The Right Move (Windy City Series Book 2) by Liz Tomforde

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Liz Tomforde

The Right Move (Windy City Series Book 2)

Name: The Right Move (Windy City Series Book 2)
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (52819 reviews)
Author: Liz Tomforde
ISBN: 9798374161557

Liz Tomforde

(Author)

4.6

52,819 ratings

Book 2 of 4 : Windy City Series

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

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ISBN-13

979-8374161557

Print length

426 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Independently published

Publication date

February 03, 2023

Dimensions

5.5 x 1.07 x 8.5 inches

Item weight

1.32 pounds

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Popular Highlights in this book

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.
Highlighted by 26,019 Kindle readers
I’m not easily distracted, but if I could manifest my perfect distraction, it’d look a lot like her.
Highlighted by 16,640 Kindle readers
We aren’t into bras? We? I personally don’t love wearing one with my pajamas, but you do you. I hold my hands up in surrender. Judgment free zone.
Highlighted by 10,583 Kindle readers
It’s decided. I’m going to bring some color into Ryan Shay’s life if it’s the last thing I do.
Highlighted by 9,927 Kindle readers

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Editorial Reviews

Sean Crisden is a multitalented actor and an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator who has recorded audiobooks in almost every genre, from science fiction to romance. He has also voiced characters in numerous video games, such as the award-winning ShadowGun, and appeared in many commercials and films, including The Last Airbender. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sean now resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

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, California.

Sample

RYAN

I’m not a dreamer. Not in the traditional sense, at least. My dreams are within reach, attainable moments in time, not romanticized notions of the impossible.

Grown men fall to their knees and pray to their gods over these forty-eight minutes of basketball. Me? I don’t glamorize fate or leave things to chance. I believe in hard work and dedication. My life has a plan. Opportunities are in my path because I’ve willed myself in their direction.

The rest of my teammates, however, have certainly romanticized the idea of a championship if they think they can walk into the first week of practice as out of shape as they are. “Dom, you need to roll off that screen twice as fast. You’re slow as fuck right now. What the hell were you doing all summer?”

“Living my life, Shay. You should try it sometime.”

Dom Jackson, our big man, slumps over, his palms on his knees, trying to catch his breath along with every other guy I call my teammate.

I use my practice jersey to swipe sweat from my brow as one of the rookies passes me the ball at the top of the key.

“Let’s run it again.”

“Ryan, practice was over an hour ago. Some of us have wives and kids we need to go see.” Ethan Jeong, our veteran shooting guard, stands with his hands on his hips in the corner of the court.

“Yeah, and some of us have dates with…” Dom looks over to one of the young guys on the sideline. “What was her name?” he silently mouths. “Raquel! Some of us have dates with beautiful women named Raquel.”

My eyes wander around my teammates, everyone exhausted but me. “Fine,” I resign. “We’ll call it.”

“Thank God!” Dom turns around, throwing his hands up and slipping his sweat-soaked jersey over his head. The rest of the team quickly follows to the locker room.

“It’s still pre-season, Ryan.” Ethan puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “They’ll get it together.”

“I’m tired of losing. We can’t even win a wildcard game to make the playoffs. I spent my entire summer running two-a-days to get in shape for this season. Everyone else needs to get on my level.”

“They’ll never be on your level. That’s why you’ll be one of the greats, but as a new captain, you need them to respect you, and I’m not referring to the way you play.” He backs away, following the rest of the team. “Besides, I don’t want you tiring yourself out too much. I need you to carry me on your back and get me a ring so I can retire.”

Ethan’s lips slide up in a smile before he ducks into the locker room.

He’s a good guy. Family man. Father of three children and long-time NBA vet. He was the team captain for the last seven years until he asked to step down this season, wanting to have a better work-life balance.

And as of last week, I earned the title and am now the newest captain of the Devils, Chicago’s NBA team.

I knew it’d happen one day. I just didn’t know it’d be when I was twenty-seven and before my fifth season in the league. I still have a lot to learn at this level, and now I have the weight of being the team leader, on and off the court.

The General Manager of the Devils was against the promotion, but that’s not how it works around here. Our captain is determined by a team vote, and after unanimous support by my teammates, I was given the title.

I want to be good for my guys, but I want respect for more than the way I play. I get plenty of it for my talent throughout the league. I’ve dedicated my life to my craft, sacrificed relationships and most of my twenties for this game and it shows.

