about compromises but also accepting the others for what they truly are and never trying on changing them to accommodate some society models and those two understood the assignment perfectly.
“And I’m messy. You don’t like messy.”
“I like your mess.”
“And I’m needy. I have no idea how to be alone.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone. I want you to be with me.”
Rayan accepted Indigo with all the nuances of her personality, the heartbreaking yet hopeless romantic. The hot blond with a cheerful personality and a high IQ. With all the scars that came with her traumatic, last relationship.
“My heart has been his even when I thought I didn't have any left of it to give.
He healed it when someone else broke it, and now it’s his forever. " 💙
They fully listened and talked honestly about their feelings, never afraid to speak their minds in and out their relationship! No immature displays. Maybe near the end we came across a tiny misunderstanding situation but it was promptly resolved ‘cause they actually ✨communicated ✨.
Communication is the key, kids!
Absolutely loved the dynamics and friendships in the book! And witnessing how Rayan tried to be a better captain; working on his trust issues and the recluse persona he painted himself with years ago. It was tightly related to the sequelae that came with his previous dating life. Funny ‘cause at the begging Indigo was as convinced as him that she would never fall in love again. That was so ironic because the two of them thought they were so different as one a ray of sunshine with a tendency to be messy and the other a permanent grumpy maniac. Yet, they were dealing with the same issues and it was one of the major parts that made them a perfect match, meant to be. Both understood the traumas and bagages that came with their pasts, and never judged them for it.
“But you’re not confused anymore?”
“No. Because it’s become clear as day that you’re meant for me.”
The book has the perfect amount of fake dating! And I was here to devour every scene.😋
“ Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest,”
Well I enjoyed the previous book in the series and was quite excited for this one ! I swear, Best friend’s brother romances are so underrated ! Was I excepting it to turn out as one of my favorite romances ever? Nope, absolutely not !
Where do I even begin with ?
Indigo needed somewhere to live so she could set some money aside to deal with her health issues ( I’ll phrase it this way. Please, check the trigger warnings it might be a sensitive subject for some.) Being a flight attendant didn’t pay much plus her health assurance didn’t cover the cost, she was in a delicate situation after leaving unexpectedly her ex-apartment. Rayan was a lone wolf, and it lasted five years, since his one and final relationship ended badly. They became roommates because Rayan couldn't deny his twin sister a thing. She was the only thing he ever cared about at the exception of his sport. Rayan was a little mean with Indigo at the beginning ‘cause he valued his quiet and peaceful condo and she was a messy nuisance. With all the frenzy that came with his title as the best NBA player even internationally; the intimacy of his appartement was his only escape, Up until her. Indigo was an emotional mess at that time because she had ended a six years relationship with her childhood best friend whom cheated on her without any remorse.
The romance was so well done, literally a masterpiece. The transitions from strangers to friends to lovers are globally the sum’ of me being here, reading endless and endless contemporary romances.
“I want you, Indy. I want us. I want our little life we’ve built even when we thought we were pretending. I want you in our house because you’ve made it a home. I want your mess and your chaos. I want your genuine smiles, ”
The little attentions, the awareness of every single shifts in the mood, learning about each other and building a tight friendship based on trust and a mutual respect and being reconnaissent and grateful for earning it just put the growing romance to an other level.😭
“ Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
Looking over at her, her expression is soft, hopeful.
“What?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing. I just know how big that is coming from you.”
The two of them worked together on changing little by little their habits to accommodates so they could live in harmony under the same roof —when they didn’t have to, just because they wanted to— All that without being in the shadow of the success of one or the other, or overwhelmed by the ambitions or needs that accompany their works. My point is, love is a lot about compromises but also accepting the others for what they truly are and never trying on changing them to accommodate some society models and those two understood the assignment perfectly.
“And I’m messy. You don’t like messy.”
“I like your mess.”
“And I’m needy. I have no idea how to be alone.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone. I want you to be with me.”
Rayan accepted Indigo with all the nuances of her personality, the heartbreaking yet hopeless romantic. The hot blond with a cheerful personality and a high IQ. With all the scars that came with her traumatic, last relationship.
“My heart has been his even when I thought I didn't have any left of it to give.
He healed it when someone else broke it, and now it’s his forever. " 💙
They fully listened and talked honestly about their feelings, never afraid to speak their minds in and out their relationship! No immature displays. Maybe near the end we came across a tiny misunderstanding situation but it was promptly resolved ‘cause they actually ✨communicated ✨.
Communication is the key, kids!
Absolutely loved the dynamics and friendships in the book! And witnessing how Rayan tried to be a better captain; working on his trust issues and the recluse persona he painted himself with years ago. It was tightly related to the sequelae that came with his previous dating life. Funny ‘cause at the begging Indigo was as convinced as him that she would never fall in love again. That was so ironic because the two of them thought they were so different as one a ray of sunshine with a tendency to be messy and the other a permanent grumpy maniac. Yet, they were dealing with the same issues and it was one of the major parts that made them a perfect match, meant to be. Both understood the traumas and bagages that came with their pasts, and never judged them for it.
“But you’re not confused anymore?”
“No. Because it’s become clear as day that you’re meant for me.”
The book has the perfect amount of fake dating! And I was here to devour every scene.😋
February 25, 2023
the way this book took me by surprise should be an understatement because whatthefuck. liz tomforde in you i trust from now on🧎🏼NEVER STOP WRITING LIKE THIS PLEASE😭🙏🏼🫶🏼 . sometimes the angst whore in me screams for a breather, so here we are. this book was exactly what i needed at the moment. AND LET ME TELL Y’ALL THAT IT FUCKING DELIVERED. need something calm and fun and down to earth? look no further😌
the tropes
➳sports romance
➳best friend’s brother
➳fake dating
➳forced proximity
➳slow burn(?)
even with a simple setup and premise, i felt so much while reading this. the bar is literally on the floor these days with every other contemporary romance feeling like nothing more than a set of tropes ffs but not once did i feel like that while reading this book. the story flowed naturally and smoothly: from their first interaction to the solid reason behind the fake dating aspect to their relationship developing into something they both did not see coming. i was right off the bat hooked. it was laid back and chill and not overly dramatic at all. also everything was handled and tackled in the most realistic way ever. the vibes, to me, were immaculate✨
THE CHARACTERS ˎˊ˗
⤷indy, gosh I LOVED HER😭😭 she’s confident, funny, smart, outgoing, she’s so caring and genuine. but at the same time, chaotic and VERY emotional too and she OWNS up to it!!! she has her moments of being flawed as well and that’s what made me love her more. and the amount of times i related to her jjadskjs😭. my favorite mirrorball girlie🥹💗
⤷ryan, y’all ryan shay. ryan motherfucking shay.
what an amazing man. what a delightful man.RAIL ME DADDY.
yes he was reserved, introverted, stoic but secretly?? he was a fucking sweetie. his vulnerable side was a sight to see truly. he had layers that i loved seeing getting peeled back slowly throughout the book. he’s the kind of guy who’d pay attention to every little detail in a room. i loved how he was both as an individual and how was with indy URGHAGSK PLEASE🧎🏼
THE ROMANCE ˎˊ˗
despite them being total opposites, their personalities were in sync with each other in the best way possible. her chaotic and colorful personality meshing well with his reserved and quiet one that wanted everything organized at all costs. it felt like a natural fit too, with their romantic relationship developing effortlessly🤌🏼. AND PLEASE THEIR BANTER/INTERACTIONS WITH EACH OTHER???
what stood out to me the most in this book was the emphasis on quiet attentive love being the loudest. the intimacy that came from how it was portrayed gradually?? LIZ I WANNA GIVE YOU A LIL KISSY ON THE LIPS. also ryan my man literally set the bar up so high istg💀 because of all the things he did for her(she deserved to be treated like that all the way though😤): anticipating her needs, being attentive and patient and understanding.
IT’S ALWAYS THESE LITTLE THINGS THAT GET ME😭
⤷get you a man who learns ASL like ryan just so he can talk to her dad because according to him her family=his family🥺
⤷get you a man like ryan who builds a bookshelf like he did for her right beside his own because it looks more organized and cute in that way🥺
⤷get you a man who takes care of your flowers for you when you go to work when before she stepped into his apartment he never even bothered to look at flowers🥺
and the way indy cared for him was so heartfelt KSHEDJSNDK KILL ME. both of them encouraged themselves to come out of their shells and be better. their entire dynamic had me on my knees. i liked how indy’s heartbreak from her ex wasn’t just skimmed over. the progression from her getting over him and trusting her heart to fall for a better man was well done. i also appreciated how ryan’s hesitation and insecurities towards relationships in general was portrayed.
✎the sexual tension and chemistry between them??
HELP.
YESSIR SPEAK YOUR TRUTH
absolute husband material.
✎okay so why not 5 stars?
even though i loved the inclusion of indy’s fertility issues, i do wish it was a bit more explored. another thing i wanna talk about is that since it’s a long book and doesn’t have a LOT going on to make up for it, i gotta admit i got bored a few times, so i feel it could've been cut down a bit, at least personally speaking, because recently i’ve been hating the trend going around certain contemporary romance novels being so. fucking. long. unnecessarily.
