Let's just be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or scrolling through romance threads lately, you’ve probably seen one name popping up more than most: Kai Rhodes. He’s the reason high-performance athletes and single dads are basically the only thing people want to read about right now.
Caught Up Liz Tomforde is the third installment in the Windy City series, and honestly, it’s arguably the one that solidified Liz as the reigning queen of sports romance. It isn't just about baseball. It’s about a man who is terrified of failing his son and a woman who is terrified of staying still.
What Actually Happens in Caught Up?
Kai Rhodes is a superstar pitcher for the Chicago Windy Warriors. He’s also a single dad to a 15-month-old named Max, a surprise addition to his life after a one-night stand basically dropped the kid on his doorstep and vanished. Kai is drowning. He’s fired every nanny he’s hired because nobody is good enough for his kid.
Then enters Miller Montgomery.
She’s the head coach’s daughter, which already makes things messy. She’s also a world-class pastry chef who’s totally burnt out and looking for a summer distraction. Since her dad, Monty, is the only person Kai actually listens to, she ends up as the nanny.
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It’s a classic setup:
- Single Dad / Nanny
- Coach’s Daughter
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
But here is the thing that Liz Tomforde does differently. It’s not just "hot guy meets girl." It’s about the mental load of parenthood. Kai isn't just a "hot dad" for the aesthetic; he is genuinely struggling with the guilt of his career taking him away from his son.
The Miller and Kai Dynamic (It’s Messy)
Miller is a "runner." Not the athletic kind, but the emotional kind. She lives in a van. She moves every few months. She’s won the biggest awards in the pastry world but feels like a fraud.
Watching her bond with Max is what eventually breaks Kai down. Most romance novels have the kid as a background prop, but Max is a central character. When Miller starts making "family dinner" a thing, you can practically feel Kai’s heart giving up the fight.
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The chemistry? It’s high. But it’s the "found family" aspect that really hits. You see characters from the previous books—Zanders and Stevie from Mile High, Ryan and Indy from The Right Move—all showing up for Sunday dinners. It makes the world feel lived-in and real.
Why This Book Hits Differently
Most people go into sports romance expecting just the "spice" and the games. Caught Up has that, sure, but it’s mostly about two people who are highly successful and completely lonely in their own ways.
Kai doesn't want to be a pitcher anymore if it means missing Max’s first steps. Miller doesn't want to be a pastry chef if it means never having a home. They have to figure out how to be themselves without losing the people they’ve become.
Real Talk on the Ending
Without spoiling every single beat, the third-act conflict in Caught Up Liz Tomforde is actually grounded in character logic for once. Miller has a job offer in California. Kai has a career in Chicago.
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It isn't a "misunderstanding" where someone overheard half a conversation. It’s a real-life "how do we make two separate lives fit into one" problem.
The resolution involves Kai being incredibly supportive of Miller’s career, which is a breath of fresh air. He doesn't ask her to give up her dreams; he asks how he can be part of them.
Tips for Reading the Windy City Series
If you’re just now jumping into Liz Tomforde’s world, here is how you should handle it:
- Read them in order if you can. While Caught Up works as a standalone, you’ll appreciate the "found family" scenes so much more if you know the backstories of the other couples.
- Check the tropes. If you hate "instalust," the first 20% might feel a bit fast for you. Stick with it—the emotional depth kicks in once the "nanny" routine starts.
- Look for the Easter eggs. Pay attention to Isaiah (Kai’s brother) and Kennedy (the trainer). They are the main characters of the next book, Play Along, and their tension starts right here.
If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm hug but also makes you want to move to Chicago and marry a baseball player, this is it. Grab a snack—preferably something sweet since Miller is a baker—and clear your schedule. You won't want to put it down.
To get the most out of your reading experience, start by picking up Mile High to understand the foundation of the Windy Warriors crew, then move through to Caught Up to see Kai's transformation from a guarded loner to a devoted partner. Don't forget to keep a box of tissues nearby for the scenes between Kai and his son, Max.