Year after year, I’ve beat my own records on my path to greatness, not letting distractions get in the way of what I want—to be one of the best to ever play the game.

Though, I have quite the shoes to fill, seeing as my home court is the same as the GOAT himself. The championship banners that hang from the United Center remind me of the greatness that came before me and the gaps in years since we’ve had one, taunt me to earn my own.

I need my guys to take this game as seriously as I do. I need them to live, eat, and breathe it the way I do if we’re going to have a shot this season, but how do I voice that without sounding like the controlling point guard they’ve come to know me as? Now, as the team leader, I need to figure out how to communicate with them in a way I haven’t been able to before because “listen to me, I’m the best player you’ve ever shared a court with,” doesn't exactly work when you’re the team captain.

I’m not particularly close with any of my teammates besides Ethan, so the vote was a bit surprising. My game has always spoken for me, and I got away with being domineering on the court, but now I have another title to wear and I’m not sure how to adjust.

“Casey!” I call out to one of the interns as he quickly scurries my way. “That’s your name, right? Casey?”

“Yes, Mr. Shay.”

I roll my eyes. “Call me Ryan or Shay or literally anything other than Mr. Shay. You got plans? I need someone to rebound for me.”

“I uh…I…well, my mom…”

“You got plans or what?”

“Nope.” He quickly shakes his head. “I can rebound for you, Mr. Shay.” His eyes go wide. “Ryan! I can rebound for you, Ryan.”

His nervous strides take him to the net where he stands underneath it, wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a polo shirt with our team logo. He can’t be older than eighteen or nineteen, but the staff has him dressing like he’s in his mid-forties.

I take my spot at the free-throw line where I plan to stay until I get at least a hundred shots up, but by shot number seventy-six, the doors to our private practice get thrown open. “Ry!” my sister calls out. “Practice was over two hours ago. I went by the apartment looking for you.”

“Hey, Vee!”

Shot number seventy-seven barely touches the net as it floats through the hoop. Casey cleans up the rebound and passes it back.

“You already worked out this morning. What are you doing?”

“Getting my free throws in.”

My twin sister stands a few feet away from me with a hand on her hip. I don’t look her way, but in my periphery, I can see her shaking her head at me, her curly hair bouncing with the movement.

“What’s your name?” She directs her attention to the intern.

“I’m Casey.”

“I’ll take over for you, Casey.” Stevie intercepts his pass to me and steals his spot under the net.

The intern’s nervous gaze bounces between my sister and me.

“Do you have a ride home? It’s late.” My twin is as sweet as can be, and unlike me, I didn’t even realize the kid might not have a ride home.

“Yeah. My mom is parked out back waiting for me.”

“Ryan!” Stevie scolds. “His mom has been waiting for him.”

“I didn’t know!” I throw my hands up. “Sorry, man.”

Casey quickly shakes his head. “It was an honor, Mr. Shay.”

My eyes narrow at him.

“Ryan, I mean. It was an honor, Ryan Shay. Anytime.” Casey awkwardly waves before scurrying out the main doors.

Stevie turns back to me, standing under the net. “His mother was waiting for him,” she laughs. “How fucking adorable is that?”

“Adorable,” I deadpan, clapping my hands together and asking for the basketball that’s resting on her hip.

“How many do you have left?” She passes the ball, perfectly nailing it in my shooter’s pocket.

After twenty-seven years together and her rebounding for me more times than I could count, my twin sister has it down.

Sinking another shot, I tell her, “Twenty-two.”

She passes it back.

“What’s up? Tired of Zanders already? You ready to move back in?”

“Ha-ha,” my sister says dryly. “Not a chance. I’m obsessed with that guy.”

My lips quirk in a proud smile. Evan Zanders, who I thought was going to be an absolute piece of shit, has turned out to be anything but. He plays professional hockey for Chicago, and my sister met him last year when she was a flight attendant on their team’s plane. Their relationship was under wraps until early this summer, and the past four months have been a nonstop public love fest between the two of them.

Liz Tomforde

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.