✨all in all though, i had a really good time reading it. i loved this book and indyryan and it doesn’t deserve to be slept on at all✨
🥹🔫
also, i can’t wait for kai and rio to have their own books in the series and fuck me up🫦
┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐
song recs:
malibu nights by lany
fallin’ all in you by shawn mendes
forever&more by role model
so, basically this follows indy(h), she gets cheated on by her longtime boyfriend. devastated and heartbroken, she has nowhere to go so her bestie stevie, who is the twin sister of ryan(H), begs him to let him house her in his apartment for a while. at first he’s like pfft no bitch because a) she had a very bad impression on him the last time they crossed paths and b) he loves being alone and the last thing he’d want is to have a roommate. however, since he also loves his sister to death, he eventually agrees. little did they know, though, how everything would change from there on🤭
the tropes
➳sports romance
➳best friend’s brother
➳fake dating
➳forced proximity
➳slow burn(?)
even with a simple setup and premise, i felt so much while reading this. the bar is literally on the floor these days with every other contemporary romance feeling like nothing more than a set of tropes ffs but not once did i feel like that while reading this book. the story flowed naturally and smoothly: from their first interaction to the solid reason behind the fake dating aspect to their relationship developing into something they both did not see coming. i was right off the bat hooked. it was laid back and chill and not overly dramatic at all. also everything was handled and tackled in the most realistic way ever. the vibes, to me, were immaculate✨
THE CHARACTERS ˎˊ˗
⤷indy, gosh I LOVED HER😭😭 she’s confident, funny, smart, outgoing, she’s so caring and genuine. but at the same time, chaotic and VERY emotional too and she OWNS up to it!!! she has her moments of being flawed as well and that’s what made me love her more. and the amount of times i related to her jjadskjs😭. my favorite mirrorball girlie🥹💗
⤷ryan, y’all ryan shay. ryan motherfucking shay.
what an amazing man. what a delightful man.
yes he was reserved, introverted, stoic but secretly?? he was a fucking sweetie. his vulnerable side was a sight to see truly. he had layers that i loved seeing getting peeled back slowly throughout the book. he’s the kind of guy who’d pay attention to every little detail in a room. i loved how he was both as an individual and how was with indy URGHAGSK PLEASE🧎🏼
THE ROMANCE ˎˊ˗
despite them being total opposites, their personalities were in sync with each other in the best way possible. her chaotic and colorful personality meshing well with his reserved and quiet one that wanted everything organized at all costs. it felt like a natural fit too, with their romantic relationship developing effortlessly🤌🏼. AND PLEASE THEIR BANTER/INTERACTIONS WITH EACH OTHER???
“I am emotional. But at least I’m not a fucking robot!” She motions towards me.
“At least I feel things. When’s the last time you felt something?”
“Well, currently I’m feeling amused”
“You’re what, Ryan?”
“I’m…worried about you, Ind. I was worrying about you the whole game.”
Her lips lift mischievously, her tone teasing. “Ryan Shay, do you care about me?”
“No.”
“You care about me.”
“No, I don’t, but I’d rather you not get kidnapped while I’m playing a fucking basketball game.” She moves her shoulders, dancing around the island.
“Ryan Shay cares about me!”
“You’re annoying.”
“Indy yawns, repositioning herself as I lay back on the bed. She rests her cheek on my bare chest and slings an arm over my waist.
“To be honest, my stack of pillows is much more comfortable than your chest, but I guess you’ll do.” She readjusts. “Seriously, Ryan, it’s like sleeping on a goddamn boulder.”
“You’re awfully whiney for a girl who’s practically burrowing her way into my skin right now.”
“Shut up.”
what stood out to me the most in this book was the emphasis on quiet attentive love being the loudest. the intimacy that came from how it was portrayed gradually?? LIZ I WANNA GIVE YOU A LIL KISSY ON THE LIPS. also ryan my man literally set the bar up so high istg💀 because of all the things he did for her(she deserved to be treated like that all the way though😤): anticipating her needs, being attentive and patient and understanding.
Maybe it’s acts of service. That could be your love language. Every morning you make sure my coffee is cold, so it doesn’t get watered down when I add ice. I’ve always noticed that.
IT’S ALWAYS THESE LITTLE THINGS THAT GET ME😭
⤷get you a man who learns ASL like ryan just so he can talk to her dad because according to him her family=his family🥺
⤷get you a man like ryan who builds a bookshelf like he did for her right beside his own because it looks more organized and cute in that way🥺
⤷get you a man who takes care of your flowers for you when you go to work when before she stepped into his apartment he never even bothered to look at flowers🥺
and the way indy cared for him was so heartfelt KSHEDJSNDK KILL ME. both of them encouraged themselves to come out of their shells and be better. their entire dynamic had me on my knees. i liked how indy’s heartbreak from her ex wasn’t just skimmed over. the progression from her getting over him and trusting her heart to fall for a better man was well done. i also appreciated how ryan’s hesitation and insecurities towards relationships in general was portrayed.
My heart has been his even when I thought I didn’t have any left of it to give.
He healed it when someone else broke it, and now it’s his forever. "
✎the sexual tension and chemistry between them??
“Stepping towards him, still blocking the drawer he needs to get into, my breasts press against his stomach, taking away any space between us. He can’t answer a question with that much sincerity after claiming he faked a kiss with me the other night.
I watch his throat bob in a swallow. “What are you doing?”
“Pretending.” I inch into his personal space, snaking my arms over his shoulders, my nails scratching the tight fade around his hairline. “Acting. Just how you pretended the other night when you kissed me.”
“Oh, yeah?” His neck bends, his lips ghosting over my jaw until his forehead falls onto my shoulder. “Mmm, that feels good,” he murmurs into me as I pull him closer.”
HELP.
“I was wondering—” He leans in closer across the island as he keeps his eyes locked on mine.
“Are you asking where I fuck, Blue?”
“Indigo Ivers, are you doing…dishes?”
I roll my eyes. “Is this what your wet dreams look like, Shay?”
“Essentially.”
YESSIR SPEAK YOUR TRUTH
“And I’m messy. You don’t like messy.”
“I like your mess.”
“And I’m needy. I have no idea how to be alone.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone. I want you to be with me.”
absolute husband material.
✎okay so why not 5 stars?
even though i loved the inclusion of indy’s fertility issues, i do wish it was a bit more explored. another thing i wanna talk about is that since it’s a long book and doesn’t have a LOT going on to make up for it, i gotta admit i got bored a few times, so i feel it could've been cut down a bit, at least personally speaking, because recently i’ve been hating the trend going around certain contemporary romance novels being so. fucking. long. unnecessarily.
✨all in all though, i had a really good time reading it. i loved this book and indyryan and it doesn’t deserve to be slept on at all✨
“You’re chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else.”
🥹🔫
also, i can’t wait for kai and rio to have their own books in the series and fuck me up🫦
┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐
song recs:
malibu nights by lany
fallin’ all in you by shawn mendes
forever&more by role model
August 24, 2023
2.5 stars ✨
It's been a while since I wrote a rant review.
Welcome
Let me start with what worked and why it even managed to get a two star from me.
1. ✅Ryan Shay- I won't say he was a perfect book boyfriend but he was good enough to keep me interested. I loved how he took care of Indy, and noticed her little quirks. The fact he learned sign language cause of Indy and her parents was really sweet. Loved how he talked about her books obsession with her and always heard her out. I liked how open he was about vulnerabilities.
2. ✅The romance- It was okay. Didn't make me swoon. It was just sweet, the couple had their moments. Whenever the two were apart it made the book boring for me, which is not to say that that was a good thing. Am pretty sure I'll forget about them both soon.
3. ✅The epilogue- It was the sweetest thing. That's what touched my heart the most.
Coming to what didn't work for me. Brace yourself for the rant but I need to get this off my chest.
1. ❌INDY- I swear this woman oops girl, had just two numbheaded brain cells and both of those cells were working overtime. This girl is so damn pretentious and am sorry to say there's not one likable thing about her personality. She is highly immature. Highly annoying and has no boundaries whatsoever. She comes as a guest in someone's home and reorganizes everything on day 1 🚩 Then she cries about every little damn thing. Look, as an emotional person myself I know it's easy to cry at times but ffs spare me your crocodile tears every two pages. She also proceeds to move around wearing little to nothing and call Ryan's home as her own home when nothing significant has happened between the two. Am sorry if I sound petty but no, that's not on given that the two didn't even start as friends. Her lack of respect for others' boundaries baffles me. There was no character growth for her.
2. ❌Spice gone manipulative?- There's a moment in the book when the two are getting spicy and Ryan tells her to come only when she agrees not to move out. That's borderline manipulative as he is clearly taking advantage of her being on a high emotion. Let her be sober and think dude. And this is why Ryan won't make my list of book boyfriends.
3. ❌Stevie - got more annoying?? Someone tell Stevie to grow up and act like it instead of playing matchmaker...sorry 🤦♀️
Honestly, am just glad it's over now.
It's been a while since I wrote a rant review.
Welcome
Let me start with what worked and why it even managed to get a two star from me.
1. ✅Ryan Shay- I won't say he was a perfect book boyfriend but he was good enough to keep me interested. I loved how he took care of Indy, and noticed her little quirks. The fact he learned sign language cause of Indy and her parents was really sweet. Loved how he talked about her books obsession with her and always heard her out. I liked how open he was about vulnerabilities.
2. ✅The romance- It was okay. Didn't make me swoon. It was just sweet, the couple had their moments. Whenever the two were apart it made the book boring for me, which is not to say that that was a good thing. Am pretty sure I'll forget about them both soon.
3. ✅The epilogue- It was the sweetest thing. That's what touched my heart the most.
Coming to what didn't work for me. Brace yourself for the rant but I need to get this off my chest.
1. ❌INDY- I swear this
2. ❌Spice gone manipulative?- There's a moment in the book when the two are getting spicy and Ryan tells her to come only when she agrees not to move out. That's borderline manipulative as he is clearly taking advantage of her being on a high emotion. Let her be sober and think dude. And this is why Ryan won't make my list of book boyfriends.
3. ❌Stevie - got more annoying?? Someone tell Stevie to grow up and act like it instead of playing matchmaker...sorry 🤦♀️
Honestly, am just glad it's over now.
March 20, 2023
reread #1
perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect
…
“You’re chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else.” 😭❤️🩹
ever since i read mile high I have beendying patiently waiting for ryanindys book to release and now that i finished all i want to do is read it all over again
the plot: Ryan is Stevie's twin brother and Indy is her former coworker and best friend. Indy's longtime boyfriend cheats on her in Mile High, and she has nowhere to turn. in this book Stevie begs Ryan to let Indy move in with him since he lives alone. He doesn't agree at first but eventually does because he would do anything for his twin sister (my fav sibling duo <3)
after being seen together a couple of times they both agree to fake it till they make it :)
the characters: Ryan and Indy weren’t perfect in any way and I loved that. flawed characters will always have my heart<3 they both have been hurt in the past and very much deserved their happy ending (epilogue had me SOBBING)
Indy was so fucking relatble, she did have her chaotic moments but not once did she come off as childish also her daily updates for stevie>>>
she was so hard not to love also i cant the way she represtants half of the book community-
➣ romantizes every single moment of her life
➣ READS ROMANCE TO ESCAPE REALITY
➣ always wanted the "book boyfriend"
➣ the way she explained to ryan the requirments of being a book bf😭
now to ryan- KHGFSJKGK I CANT AFFORD TO RAISE MY STANDARDS NO MORE. HE IS LITERALLY THE DREAM MAN EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM IS- GODJGKSD.
The way he was always in denial about liking indy and found himself doing romantic shit and blaming it on something stupid instead of admitting he's a big fat simp was so.fucking.attractive.
the romance: perfect. absolute fucking perfection. Ryans quiet, careful, and protective personality paired with indys chaotic, all-or-nothing, colorful one was a match made in heaven <3
all the little things he did for her☹️☹️
➣ ryan always having her coffee ready in the morning just how she likes it
➣ taking care of her flowers when shes working
➣ LEARNED ASL FOR HER DAD SO HE CAN TALK TO HIMJGDGU
➣BUILDING HER A FUCKING BOOKSHELF NEXT TO HIS BOOKSHELF TO KEEP THEM ORGANIZED
➣ TOOK CARE OF HER WHEN SHES SICK (a classic 🫠)
the best part is that he wouldn’t admit he cared for her the whole time 😭
the tension had me on my knees fr 🧎♀️
and yes I know AND AGREE that Lance Orion basically owns the name “blue” but I’ll give ryan a pass because it just felt right and the perfect name for indy <3
60% of this book is literally domestic fluff and Im not complaining GIVEMEMORE
➣ cooking together
➣ babysitting ryans friend's son (yes my ovaries exploded a lot of baby content)
➣ READING. TOGETHER. 🧍♀️🚂
the fake dating: now to the best part- I’m being very biased rnand don’t know what else to say but yes IT. WAS. PERFECT. The tension, the jealousy, all the secret moments-
the hurt comfort <3
in conclusion it was perfect. indyryan are perfect
idk what liz tomforde was on when she wrote this BUT I NEED HER TO KEEP IT UP I did not expect to love this so much and now it's one of my all-time favorites :') if you catch me rereading soon take that as a sign to read it too <3
p.s i need Kais book. like rn
perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect
…
“You’re chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else.” 😭❤️🩹
ever since i read mile high I have been
the plot: Ryan is Stevie's twin brother and Indy is her former coworker and best friend. Indy's longtime boyfriend cheats on her in Mile High, and she has nowhere to turn. in this book Stevie begs Ryan to let Indy move in with him since he lives alone. He doesn't agree at first but eventually does because he would do anything for his twin sister (my fav sibling duo <3)
after being seen together a couple of times they both agree to fake it till they make it :)
the characters: Ryan and Indy weren’t perfect in any way and I loved that. flawed characters will always have my heart<3 they both have been hurt in the past and very much deserved their happy ending (epilogue had me SOBBING)
Indy was so fucking relatble, she did have her chaotic moments but not once did she come off as childish also her daily updates for stevie>>>
she was so hard not to love also i cant the way she represtants half of the book community-
➣ romantizes every single moment of her life
➣ READS ROMANCE TO ESCAPE REALITY
➣ always wanted the "book boyfriend"
➣ the way she explained to ryan the requirments of being a book bf😭
“Oh, come on. If we’re going to be acting, we may as well go all in. Do you know how to flare your nostrils in anger?”
My breakfast almost comes back up.
“What?”
“If you see me across the room, talking to another man, I need you to stare intently then flare your nostrils. Or grind your molars together and tic your jaw.”
“Blue—” “Do you know how to growl?” “What?” “Yeah, I don’t really know what that’s supposed to sound like, but every one of my book boyfriends is big into growling. Oh! And can you darken your eyes?”
“Darken my eyes?”
“Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?”
“No, I can’t fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?”
“Don’t hate on my books. You could learn a thing or two from them. And they’re much more entertaining than your shelves of masochism.” I LOVE HER SO MUCH PLEASE
now to ryan- KHGFSJKGK I CANT AFFORD TO RAISE MY STANDARDS NO MORE. HE IS LITERALLY THE DREAM MAN EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM IS- GODJGKSD.
The way he was always in denial about liking indy and found himself doing romantic shit and blaming it on something stupid instead of admitting he's a big fat simp was so.fucking.attractive.
the romance: perfect. absolute fucking perfection. Ryans quiet, careful, and protective personality paired with indys chaotic, all-or-nothing, colorful one was a match made in heaven <3
“I am emotional. But at least I’m not a fucking robot!” She motions towards me.
“At least I feel things. When’s the last time you felt something?”
“Well, currently I’m feeling amused.”LIKE HELLO?//??//?///? SERVING GRUMPY SUNSHINE ON A GOLD PLATTER
all the little things he did for her☹️☹️
➣ ryan always having her coffee ready in the morning just how she likes it
➣ taking care of her flowers when shes working
➣ LEARNED ASL FOR HER DAD SO HE CAN TALK TO HIMJGDGU
➣BUILDING HER A FUCKING BOOKSHELF NEXT TO HIS BOOKSHELF TO KEEP THEM ORGANIZED
➣ TOOK CARE OF HER WHEN SHES SICK (a classic 🫠)
the best part is that he wouldn’t admit he cared for her the whole time 😭
“You’re what, Ryan?”
“I’m…worried about you, Ind. I was worrying about you the whole game.”
Her lips lift mischievously, her tone teasing. “Ryan Shay, do you care about me?”
“No.”
“You care about me.”
“No, I don’t, but I’d rather you not get kidnapped while I’m playing a fucking basketball game.” She moves her shoulders, dancing around the island.
“Ryan Shay cares about me!”
“You’re annoying.” SKJKGFJKG
the tension had me on my knees fr 🧎♀️
“I was wondering—” He leans in closer across the island as he keeps his eyes locked on mine.
“Are you asking where I fuck, Blue?” *screaming*
and yes I know AND AGREE that Lance Orion basically owns the name “blue” but I’ll give ryan a pass because it just felt right and the perfect name for indy <3
60% of this book is literally domestic fluff and Im not complaining GIVEMEMORE
➣ cooking together
➣ babysitting ryans friend's son (yes my ovaries exploded a lot of baby content)
➣ READING. TOGETHER. 🧍♀️🚂
the fake dating: now to the best part- I’m being very biased rn
“Does this feel fake to you?” My breath catches. “Jealousy turns you on?”
“Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what’s mine. I’m the one you’re going home with.”
“Put your arm around me.”
“No.”
“Ryan,” she warns behind that sparkling smile. And how does she speak so clearly behind her teeth? She should be a damn ventriloquist. “You’re not going to burst into flames from touching a woman. Put your goddamn arm around me.”
Inhaling deeply, I swing my arm behind her, placing my palm at a respectful height—on her shoulder blade.
“Lower.”
Lower shoulder blade. I can feel the annoyance flaring off her body as she reaches behind her, finding my hand and curving it around her waist. She presses her body into my chest and sells it. How is she so fucking good at this? “Kiss me,” she quietly mutters. “Cheek. Forehead. I don’t care.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Are you faking it?”
“No, Blue. I’m not faking anything.” Then I feel his fingers slip into my wet hair, separating the strands into three equal parts.
“Are you braiding my hair?”
“Yes.” 😭😭😭😭
the hurt comfort <3
“Don’t you dare cry.” I suck in a breath, shaking my head and stopping any emotions before they really start. “Sorry. We’re at your work event.” “Indy.” Both his large hand's cup my face. “I don’t give a fuck where we are. You could cry all you want at this fundraiser. You could scream, laugh, throw a temper tantrum in front of these people for all I care. I don’t give a fuck, but you’re not crying over him, here or anywhere else.”no cause this right here☹️❤️🩹
in conclusion it was perfect. indyryan are perfect
idk what liz tomforde was on when she wrote this BUT I NEED HER TO KEEP IT UP I did not expect to love this so much and now it's one of my all-time favorites :') if you catch me rereading soon take that as a sign to read it too <3
p.s i need Kais book. like rn
May 23, 2023
too many/5⭐️
This was so good… SO FUCKING GOOD!!! I thought Mile High was amazing but this one?!?! Oh my lord… I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best sport romances I’ve ever read!! And I’m definitely not kidding when I say that Ryan Shay is one of the best book bfs ever!!!!!
Like the things he did for her????? Learning sign language because her dad is deaf? Open up to her about his past traumas?? Reading her romance books??? ADAPTING HIS LOVE LANGUAGE TO WHICHEVER SHE PREFERS AND WANTS?!?!?!
How can someone be this perfect?! I’m not even kidding when I say that he also made me fall in love with him.
Indy is also an absolute angel. I adore her so much!! She’s such a strong character and she’s literally the definition of sunshine!! And the amazing thing is that being a sunshine character is not her only personality trait!!! Grumpy x sunshine can be ruined so easily but Liz Tomforde just knew how to write it and did definitely not disappoint!!
There’s so much depth to Indy’s characters and it made me love her even more and she deserves the absolute world!!!
Also the tropes that were included in this book??? I’m obsessed. Fake-dating, roommates, best friend’s brother, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, SO MUCH FORCED PROXIMITY?!?!?! This book was absolutely made for me!!
And even though there were many tropes, you can see that the plot wasn’t only purely based around them! There was so much more to it than you might expect from a sports romance book. Dealing with past traumas, infidelity, anxiety and so much more!
I just love how Liz Tomforde writes and creates her characters, story and plot!! She just knows how to create the perfect love story while also including different important topics which need to represented and talked about!!
I’m also in love how she’s building up this world of different characters and introducing them without it being too much or too confusing!!
And the appearance of characters from her former novels and seeing how their relationships and lives are going made me so happy and love this book even more!!
Liz Tomforde is slowly turning into a favourite author of mine!! I’m already so excited for the next book in the series!! It was already hinted at in this book, what book 3 is going to be about and I’m already so stoked to see it come to life because I know I will absolutely devour it!!!
Overall, this is my new all-time favourite sports romance and romance book!! I highly recommend this to anyone who hasn’t read this book yet, because if you haven’t then wth are you doing???? Get to reading this masterpiece right now!!!
This was so good… SO FUCKING GOOD!!! I thought Mile High was amazing but this one?!?! Oh my lord… I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best sport romances I’ve ever read!! And I’m definitely not kidding when I say that Ryan Shay is one of the best book bfs ever!!!!!
Like the things he did for her????? Learning sign language because her dad is deaf? Open up to her about his past traumas?? Reading her romance books??? ADAPTING HIS LOVE LANGUAGE TO WHICHEVER SHE PREFERS AND WANTS?!?!?!
