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A review by kitcat_reads
Play Along by Liz Tomforde
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."
(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
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Gaslighting
Minor: Abandonment