For more information, please visit liztomforde.com. You can find Liz on Instagram @liztomforde.author

Reviews

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

52,819 global ratings

C✦

If I die read The Right Move. And if I don't wake up to The Right Move -- I'm really gone

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024

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I genuinely don’t know how else to put into words that this is the best contemporary romance book I have ever read. I really feel like my words cannot do justice to show how I much I love this book. Ryan and Indy have had my heart since Mile High (Book 1 in the Windy City Series). This book changed my perception of romance and raised my standards. I was so moved by Ryan's gestures of love towards Indy because it made me clearly see how the littlest things in life can sometimes mean the most. As they say, "Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest."

Being familiar with Liz Tomforde's writing style and the way she develops her characters, I immediately knew that this story was going to be my favorite 5 star read as early on as chapter 2. I'm not even exaggerating when I say Ryan Shay is THE best mmc. I've personally always loved the type of characters who are meticulous, calculating, and obsessively clean/organized. And Ryan Shay was right up my alley. In my head I used to rate fictional men on whether or not they would be caught using 3-in-1 shampoo and Ryan is a 1000000% no on that one (which makes him a 1000000% yes for me).

Overall, this is the book that made Liz Tomforde my newest auto-buy author! She currently sits three-for-three in my book, so I trust her to always deliver!! She just has a talent to always make me fall in love with her characters. 5 stars. If I could give this 1000000 stars I would.

2 people found this helpful

🌸Kuchiki Claudia🌸

Ryan and Indy!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023

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So, your name is Blue? 🤣🤣🤣Omg! I loved this book so much!!! Liz Tomforde definitely does not disappoint!! The banter is just so perfect and funny. Ryan and Indy complement each other so well and I couldn't get enough of them!!! I love Indy and Stevie's friendship so much! And I love that she was promoted and able to modify the no-fraternization clause so she could remain friends with Zee and the others. I loved Stevie and Zee's appearances in this book so much.

I felt so bad for Indy when she found out her friends were shopping for the wedding without her. Honestly, I didn't like her friends. And the fact that they all took her cheating ex's side and are still friends with him is just ugh!!! After everything Indy went through before her book started, I can totally understand how emotional she was. The more I learned about her ex the more I hated him. He's just gross. And her fertility issues!! Omg!!! I was heartbroken for her!! But I'm so happy Ryan found out and did what he did to ensure her procedures were "covered under her work insurance." And he learned ASL to communicate with her dad. And started buying vegetarian bacon for her and made her coffee!!! He is truly an amazing and thoughtful guy and I love him so much!! I was so mad when I learned that his ex just wanted him for his money. Ugh! I'm glad she's out of his life and he now has Indy to love him the way he deserves. And omg!!! The way Ryan rescued Indy when she saw Alex after the game and that first kiss!!!! And the sexual tension between them is so good. I love it!! And he got her her own bookshelf for her romance novels and is paying for David's granddaughter's piano lessons!!! And ohhhh, he was pissed when he heard Indy was on a date, hehehhe. And omg!!! The engagement party!!! I loved everything about it!! Zee and Vee's happiness and Indy being the amazing friend that she is, and Rio!! Hahahaha, I just love Rio so much!!! And of course Ryan couldn't stay away when he saw Indy and Rio dancing!!! And he took care of her when she was sick!! He's truly amazing! Have I mentioned how awful Maggie is to Indy?! Ugh, gross. I'm so happy Indy found the best of friends in Stevie!!! I love them both so much! And that scene with Ryan and Indy babysitting Max was just so adorable. Omg, I was so sad about their misunderstanding with the pregnancy test. But I was so happy for Stevie and Zee. And so happy too that Ryan wants the same things as Indy. And he bought a house!!!!! I'm so happy they found their happy ending in each other!! They deserve all the happiness in the world!!! And the epilogue was just perfect!!! I loved all the babies!!!

I loved Kai! I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!! I just know Kai's story will be as amazingly perfect as Zee and Stevie's snd Ryan and Indy's. And Rio!!! So excited to read his book too! I just love him so much!!!

Liz Tomforde is now officially one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read her future books!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

5 people found this helpful

Jennifer J.

Ryan and Indy

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024

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I loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. I loved the writing. It gave me One Tree Hill vibes, despite the main characters being in the world of professional sports.

I really loved Ryan and Indy together. I loved his nickname for her and the way he showed his love. Ryan was the ultimate book boyfriend. He showed his love from the beginning of their deal, and even before that, even if Indy didn’t realize what he was doing. I loved watching them cautiously fall for each other.

Both Ryan and Indy had been hurt in the past and needed to heal before they truly trusted each other. Ryan showed Indy what unconditional love looked like and Indy showed Ryan what trust and loyalty looked like. I loved the way they supported each other.