How can someone be this perfect?! I’m not even kidding when I say that he also made me fall in love with him.
Indy is also an absolute angel. I adore her so much!! She’s such a strong character and she’s literally the definition of sunshine!! And the amazing thing is that being a sunshine character is not her only personality trait!!! Grumpy x sunshine can be ruined so easily but Liz Tomforde just knew how to write it and did definitely not disappoint!!
There’s so much depth to Indy’s characters and it made me love her even more and she deserves the absolute world!!!
Also the tropes that were included in this book??? I’m obsessed. Fake-dating, roommates, best friend’s brother, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, SO MUCH FORCED PROXIMITY?!?!?! This book was absolutely made for me!!
And even though there were many tropes, you can see that the plot wasn’t only purely based around them! There was so much more to it than you might expect from a sports romance book. Dealing with past traumas, infidelity, anxiety and so much more!
I just love how Liz Tomforde writes and creates her characters, story and plot!! She just knows how to create the perfect love story while also including different important topics which need to represented and talked about!!
I’m also in love how she’s building up this world of different characters and introducing them without it being too much or too confusing!!
And the appearance of characters from her former novels and seeing how their relationships and lives are going made me so happy and love this book even more!!
Liz Tomforde is slowly turning into a favourite author of mine!! I’m already so excited for the next book in the series!! It was already hinted at in this book, what book 3 is going to be about and I’m already so stoked to see it come to life because I know I will absolutely devour it!!!
Overall, this is my new all-time favourite sports romance and romance book!! I highly recommend this to anyone who hasn’t read this book yet, because if you haven’t then wth are you doing???? Get to reading this masterpiece right now!!!
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars
I've complained about so many dumb things before, but a heroine being NOT annoying is a first for me
I bet the author did research by deep diving into rant reviews when she wrote Indy because the girl was:
A) perfect
B) very VERY (scarily) relatable
C) without a doubt 100% like the other girls
And you best believe i'll never forget about it because she spelled it out to us at least 5 times.
Girl....🤣 say thank you and go
Did I laugh during this whole interaction? Yes.
Don't get me wrong, I love Indy, she is literally me, she is all of us. I get why the author created her that way, the irony wasn't lost on me, but I still wish her...........normalness💀 or should I rather say, the author's attempts to show everyone her book is not like the other romance books, was more subtle and less screamed in the reader's face.
Other than that Indy was hilarious, shameless, and a classic sunshine girly to the grumpy, lonely Ryan Shay. That man was almost the death of me. Even typing his name out now has me giggling, blushing, swinging my legs back and forth.
Idc what anyone says, this scene alone was hotter than all the smut. He ate Alex up so bad, I felt the humiliation in my chest. Any time Ryan made Indy's ex feel like the brown little stinky cockroach that he is, I'd get on my knees and
My reaction to this man putting coffee in a fridge was about on the same scale as if he saved a thousand babies from a burning building.
It's so rare for me to find a hero I'll openly simp for, so let me have this one moment to embarrass myself. And not to be that bitch again, but there really is something about the name Shay💀 give me one Shay I didn't love thus far, all the variations😍
My only other issue with this book is I wished this was either shorter or there was more angst to balance out the sweetness, because as much as I enjoy the toothache of it all, it gets tiring and I had to take breaks because nothing exciting was happening.
I've complained about so many dumb things before, but a heroine being NOT annoying is a first for me
I bet the author did research by deep diving into rant reviews when she wrote Indy because the girl was:
A) perfect
B) very VERY (scarily) relatable
C) without a doubt 100% like the other girls
And you best believe i'll never forget about it because she spelled it out to us at least 5 times.
“Are you a Starbucks girl? A bit basic don’t you think, Indiana?”
My eyes narrow at the name. “Ever hear the phrase ‘she’s not like other girls’?”
He gives a small nod of his head.
“Yeah, that’s not me. I’m just like every other chick. As basic as they come. I had an Uggs phase. I had a skinny jeans phase. I like my books with romance, my coffee with more creamer than caffeine, and I even take aesthetic pictures of my food anytime I’m at a restaurant.”
“Your makeup. It looks pretty on you.”
“That’s a weird thing to say.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re supposed to say you like me natural or something to that extent. That’s the typical opinion of the male species.”
Girl....🤣 say thank you and go
If I’m going to even consider taking you to this wedding, I’m going to need to turn you into one of my book boyfriends first.” That earns a raised brow.
“Oh, come on. If we’re going to be acting, we may as well go all in. Do you know how to flare your nostrils in anger?”
My breakfast almost comes back up. “What?”
“If you see me across the room, talking to another man, I need you to stare intently then flare your nostrils. Or grind your molars together and tic your jaw.”
“Blue—”
“Do you know how to growl?”
“What?”
“Yeah, I don’t really know what that’s supposed to sound like, but every one of my book boyfriends is big into growling. Oh! And can you darken your eyes?”
“Darken my eyes?”
“Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?”
“No, I can’t fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?”
Did I laugh during this whole interaction? Yes.
Don't get me wrong, I love Indy, she is literally me, she is all of us. I get why the author created her that way, the irony wasn't lost on me, but I still wish her...........normalness💀 or should I rather say, the author's attempts to show everyone her book is not like the other romance books, was more subtle and less screamed in the reader's face.
Other than that Indy was hilarious, shameless, and a classic sunshine girly to the grumpy, lonely Ryan Shay. That man was almost the death of me. Even typing his name out now has me giggling, blushing, swinging my legs back and forth.
“How do you know my girlfriend?”
[...]
Ryan slides a forearm around the front of my shoulders, holding my back to his chest. He nods towards Alex’s jersey. “Oh,” Ryan says sweetly, patronizingly. “You’re a fan of mine.”
Idc what anyone says, this scene alone was hotter than all the smut. He ate Alex up so bad, I felt the humiliation in my chest. Any time Ryan made Indy's ex feel like the brown little stinky cockroach that he is, I'd get on my knees and
She takes her pink coffee cup out of the refrigerator and holds it up to me. “What is this?”
“I uh…” I rub my hand on the back of my neck. “I made you coffee before I left for practice and put it in the fridge to cool so it wouldn’t get watered down when you added ice.”
My reaction to this man putting coffee in a fridge was about on the same scale as if he saved a thousand babies from a burning building.
It's so rare for me to find a hero I'll openly simp for, so let me have this one moment to embarrass myself. And not to be that bitch again, but there really is something about the name Shay💀 give me one Shay I didn't love thus far, all the variations😍
My only other issue with this book is I wished this was either shorter or there was more angst to balance out the sweetness, because as much as I enjoy the toothache of it all, it gets tiring and I had to take breaks because nothing exciting was happening.
June 16, 2023
5⭐️ 3🌶
I can’t even remember how many times I was told to read this and I was like “yeah I’ll get to it” and just never did. Y’all should take me straight to jail for that. Not reading this book? A crime!!!!!
Liz Tomforde literally served a basketball romance that’s best friends brother trope turned roommate
/ fake dating situationship on a steamy delicious platter that I did not want to put down!! I kid you not when I say I was giggling , smiling and gripping my kindle for dear life due to the TENSION! The banter was just A+ material and don’t even get me started on the jealousy, soooo good!!! But the vulnerable moments that you get between Indy and Ryan had me moved to waterfall tears!!
You have Indy who wants to be shown love and Ryan does that+ so much more, but then you have Ryan who wants to be wanted for who he is as a person and Indy shows him exactly that. They are perfection, their chemistry was through the roof and you just see these two people and can feel in every part of you that they are just made for each other. They way they showed up for each other, learned one another’s love language and put it into action, like please sedate me, it was the sweetest thing ever!!!
“Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest”
Yup, one of my top romances this year!!
What to expect:
Basketball Romance
Best friends Brother
Fake Dating
Roommates
Spicy
Banter
Tension
I can’t even remember how many times I was told to read this and I was like “yeah I’ll get to it” and just never did. Y’all should take me straight to jail for that. Not reading this book? A crime!!!!!
Liz Tomforde literally served a basketball romance that’s best friends brother trope turned roommate
/ fake dating situationship on a steamy delicious platter that I did not want to put down!! I kid you not when I say I was giggling , smiling and gripping my kindle for dear life due to the TENSION! The banter was just A+ material and don’t even get me started on the jealousy, soooo good!!! But the vulnerable moments that you get between Indy and Ryan had me moved to waterfall tears!!
You have Indy who wants to be shown love and Ryan does that+ so much more, but then you have Ryan who wants to be wanted for who he is as a person and Indy shows him exactly that. They are perfection, their chemistry was through the roof and you just see these two people and can feel in every part of you that they are just made for each other. They way they showed up for each other, learned one another’s love language and put it into action, like please sedate me, it was the sweetest thing ever!!!
“Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest”
Yup, one of my top romances this year!!
What to expect:
Basketball Romance
Best friends Brother
Fake Dating
Roommates
Spicy
Banter
Tension
March 11, 2023
no tengo palabras para describir lo que me hizo este libro, liz tomforde espero que los dos lados de tu almohada estén siempre frescos
April 30, 2023
Have you ever read a book you were supposed to love yet end up having to force yourself to finish?
Indy is a girl with simple dreams: create a family to love and live happily ever after. His boyfriend had other plans-plans that involved another girl and a bed. Heartbroken and without a place to stay, Indy finds herself sharing a flat with her best friend’s brother, Ryan Shay, who seems to be counting down the days to be alone again. Why is it so difficult to find people to share her love with?
Ryan Shay has learned the hard way that being a basketball superstar comes with a lot of sacrifices. Everyone wants something from him, so every new person he meets is a potential farce. No one-night stands, no friends, no partying and definitely not flatmates. But his twin sister is his achilles heel, so he ends up being set with the messiest, kindest girl. He only needs a glance to understand Indy is about to put his well-thought plans outside down.
Before I get in deep about why I think this didn’t work for me, I have something to say: I love heroes like Ryan. He’s the reason why it pains me that I couldn’t get into the book, no matter how hard I tried. He’s the reason why I kept reading even if I was feeling nothing. We need more heroes like him in romance. i can’t believe i’m saying this but heroes are not everything.
