If you’ve spent more than five minutes on BookTok, you’ve seen the name Ryan Shay. You’ve probably seen the blue hearts. Maybe you’ve seen the fan art of a tall, brooding NBA player looking at a girl like she's the only thing keeping him tethered to the earth.
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde isn't just another sports romance. Honestly, it’s became a bit of a cultural touchstone for readers who are tired of the "billionaire playboy" trope and want something that feels a little more... real. Even if that "real" involves a 6'10" professional athlete.
The book is the second installment in Tomforde’s Windy City series, and while Mile High (the first book) put her on the map, The Right Move is the one that solidified her as a heavyweight in the contemporary romance world.
What Actually Happens in The Right Move?
Basically, we’re looking at a classic forced proximity setup. Indigo "Indy" Ivers is a flight attendant who just got her heart absolutely shredded by a guy who didn't deserve her. She needs a place to stay.
Enter Ryan Shay. He’s the new captain of the Chicago Devils (the city's fictional NBA team), he’s her best friend’s brother, and he is—to put it mildly—a bit of a robot. He likes his apartment silent. He likes his schedule rigid. He definitely doesn't want his sister's messy, emotional, flower-buying best friend moving into his spare room.
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But then, the team’s General Manager decides Ryan is too "unapproachable." To prove he’s a team player with a "work-life balance," Ryan convinces Indy to play the role of his girlfriend. Fake dating. Roommates. Best friend’s brother. It’s a trope trifecta.
Why the Internet Is Obsessed with Ryan Shay
It’s the "quiet love." Ryan isn't the guy who makes grand, public speeches. He’s the guy who notices Indy is a vegetarian and quietly replaces every single snack in his pantry with something she can eat. He’s the guy who buys her flowers just to see her face light up, even if he thinks it’s "illogical."
He sees her. Really sees her.
Readers have latched onto the way Ryan supports Indy’s dream of being a mother, especially when the book touches on her fears regarding infertility. It’s a heavy topic for a romance novel, but Tomforde handles it with a lot of grace.
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The Windy City Series Order
If you're just getting started, you don't strictly have to read these in order since they are interconnected standalones, but you'll spoil the previous couples if you jump around. Most people find that the cameos from the Maddison family make the experience much better.
- Mile High: Zanders (NHL) and Stevie.
- The Right Move: Ryan (NBA) and Indy.
- Caught Up: Kai (MLB) and Miller.
- Play Along: Isaiah (MLB) and Kennedy.
- Rewind It Back: Rio (NHL) and a mysterious heroine from his past.
There's even a spin-off, In Her Own League, slated for March 2026. Liz Tomforde is building a massive sports empire in Chicago, and honestly, we're just living in it.
The "Acts of Service" King
One of the most famous scenes in The Right Move involves Ryan learning American Sign Language (ASL) for a character. It’s one of those moments that makes you realize why people call him the "blueprint." He doesn't just say he cares; he puts in the actual work to show it.
He’s protective without being "alpha-hole" annoying. He creates a safe space for Indy to heal from her toxic ex-boyfriend. And yeah, the spice is definitely there, but it’s the emotional safety that makes the book rank so high for most people.
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Is it Worth the Hype?
Look, if you hate the grumpy-sunshine trope, this might not be your thing. Ryan is very grumpy. Indy is very sunshine.
But if you like a slow burn that actually pays off, it’s a 10/10. The book is long—most of Liz's books are over 500 pages—but it doesn't feel like fluff. It feels like you’re actually watching two people learn how to exist in the same space until they can’t imagine existing anywhere else.
Actionable Takeaways for Romance Readers
If you're planning to dive into the world of The Right Move Liz Tomforde, here are a few things to keep in mind to enjoy the experience:
- Read Mile High First: Even though Ryan is the star here, meeting him as the "stoic brother" in book one makes his transformation in book two way more satisfying.
- Check the Trigger Warnings: While it's a romance, the book discusses cheating (recounted from the past) and infertility. It's good to be prepared.
- Look for the Details: Pay attention to the "blue" references. There’s a reason he calls her Blue, and it’s one of the sweetest nicknames in modern fiction.
- Clear Your Schedule: Once the fake dating turns into "oh wait, I actually love you," you won't be able to put it down.
Grab a copy of the book, find a cozy spot, and get ready to understand why the entire internet is currently in love with a fictional point guard from Chicago.