Overall a great read. There were cameos of characters from the first book in the series as well as some new characters. I didn’t know how I would feel about a series that included multiple sports, but I’m finding that I really like it.

Raffaella-( Booksareblossom562)

They fit so perfectly together <3

Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024

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🏀“ℐ’𝓋ℯ 𝒻ℴ𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝒸𝓇𝓎𝒾𝓃ℊ, 𝓁𝒶𝓊ℊ𝒽𝒾𝓃ℊ, ℴ𝓇 ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃 𝒸𝓇ℴ𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝓁ℯℊ𝓈 𝒹𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒸ℯ𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝒸ℯ𝓃ℯ𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝒷ℯ𝓎ℴ𝓃𝒹 ℯ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ 𝒷ℯ𝓉𝓌ℯℯ𝓃 𝒻𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝓈ℴ 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒿ℴ𝓎.”

✈𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕄𝕠𝕧𝕖 by: @liztomforde.author

ALL THE STARS/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2.7/🌶🌶🌶

I have no words, this book had me crying, laughing, and going crazy with these two! I was up late at night wanting to finish this book 😍 even though I had work in the morning, I DID NOT CARE! I just wanted to know their happy ending. ❤

I really fell in love with Indy and Ryan. they were opposite but fit perfectly together.

Indy was so bubbly, caring, sweet, and lonely. She really lights up your world just by smiling. She has been hurt by the one person she thought she was going to spend her life with, but he cheated on her and took her for granted. She had nothing left to give.

Ryan came in unexpectedly. He is strict with his plans in life, basketball is his only future, and the only thing he loves more than his twin sister. He has no plans to be with anyone or love anyone. He is a star athlete, super rich, and famous. He keeps to himself and has a perfect reputation. He, too got hurt in a horrible way. And now he doesn't believe in love.

This story has my favorite trope, force proximity/roommates, Indy moves in with Ryan after she left her ex. They started with rules and as strangers. Along the way, Ryan started to love how messy, sweet, and caring is Blue. ( YES HE NICKNAMED HER BLUE!!!! ) He starts to take care of her without realizing it. She is so colorful when he is dull. She brings life into his and he just starts to want to break the rules. And of course, Indy loves nothing more than love and care for someone, she doesn't like to be alone. So she starts to love him in her own way, she starts to show him that he is more than basketball. She is making his life colorful.

Indy and Ryan had such a long journey with each other. In a way, they moved around each other in sync. They knew each other so well, in a short period of time. It was beautiful seeing Ryan loving her quietly. Doing random things to make her happy and just showing her different kinds of long languages. Indy felt hard and fast, she had always wanted him since the first moment she saw him. Their pull was incredible. I just am so emotional over this!!! It was such a powerful way to show different love. And this one is my favorite. The silent one, people don't really realize how beautiful is to be loved so quietly and so strongly!! And of course, this man has a dirty mouth!! And Indy is not shy at all!! She is loud and dirty just like him, I just can't say how more perfectly they can be.

I'm in love with this book and this series! I didn't want this book to never end!!! <3333

Julia Portela

It's official, Ryan Shay is your new Zaddy

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024

Verified Purchase

I hardly leave a review outside of Storygraph but for the love of my life Ryan Shay? It's a must.

SPOILER REVIEW!!

I love Indy and Ryans story so much, but even without a romance plot the book would be good. So many authors take real life issues and make them archetypal. Not Liz. Indy going through a breakup and trying to navigate the friend group that relationship existed in ... chefs kiss brilliant. I felt it in my core.... that tender feeling you get when your life is changing subtly and all at once around you and being stuck between where you're going and the obligation you feel for the past (and specifically, with Indy, the past friends).

And while I can't say I understand the pressure of being Basketball star Ryan Shay, I can say the anxiety that comes from that amount of pressure and the experience of navigating deep betrayal are all written about beautifully.

I love Ryan and Indy together. I love her bright, bubbly, go-getter personality and I love Ryans thoughtful, consistent presence. I RARELY give out 5 stars. for me 5 stars are saved for books I will NOT stop thinking about, that have impacted me emotionally, and that I will both recommend and reread. This book is ALL of those things and so, so much more. You'll fall in love, I promise.

(Highly recommend reading the rest of the series, as well. While each is a standalone, the series does connect the characters really well)

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