First, let me introduce you to the characters. Indy is the kind of person full of love, she loves taking care of people even when they don’t deserve it. Her whole life broke when she discovered that her childhood best friend and sweetheart, the person she always thought was going to give her a ring and fill their house with kids, was nothing but a cheater. Here we have the first problem. I didn’t have a single bad thought about Indy, but I also couldn’t relate with her at all. It’s not that I don’t want a soulmate and a family, but that’s not all I want in life. Indy was extremely passive, letting people who didn’t care about her taking advantage of her and unable to say ‘no’ and move on. Again, I respect her but I wasn’t exactly interested in reading about her.
Basketball aside, Ryan Shay’s wildest dreams align with Indy’s, but he is determined to leave the dating for when he retires, when meeting a girl who loves him for who he is will be safer. Everything in his life is well-planed, controlled and very lonely. I understood Ryan. Trusting people is difficult enough for average people like me, I would also disappear from the face of the earth if I were him.
I also understand why his twin thought having Indy in his life will be good for him, but Ryan has trust-issues and almost forcing him to share the only place he felt safe in with a complete stranger rubbed me the wrong way. But I understand forced proximity, so I went along with it-until the second trope came in.
Fake dating is a hard trope to execute realistically, so it was no surprise when I reached page 50 and realized it was not going to work for me this time. Let me narrate the scene for you. We have Ryan’s boss telling him that a partner will be good for his image, while Indy is in the room. Without missing a beat, Ryan tells him he’s actually dating her. Problem solved, right? Only that I could never see someone like Ryan, who cherishes his privacy, who loves to control every single moment of his life, making a decision like that without asking Indy first. Just go home and ask her, that was all I needed. I know this is a romance and that they will end up being happily ever after and that Indy doesn’t care because she’s into Ryan. But I wanted to feel like I was reading a real love story, and I couldn’t. I feel like a broken record, but a lot of MF romances that are getting popular now are too full of tropes to feel real. And I get some people don’t care, but it gets me out of the story every time I find a character I thought I knew doing something that feels out of place only to fit yet another trope. I should have dnfed the book right there, but I was loving it until that part so I decided to keep going.
It didn’t get better. I felt so detached from the story that I found myself skipping even the smut. I could rant about everything that got on my nerves but I think the main problem was that I wasn’t vibing with the writing, so the moment it stopped being fun, I wasn’t able to care again.
Before I finish, I want to say I appreciated the author adding the infertility rep. That’s a problem a lot of couples have and is barely addressed in romance.
Overall, you’ll probably enjoy The Right Move a lot more than me if you don’t care about some unrealistic adjustments made to the plot/characters in order to fit the tropes.
Indy is a girl with simple dreams: create a family to love and live happily ever after. His boyfriend had other plans-plans that involved another girl and a bed. Heartbroken and without a place to stay, Indy finds herself sharing a flat with her best friend’s brother, Ryan Shay, who seems to be counting down the days to be alone again. Why is it so difficult to find people to share her love with?
Ryan Shay has learned the hard way that being a basketball superstar comes with a lot of sacrifices. Everyone wants something from him, so every new person he meets is a potential farce. No one-night stands, no friends, no partying and definitely not flatmates. But his twin sister is his achilles heel, so he ends up being set with the messiest, kindest girl. He only needs a glance to understand Indy is about to put his well-thought plans outside down.
Before I get in deep about why I think this didn’t work for me, I have something to say: I love heroes like Ryan. He’s the reason why it pains me that I couldn’t get into the book, no matter how hard I tried. He’s the reason why I kept reading even if I was feeling nothing. We need more heroes like him in romance. i can’t believe i’m saying this but heroes are not everything.
First, let me introduce you to the characters. Indy is the kind of person full of love, she loves taking care of people even when they don’t deserve it. Her whole life broke when she discovered that her childhood best friend and sweetheart, the person she always thought was going to give her a ring and fill their house with kids, was nothing but a cheater. Here we have the first problem. I didn’t have a single bad thought about Indy, but I also couldn’t relate with her at all. It’s not that I don’t want a soulmate and a family, but that’s not all I want in life. Indy was extremely passive, letting people who didn’t care about her taking advantage of her and unable to say ‘no’ and move on. Again, I respect her but I wasn’t exactly interested in reading about her.
Basketball aside, Ryan Shay’s wildest dreams align with Indy’s, but he is determined to leave the dating for when he retires, when meeting a girl who loves him for who he is will be safer. Everything in his life is well-planed, controlled and very lonely. I understood Ryan. Trusting people is difficult enough for average people like me, I would also disappear from the face of the earth if I were him.
I also understand why his twin thought having Indy in his life will be good for him, but Ryan has trust-issues and almost forcing him to share the only place he felt safe in with a complete stranger rubbed me the wrong way. But I understand forced proximity, so I went along with it-until the second trope came in.
Fake dating is a hard trope to execute realistically, so it was no surprise when I reached page 50 and realized it was not going to work for me this time. Let me narrate the scene for you. We have Ryan’s boss telling him that a partner will be good for his image, while Indy is in the room. Without missing a beat, Ryan tells him he’s actually dating her. Problem solved, right? Only that I could never see someone like Ryan, who cherishes his privacy, who loves to control every single moment of his life, making a decision like that without asking Indy first. Just go home and ask her, that was all I needed. I know this is a romance and that they will end up being happily ever after and that Indy doesn’t care because she’s into Ryan. But I wanted to feel like I was reading a real love story, and I couldn’t. I feel like a broken record, but a lot of MF romances that are getting popular now are too full of tropes to feel real. And I get some people don’t care, but it gets me out of the story every time I find a character I thought I knew doing something that feels out of place only to fit yet another trope. I should have dnfed the book right there, but I was loving it until that part so I decided to keep going.
It didn’t get better. I felt so detached from the story that I found myself skipping even the smut. I could rant about everything that got on my nerves but I think the main problem was that I wasn’t vibing with the writing, so the moment it stopped being fun, I wasn’t able to care again.
Before I finish, I want to say I appreciated the author adding the infertility rep. That’s a problem a lot of couples have and is barely addressed in romance.
Overall, you’ll probably enjoy The Right Move a lot more than me if you don’t care about some unrealistic adjustments made to the plot/characters in order to fit the tropes.
February 19, 2023
6 stars. This is a new all time favorite. The best indie contemporary romance I've read in a looooong time. A hero I can get behind, and so much romance I was literally swooning for 90% of the book. In my opinion THIS is how you write romance.
Will be in my next vlog
Will be in my next vlog
October 29, 2023
Ryan 👏🏼 Shay 👏🏼 🎶“what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.” 🎶 Very cute!! Best friends brother, forced proximity, shared bed, fake dating, and SO much tension! I could not put this book down + love Indy and Ryan so much!
November 6, 2023
3.5 stars
It's a me problem, for sure, but whenever a book starts getting honey-dripping sweet I start losing interest. I'm a sucker for angsty romance, so I quickly get bored from sweet romance. THIS BOOK? It's great. THEIR RELATIONSHIP? More than amazing. MY PROBLEM? It could have easily been trimmed down to 300 pages! It started off great and fast-paced, and the middle was awesome, but after hitting the 250-page mark, it just dragged on and got a bit repetitive (fluff in diff fonts and mindless banter)
I can't stress this enough, but contemporary romance should stay between 250-300 pages, or max 350, because that's more than enough. If there's no real plot or substance, there's no need to stretch it out. The writing was good and easy, but I found myself skimming through a lot at the end 😭.
• Ryan Shay & Indigo Ivers:
Ryan's back must've hurt because of carrying this whole book 😭. He's just so damn perfect ughhh, and everything he did for Indy? more than bare minimum hsksjs 🥰 He's incredibly thoughtful, genuine, and kind, and his flaws and insecurities were portrayed perfectly. and he's SUPER POSESSIVE!
His whole personality and the way he keeps things to himself? It all just clicks with his backstory, and it all makes sense. Just like Indy, he's been through a bad breakup and it's no wonder he was a hopeless romantic too.
Indigo is pretty good. She didn't come across as a pick me type at all, but in the first 10%, she got a little annoying when she was being all whiny and calling Ryan sick and a monster just because of hisrobotic personality. well it was nothing new, it's like a canon event for every sunshine FMC. Other than that, she's nice, fun, and an amazing person to be with.
One thing that really stands out is that both their flaws are portrayed well, and nothing is left out. Their whole relationship gradually builds up, from being strangers with a bad impression of each other to becoming friends and then lovers.
The COMMUNICATION in this book is just spot on. They're not afraid to share their feelings and thoughts with each other. Imagine just freely saying embarrassing stuff to each other without holding back – yeah, that's what they did. It was seriously refreshing. 💕
» I'm gonna list the nice things Ryan did because this book had no plot and just kept going…
1. He learned ASL because her father is deaf, and he wanted to communicate with him.
2. He made her coffee before going to practice and put it in the fridge because she likes cold coffee (OK, I WANT THIS SO BADLY BECAUSE I FREAKING LOVE COLD COFFEE).
3. He bought her a bed, bookshelf, and let her decorate his entire apartment.
4. He comforted and took care of her when she was sick.
5. He paid for her treatment, let her live in his apartment for free.
6. Full princess treatment: carrying her to the car, opening car doors, brushing and braiding hair, making breakfast for her.
There's more because he's an amazing BOYFRIEND 🧎♀️ Soooo other than this all this book is kinda nice but forgettable. but definitely a super healthy relationship book lolol 🤝🏻
It's a me problem, for sure, but whenever a book starts getting honey-dripping sweet I start losing interest. I'm a sucker for angsty romance, so I quickly get bored from sweet romance. THIS BOOK? It's great. THEIR RELATIONSHIP? More than amazing. MY PROBLEM? It could have easily been trimmed down to 300 pages! It started off great and fast-paced, and the middle was awesome, but after hitting the 250-page mark, it just dragged on and got a bit repetitive (fluff in diff fonts and mindless banter)
I can't stress this enough, but contemporary romance should stay between 250-300 pages, or max 350, because that's more than enough. If there's no real plot or substance, there's no need to stretch it out. The writing was good and easy, but I found myself skimming through a lot at the end 😭.
• Ryan Shay & Indigo Ivers:
Ryan's back must've hurt because of carrying this whole book 😭. He's just so damn perfect ughhh, and everything he did for Indy? more than bare minimum hsksjs 🥰 He's incredibly thoughtful, genuine, and kind, and his flaws and insecurities were portrayed perfectly. and he's SUPER POSESSIVE!
