Exploring the amazing Windy City Series and it's author Liz Tomforde
Liz Tomforde has cemented herself as a remarkable name in the romance genre, captivating readers with her ability to create deeply emotional, beautifully interconnected stories. Her books are not just stories—they’re experiences. Tomforde’s writing shines in how she skillfully blends heartfelt moments, raw emotions, and slow-burn chemistry with well-placed humor and complex characters. Her narratives are laced with themes of love, personal growth, and the power of connections, making her works deeply resonant.
One of her most beloved series explores different sports settings, where she crafts stories that balance the grit of the competitive world with the vulnerability of her characters’ personal lives. The interconnected nature of the books adds a layer of depth, making the reading experience even richer as familiar characters weave in and out of each other’s lives.
From deeply brooding heroes to resilient heroines, Tomforde creates characters who feel real and relatable. Her exploration of relationships—both romantic and platonic—is raw and layered, allowing readers to feel every ounce of joy, heartbreak, and triumph. And the tropes? They’re expertly executed. Whether it’s enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, or forbidden romance, she delivers twists and turns that keep readers hooked from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of sports romance with a focus on character-driven storytelling, Liz Tomforde’s series is a must-read. You’ll laugh, cry, and root for the characters as if they were your own friends, falling in love with her incredible world one page at a time.
My own ranking of the series:
1. Caught Up (Because Kai is my man! And I always love a good single dad/nanny trope)
2. Play Along (Isaiah is the sweetest and really cares underneath that joking exterior)
3. The Right Move (How Ryan goes to so much length to support and be there for Indy!)
4. Mile High (Stevie really transforms Evan into a good family man that you can count on)
Let’s dive into each book, unraveling what makes this series so special. Where should we start?
The Windy City Series
Mile High introduces us to the captivating world of sports romance, setting the tone with Evan Zanders and Stevie, two polar opposites who ignite sparks from the moment they meet. Evan is the quintessential playboy hockey star, known for his charm, confidence, and a love for living life on the edge. But behind his cocky exterior lies a man who battles inner demons, carrying the weight of his past while navigating the highs and lows of his career.
Stevie, on the other hand, is the no-nonsense new flight attendant hired to serve the Chicago hockey team during their travels. Independent, witty, and not one to be easily impressed, Stevie has her own reasons for stepping into this role—reasons that don’t include falling for a player like Evan. Yet, as they spend more time together, the boundaries between professional and personal blur.
Evan and Stevie’s story is filled with witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and heartwarming moments as they challenge each other to confront their vulnerabilities. Stevie’s resilience and Evan’s determination to prove he’s more than his reputation create a dynamic that will have readers hooked from start to finish.
Tropes and Character Dynamics:
- Opposites Attract: Evan’s carefree, confident personality contrasts with Stevie’s grounded and serious demeanor, leading to undeniable tension and chemistry.
- Workplace Romance: The unique setting of the team’s private plane brings plenty of proximity and opportunities for romantic sparks.
- Reformed Playboy: Evan’s journey from a carefree player to a man willing to fight for love is central to the story.
- Found Family: The team and their staff create a rich, interconnected world where relationships extend beyond romance.
- Forced Proximity: Spending countless hours in the confined space of the team’s plane creates a backdrop for unexpected vulnerability and connection.
The Right Move is the second book in Liz Tomforde’s beloved series and follows the story of Ryan Shay, the brooding, disciplined basketball star, and Indy, his sisters best friend’s quirky and carefree sister. This is a heartfelt tale of opposites attracting, with layers of emotional depth that make it impossible to put down.
Ryan Shay is all about precision, control, and order. As one of basketball’s brightest stars, his life revolves around his sport and the rules he imposes on himself to maintain focus. But when Indy moves into his apartment, his carefully structured life is thrown into chaos. Indy, the vibrant, outgoing best friend of Ryan’s sister, is a whirlwind of energy, spontaneity, and charm—a stark contrast to Ryan’s calculated world.
Indy needs a place to stay, and Ryan reluctantly agrees to let her crash at his place. The pair couldn’t be more different, and yet, their forced proximity reveals surprising similarities and a chemistry neither of them can deny. As they navigate their living arrangement, a fake dating agreement brings them closer, unraveling Ryan’s guarded exterior and revealing a deeper connection between them.
With a mix of humor, tender moments, and sizzling romance, The Right Move showcases the beauty of vulnerability and finding love where you least expect it. Ryan and Indy’s journey is filled with growth, self-discovery, and the realization that sometimes, love is about stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing the unexpected.
Tropes and Character Dynamics:
- Forced Proximity: Sharing an apartment creates countless opportunities for hilarious and tender interactions.
- Opposites Attract: Ryan’s stoic, rule-following personality contrasts perfectly with Indy’s lively and unpredictable nature.
- Fake Dating: When the two pretend to be a couple, sparks fly in ways they didn’t anticipate.
- Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic: Ryan’s reserved demeanor is beautifully balanced by Indy’s effervescent charm.
- Slow Burn: Their romance unfolds with patience and depth, making the payoff all the more satisfying.
Caught Up is the third installment in Liz Tomforde’s heartwarming sports romance series, centering on baseball star Kai Rhodes and Miller, a fiercely independent woman unexpectedly drawn into his world.
