Genre : Contemporary romance
Series : Windy City #4
Publication Date : July 11, 2024
Publisher : Hodder
Pages : 384
Format I read : E-book
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐
“Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that shape our lives the most.” – Liz Tomforde, Play Along
Honestly? I went into Play Along with sky-high expectations after giving both previous books in the series five stars. And with the internet raving about how this one is the best of the bunch? I was fully prepared to fall in love all over again. But… it didn’t go that way. 😬 I think I’m officially in the minority here because this one just didn’t work for me. So please, take this review with a grain of salt. If you loved this book, I’m genuinely so happy for you! But for me? It just wasn’t it. And let me say it loud for the people in the back: reading is subjective.
Play Along by Liz Tomforde Summary
Kennedy
I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago.
But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand.
Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake.
Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband.
They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home.
Isaiah
As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman.
I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed.
We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material.
Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose.
So come on, wife… play along.
Play Along by Liz Tomforde Review
Let me start by saying that 3 stars is not a bad rating, it’s still solid! BUT… I had a lot of issues with this book. 😬 Honestly, if it weren’t for the glimpses of the other characters and the comfort of being back in the Windy City universe, this rating might’ve been even lower. So yeah, buckle up, bestie, and let’s dive straight into this review.
Plot of Play Along
Kennedy Kay’s plan was simple: keep her head down, survive one more season as the only female staffer for Chicago’s baseball team, and walk away with her dream job, reputation intact. What she didn’t plan? Waking up in Vegas with a hangover, a wedding ring, and Isaiah Rhodes, the team’s most reckless (and annoyingly charming) player calling her wife. To save her job from sexist blowback, Kennedy agrees to fake an elopement for the cameras. One season, that’s it. But Isaiah? He’s playing the long game, and losing her was never part of the deal.
Isaiah has been head-over-cleats for Kennedy for years. So when fate (and a lot of tequila) finally puts her in his arms, he’s not letting go. She thinks this marriage is temporary, just part of the job. But he’s got a season to change her mind and prove he’s more than a mistake with a ring. She may be playing pretend, but Isaiah’s all in. And when the game’s over? He plans to win her, forever.
Characters in Play Along
Isaiah Rhodes: He is such a lovable, charming character, the kind of guy who uses humor to cover up his deeper grief and insecurities. And honestly? I LOVE me an obsessed man. They are my ultimate weakness 😩. He was adorable throughout the book, always doing the little things, always thinking about her… I mean, HELLO, I’m the one who’s obsessed now!
BUT. (Yeah, there’s a but.) In my opinion… he deserved better. Yep. I said it. I’m dropping that bomb right here and walking away 💣✌️
Kennedy Kay: Kennedy… girl. She worked my last nerve. I don’t even know how else to say it, I HATE oblivious characters, and she was the textbook definition of one. Like, babe. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, around you saw what was going on except you. Isaiah was out here basically waving neon signs of “I’m in love with you” and she was just like ✨😐✨.
And don’t even get me started on that other man situation. I saw red. Red. I nearly yeeted my Kindle across the room. In what universe is it okay to flirt around with someone else at a public event where you’re supposed to be faking a marriage in front of everyone?? Like girl, read the room, read Isaiah’s face, READ ANYTHING. I was furious. Truly.
Relationship Dynamics: The romance? For me, it felt completely one-sided. All the tension, obsession, yearning, it was all coming from Isaiah. That man was carrying the emotional weight of the relationship on his back like an MVP, while Kennedy just… showed up. She felt emotionally unavailable and honestly? It came off like she was using him, and I didn’t vibe with it. I couldn’t root for them, not as a couple, not even as friends. Isaiah deserved so much more. And until the very last moment, I was literally whispering “Go girl, give us nothing.” Because that’s exactly what she did.
Writing and Pacing of Play Along
Liz Tomforde’s writing in Play Along is, as always, engaging and easy to follow. She nails that balance between humor and emotion, and her worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. I was thriving every time the Windy City crew popped in, that found family vibe is truly her superpower. The third-act breakup? Well done! It made sense, it was realistic, and for once, it didn’t annoy me. BUT… the actual growth and development in this book felt underwhelming, especially when it came to Kennedy. Her character fell flat for me, so many layers left unexplored. The book didn’t give me the emotional wrap-up I needed. Her relationship with her family? Just… dropped. No confrontation, no closure, no nothing. She just stopped talking to them and moved on. And honestly? The girl desperately needed therapy. She has so much trauma, just like Isaiah, but tell me why he is the only one seeing a therapist? I expected more from this plot, more from her, and in the end, I kept waiting… and the book kept giving me meh.
The pacing was actually well-managed, with a solid balance between fast-paced scenes and slower, more introspective moments. And I’ll give it that, even with all my issues with the book, I never felt bored while reading it. It kept me turning the pages, even if I was yelling at the characters half the time.
Tropes and Trigger Warnings in Play Along Book
- Tropes:
- Accidental Marriage
- Workplace Romance
- Opposites Attract
- He Falls First
- Forced Proximity
- Sport Romance
- Found Family
- Trigger Warnings:
- Sexism and Discrimination: The novel includes scenes that depict sexism in the workplace, which may be triggering for some readers.
- Grief and Loss: Themes of grief and loss are central to Isaiah’s character development.
Final Thoughts
So yeah… Play Along and I didn’t exactly vibe. I showed up ready to fall in love again, fresh Kindle charge, blanket, snacks, the whole setup, and instead I ended up emotionally yelling into the void. 😩 Do I regret reading it? Not really. Liz still writes addicting, emotionally-charged stories that keep me flipping pages like I’m on a timer. But compared to The Right Move and Caught Up? This one just didn’t deliver the same emotional punch or satisfying arc, especially for Kennedy (girl, why??).
At the end of the day, not every book is going to hit the same for everyone. And if you loved this one? Truly, I’m cheering you on from the sidelines (with just a tiny bit of envy). But for me? This felt like a swing that didn’t quite connect with the ball, not a total miss, but not the home run I hoped for.
About the Author
Liz Tomforde is a contemporary romance author known for her engaging storytelling and relatable characters. Her Windy City Series has garnered a loyal following for its blend of humor, heart, and heat, making her a popular name in the romance genre. When she’s not writing, Liz enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places.
Practical Information for Readers
Play Along by Liz Tomforde Book Formats
- Hardcover: Available at major bookstores and online retailers.
- Paperback: Available for purchase online and in select bookstores.
- eBook: Accessible on Kindle, Nook, and other digital platforms.
- Audiobook: Available on Audible, Google Play, and Apple Books.
For a PDF version of Play Along, it is best to purchase the eBook format from a legitimate source.
Play Along by Liz Tomforde Age Rating
- Recommended Age Group: 18 and up
- Content Considerations: Due to themes of sexism, discrimination, and grief, this book is best suited for mature readers.
- Comparison with Other Books: Similar in tone to novels by authors like Mariana Zapata and Sally Thorne, Play Along offers a blend of romance, humor, and deeper social issues.
Formats Available: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Play Along by Liz Tomforde PDF: Is It Available?
For those looking for a PDF version of Play Along, it’s important to purchase from legitimate retailers. Websites like Amazon or Barnes & Noble offer secure and authorized eBook formats that can be downloaded to your preferred device.
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