His whole personality and the way he keeps things to himself? It all just clicks with his backstory, and it all makes sense. Just like Indy, he's been through a bad breakup and it's no wonder he was a hopeless romantic too.
Indigo is pretty good. She didn't come across as a pick me type at all, but in the first 10%, she got a little annoying when she was being all whiny and calling Ryan sick and a monster just because of his
One thing that really stands out is that both their flaws are portrayed well, and nothing is left out. Their whole relationship gradually builds up, from being strangers with a bad impression of each other to becoming friends and then lovers.
The COMMUNICATION in this book is just spot on. They're not afraid to share their feelings and thoughts with each other. Imagine just freely saying embarrassing stuff to each other without holding back – yeah, that's what they did. It was seriously refreshing. 💕
» I'm gonna list the nice things Ryan did because this book had no plot and just kept going…
1. He learned ASL because her father is deaf, and he wanted to communicate with him.
2. He made her coffee before going to practice and put it in the fridge because she likes cold coffee (OK, I WANT THIS SO BADLY BECAUSE I FREAKING LOVE COLD COFFEE).
3. He bought her a bed, bookshelf, and let her decorate his entire apartment.
4. He comforted and took care of her when she was sick.
5. He paid for her treatment, let her live in his apartment for free.
6. Full princess treatment: carrying her to the car, opening car doors, brushing and braiding hair, making breakfast for her.
There's more because he's an amazing BOYFRIEND 🧎♀️ Soooo other than this all this book is kinda nice but forgettable. but definitely a super healthy relationship book lolol 🤝🏻
August 13, 2023
Holy f*ck, Liz Tomforde speaks to my soul. Indy’s story is SO beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ I don’t know if I will survive the wait for Kai’s story in October.
July 23, 2023
one of the easiest 5⭐️ i've given all year long. the perfect book. ryan shay is THE standard. not bc he's a hot rich pro athlete but bc of HOW he loves indy! the most attentive man who shows love in the quietest, sweetest ways. and indy is just such a gem. the girl who has so much love to give but who has been taken advantage of way too many times. the biggest heart ever. she's the friend we all want in our corner. their relationship development is one of the best i've read. loved every single stevie & zanders moment, too.
October 1, 2023
“𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪����𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦.” - 𝙍𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙮
———
CAN SOMEONE BRING ME A GUN????!! I don’t think I have the strength to continue on after this life-altering series. I cried myself to sleep the night I finished, and cried again when I woke up because of this book. Ever since I’ve finished it’s felt like there’s a tiny hole in my chest and I don’t know if it’s because I’m happy or sad that this book/series happened. gen/
Again, this is the best series I’ve ever read!!! I honestly thought the second book wouldn’t live up to the first one but boy was I wrong. The connection I have with every single character in this story is very concerning and I probably should talk to someone after this because it felt all too real. I’ve been living and breathing this entire series for the past week and the disassociation from everything is real. I need a movie or something, GOD, give me anything!! I want more, I NEED MORE.
——
Plot- ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
- In usual Liz fashion, the plot was fucking amazing! Even the third-act conflict was satisfying, their communication throughout this whole book is what I need in every other romance book I read. And as always, everything mentioned in this book had a bigger, deeper meaning. There were absolutely no plot holes and the build-up was wonderful. The ending, oh the ending… It was beautiful? Tear shedding, pillow screaming even? It was a big ending for me, basically wrapping up both Stevie’s and Zanders story and Ryan’s and Indy’s story. Just yes. Also if you’ve read mile high and loved it you DEFINITELY need to read this book right here! In its own way, it’s a continuation of everyone’s story and I don’t just mean they show up and do random shit but you actually see the growth in everyone’s story and special milestones you absolutely don’t want to miss! At first, I thought I wasn't gonna like this as much but Ryan and Indy definitely had other plans for me. They really said ✨BITCH YOU’LL BE OBSESSED✨ and hell, I am! I'm obsessed with them both! Indy is our girl's girl, emotional (which I love), she’s a romantic, social butterfly who loves iced coffee, romance book, and taking care of her loved ones. I can’t help but love her because not only is she relatable but also funny as fuck! Her personality is everything and I’m so glad I’m privileged enough to see her beautiful story. Ryan, my husband actually (sorry Indy girl) I cannot get enough of him. There’s nothing more attractive than a man that’d do anything and everything to make his girl happy because that genuinely gets him off. *SCREAMS* The guy praises the ground she walks on and puts her wants and needs before his own. He’s the definition of WHIPPED and I couldn’t be more disappointed that he’s only fictional.
Spice- ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
- Something about the way Liz writes her men with the biggest praise kink that has my jaws and draws dropping. I thought Ryan would be shy or somewhat innocent because he was celibate y’know? But GOOD GOD! This man right here?? Whew! I don’t want to spoil too much but let’s just say the smut made so much sense for them! Especially the in the first off, it’s so realistic and made sense, the way she eased into it! I ate it up and Ryan’s mouth had me soaked like a dish sponge… HE WHIMPERS, HE FUCKING WHIMPERS!!!
“You have no idea, Indy.” Another worshiping kiss on my covered stomach. “The power you have over me.”
AHHHHHJHJJJHJHJG
God, his mouth. Dirty talk does it for me regardless, but coming from Ryan, the man who only speaks when the words are needing to be heard, it hits differently. (SAME INDY, SAME)
She’s so goddamn stunning and smart and she wants me. Indy truly could have men falling to her feet if she were the type to ask for that, but instead, she wants me. (I AUDIBLY SCREAMED!! HE'S SO WHIPPED AND I LOVE IT!)
——
Tropes included:
- basketball romance
- fake dating
- roommates
- sunshine vs grumpy
- best friends brother
- opposites attract
- forced proximity
- sworn-off relationships
- found family
- millionaire romance
- celebrity romance
- guy falls first and harder
Things I loved about this book:
- (Summary: EVERYTHING)
- Dual P.O.V
- All the main characters and supporting characters
- The disabled representation and the discussions on mental health.
- I’m a mile high girlie so seeing more of Stevie’s and Zanders story had me so emotional and giddy. I don’t wanna spoil anything but if you loved their book not reading this one would be missing out!
- Again the found family just does it for me! I loved seeing the friendship Indy had with Rio and Zanders! That was definitely new and it’s adorable asf!
- I love Indy so much!! She’s literally one of my favorite F.M.C. right next to Stevie. Indy is iconic, funny as hell and honestly reading about her life is so refreshing and fun. She’s basically one of us if we ever got written in a book. She’s a romance reader, loves iced coffee and flowers, vegetarian and her style is by far the best I’ve read from a fictional character! She also had such a great personality. The way she’s so caring and just wants to take care of the people she loves. She has the biggest heart I swear! She really is so perfectly written it’s insane.
- Ryan Shay. The epitome of book boyfriends. Ryan embodies what it means to be the best, THE STANDARD of men. I love, love, love him!!! How can a man be so perfect??? If someone held a gun to my head and told me to choose between Ryan and Zanders I’d be dead!🤣🤣🤣 Zanders has the better personality for sure but Ryan is literally the BEST and I mean, best, book boyfriend. They both love their women unconditionally but in the words of Ryan Shay himself “When it comes to her, I have no issue ruining my reputation. I will burn the world down to protect her and I’ll proudly wave the match, so everyone knows I’m the one who did it.” HELLO?? IMMEDIATELY NUMBER #1 on my book boyfriends wishlist. He's so baby girl and just husband material.
- The smut, Ry is the perfect mixture of needy and commanding in bed. Yes. Just yes.
- David the doorman. Bless his heart!🥺
- AGAIN I HAVE TO GIVE LIZ HER FLOWERS!! I loved her writing! It's an effortless read, she doesn’t have to overuse big words that make up all kinds of metaphors and similes about the sky, and the dogs, and what his eyes look like. *yawns* She just has a way with her words and the pacing is always perfect. It was also funnier than the first one and I love how Vee and Zee were rooting for Ryan and Indy from the start! They had me cackling and wiping the corner of my eyes. The only time I started crying was when it ended and I completely lost my shit at how beautifully everything came together!
Things I hated about this book:
- That it ended.
Notes:
I think I've already said ALOT so I’ll just end this off by advising anyone who’s made it this far and hasn’t started this series to do so! I know everyone can’t have the same book taste but the way this book was so enjoyable and fun! I can’t help but want others to experience what I did. You might read it and not feel the same, that’s totally okay! But I think it deserves a chance! Almost 60% of my friends have this book on their tbr compared to friends who’ve read it so I just want people to know that this one right here might be worth taking up!
———
CAN SOMEONE BRING ME A GUN????!! I don’t think I have the strength to continue on after this life-altering series. I cried myself to sleep the night I finished, and cried again when I woke up because of this book. Ever since I’ve finished it’s felt like there’s a tiny hole in my chest and I don’t know if it’s because I’m happy or sad that this book/series happened. gen/
Again, this is the best series I’ve ever read!!! I honestly thought the second book wouldn’t live up to the first one but boy was I wrong. The connection I have with every single character in this story is very concerning and I probably should talk to someone after this because it felt all too real. I’ve been living and breathing this entire series for the past week and the disassociation from everything is real. I need a movie or something, GOD, give me anything!! I want more, I NEED MORE.
——
Plot- ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
- In usual Liz fashion, the plot was fucking amazing! Even the third-act conflict was satisfying, their communication throughout this whole book is what I need in every other romance book I read. And as always, everything mentioned in this book had a bigger, deeper meaning. There were absolutely no plot holes and the build-up was wonderful. The ending, oh the ending… It was beautiful? Tear shedding, pillow screaming even? It was a big ending for me, basically wrapping up both Stevie’s and Zanders story and Ryan’s and Indy’s story. Just yes. Also if you’ve read mile high and loved it you DEFINITELY need to read this book right here! In its own way, it’s a continuation of everyone’s story and I don’t just mean they show up and do random shit but you actually see the growth in everyone’s story and special milestones you absolutely don’t want to miss! At first, I thought I wasn't gonna like this as much but Ryan and Indy definitely had other plans for me. They really said ✨BITCH YOU’LL BE OBSESSED✨ and hell, I am! I'm obsessed with them both! Indy is our girl's girl, emotional (which I love), she’s a romantic, social butterfly who loves iced coffee, romance book, and taking care of her loved ones. I can’t help but love her because not only is she relatable but also funny as fuck! Her personality is everything and I’m so glad I’m privileged enough to see her beautiful story. Ryan, my husband actually (sorry Indy girl) I cannot get enough of him. There’s nothing more attractive than a man that’d do anything and everything to make his girl happy because that genuinely gets him off. *SCREAMS* The guy praises the ground she walks on and puts her wants and needs before his own. He’s the definition of WHIPPED and I couldn’t be more disappointed that he’s only fictional.
