Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Play Along

Isaiah Rhodes!!! What a babe! I truly cannot get over how swoony this man is. He is unbelievably observant, caring, thoughtful, and sweet. Isaiah deeply cares about his family and friends. He plays himself out to be this carefree good time guy but he has a lot of depth. He absolutely has it down bad crying in the gym for Kennedy. I loved Kennedy right there with him. She’s been through a lot, never having a person in her corner or building her up. It was beautiful seeing her gain confidence and come into her own with Isaiah’s support. As their relationship grows and evolves they both find ways to support the other. I loved seeing that shift of playing along to the real deal for Kennedy (because let’s be real Isaiah was never playing). This is a top tier Vegas wedding romance and a perfect summer read. As excited I am for Rio’s story, this book has me feral for a Monty x Reese romance.

Content Warnings

katharina90's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I was skeptical going into this one because the Isaiah/ Kennedy side plot in the previous book was so icky. It was giving sexual harrassment at work.

But then it turned out to be a really fun read, mostly because
Isaiah is just so sweet, considerate and supportive of Kennedy once they're together. Doesn't make his prior advances appropriate but it's kind of hard to stay mad?!

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rebakesl's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Liz Tomforde is definitely one of my top five favorite authors. She writes complex, loveable characters with plenty of real-life issues and they actually deal with them in healthy ways and build secure relationships. I thought this was the saddest of all of the Windy City books so far, possibly with the issues that Kennedy and Isaiah were dealing with hitting closer to home than I’m used to. I love Isaiah’s sweetness and they way they both encourage the other to be their whole selves in their relationship and work together to create a safe and loving place within each other to call home. The spice (as always) is *chef’s kiss* with easy banter and good tension. I wish there were a thousand more books like this (although I’d probably never get anything income if that were the case).

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shamaramill's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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isajidy's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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kitcat_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5 ⭐️ | 2.5🌶️
(If I could give this more than five stars, I would)

Synopsis:
Isaiah Rhodes has been smitten with Kennedy Kay since her first day with the Warriors three years ago when he discovers a little secret about her talent. But Kennedy was engaged until eight months ago. Isaiah tries to shoot his shot, but Kennedy continues turning him down. Then they find themselves in Vegas for different reasons but end up hitting the strip together, which proves to be a boozy, albeit fun, time. Fun, that is, until they wake up the following day, married.

Kennedy agreed to take an entry-level job with the team to gain the experience of being in sports medicine, even though the team physician was a raging sexist. He has told her that any belief in mingling with the players would lead to her termination. So when she ends up in Vegas, married to Isaiah, she fears the worst. Then everything hits the fan when their nuptials make the headlines. Leave it to Isaiah to help save her job; only that means staying married for the season. Kennedy knows Isaiah to be a shameless flirt, reckless, and impulsive. But he's also charming as hell. She loves her job and decides to play along; it's just one season. She can resist Isaiah's charm plus keep her job, right?

Tropes:
* Black Cat x Golden Retriever
* Fake Marriage x Marriage of Convenience
* Boy Obsessed
* He Falls First/Harder
* Workplace Romance (Athlete + Athletic Trainer)

Sports Romance, Dual POV

Review:
I'm giving all my stars to this book. I love Isaiah Rhodes. More than his brother Kai, Ryan Shay, Evan Zanders… or all of them combined. And Kennedy, I love her and her character development in this book!

In "Caught Up," we get some exciting and funny interactions between Isaiah and Kennedy. I loved that Isaiah and Kennedy's banter continues and amps up in their book. Their introduction in Caught Up helped to set the groundwork for the start of this book.

"I might talk a big game, but she will always have the upper hand when it comes to us."

This quote comes about 44% into the book but encapsulates Isaiah's feelings for Kennedy from start to finish. From the beginning of the book through the end, he constantly tells her, "When have I ever been able to say no to you?" Isaiah is so gone for Kennedy; I love it! I love that he tells her (and everyone around them) she is it for him. She is his endgame.

Kennedy's character growth was gradual and meaningful. The way she keeps people at a distance is a self-defense mechanism that was shaped by the crappy people in her family and around it. Isaiah tells her to "do what feels good," which helps her create experiences she wants rather than be in those she never had a choice to be part of.

I also loved the side characters from previous books, and it was sweet to see each couple's progression after their books. But Kai and Isaiah's relationship💙🥹💙 I was sobbing hard with Kai's speech in chapter 21. What a touching way to show each brother's love and care for the other.

I lived, laughed, loved this book.😆 (iykyk) I was smiling, giggling, clutching my pearls, crying, kicking my feet… all the emotions. All of them.

10/10 would recommend. And I can't wait for Rio's book!!

Fav Quotes:

Isaiah

"Just think of this as one big game. […] C'mon wife. Play along."

"Oh, no, baby. That's where you're wrong. There's nothing little about me. Maybe one day you'll learn exactly what kind of size I'm working with."

"This is why I came in here in the first place, and I almost forgot. Wanted to give you a hug and tell you how much I missed you this week. Stop avoiding me, Kenny. I don't like it."

"I'm going to ruin your makeup. […] Then I'm going to ruin you for anyone else. You got it?"

Kennedy

"I notice that you smile even when you don't want to. Like with me. I hurt your feelings today, and instead of leaving me to deal with everything on my own, you saved my job and made sure I was smiling before you left."

"I'm not some pathetic girl that needs my husband to fight my battles. Just…let me do my job, Isaiah."

"You memorized my hair color?"

"I don't know how to be the kind of woman that a man would want."

"C'mon, Rhodes. […] Play along."

Content Warnings

cielosiluminado's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!! i waited so long for this to come out and it was worth it! there’s no words to describe this book besides: perfection. just like every other book in this series.

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preread thoughts:

(3/13/24)

I LOVE THE PURPLE SKYLINE COVER 💜 also i don’t care what anyone says, the male cover model is hot...

(11/10/23)

isaiah and kennedy??? A VEGAS ELOPEMENT!??! oh my god...

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