The Right Move by Liz Tomforde Summary

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde follows NBA captain Ryan Shay and flight attendant Indy Ivers, his sister's best friend, who become roommates and enter a fake dating arrangement. Ryan needs to appear more relatable to his team's management, while Indy needs a date to her ex-boyfriend's wedding. As they navigate their pretend relationship, blurred lines between fake and real feelings complicate their arrangement, forcing both characters to confront their past trauma and emotional barriers.

The Right Move is perfect for contemporary romance readers who love character-driven stories with emotional depth over sports action. Fans of fake dating, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, forced proximity, and best friend's brother tropes will particularly enjoy this book. Readers seeking sports romance with witty banter, realistic relationships, healthy communication, and moderate spice (3-4+ open door scenes) will find this appealing. It's also ideal for those who appreciate diverse representation, including deaf characters and sign language inclusion.

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde is highly worth reading, earning 4.5-star ratings for its compelling character development and emotional storytelling. The book excels at prioritizing character growth over sports, making it accessible even for non-basketball fans. Liz Tomforde's accessible writing style makes this 426-page novel feel like a quick read, with readers often finishing within two days. The dual POV narration adds depth, allowing readers to connect with both Ryan and Indy's emotional journeys and past traumas.

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde features five popular romance tropes that work seamlessly together. The fake dating trope drives the plot as Ryan and Indy pretend to be a couple for professional and personal reasons. Best friend's brother adds tension since Indy is Stevie's closest friend, while roommates and forced proximity create natural intimacy. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Ryan's cold, private nature and Indy's emotional, outgoing personality generates chemistry and comedic moments throughout the story.

The relationship between Ryan Shay and Indy Ivers evolves from reluctant roommates to lovers through mutual growth and vulnerability. Ryan is neat, cold, and emotionally guarded, while Indy is messy, emotional, and sunshine-like despite her past trauma. They challenge each other to step outside comfort zones—Ryan learns to open up and trust, while Indy gains confidence and learns her worth. Their connection develops through witty banter, daily breakfast rituals, and breaking down emotional barriers built from past hurts.

The Right Move maintains the character-focused approach that made Mile High successful, prioritizing personal growth over sports action. While Mile High centers on ice hockey player Zanders and flight attendant Stevie, The Right Move features basketball and Stevie's twin brother Ryan with her best friend Indy. Both books showcase Liz Tomforde's strength in creating diverse, believable friendships and realistic relationships with witty dialogue. The Right Move includes more representation with deaf characters and sign language, adding unique depth compared to the first installment.

Ryan Shay is compelling because he's an NBA superstar who struggles with being "an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance" despite his talent. His character prioritizes emotional growth over basketball prowess, exploring his doubts, past trauma, and journey toward vulnerability. Ryan's pragmatic worldview—"My dreams are within reach, attainable moments in time, not romanticized notions of the impossible"—contrasts with his eventual transformation. His actions involving sign language for a deaf character demonstrate thoughtfulness, while his resistance to love creates authentic tension throughout the story.

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde contains moderate to high spice levels, rated 3-4+ open door scenes. However, the romance extends beyond physical intimacy, focusing equally on emotional connection and character support. The spice develops naturally as Ryan and Indy's fake relationship blurs into real feelings, with their physical chemistry complementing deeper emotional vulnerability. Liz Tomforde balances steamy moments with substantial character development, ensuring the romance isn't solely defined by sexual content but by genuine personal growth and mutual understanding.

The Right Move features several meaningful quotes that define character arcs and themes.

• "I'm not a dreamer. Not in the traditional sense, at least. My dreams are within reach, attainable moments in time, not romanticized notions of the impossible" reveals Ryan's pragmatic worldview and foreshadows his emotional journey.
• "You should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future" demonstrates Ryan's strong beliefs about mutual love and self-worth.

These quotes highlight the book's themes of vulnerability, personal growth, and healthy relationship boundaries.

You don't need to read Mile High before The Right Move by Liz Tomforde, though it enhances the experience. The Right Move works as a standalone novel with its own complete romantic arc between Ryan and Indy. However, reading Mile High first provides context for Stevie and Zanders' relationship, establishes existing friendships, and explains why Indy needs housing. Characters from Mile High appear in The Right Move, including Stevie, Zanders, and Rio, making their interactions richer for series readers.

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde includes meaningful deaf representation and sign language throughout the story. Ryan's actions related to learning and using sign language demonstrate character development and inclusivity beyond surface-level representation. The book also explores mental health themes through both protagonists' past trauma and healing journeys. Indy deals with fertility concerns and betrayal from her friend group, while Ryan confronts career pressures and emotional guardedness, providing realistic portrayals of personal struggles and recovery.

The Right Move showcases diverse, believable friendship dynamics beyond the central romance.

• Indy's close friendship with Stevie continues through daily text updates that provide comedic relief and emotional support.
• Ryan opens up to fellow players including Zanders, Kai Miller (book three's protagonist), and Rio, who is secretly in love with Ryan.

Liz Tomforde excels at creating authentic friend groups where characters genuinely care for each other, adding depth to the sports romance setting and making relationships feel realistic rather than superficial.