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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-The Right Move by Liz Tomforde

by | Apr 27, 2023 | Book Reviews | 7 comments

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

About The Book

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

You should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future

My Review

First Impressions

The Right Move is the second book in the “Windy City” series and also the most recent installment in the series. This was also just released this year. I will be honest I saw this book everywhere on booktube and bookstagram. And I was so intrigued and the moment that I read “Mile High” I knew why this book was being so raved about. Now The Right Move is about the brother of the heroine in the first book. There was actually a bit of a teaser between Ryan and Indy in the first book, so we got to see their first meeting and it wasn’t the most elegant of meetings but it really sets the stage for this story. I was so curious about Ryan’s book, everyone claims its better than book one, and I have to say I really enjoy these books equally, they are different from each other, so its hard to say if one is better than the other, but I can guarantee that The Right Move will have you falling mad for basketball romance and have you aching for more. To be honest, this is my FIRST basketball romance. This is not a common sport used in sports romances and its a shame because it has so much potential, and you can bet after reading this one I am on the hunt for all the best basketball romances.

I’ve got to believe that there’s more than what I had, if you can even call that love anymore. And that’s exciting, hopeful even, to believe there’s better out there. Call me a dreamer. Call me naive, I don’t care. I call myself optimistic.

Summary

The story sets off with Ryan, who has recently become team captain and its a new job for him. Ryan has a drive to be the best at the sport. He is a NBA superstar and the fame can sometimes get to him and he wonders how much more he can give and what this new position on the team will put him through. But he is determined to be a winner, no matter what it takes. But when his sister asks him to take in her best friend Indy, at first he is adamantly against it. He is a loner, he doesn’t have many friends, he doesn’t do the roommate thing ever. He likes his alone time and he desperately needs it. But Indy is needing a place when she finds her almost fiancee cheating on her in their bed. Indy and Ryan are complete opposites from each other. Ryan likes order, Indy embraces the chaos and color in life whereas Ryan likes the simple black and white type of life. He is stoic and she is emotional. But soon their opposites attract in ways that they never expect, and with the little moments of them taking care of each other, the chemistry builds between them, and when an opportunity for them to pose as boyfriend and girlfriend, that chemistry explodes between them and now the lines are becoming blurred on what is real and fake, but what is Ryan and Indy embrace the beautiful connection that is building between them…

Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest

What I Loved

The Right Move was such a beautiful book! Man my heart fell so hard for this one here. I absolutely adored this interracial romance. One of the best I have ever read and definitely is going to reach to the top READ of the year! In fact this book is up there with Archer’s Voice for me. And if I could give it a higher rating, I definitely would do that! This book was just right for me. I just adored everything that blends into this story. First off, I want to say that these characters are so perfect for each other. Ryan, as our hero, has so much character development in this story. In here, we first see his journey and growth as a athlete and pushing himself to places he never imagined. We see how he grows outside of himself and his comfort zone, and embraces what it means to be the leader on the team and when he puts his mind to this, he comes out on top! Then we have the way he treats Indy. Now at first, he is a bit of a grump, he doesn’t like sharing his private space. But he does these small sweet things for Indy that starts small but is so full of a caring heart and it only builds the more he and Indy get to know each other. The way in which he is so attentive to her needs and basically goes through ALL the love languages for her is so endearing. Then we have Indy, who has such a colorful personality. She loves to read romance, she loves color in her life and lots of iced coffee. She is this bubbly sweet blonde that wears her heart on her sleeve. The chemistry between these two just builds so beautifully. I love seeing how well the author built the “opposites attract” so beautifully and when it gets mixed in with the “fake relationship” trope, this author STEPPED UP THE BAR FOR ROMANCE! I am telling this book with each chapter, just delivered on so much depth and connection. The way that their bond just deepens and that sweet intimacy that flows so smoothly on the page was so captivating! I guarantee you don’t want to keep moving forward in life with Ryan and Indy in your life. If you love contemporary romance, then this book needs to be on your TBR and NOW!!! This book literally moved me and I just wanted to stay with this couple and I can tell you that they will stay rent free in my mind for years!!! This book was everything and more and I can’t wait to see what comes next for this author (which I hear is a baseball romance with a Nanny pairing, and I am SO ready for it). And also one more thing, the ending was perfection and what the hero does for her father was so heartfelt. (those who have read this book KNOW EXACTLY what I am talking about, and that is true essence of good character that moved me so deeply)

I will put her first. I will give her the life she’s always dreamed of. I will make sure she knows how special she is, that she doesn’t need to put on the show for everyone else. I like her chaotic and emotional. I like her messy.  

What I Struggled With

Nothing! It was everything and pure perfection! Just READ IT!! LOL

Overall View

The Right Move was a stunning romance that captivated my body….my heart….and soul! It delivers in the depths of vibrant emotion, brings to life the colorful world of an athletes life, portrays the innocence of the heart and tugs at your heartstrings in these sweet quiet moments to capture your essence of attention and love!

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.

Title: The Right Move

Author: Liz Tomforde

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Kindle Unlimited/Purchased

Length: 530 Pages

Amazon| Barnes and Noble| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club

Book Evaluation

Storytelling Quality: 5

Story Itself: 5

Character Development: 5

Writing Style:5

World Building: 5

Feels + The Romantic Heart: 5

Pacing: 5

Plot: 5

Cover Art: 4

Ending: 5

Book Ratings

Overall Rating of the Book

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Steam Level

Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy

Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Series Order

Windy City

Mile High-Pub 2022 #1 in the Series

The Right Move-Pub 2023 #2 in the Series

Caught Up-Pub 2023 #3 in the Series

About The Author

Liz 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.

Website|Goodreads|Amazon

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7 Comments

  1. Stephanie

    I’ve been complaining a LOT recently about the lack of basketball books in general, especially in romance. It drives me bonkers because I’m a huge NBA fan and love the world of basketball so much. It just makes zero sense to me why it’s not used in fiction more often, because, as you said, there’s so much potential. Knowing this book exists makes me SO HAPPY. And while this style of romance is definitely not my usual, I’m tempted to pick it up just to say I finally found a basketball romance worth reading haha! AND IT’S FAKE DATING??! Sign me up. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

    Reply
  2. Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse

    Yay! So happy you enjoyed this one! I loved it as well!

    AND I HAVE BASKETBALL ROMANCES FOR YOU!!!

    Smart Jocks series by Rebecca Jenshak
    HOOPs series by Kennedy Ryan
    Teardrop Shot by Tijan
    Courting Love series by Sierra Hill
    Change of Hearts series by Sierra Hill
    Broken & Screwed series by Tijan
    Wild Reckless by Giner Scott
    Cry Baby by Ginger Scott
    Heartache and Hope by Jay McLean

    Reply
  3. Nadene

    This sounds awesome, Thanks for putting it on my radar. Great review as always.

    Reply
  4. Maureen @ Maureen's Books

    Great review! This one sounds amazing. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR. I can’t say I’ve read a Basketball book before.

    Reply
  5. Mary Kirkland

    The fake romance stories sometimes end up being so good.

    Reply
  6. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer

    I’ve not read a basketball romance….wonderful review Renee. I think I’d start with book one since we get a peek at this couple too.

    Reply
  7. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    I have been seeing so many raves for this one!! It seems like 2023 is shaping up to be the year of Liz Tomforde. Your review has me more excited than ever to read this one!

    Reply

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