Spice- ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
- Something about the way Liz writes her men with the biggest praise kink that has my jaws and draws dropping. I thought Ryan would be shy or somewhat innocent because he was celibate y’know? But GOOD GOD! This man right here?? Whew! I don’t want to spoil too much but let’s just say the smut made so much sense for them! Especially the in the first off, it’s so realistic and made sense, the way she eased into it! I ate it up and Ryan’s mouth had me soaked like a dish sponge… HE WHIMPERS, HE FUCKING WHIMPERS!!!
“You have no idea, Indy.” Another worshiping kiss on my covered stomach. “The power you have over me.”
AHHHHHJHJJJHJHJG
God, his mouth. Dirty talk does it for me regardless, but coming from Ryan, the man who only speaks when the words are needing to be heard, it hits differently. (SAME INDY, SAME)
She’s so goddamn stunning and smart and she wants me. Indy truly could have men falling to her feet if she were the type to ask for that, but instead, she wants me. (I AUDIBLY SCREAMED!! HE'S SO WHIPPED AND I LOVE IT!)
——
Tropes included:
- basketball romance
- fake dating
- roommates
- sunshine vs grumpy
- best friends brother
- opposites attract
- forced proximity
- sworn-off relationships
- found family
- millionaire romance
- celebrity romance
- guy falls first and harder
Things I loved about this book:
- (Summary: EVERYTHING)
- Dual P.O.V
- All the main characters and supporting characters
- The disabled representation and the discussions on mental health.
- I’m a mile high girlie so seeing more of Stevie’s and Zanders story had me so emotional and giddy. I don’t wanna spoil anything but if you loved their book not reading this one would be missing out!
- Again the found family just does it for me! I loved seeing the friendship Indy had with Rio and Zanders! That was definitely new and it’s adorable asf!
- I love Indy so much!! She’s literally one of my favorite F.M.C. right next to Stevie. Indy is iconic, funny as hell and honestly reading about her life is so refreshing and fun. She’s basically one of us if we ever got written in a book. She’s a romance reader, loves iced coffee and flowers, vegetarian and her style is by far the best I’ve read from a fictional character! She also had such a great personality. The way she’s so caring and just wants to take care of the people she loves. She has the biggest heart I swear! She really is so perfectly written it’s insane.
- Ryan Shay. The epitome of book boyfriends. Ryan embodies what it means to be the best, THE STANDARD of men. I love, love, love him!!! How can a man be so perfect??? If someone held a gun to my head and told me to choose between Ryan and Zanders I’d be dead!🤣🤣🤣 Zanders has the better personality for sure but Ryan is literally the BEST and I mean, best, book boyfriend. They both love their women unconditionally but in the words of Ryan Shay himself “When it comes to her, I have no issue ruining my reputation. I will burn the world down to protect her and I’ll proudly wave the match, so everyone knows I’m the one who did it.” HELLO?? IMMEDIATELY NUMBER #1 on my book boyfriends wishlist. He's so baby girl and just husband material.
- The smut, Ry is the perfect mixture of needy and commanding in bed. Yes. Just yes.
- David the doorman. Bless his heart!🥺
- AGAIN I HAVE TO GIVE LIZ HER FLOWERS!! I loved her writing! It's an effortless read, she doesn’t have to overuse big words that make up all kinds of metaphors and similes about the sky, and the dogs, and what his eyes look like. *yawns* She just has a way with her words and the pacing is always perfect. It was also funnier than the first one and I love how Vee and Zee were rooting for Ryan and Indy from the start! They had me cackling and wiping the corner of my eyes. The only time I started crying was when it ended and I completely lost my shit at how beautifully everything came together!
Things I hated about this book:
- That it ended.
Notes:
I think I've already said ALOT so I’ll just end this off by advising anyone who’s made it this far and hasn’t started this series to do so! I know everyone can’t have the same book taste but the way this book was so enjoyable and fun! I can’t help but want others to experience what I did. You might read it and not feel the same, that’s totally okay! But I think it deserves a chance! Almost 60% of my friends have this book on their tbr compared to friends who’ve read it so I just want people to know that this one right here might be worth taking up!
July 1, 2023
“Ry, I’m heading to Michael’s.”
“Say that again for me.”
“I’m heading to Michael’s.”
“And who the fuck is Michael?”
As realization hits me, I try my hardest not to laugh. Jealous Ryan is hot, so I’ll let this play out before admitting that Michael’s is the craft store where I buy my embroidery thread to cross-stitch.
this iconic scene 🤌🏻🤌🏻 ryan shay is the best lover ever. big fat period.
“Say that again for me.”
“I’m heading to Michael’s.”
“And who the fuck is Michael?”
As realization hits me, I try my hardest not to laugh. Jealous Ryan is hot, so I’ll let this play out before admitting that Michael’s is the craft store where I buy my embroidery thread to cross-stitch.
this iconic scene 🤌🏻🤌🏻 ryan shay is the best lover ever. big fat period.
February 22, 2023
♾️ stars//
ryan shay. that is all.
i'm kidding there is so much i have to say about this book so i suggest you grab yourself a drink or a snack and brace yourselves for a RANT i don't know how i will ever recover from this book or how any other romance book will ever compare to this masterpiece.
NO book boyfriendnot even aaron warner i fear will ever compare to ryan fucking shay. this man is so fucking perfect he has set the bar SO mfing high i don't think i will ever find love irl bc of it. if i had thought my standards were high before reading this book, then they're fucking astronomical now. i have never thought i'd ever be swooning over a m*n this vocally, BUT RYAN SHAY IS THE ONLY EXCEPTION!!! he learned sign language so he could be able to speak to her dad (he's deaf) not even a month after meeting him. he made sure she always had food to eat ANYWHERE bc she's a vegetarian. he bought her a bed and bedsheets in her favorite color after she had only mentioned it once. he buys her fresh flowers every week because she loves them so much. he built her a bookshelf next to his. guys i cried bc how much i wanted him to get the things he wanted bc he is so fucking precious. not to mention how hot he is (6'3, gorgeous eyes, basketball player, jesse williams clone; what more could you want in a man????). even though lance orion owns the nickname blue, he gets a pass bc he's that perfect.
indy is a fucking adorable human being who also deserves EVERYTHING that ryan gave her fr. she is so fucking wholesome and genuine and i don't even know if i want to be her or be with her bc of how equally perfect she is. her confidence, her unwavering loyalty for the people she loves, the way she assumes the best of everyone and everything., HER LOVE FOR ROMANCE BOOKS AND ESCAPING REALITY !!!! how she allows herself to feel all the emotions and cries at everything (SHE'S SO ME) honestly she is just such a perfect fmc. she's also so mirrorball by taylor swift coded 🤭
now as for their relationship and romance itself, i'll just let my annotations speak for me this time (*potential spoilers and nfsw content you've been warned*)
- "You're chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else" 🥹
- "Do you think I'm pretty?" He rolls his eyes. "Do you?" Ryan levels me with a look, serious and stoic. "I think you're smart." Oh. "Kind. Chaotic. A bit of a smartass and too charming for your own good." i want him.
- "Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what's mine. I'm the one you're going home with." damn right
- "In fact, we could add her orgasms to our fake dating arrangement if she wants. I'll make sure she comes so many times she won't be able to see straight as long as I'm the only one with the privilege." 🫠🫠🫠
- "No one has ever come into my life without just looking for what they can gain from me," he repeats his words from last night, as if I could forget them. "Until you." EXCUSE ME??!&3&
- "All the ways I could make Indy speechless flood my mind, but I think I'd rather make her scream. My name, preferably." i screamed actually
- "Clever girl like you, you want to hear how good you're doing. How perfect you are. How well you're taking it." i'm sat 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
- "Maybe it's acts of service. That could be your love language. Every morning you make sure my coffee is cold, so it doesn't get watered down when I add ice. I've always noticed that." IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS!!!!!
- "Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest." :,)
- "I'm in love with you, Ryan Shay, and I don't need the entire world to know that for it to be true." this is literally all i want?????
anyways that's enough for now, i will definitely be rereading this in the near future bc i am so fucking obsessed and in love with this book. it has the perfect amount of spice, angst, TENSION, slow burn ALL OF IT. it gave me all the feels Mariana Zapata's books give me AND THAT SAYS ALOT!!!! i cried, i laughed, i swooned go read this rn it is perfection.
ryan shay. that is all.
i'm kidding there is so much i have to say about this book so i suggest you grab yourself a drink or a snack and brace yourselves for a RANT i don't know how i will ever recover from this book or how any other romance book will ever compare to this masterpiece.
NO book boyfriend
indy is a fucking adorable human being who also deserves EVERYTHING that ryan gave her fr. she is so fucking wholesome and genuine and i don't even know if i want to be her or be with her bc of how equally perfect she is. her confidence, her unwavering loyalty for the people she loves, the way she assumes the best of everyone and everything., HER LOVE FOR ROMANCE BOOKS AND ESCAPING REALITY !!!! how she allows herself to feel all the emotions and cries at everything (SHE'S SO ME) honestly she is just such a perfect fmc. she's also so mirrorball by taylor swift coded 🤭
now as for their relationship and romance itself, i'll just let my annotations speak for me this time (*potential spoilers and nfsw content you've been warned*)
- "You're chaotic as fuck, Blue, but you bring me more peace than anyone else" 🥹
- "Do you think I'm pretty?" He rolls his eyes. "Do you?" Ryan levels me with a look, serious and stoic. "I think you're smart." Oh. "Kind. Chaotic. A bit of a smartass and too charming for your own good." i want him.
- "Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what's mine. I'm the one you're going home with." damn right
- "In fact, we could add her orgasms to our fake dating arrangement if she wants. I'll make sure she comes so many times she won't be able to see straight as long as I'm the only one with the privilege." 🫠🫠🫠
- "No one has ever come into my life without just looking for what they can gain from me," he repeats his words from last night, as if I could forget them. "Until you." EXCUSE ME??!&3&
- "All the ways I could make Indy speechless flood my mind, but I think I'd rather make her scream. My name, preferably." i screamed actually
- "Clever girl like you, you want to hear how good you're doing. How perfect you are. How well you're taking it." i'm sat 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
- "Maybe it's acts of service. That could be your love language. Every morning you make sure my coffee is cold, so it doesn't get watered down when I add ice. I've always noticed that." IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS!!!!!