Kai is a talented baseball player juggling the high demands of his career with being a single dad to his adorable 1.5-year-old son, Max. Beneath his confident exterior, Kai is a devoted father doing his best to balance the chaos of professional sports and parenthood. Enter Miller, the grounded and pragmatic daughter of the team’s General Manager. Taking a break from her high-pressure job as a chef, Miller agrees to join the team for the summer to help care for Max, stepping in as his babysitter.
Initially, Miller and Kai seem like complete opposites—she’s practical, no-nonsense, and laser-focused on her responsibilities, while Kai has a magnetic, carefree charm that masks his deeper struggles. However, the close proximity and shared bond over Max create a slow-burning connection neither of them can ignore. Miller begins to see the man behind the baseball uniform, while Kai finds himself captivated by Miller’s strength, wit, and kindness.
As the summer progresses, Miller and Kai navigate their growing attraction amidst the challenges of single parenthood, Kai’s demanding career, and Miller’s uncertainty about her place in his life. With Max serving as an adorable bridge between them, the pair must decide if they’re willing to take a chance on something real—despite the risks involved.
Tropes and Character Dynamics:
- Single Dad Romance: Kai’s devotion to Max is a key element that adds warmth and depth.
- Forced Proximity: Miller’s role as Max’s babysitter keeps her and Kai constantly in each other’s orbit.
- Opposites Attract: Kai’s charismatic, carefree nature contrasts beautifully with Miller’s practical and down-to-earth personality.
- Found Family: Miller and Max develop a heartwarming bond that deepens her connection with Kai.
- Slow-Burn Romance: Their love story builds gradually as trust and understanding grow between them.
Play Along is a delightful addition to Liz Tomforde’s sports romance universe, bringing us the electric, laugh-out-loud love story of Isaiah Rhodes and Kennedy Kay. This book dives into the tension between two characters who couldn’t be more different on the surface but share a connection that refuses to be ignored.
Isaiah Rhodes, the younger brother of Kai from Caught Up, is the team’s free-spirited, larger-than-life baseball player with a reputation for being a jokester. But beneath his clownish exterior, Isaiah has carried a deep and genuine affection for Kennedy Kay, the team’s sharp and dedicated medical doctor, since the moment they met. The problem? Kennedy was engaged when they first crossed paths, and Isaiah hid his feelings behind humor and flirtation.
Now, Kennedy is no longer engaged, but Isaiah’s attempts to pursue her are met with skepticism. To Kennedy, Isaiah’s carefree nature and constant joking make it hard to take him seriously, and she dismisses his advances as just part of his playful persona. However, what Kennedy doesn’t realize is that Isaiah’s feelings for her are anything but a joke—they’re real and unwavering.
When fate throws them together in Las Vegas, their worlds collide in the most unexpected way. Isaiah is in town partying with his teammates, while Kennedy is there for her future sister-in-law’s wedding—to her ex-fiancé. After a chance encounter at a nightclub, Isaiah and Kennedy decide to escape the awkwardness of their respective situations and spend the evening together. Fueled by too many drinks and undeniable chemistry, they wake up the next morning with one very big surprise: they’re married.
Returning to Chicago, the two are forced to navigate their new reality while keeping things professional within the team. Despite their best efforts to keep their feelings in check, the lines between personal and professional blur as Isaiah’s relentless charm and Kennedy’s guarded heart clash. Kennedy begins to see the depth behind Isaiah’s clownish facade, while Isaiah works to prove he’s not only serious about her but also about their future together.
Amidst the chaos of their secret marriage, Isaiah and Kennedy must confront their own fears and insecurities, decide what they truly want, and figure out if their impulsive decision could lead to the most meaningful relationship of their lives.
Tropes and Character Dynamics
- Secret Marriage: A spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas adds an exciting twist to their relationship.
- Opposites Attract: Isaiah’s carefree, jokester personality contrasts with Kennedy’s serious, disciplined demeanor.
- Friends to Lovers: A long-standing connection evolves into something deeper as they navigate their marriage.
- Workplace Romance: Their professional relationship as player and team doctor adds tension and stakes to their story.
- Hidden Depths: Isaiah’s humor masks his earnest and loyal nature, while Kennedy learns to let her guard down and embrace vulnerability.
JUST IN!
The cover of the last and FINAL book of the Windy City Series by Liz!
Hallie
When I was eleven, my family moved next door to his.
When I was thirteen, he was my first crush.
When I was sixteen, we fell for each other.
And when I was nineteen, we broke each other’s hearts.
Six years later, I’ve landed an internship with a big-name interior designer in a new city.
Unfortunately, that city just so happens to be the one he plays hockey for.
I thought Chicago was big enough to avoid him, until I get the surprise of a lifetime and unknowingly move in right next door.
Even worse? The renovation project I’m assigned to in hopes of turning that internship into my full-time dream job…
It’s his house.
But how am I supposed to update his bachelor pad into a family home when we can’t even stand to be in the same room?
I may have loved Rio DeLuca once, but I’m not that same girl anymore.
Rio
I never thought I’d be the only single one left in my friend group.
But after years of trying to find love, I’ve concluded it may not exist for me anymore.
That is until I accidentally hire Hallie Hart to renovate my house and our jaded history has me rewinding memories I’ve kept secret for years.
You see, there’s something that my friends don’t know.
That connection I’ve been looking for since I moved to Chicago, that one person some search their entire lives to find… I had already found her when I was twelve years old.
And now the only girl I’ve ever loved is moving into the house next door.
Again.
RELEASE DATE IS MAY 20th, PRE-ORDER IT HERE –>