In The Right Move, the second installment of Liz Tomforde’s Windy City series, the author pivots from hockey to hardwood, from mile-high altitudes to grounded emotional stakes. Centered around Ryan Shay, the newly minted NBA captain of the Chicago Devils, and Indy Ivers, his vibrant new roommate (and sister’s best friend), the novel spins a captivating tale of fauxmance that gradually becomes the realest connection either of them has ever known.
This isn’t just another sports romance with fake dating and forced proximity. It’s a nuanced portrayal of two people slowly dismantling their emotional armor, set against the glitz of professional basketball and the intimate fears of growing older, healing past wounds, and choosing the right move—not just on the court, but in life.
Setting the Stage: A Series Built on Big Hearts and Broken Walls
Liz Tomforde has created a romance universe that isn’t just about athletes—it’s about emotionally complex men learning how to open their hearts and the women who help them find the courage to do it. Beginning with Mile High (2022), which introduced us to Stevie and Evan Zanders’ high-flying, altitude-tangled love story, the Windy City series has since continued with:
- The Right Move (2023) – NBA romance with fake dating and emotional depth
- Caught Up (2023) – a baseball star navigating fatherhood and second chances
- Play Along (2024) – chemistry crackles on and off the volleyball court
- Rewind It Back (2025) – the most introspective and nostalgic of them all
Each installment brings a new sport, a new couple, but maintains Tomforde’s signature touch: rich character development, relatable emotional stakes, and sizzling but meaningful romance.
Plot Snapshot: A Lie That Tells the Truth
Ryan Shay is as guarded as he is gifted. Elevated to team captain, he’s a model of professionalism on the court but struggles to build meaningful connections off of it. When the team’s GM questions his leadership due to his “robotic” public persona, Ryan proposes a PR-friendly solution: a girlfriend.
Enter Indy Ivers—emotionally transparent, warm-hearted, and not remotely interested in playing house with her best friend’s overbearing brother. But when her own dilemma arises—an upcoming wedding where her cheating ex will be present—Ryan becomes the perfect plus-one. It’s a win-win… until the rules of the game start to blur.
Dual POV Brilliance: Two Voices, One Symphonic Love Story
One of Tomforde’s most refined narrative tools is her use of dual POV. Ryan and Indy aren’t just alternating narrators; they represent two philosophies of love and life.
Ryan Shay: Order, Silence, and Slow Revelation
Ryan’s perspective is rigid, introspective, and tinged with emotional restraint. Raised to perform, trained to compete, and conditioned not to trust easily, Ryan’s development is a revelation. The deeper we go into his narrative, the more cracks we see beneath his calm. There’s grief, guilt, and loneliness—and eventually, a quiet yearning to be seen not just as a captain, but as a man capable of love.
Indy Ivers: Emotion, Light, and Brave Vulnerability
Indy is a contrast in every way. She’s messy and expressive, but never shallow. Her strength lies in her softness, and her emotional intelligence is a rare trait in romance heroines. She challenges Ryan, not with drama, but with gentleness. Her backstory—her broken engagement, her decision to freeze her eggs due to fertility issues—grounds her character in a kind of real-world bravery that elevates the story’s stakes.
Why This Fake Relationship Hits Different
The fake dating trope is well-worn, but Tomforde injects it with emotional realism. There are no cliché montages or overly dramatic misunderstandings. Instead:
- Each “pretend” date becomes a moment of introspection
- Every shared space reveals vulnerability, not just sexual tension
- Their growing bond is paced with restraint, mirroring real emotional trust
You’ll find yourself forgetting when the fake stopped and the real began—and that’s the magic of Tomforde’s storytelling.
Heartfelt Highlights: What Makes The Right Move Work So Well
- Character-Driven Plot: No twisty subplots or villainous exes needed. The internal journeys of Ryan and Indy are the plot.
- Fertility Representation: Indy’s fertility journey is rare and powerful. It’s not tokenized or dramatic—it’s simply part of her life, and it’s treated with compassion and realism.
- Chicago as a Living Backdrop: The Windy City isn’t just a name. From press conferences to cozy apartment scenes and charity events, the setting enhances the stakes and the intimacy.
- Found Family Dynamics: Indy’s relationships with her sister, best friend Stevie, and even Ryan’s teammates add texture and humor to the story.
- Slow-Burn Perfection: The chemistry simmers for chapters, allowing each brush of a hand or passing glance to feel earned and electrifying.
Minor Fouls: Where the Book Slows its Momentum
While the book is deeply engaging, a few critiques are warranted:
- Mid-Book Lull: A brief stretch of repetitive domestic scenes slows down the momentum before the romantic tension spikes again.
- Limited External Conflict: Readers who enjoy high-stakes drama might find the conflict too internalized.
- Abrupt Emotional Shift Near Climax: Ryan’s final emotional breakthrough, while satisfying, comes a tad quickly after chapters of denial.
None of these issues derail the story—but they do hold it back from being a flawless five-star read.
Writing Style: Tomforde’s Polished Simplicity
Tomforde’s style is warm without being cloying, sharp without being sarcastic. She has a gift for crafting emotionally resonant dialogue and internal monologues that feel authentic rather than performative.
Whether it’s Ryan’s clipped reflections or Indy’s poetic spirals, each voice is distinct. Her writing never rushes love—it allows it to unfold, stumble, and ultimately find its footing.
Thematic Depth: Love as a Risk, Not a Guarantee
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde is ultimately a story about emotional courage. Both Ryan and Indy are terrified of wanting too much—from love, from each other, from life. But where most romance arcs end in external resolution (the job, the ring, the baby), Tomforde zeroes in on the inner shifts that actually matter:
- Can you be honest with yourself before you’re honest with someone else?
- Can love exist without control, performance, or perfection?
- Can you trust that someone will stay—even if they’ve seen your messiest self?
This kind of emotional scaffolding is what gives The Right Move by Liz Tomforde its staying power.
Book Comparisons: Where It Stands in the Genre
If you’re looking for more romance with similar emotional maturity and sports-adjacent stories, try:
- Until It Fades by K.A. Tucker – athlete hero, strong-willed single mom heroine, slow-burn vibes
- Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score – emotionally wounded hero, small-town charm, slow-burn romance
- All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata – themes of healing, found family, and a quiet male lead
Still, few books balance depth and heat the way Tomforde does. This one belongs on the top shelf of sports romance.
Series Connection: A Richer Experience Within the Windy City World
For returning readers, The Right Move by Liz Tomforde feels like a warm reunion. Stevie and Zanders from Mile High make welcome appearances, and their presence strengthens the shared universe Tomforde is building. Later books like Caught Up and Play Along deepen this community of emotionally evolving athletes and the women who reshape their lives.
Each book can stand alone, but reading in order allows for deeper appreciation of how these stories weave together into something bigger than a series—a romance legacy.
Final Thoughts: An Unlikely Love That Feels Inevitable
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde is a love letter to the kind of relationships that aren’t flashy or perfect but are built with intention, effort, and vulnerability. It’s about letting someone into your space—and eventually, your soul.
Tomforde doesn’t just give us a romance. She gives us a blueprint for what it means to grow beside someone, not just fall for them. Ryan and Indy don’t fix each other—they challenge, frustrate, and ultimately choose each other.
And that choice, made over and over again in the quiet moments between chapters, is what makes this book unforgettable.