- "Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest." :,)
- "I'm in love with you, Ryan Shay, and I don't need the entire world to know that for it to be true." this is literally all i want?????
anyways that's enough for now, i will definitely be rereading this in the near future bc i am so fucking obsessed and in love with this book. it has the perfect amount of spice, angst, TENSION, slow burn ALL OF IT. it gave me all the feels Mariana Zapata's books give me AND THAT SAYS ALOT!!!! i cried, i laughed, i swooned go read this rn it is perfection.
August 31, 2023
Ryan and Indy have my whole heart. I adored them and their romance, which is pure sunshine and so feel-good! I love to see a closed-off man slowly melt for his heroine. Both Indy and Ryan are well-written characters you can’t help but root for. I had so much fun with their roomies/fake dating romance. The way Ryan would get all protective and possessive over Indy? *chef’s kiss* And that scene where he was ready to fight Michael, not knowing Indy was going to a craft store and not another man… iconic 😂
4.5-5 stars!
*****
Ryan shay better blow me away like everyone says he will!!!
4.5-5 stars!
*****
Ryan shay better blow me away like everyone says he will!!!
August 18, 2023
Perfection.
You know when you read a really good book and right away you’re like this is what I needed. Yeah this is how I felt about this book. From the moment I started it and read the first chapter I was immediately like yep this is it.
The tropes in this book are actually top tier nothing beats it: roommates, fake dating, best friend’s brother, and sport romance. Sorry but like ?? What can possibly top all of those tropes at once.
The banter in this book was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I am not kidding when I tell you I fell actually in love. Their relationship grew so fluently and naturally over the course of this book that you are left feeling everything they felt. Their humor and bickering was simply the best part in this book it made me SO GIDDY!
I was rooting for them from the start and I absolutely adore them with everything in me. I am also so happy that once they realized they weren’t “pretending” anymore; they opened up about it and didn’t let it drag on — sometimes fake dating tropes can drag out. But let me tell you this did not!!!!
Also Indy’s character was one I resonate with SO MUCH. I love how her vulnerabilities and emotions were presented in this book. She wore her heart on her sleeve and had the most genuinely pure soul. I adore her and resonate with her always doing the most for everyone else without realizing she never puts herself first. That was until she met Ryan, of course :).
Ryan Shay is most definitely one of my top book boyfriends. There’s not even a question about that. His quiet love, from the ice coffees in the fridge to learning sign language absolutely swept me. I am so far gone for this man.
I want nothing but the best for my two favorite characters 🤞🏻🤍
You know when you read a really good book and right away you’re like this is what I needed. Yeah this is how I felt about this book. From the moment I started it and read the first chapter I was immediately like yep this is it.
The tropes in this book are actually top tier nothing beats it: roommates, fake dating, best friend’s brother, and sport romance. Sorry but like ?? What can possibly top all of those tropes at once.
The banter in this book was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I am not kidding when I tell you I fell actually in love. Their relationship grew so fluently and naturally over the course of this book that you are left feeling everything they felt. Their humor and bickering was simply the best part in this book it made me SO GIDDY!
I was rooting for them from the start and I absolutely adore them with everything in me. I am also so happy that once they realized they weren’t “pretending” anymore; they opened up about it and didn’t let it drag on — sometimes fake dating tropes can drag out. But let me tell you this did not!!!!
Also Indy’s character was one I resonate with SO MUCH. I love how her vulnerabilities and emotions were presented in this book. She wore her heart on her sleeve and had the most genuinely pure soul. I adore her and resonate with her always doing the most for everyone else without realizing she never puts herself first. That was until she met Ryan, of course :).
Ryan Shay is most definitely one of my top book boyfriends. There’s not even a question about that. His quiet love, from the ice coffees in the fridge to learning sign language absolutely swept me. I am so far gone for this man.
I want nothing but the best for my two favorite characters 🤞🏻🤍
February 27, 2023
Tears stream down my face from the overwhelming knowledge that I’ve gone twenty-seven years without being loved the way Ryan Shay loves me. And now I have the privilege to be loved so selflessly, so attentively.
me: the perfect man doesn’t exis—
Ryan Shay:
when i tell you this man is so fine. so scrumdiddlyumptious. one of the best, genuine heroes ive read in such a long time.
this book really called me single in every language, even languages that are extinct. the soulmatism was astounding here. the way the love between Indy and Ryan was portrayed was so subtle and beautiful, really emphasising the theme of the soft, quiet, tender type being just as vital as the “loud”, in your face kind of love. love thrives on respect, small acts of kindness, listening, genuinely caring... and showing that to your partner every day in every way you can.
it was truly so beautiful and heartwarming to read, i wanted to cry a few times from just how achingly wonderful and sweet this was. the way their love blossoms was so entrancing to read because while it was simple, it didn’t lose its charm.
”All I can think about is seeing you smile and trying to be the reason you are.” This time his warm mouth meets the soft flesh above my panties. “Trying to water those goddamn flowers just enough so I can watch your face light up when you get home.”
Indy was such a wonderful heroine, i am the President of the Indy Defence Team. get behind me, girl, ily<3 she broke my heart but also made me feel so much hope and joy. she was funny and sweet, self-sacrificing and painfully loyal. i loved her journey here just as much as i adored the romance. while Ryan’s love for her was my fave part of the book, Indy’s journey to self-discovery, self-love and independence may have stolen the show for me? she was my typa girl.
”Indy,” he whispers from behind me. “What you offer in a relationship, as a friend, a woman, a partner, by simply being who you are is more than enough. And if someone can’t see that you’re everything, then it’s them who's missing out. I know you’re faithful. It’s one of my favorite things about you, but there has to be a limit. Some people don’t deserve your unwavering loyalty.”
two reasons this is only four stars though— this was too long, chop about 50-75 pages off and it would have been perfect. but the book really doesn’t have a solid plot, it’s just solely about Ryan and Indy, which is wonderful since they were such amazing characters. but when the book is 400+ pages the lack of plot gets exhausting by the final stretch.
and the climactic “conflict” was unnecessary. i was so bored, i was skimming it begging them to just make up because everyone already knew they were soulmates, like ??? why are we dragging the book out for the sake of a lacklustre conflict, pls???
the conflict touched upon infertility issues and the tension between one partner wanting children while the other doesn’t... these are some serious, heavy topics. and you’re probably thinking im being harsh calling them “lacklustre” but they were. neither topic was truly given the space to be examined with the depth they deserved. i think the author should have introduced the conflict a lot sooner or just not included it. Indy and Ryan got over this conflict very quickly so it didn’t have the nuance it could have and just felt like an irritating inconvenience to read rather than the gut-wrenching interaction is was supposed to be.
it definitely waned my enjoyment by the end. i was truly tired😭
Ryan’s fingertips dust the skin of my neck, pushing away any stray hairs. The sensation instantly floods my body with goosebumps and the bastard begins to chuckle from it.
“I hate you,” I tell him, though my breath is slightly labored.
“Mm-hmm. Seems like it.”
but this was such a good read, i adored it so much. gimme Rio’s book immediately, im kinda bummed he’s not next :( my lil himbo child ily, come home to me.
thank u to Apoorva and Farwa for forcing me to read this👹 and extra thanks to Apoorva for telling me not to read the first book for the sake of my sanity😌
”You know, Indy. Ryan doesn’t strike me as the type of man to be loud. He might not say it, might not scream it from the rooftops, but I could bet good money that he says it without words every single day. [...] Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest.”
June 4, 2023
The Right Move is the second book in the Windy City series. It is a best friend's brother, fake dating, forced proximity, basketball sports romance with angst, tension, and chemistry that made me swoon. I love the first book but loved this one so much more.
Indigo "Indy" Ivers had a bad breakup with her long-term boyfriend of six years after she found him cheating and is now needing a place to stay. Her best friend Stevie convinces her to move in with her brother Ryan Shay as they won't see each other much with Ryan playing for the Chicago Devils and Indy flying with the hockey team. He doesn't want a roommate and likes his place to himself with his privacy, but he can't say no to Stevie. They are staying out of each other's way until Ryan's GM tells him that he needs to show passion with his teammates off the court. Ryan ends up blurting out that Indy is his girlfriend. The two come up with an arrangement as Ryan needs to prove he can be compassionate off the court, and Indy needs a date to her friends wedding where her ex will be as well. The two begin to fake a relationship until they aren't and are falling for each other, except Indy is nervous about loving someone again and them not truly loving her in return and Ryan is scared to let someone in again and to trust them.
"Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest"
“Jealousy turns you on?”“Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what’s mine. I’m the one you’re going home with.”
I loved everything about this book from beginning to end. Let me just say that Ryan is the ultimate book boyfriend! Also, getting to see more of the lives of the previous books characters made me so happy. I have a feeling Liz Tomforde is going to be a go-to author for me.
Indigo "Indy" Ivers had a bad breakup with her long-term boyfriend of six years after she found him cheating and is now needing a place to stay. Her best friend Stevie convinces her to move in with her brother Ryan Shay as they won't see each other much with Ryan playing for the Chicago Devils and Indy flying with the hockey team. He doesn't want a roommate and likes his place to himself with his privacy, but he can't say no to Stevie. They are staying out of each other's way until Ryan's GM tells him that he needs to show passion with his teammates off the court. Ryan ends up blurting out that Indy is his girlfriend. The two come up with an arrangement as Ryan needs to prove he can be compassionate off the court, and Indy needs a date to her friends wedding where her ex will be as well. The two begin to fake a relationship until they aren't and are falling for each other, except Indy is nervous about loving someone again and them not truly loving her in return and Ryan is scared to let someone in again and to trust them.
"Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest"
“Jealousy turns you on?”“Nah. No need to be jealous when I know what’s mine. I’m the one you’re going home with.”
I loved everything about this book from beginning to end. Let me just say that Ryan is the ultimate book boyfriend! Also, getting to see more of the lives of the previous books characters made me so happy. I have a feeling Liz Tomforde is going to be a go-to author for me.
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