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bloomingbookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Infidelity
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this was cute but couldn't pull me in quite like the others. i loved the representation for women working in sports but the way the storyline with her new job was handled infuriated me 🙃 it was soo similar to what happened w kai & miller and i got there but i def didn't get it here. grateful they still got their hea 🫶🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, Car accident, and Abandonment
dlsmk's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
jpearlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.75
God I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the last book in this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
ambercunningham's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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 live, laugh, LOVED this book!!
Liz Tomforde needs to be rewarded or given a medal or something on the basis of international services to romance readers everywhere.
How does she keep writing all these 5⭐️ romances. The men in her head are so perfect, I’m telling you, I want to be Liz Tomforde for the day and see who else she has hiding in her mind waiting to come alive on paper.
Isaiah Rhodes?! Are you kidding?! I’m in love. I’m a married woman, but I’m in love with Isaiah. To be honest, I’m in love with both Rhodes men and a basketball playing Shay. But this isn’t their book so I’m going to stop myself before I drool everywhere.
Isaiah Rhodes is a man who has been hurt by love, and yet when it comes to Kennedy he’s not afraid to love at all. And I love that. I adored his gentle and funny nature. His hilarious but well placed confidence and arrogance but, most of all the way he interacted with those he loves. That is a family man through and through. Speaking of families, this man for sure knows how to practice making one. I was aDICKted to the spice in this. Truly a masterpiece. The fireworks scene? 🥵!!!! Plus, the way he takes his time with Kennedy and builds up their intimacy is so beautiful. He’s a true gentleman.
I think his anxieties were handled super delicately throughout this, he was never made to seem like he needed to be fixed but rather people were offering their support and help to make his life easier. I think showcasing men with anxiety or other MH issues is something that deffo needs to be done more so bravo Liz!
Oh and sweet Kennedy. Now you don’t mind physical touch I hope you don’t mind but I will be wrapping you up in a big hug. Again, I think the hard topic of toxic/abusive relationships was handled in a super relatable and gentle way here. I found myself relating to Kennedy and the relationship she had with her ex because my ex was similar. I think the way this affected her in her new relationship was so genuine. The constant question asking, the need for reassurance and the disbelief when someone compliments you and there’s nothing hidden under the surface. Kennedy Kay, I was rooting for you all along, and boy did you get a good one and make some absolute moves. I felt genuinely proud as if I was reading about a real person.
Honestly I just adore Liz Tomfordes writing. You can really relate to the characters even though half of them are sports stars and the other half are boss women with great careers. I am neither of those things but I am a human being and those human experiences that Liz explores in her books are universal, and portrayed in a raw and genuine light. Despite this though, I laugh out loud at every single book of hers and this was no exception. I just adored the story and the characters. I also love the continued presence of previous couples and how they’re all friends. It makes it feel extra special and means that characters from earlier books that I love get to still have a voice.
It’s a tough call as to which Rhodes boy I prefer, but Kai in daddy mode? 😮💨. Might still just edge it. I’m sorry Isaiah but I still love you.
Anyway, if you haven’t read this yet then please do. If you haven’t read any of this series yet then where have you been? Don’t be put off by the size of the books. They’re so addictive you literally fly through them and it’s totally worth the wrist ache! From holding the book, deffo holding the book!! Also, they’re on KU so you can kind of pretend they’re free… girl math.
Liz Tomforde needs to be rewarded or given a medal or something on the basis of international services to romance readers everywhere.
How does she keep writing all these 5⭐️ romances. The men in her head are so perfect, I’m telling you, I want to be Liz Tomforde for the day and see who else she has hiding in her mind waiting to come alive on paper.
Isaiah Rhodes?! Are you kidding?! I’m in love. I’m a married woman, but I’m in love with Isaiah. To be honest, I’m in love with both Rhodes men and a basketball playing Shay. But this isn’t their book so I’m going to stop myself before I drool everywhere.
Isaiah Rhodes is a man who has been hurt by love, and yet when it comes to Kennedy he’s not afraid to love at all. And I love that. I adored his gentle and funny nature. His hilarious but well placed confidence and arrogance but, most of all the way he interacted with those he loves. That is a family man through and through. Speaking of families, this man for sure knows how to practice making one. I was aDICKted to the spice in this. Truly a masterpiece. The fireworks scene? 🥵!!!! Plus, the way he takes his time with Kennedy and builds up their intimacy is so beautiful. He’s a true gentleman.
I think his anxieties were handled super delicately throughout this, he was never made to seem like he needed to be fixed but rather people were offering their support and help to make his life easier. I think showcasing men with anxiety or other MH issues is something that deffo needs to be done more so bravo Liz!
Oh and sweet Kennedy. Now you don’t mind physical touch I hope you don’t mind but I will be wrapping you up in a big hug. Again, I think the hard topic of toxic/abusive relationships was handled in a super relatable and gentle way here. I found myself relating to Kennedy and the relationship she had with her ex because my ex was similar. I think the way this affected her in her new relationship was so genuine. The constant question asking, the need for reassurance and the disbelief when someone compliments you and there’s nothing hidden under the surface. Kennedy Kay, I was rooting for you all along, and boy did you get a good one and make some absolute moves. I felt genuinely proud as if I was reading about a real person.
Honestly I just adore Liz Tomfordes writing. You can really relate to the characters even though half of them are sports stars and the other half are boss women with great careers. I am neither of those things but I am a human being and those human experiences that Liz explores in her books are universal, and portrayed in a raw and genuine light. Despite this though, I laugh out loud at every single book of hers and this was no exception. I just adored the story and the characters. I also love the continued presence of previous couples and how they’re all friends. It makes it feel extra special and means that characters from earlier books that I love get to still have a voice.
It’s a tough call as to which Rhodes boy I prefer, but Kai in daddy mode? 😮💨. Might still just edge it. I’m sorry Isaiah but I still love you.
Anyway, if you haven’t read this yet then please do. If you haven’t read any of this series yet then where have you been? Don’t be put off by the size of the books. They’re so addictive you literally fly through them and it’s totally worth the wrist ache! From holding the book, deffo holding the book!! Also, they’re on KU so you can kind of pretend they’re free… girl math.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
rebakesl's review against another edition
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).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
fairytalefootnotes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes, etc: Workplace Romance, Marriage of Convenience, He Falls First, Boy Obsessed, Found Family.
3rd Act Breakup?: No
The Praise: Liz can do no wrong in my eyes. I’ve loved every book in this series more and more (and that’s saying something because I adored Mile High!) The characters are so funny and sweet and I just love their little found family. Isaiah is truly a model MMC: kind, funny, supportive, and so in love. He supported Kennedy every step of the way, even when it was to his own detriment.
The Critique: My only complaint is that there’s only one more book left! Can we at least get a Monty/Reese novella, Liz?!
Final Thoughts: I absolutely loved Play Along. It’s a definite favorite of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
isajidy's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent