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Windy City #3

Caught Up

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Kai

I’m a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team.
I’m stretched too thin, but I don’t want help raising my son.

Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go.
Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can’t fire—his daughter.

Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached.

Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I’d be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever.


Miller

As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I’m desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can’t create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life.

With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player’s kid.

Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I’m eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer.

Besides, I’ve always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught.

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2023

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About the author

Liz Tomforde

9 books18.4k followers
Liz Tomforde writes sports romance novels that depict realistic and healthy relationships. Her books offer a mix of witty banter and real-life struggles. Her heroes are alpha yet vulnerable, and her heroines are strong.

Born and raised in Northern California, Liz is the youngest of five children. She loves all things romance, traveling, dogs, and hockey.

When she's not traveling or writing, Liz can be found reading a good book or taking her Golden Retriever, Luke, on a hike in her hometown in Sonoma County, CA.

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5 stars
105,536 (56%)
4 stars
62,659 (33%)
3 stars
17,219 (9%)
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1 star
530 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 21,234 reviews
Profile Image for Battlestar Galactica .
229 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2023
Omg I can't wait for this one!!!

ALSO LIZ CONFIRMED BOOK 5 IS RIO'S IN AN INTERVIEW. I'M FREAKING OUT!!!

Edit:

BOOK 4 IS GONNA BE ISAIAH AND KENNEDY YOU GUYS!!! (yet to be confirmed by liz)

Book review:

Just finished reading this one and OMG!!!! I'm still processing my thoughts. Liz raises the bar everytime when she releases a new book.

Kai and Miller are such a dream couple. The first half of the book made me cry because of their banter and the last twenty percent made me a crying mess. I can still feel my eyes burning.

This is such a long book but I flew through this one. The story is so captivating. Loved seeing the previous couples and also the future couples whose story we are yet to see.

I love Miller and Kai to bits but I gotta say that Max stole the show.

Also that little spoiler for the next book??? Heck yeah!!! Can't wait for Isaiah and Kennedy to have the spotlight!!!
Profile Image for Destiny Sidwell.
92 reviews117k followers
October 19, 2023
4 🌟
OMGGGG KAI IS EVERYTHINGGGGG WHATTTT

I literally loved this dynamic so much, also do not usually love a single parent trope because I am bot a huge fan of kids in books but why was this one so adorable, every interaction with Max just had mt heart melted
Kai was literally one of my fav book bf's I have read this year, like the constant thoughtfulness and how he could just read her 🫠
I also loved miller buttttt I hate the whole 'I am not getting attached to you because I am leaving but I am totally getting attached and we both know it but I am just using it as an excuse for a 3rd act conflict' STOP that whole plot made me so mad but I still loved this book! and I can not wait for there next in the series!!
Profile Image for Heather Mclarry.
283 reviews38.7k followers
October 20, 2023
Let me tell you this love confession in this book was one of the most beautiful love confessions I’ve read in a long time. I was losing it
Profile Image for Sara Carrolli.
62 reviews137k followers
July 13, 2024
They had me giggling & kicking my feet so much I cannot wait to start the next one 🏃🏻‍♀️ 💨
Profile Image for Has.
33 reviews24 followers
October 13, 2023
It’s a five star read. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows it.

YOU GUYS!!!!! This book deserves more than 5 stars. I feel like I am not doing this book justice by giving it just 5 stars!!!!!! Liz has out done her self. This book is so amazing and so beautiful and so cute and so hot and so funny and wow. I cried, I laughed, and at the end I just stared at my ceiling with tears rolling down my face because it ended and I didn’t want it to end. Mile high was my top fave of Liz’s books but Caught Up tops it. I just. I’m speechless. Also can I just say her playlists are ALWAYS top tier and I don’t even listen to them often but hers always gets me.
Profile Image for logan.
384 reviews3,384 followers
October 8, 2023
the audacity to write a book that somehow rivals the right move??????
Profile Image for Lilyya ♡.
476 reviews2,910 followers
October 13, 2023
“ I simply stopped running when the two best boys I know caught me.“


i’m so disappointed and kind of sad that i didn’t love and enjoy this book as much as i wanted to. all the right ingredients were present to depict the perfect romance and with author’s writing i had no doubt that i would literally devour this story. my problem is; i felt no spark between the protagonists, no chemistry or alchemy. i didn’t root for them. i didn’t hate them but i didn’t love them either. everything felt bland for at least the first 70% of the plot but the 30% left got me all the feels and i wish it was sufficient to say i enjoyed this book.

however i have some complaints :
i don’t understand why the opening scene of the female protagonist’s point of view was about how she got harassed at her workplace and then why another female —kennedy— (working with the baseball team) had the exact same treatment with being sexualized in her work environment EVERYDAY by the mmc’s brother —Isaiah— -should act like it’s simple playfulness. the double standard is standarding.
and it’s obvious that the next book is about these two which is making me really uncomfortable.

"there’s not a guy on the team who doesn’t think she’s the best athletic trainer we have, but my brother can’t not flirt with her even if his life depended on it.”
so him begging her to rub and massage his dick whenever she has to give him a professional massage after a game is "flirting" huh, okay.

best part:

•the last 30%-20% of the book were gem. i loved every minute of them.
•Max —the kid— was the highlight of the book and i wish he talked more.
•the bond between the fmc and max was really precious.
•i wish the book was about the fmc’s dad or hope he’ll have his own book and his happily ever after. the man dropped everything including his promising career as a professional baseball player at 25yo when his girlfriend died and adopted her daughter—fmc— and treated her like his own. I NEED HIS OWN BOOK, HE DESERVES A HAPPY END.

“you just took a bite of one of those little cucumber sandwiches, looked her square in the eye, and said, ‘this is my dad.’ It was the first time you had ever called me that, and after the tea party I cried in your school’s bathroom for a solid thirty minutes.”[…]
“ It was one of the best days of my life. one of the scariest too, because that name holds so much weight. so much responsibility. and all I wanted to do was live up to it.“


•this cute moment and detail about Rayan and Indy’s weeding when they shared their vows got me literally sobbing.
“ Ryan and Indy speak with both their voices and their hands the entire time as well.”



———
IT’S FINALLY HERE!! so excited
October 28, 2024
book so boring it put me in a slump 😪

after the phenomenal experience that was The Right Move , i had huge expectations from our rich hot single daddy clark kent of baseball. this was one of my most anticipated reads this year and to say i am disappointed might be an understatement. caught up SUCKS. like eating a boiled egg with a ketchup SUCKS.

HOW CAN YOU GO FROM RYAN SHAY AND INDY IVERS TO THIS!?!?

god the urge to dnf this book was so strong but just because this is written by liz tomforde, i held myself back. dear lord, don't test me like that again 🙏

me asf the entire book:



hello liz?? where did you forget the chemistry????

nothing happens for the majority of this book. this was such a draaaaaaag fucking hell get these authors a decent editor.

miller. miller. miller. miller "i'm leaving in 2 months" miller. miller "i don't do attached" miller. miller "i don't wanna get settled" miller. i don't even understand what's such a big deal with her. she refuses to settle down. she is so adamant about forming relationships. at first i found her attachment issues relatable, but then it got annoying pretty quickly. not to belittle anyone's struggles and experiences, but i found her reason to be a nomad so dumb. trust me, i get her guilt of being successful because her father gave up his own career for her, you go girl do your thing!! BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T HAVE FRIENDS OR BE IN A RELATIONSHIP?? "the high end style of the restaurant does not allow chefs to settle down"- what!? i'm pretty sure gordan ramsey has a wife and kids out there. and i'm pretty sure you don't have more work hours than a doctor, who faces no issue in settling down. this reason is so stupid omfg.

ALSO, there's a thing called long distance relationship babe, in case you were unaware 😃😃😃😃😃

and then she was whining about not being able to keep up with the pressure of pleasing the critics, okay i get it. happens to the best of us. she does not want to work in someone else's restaurant, she wants to make the dishes she pleases to, for the people she loves- OKAY BIG FUCKING DEAL OPEN YOUR OWN GODDAMN PATISSERIE OR A RESTAURANT AND MAKE YOUR OWN NAME!! OWN YOUR OWN DISHES!! that doesn't make you any less of a chef. all the highly acclaimed chefs run their own restaurants. her bitching and moaning felt so senseless at one point that it started grating on my nerves LIKE GIRL IT AIN'T THAT DEEP FFS 💢

Isaiah gets me:-

“You and Miller, you both do things out of guilt and it’s annoying. You, because you didn’t want me to feel the effects of Mom dying and Dad leaving. And Miller because she’s trying to do all these big things to make up for Monty not being able to.”

this woman is so corny and for what? she has been dropping sexual comments on her BOSS since their first interaction. and ofc our sweet celibate kai, who hates nannies in general and who doesn't even think of anyone else except his kid max is BEWITCHED by her right in first look🙄 guess pretty privilege definitely takes you a long way cuz my ass would have been fired straight away.

i'm all about filthy witty banters but theirs was just corny. i like my romances with decent development and a sweet burning build up. if y'all are fuck-flirting since your first interaction, very well knowing how in contrast that is to the mc's character, it doesn't make your banter hot, it makes it cringe.

Hands in my pockets, I nod towards the opposite side of the house. “Come.”
“God,” she moans, head falling back. “I can’t wait to hear you say that in the bedroom.”


oooooohh she's so unhinged, she's such a badass, she's so bold 🤡🤡🤡🤡
this was only her second proper interaction WITH. HER. BOSS. LIKE???????? HOW DO YOU NOT CRINGE???????? WAS THIS THE PART WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HOOT AND WHISTLE???????? cuz i promise u i didn't get the memo

max is repellant to every woman but the very first time he meets miller he's throwing himself to her and kai is mesmerized by it bcz his son has never liked a woman before except miller, like how cliché can this get🙄

their "meet cute" was him firing another nanny and her walking into the elevator double-fisting two bottles of corona at 9am in the morning. but yeah kai, the overprotective dad who has fired far too many nannies that deems concerning atp, has no problem hiring this unqualified, inexperienced woman whose first impression was being a reckless alcoholic as his kid's nanny well because... she's our fmc 🤷‍♀️

right in the first chapter, we see miller getting sexualised by her workmate and how she quits her job because of it and the next chapter we see kai's entire teaming hooting "hot nanny" and behaving like a bunch of fucking cavemen who haven't seen a patch of skin in decades, but it's supposed to be sexy because 1. it's kai's team 2. it's a bunch of hot athletes.

kai rhodes. yawn 🥱. he's too bland to be called the clark kent of baseball. i get all the grumpy single dad attitude but bro the least you can do is not be boring 🥱

point to be noted, i don't hate either of the mc's, i just found them to be too bland and boring for my taste. and whiny too.

i failed to connect to either of their struggles. i feel their relationship could've been sorted out so easily only if they sat down, opened up about their feelings and sorted out a solution like normal mature adults. people with different career choices date all the time and they are no different. but NO we had to go through all the "this is just a fling", "let's not get attached", "let's not be in a relationship", "let's not do intimate moments" and then a fucking third act breakup all this to lead to a cheesy ass ending.

i did get all mushy and sappy at some parts, especially when max called her mama🥺 i love this kid sfm😩😭 i loved all his moments with miller, monty and the rest of the team. isaiah and kennedy are next in the series, and although they haven't gripped much of my attention but i'm still eager to read their book.

and the love confession dear lord 😫🤌

“Miller, you’re not just another person.” He won’t look at me, his attention locked on the ground, and I catch the first tear fall from under his glasses, hitting the floor. “You put me first when I forgot how to. You reminded me what it felt like to be important, to be chosen first. I know you wanted this to be easy and detached, but you’re fucking in here.” His fingers meet his chest, tapping it a couple of times, blue eyes meeting mine, and full of pain. “You’re everywhere, and when you leave tomorrow, I’ll still see you everywhere. In this kitchen. In Max’s room. In my bed. There’s nothing about us that’s easy. This is fucking miserable, Miller, knowing there’s a clock counting down the seconds until I don’t have you anymore, but I’d do it all over again. I’d fall in love with you all over again. I’d break my heart all over again because loving you was one of the two greatest surprises of my life.”

the typical liz tomforde effect. she's so good at writing over-sentimental scenes😩

“Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home . . . Make it with me.”

At the end of the day, i'm just a girl 👉👈🎀
Profile Image for maria.
183 reviews409 followers
September 22, 2024
જ⁀➴ 3

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“If you ever decide to stop running and make a home . . . Make it with me”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹


✧・゚: *✧・゚:* ✧・゚: *✧・゚:* ✧

edit: changed my rating from 3.75 to a solid 3 because I didn’t like it as much as I thought I did.

plot:

Kai Rhodes -the starting pitcher for the Chicago baseball team- is now a single dad after discovering that he has a baby. The team has given him every facility and one of them is that Max can travel with them but he needs a nanny, Kai has fired all of them. Monty -his coach- has no choice but to take matters into his own hands and decides to hire his daughter knowing that Kai can’t fire her.

Miller is a pastry chef who just won a prestigious award but now she’s feeling pressured to show that she’s worth the tittle, she takes a summer break to find back her passion for baking but ends up being the nanny for Max.

my thoughts:

I guess I have to be thankful that I didn’t love this book as much as I wanted because I finally found my desire to write a review🙌🏻

I am conflicted with the book because I loved everything (except miller), it is sweet, comforting and there’s more aspects to it besides romance. But unfortunately the repetitiveness (and miller lol) got the best of me.

Story wise is the best one of the whole series so far, the plot is not stupid and the way they got together makes sense.

My favorite thing about caught up is how it focuses on found family, I love books that have that trope and this one emphasizes really well the beauty of having friends who become your family and how they support you.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“I once assumed I didn’t have anyone there to celebrate the good moments with, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’ve had these guys the whole time”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹


I’m sad that I didn’t enjoy this how I wanted to, I was so excited to read it and I thought this would be the one that was going to get 5 stars in the series. To say that I’m disappointed is an understatement.

I feel like a heartless bitch because everyone was emotional on the last 20% of the book but that’s literally the time that I hated everything, I can’t explain it but after chapter 33 (76%) it was like a switch… I went from thinking “I want to be buried with this book” to “I want to burn this book” and those feelings were because of….🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁 miller

Something to keep in mind before starting this series is that every book is kind of insta-love/lust. I didn’t mind it on the previous books but in this one I disliked it a lot.

characters:

˚₊ · »-♡→ kai⚾️

⭑.ᐟ “He simply cared too much, loved too hard”


He can’t do wrong, I love him.
Kai was so supportive of everyone but also insecure of himself because he believes he’s not doing a good job raising Max, the way he started to see and realize that he really have people that care about him & Max and started to accept their help was beautiful.

He has spent most of his life giving everything to the people around him, he raised his younger brother by himself and then a baby suddenly appears and he also takes care of him without hesitation. He is selfless, kind and so considerate.

Getting to know Kai and seeing how much he cares about Max and the people he loves made me love him more.

5 stars for Kai and Max -the cutest baby ever- he gave me the worst baby fever I’ve had in my whole life.


˚₊ · »-♡→ miller🍪

She ruined the book for me.
I’m in the minority with this one but I have to express myself🤚🏻

Miller is annoying, I hate her, it started with being indifferent to her and sometimes liking her a little bit and then I just couldn’t stand her at all. She’s so childish, acted like a teenager instead of a 25-year old. I know that the whole thing between Kai and her started because “she was going to show him how to have fun” but I think she could have been a little more mature throughout the book. Like there’s more options other than having sex and getting drunk to have fun. Also every time Miller opened her mouth or it’s her pov I was irritated. I mean, the love confession from Kai was the cutest ever and I couldn’t even feel happy because it was on her pov😭 I was rolling my eyes while Kai was saying the sweetest things just because it was directed at her😔

Maybe I didn’t liked her because I don’t relate to her at all, but still, I think Kai deserves a better partner (me)🫢 I do know that Miller feels that she needs to stay on her job even thought she hates it because she thinks she is debt with Monty and that will make sense if amazing, wonderful, spectacular Monty made her feel like that, but he showed unconditional love for her and literally had a conversation at the beginning of the book about how he is happy with whatever makes her happy. So I don’t see where that problem of her comes from. Also she is like “ I feel bad for my dad” “he gave up his life for me” blah blah blah but she never tried to be with him, yeah they had a few scenes together but it was most of the time about Kai so how are you going to tell me you miss your dad when you are basically living in the same city for 2 months but didn’t tried to spend time with him without Kai being in the equation.

I was TIRED of the repetitiveness of “oh I’m leaving” “I can’t get attached to you” “I have so many problems“ “I need to go back to my job” like girl, you are a grown woman if you fell in love and don’t want to go back to your miserable job then DON’T DO IT. Or idk maybe you can talk it out and make it work with Kai without having to be SO dramatic. I guess she forgot that long distance relationships exists.

I’m sorry I honestly don’t understand her struggles but also she had ZERO character development until the very last chapter in my opinion. i know that I’m ignoring the fact that she have commitment issues and that that’s the whole point but apart from those behaviors that comes with that issue she was just straight up annoying. If it was only for her I would’ve gave this book 1 star also I feel like someone should have told her to go get some therapy because being that detached from everyone it’s not healthy at all.

Now I’m not going to lie, the scenes between Max and Miller were so cute and I really enjoyed the bond between them🫶🏻

˚₊ · »-♡→ kai & miller

Their chemistry was there… until it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong they were cute together, but I feel that it’s was one sided most of the time all the time. Kai was so vulnerable with her constantly and yes, she had a few scenes being vulnerable too but she will shut down the next day. Now thinking about it I started to be frustrated with their relationship after they had sex for the first time because of those dumb rules that Miller made, it started to look more of a sex deal between them rather than 2 people falling in love. The banter at the beginning was good but then i couldn’t enjoy it anymore because they were flirting since the first page and it got boring pretty fast.

I just don’t like how it went from “she’s not good for my baby, she’s drinking beer at 9a.m, I don’t like her” to “ohh yess im your baseball daddy” in a few pages PLEASE SPARE ME of insta lust.

I admit that they helped each other with their issues and discovered how to be the best version of themselves. But at that point I just wanted to see scenes of them individually with Max. I couldn’t care less about reading more scenes of Kai and Miller together.

[spoilers maybe‼️]
The third act breakup was so stupid, I don’t mind that she left because it was obviously going to happen but Kai and Miller just straight up ignoring each other and not even texting was ridiculous. So them suffering because they weren’t together was my last straw, like you are in pain because you miss the other??? I don’t know, maybe you could text or call. he called her and she was busy but then Kai just told whoever pickup the phone to not mention his call to her🙄 they would ask the people they have in common if they knew something new about the other, it was giving teenagers.

side characters:

˖౨ৎ˚₊ monty: the real mvp, I need his book right now

˖౨ৎ˚₊ rio: I was going to talk about him on my the right move review but I haven’t written it yet🫣 so I’m just going to say it here. I LOVE RIO he has been one of my favorite characters since I read mile high and I just adore every scene he appears on, his obsession with Ryan is hilarious and I can’t wait to read his book.

➳Overall, very cute but I can’t overlook how repetitive it was and the fact that I hated the fmc.
I’m 99.9% sure I would’ve enjoyed this more if I wasn’t reminded every 3 sentences that she was going to leave…. I got it the first 200 times.

I still recommend this book and the whole series because I think that they are worth it for the most part and I love this group of friends<3

🎧ྀི Kai & Miller mini playlistᰔ

⤷ shine ⟡ olly alexander
⤷ mutual ⟡ shawn mendes
⤷ make you mine ⟡ public
⤷ wonder ⟡ shawn mendes
⤷ youngblood ⟡ 5sos
⤷ mess it up ⟡ gracie abrams
⤷ pillowtalk ⟡ zayn

💌tropes:

ꨄ︎ opposite attracts
ꨄ︎ age gap (25-32)
ꨄ︎ coach daughter
ꨄ︎ single dad x nanny
ꨄ︎ baseball player
ꨄ︎ forced proximity

-‘๑’- some of my favorite quotes -‘๑’-

・❥・ “You’re my favorite person, Miller, and for once I had someone for me. I had someone taking care of me. After being alone for so long, I finally had someone looking out for me”

・❥・“You promised to help me find my balance in life. I thought I’d try to help you find your joy”

・❥・“Sometimes we can’t explain how or why we love who we love. We just do. You don’t really get to tell your heart what to do”

・❥・“I’d do anything for you,” I repeat. “You know that?”
“I think I’d do anything for you too”

・❥・“life is so much more than the money you make or the status of your job. It’s about chasing your joy”




ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.

I’M SO EXCITED TO READ ABOUT BASEBALL DADDY KAI AND MILLER🤭 single dad is one of my favorite trope so this better deliver🙂‍↕️
Profile Image for Brady Lockerby.
146 reviews84.2k followers
October 30, 2023
Kai is the blueprint and I’m obsessed with Miller 😭 Wow wow wow it’s been awhile since I’ve given a book like this 5 stars, but when it makes me laugh, cry, and smile, it’s very deserving. Loved it so much.
Profile Image for April (Semi-hiatus work is busy).
112 reviews205 followers
November 27, 2023
3.75 ☆


"I simply stopped running when the two best boys I know caught me.”


This was one of my most anticipated reads as Liz is a go-to author for me, but this one just didn't hit like I wanted or thought it would. This had so much potential, but there were just some moments that I couldn't agree with. Those moments are what made me give this a lower rating than what I wanted. I, however, still enjoyed it mostly. I just wanted and expected more.


Caught Up is the third book in the Windy City series. It is a single dad/nanny, he falls first and harder, forced proximity, found family baseball sports romance with banter that had me laughing, tension, and moments of tears from sadness and happiness both.


Malaki "Kai" Rhodes plays baseball for the Chigago Windy City Warriros and is having a hard time balancing between being a single parent and his career so much so that he has contiplated early retirement on many occasions. He has fired the latest nanny for his 15 month old son Max, another that didn't work out. It's then that his coach Monty has come up with an idea for his daughter to be the new nanny. That's where Miller Montgomery comes in. She has just quite her job as a pastry chef deciding to take a break and travel with her dad and will return back to work at the end of summer. Will Miller work out, or will he fire her too? And will she be able to leave them when summer comes to an end?


“Maybe he should loosen up every once in a while. He’s got a cute- ass kid and an even cuter smile when he shows it.”


I had the biggest smile plastered on my face the moment that the other couples appeared from the previous books. I ate up the moments that we got more of Ryan and Indy. I loved the moments with Rio and his humor. We do meet some new side chatacters. Monty, who is Miller's dad, I loved this man, and he deserves the world and his own happy ending in a book. We also met Isiah, who is Kai's younger brother and Kennedy, one of the teams trainers. I didn't care much for Isaiah with how he treats her. He sexually harasses her, and it's portrayed as being okay and is most definitely not. Then there is Max, who is the cutest little boy, and I adored every minute we got with him. He was a little show stealer that also stole my heart. The found family that is portrayed with not just Kai, Max and Miller but with all the previous couples, the new characters, and the entirety of the baseball team was so beautiful and I was living for it!


“You flirting with me, Montgomery?” “Have been since we met. You gonna start flirting back?”


Their chemistry is there until it's not. I'm not sure if that makes sense. It felt like it was strong when Miller put her guard down, but then she would pull away, and it felt like it faded away for her more for her at least. It happened when she would give the reminders that she is leaving at the end of summer. It was during these times that she annoyed me. I also had a love-hate relationship with her nickname for Kai "Baseball Daddy" because at first I loved it but then felt it was overused. Other than that, she is a strong woman who is just trying to make her dad proud with her accomplishments. I absolutely loved how she was with Max. Their times spent together were so precious. Especially the moments when she lets him help her bake. I fell for Kai right from the start he is stable, responsible, sweet, and the best dad who only wants the best for his son. He is the calm to Millers chaos. One of my favorite moments showcasing how sweet he is had me swooning. He helped Miller get her makeup off and applied her skincare before bed because she had gotten drunk with the girls. This just melted my heart.


"I’d fall in love with you all over again. I’d break my heart all over again because loving you was one of the two greatest surprises of my life.”


There is a third act breakup, but it's not unnecessary. I say that because we know it's coming. The premise around it was known throughout between both Kai and Miller. The last 20% of this hit so hard, but I loved it so much. I felt the emotions and heartbreak that they were both going through so deeply, making me a crying mess on multiple occasions. On a final note, I wish that we were getting Rio's book next, but we're getting Isaiah and Kennedy's, and I'm not sure how I feel about that yet.

~~~~~~~~

The way I want to drop my cr and read this RN! Maybe I'll take a break from my spooky season reads and read it next 🤭🤭
Profile Image for Gry ☾ (Semi-Hiatus).
138 reviews233 followers
September 11, 2024
4.5 ★'s

“Today was a good day.”
“They can all be good days.”


Are these books objectively on the longer side for romances? Yes, but this is the first one where I didn't mind at all and it even left me wanting more. I could read about Malakai, Miller & Max for days on end without getting bored. LOVE THEM!!

It’s one of the most important parts of life. Finding people that make your heart ache when they’re not around. Having a place to call home.

The lack of connection I felt to Ryan & Indy in The Right Move was found in tenfold here.
I saw myself in the characters, could feel with them in struggling with what past experiences has taught them and trying to be open to something new entering their lives. Something that might not have been what they expected or necessarily wanted, but what they both needed. ♥

Short plot insights:
Miller & Malakai are both at a point in their career where they've lost the love for their craft. Despite being experts in their individual fields, the excitement is gone, replaced by overwhelming pressure.
After winning 'Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year', Miller is crushed by her own high expectations, burned out from years of chasing achievements. Malakai, a dependable and grounded single father, feels his baseball career is pulling him away from his true priority—his son, Max. His life puzzle is no longer making sense, losing sight of himself and how to live. No longer knowing how to prioritise, how to be the best dad he can be, how to make life work.

They enter each others' lives at the perfect time and their connection is absolutely everythingggg. How it developed through the book was equally lighthearted and fun, as it felt genuine and real. Combining Miller's firecracker, no-filter, fun energy with Malakai's serious, single dad, steadfast - but can't help to be a flirt with Miller - energy made for such a good time. Even though their connection started in something akin to dislike and distrust, seeing that grow to such vast understanding and respect for one another was simply so heartwarming to see. Them being each others' number one supporters and helping the other achieve all they want out of life.

I rarely tend to mention the spice in my reviews, but it stood out to me in Caught up. It was so amazingly interconnected to everything else in the story and it felt so meaningful each time. It was a mix of tender, soft moments, and some extremely hot, sexy ones. I'm so down bad for Kai after reading all of that.😮‍💨

I loved reading and following the journey of them helping each other to find the joy in life, in each other and in their crafts. It was designed so beautifully and I will eat all the M&M crumbs I can get in Play Along.🤭

Windy City #1 - Mile High Review
Windy City #2 - The Right Move Review
Windy City #3 - Caught Up Review
Windy City #4 - Play Along Review
____________
⌞Pre-read:⌝

will y’all revoke my romance reader pass if I say this is my first single dad romance?🫣
Profile Image for ♥︎ Heather ⚔(Notification Issue).
799 reviews2,291 followers
July 5, 2024
DNF @58% I just can't. Idgaf about these characters and I can't stand the FMC.

Next up for contemporary romance/sports romance - I really hope Kai is as freaking delightful as Ryan.

Ayushi, Betty? Tea my loves?
🤭💖⚾
Profile Image for Ri ♡ .
427 reviews1,493 followers
July 28, 2024
4.75 stars

“With my name on her back and my son in her arms, Miller stands in the center of the field, looking like mine.”


I am finding my happy and comfort place in this series. Each new book in this series brings so much warmth, joy and contentment in my life. It's like being wrapped up in your favourite worn out cozy blanket on chilly autumn days and it's the best feeling ever.

Liz Tomforde and men written by her have a special place in my heart. She truly writes the best contemporary romances filled with swoon-worthy moments, wholesome and emotional found family moments, a hopeful and beautiful romantic story giving us all the soulmatism vibes. She is the queen of writing green flags and I am mesmerised by her ability to create characters like Ryan Shay and Kai Rhodes, who are the definition of gentlemen. This series is one of the healthy ones I have ever read.

“You think you can keep this casual, Mills?” I nod frantically, hoping to convince both of us. His laugh is silent but rumbles against me. “Best of luck to you with that.”


Liz portrayed unexpected responsibilities in life and how sometimes some people completely change the axis of your whole life, in this case it was Max and how him coming in Kai's life was the biggest yet the best thing to ever happen in such a realistic manner. To see their father-son relationship and how they have support, love and care from everyone around them was everything. I love it when kids in books are an essential part of the story and Max is one of most important part of Miller and Kai's story. He is the one who brought them together and deepened their emotional bonding. Their mundane and special family moments together were everything, especially, those baking lessons. I have a serious baby fever because of this book now because Max is the cutest and funniest kid ever.

“This wild woman is my son’s calm. And in a lot of ways, I think I might be hers.”


➸ Miller Montgomery is struggling in her career due to the burnout so she decided to become a nanny for Kai's son, Max, and to stay close with her dad. I love Miller's character so much. She is a badass woman, the life of the party, has witty banter skills and a reckless and wild side that just made me love her even more. But mostly she is compassionate for the people she loves and she'd do anything to protect them. And the way she fell in love with Max and Kai at the time? It was everything. I love her relationship with Max and it was sweet to see her develop this motherly bond with Kai's son when all she ever wanted was an unattached life but little did she know that she was about to be caught up by two boys who'll become her whole world.

“I have a new dream now. You and Max are my dream.”


➸ Kai Rhodes is my dream man. Single dads are my kryptonite and Kai is the definition of a dad and a gentleman. The man who loves with every fiber of his being. The way he is raising his son is commendable, and though he has his self-doubts and fears, he always tries his best for Max. Kai never felt enough since he became a dad, he was always the one who helped others and it was hard for him to ask for help from others and to see him get help from Miller without asking her because she's just amazing like that just made my heart swell. I liked how he came out of his 'I am just a dad' zone and remembered who he is as a person with Miller's help. The confident and self-assured man with a thoughtful and kind personality. And the things he did for Miller? How he was always so supportive of her career and how he helped her with her recipes. I couldn't help but love him in this book.

“If she’d let me have her, she’d be mine. I love the girl, and I try to show her through my actions, but if she ever gave me the green light, I’d tell her too.”


: ̗̀➛ Kai and Miller

Kai and Miller are soulmates for sure. Two people crossing paths for a two short months and discovering the meaning of love and family together. Kai who always felt alone in his responsibilities and Miller who is always striving for next goal in her life but never felt enough but they reminded each other how important and loved they are with flaws and all. They found something special and their own together and it was amazing to see them explore their growing love and grow together as a family. How Miller helped Kai feel more than just a dad and how Kai made sure Miller realised that she is loved and cherished and that her worth is not derived just from her career and goals. Also, the angst and impending decisions related to Miller's career only heightened the tension and connection between them. I love seeing them fall for each other but mostly I loved how Miller fell in love with Max and treated him as his own child all the time. I loved how they both showed and accepted each other's vulnerable facets of life and helped each other in figuring out their lives.

“Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home . . . Make it with me.”


Their romance is a balance of wholesome, spicy, vulnerable and emotional moments. It was exceptional and beautifully crafted with one of my favourite tropes of all time, single dad. The found family arc that is weaved in the core of this story giving it a very nostalgic and home like feeling. The slow-burn is exquisitely builded-up with the tangible and effervescent sexual tension and growing emotional intimacy and vulnerability between the main characters. To simply say, it was pure perfection.

“You’re my favorite person, Miller, and for once I had someone for me. I had someone taking care of me. After being alone for so long, I finally had someone looking out for me.”


This review won't be complete without me writing about Monty because this man is perfect! I need Liz to write his book because he deserves his own love story. He is the inspiration for all the dads in the world because he raised his girlfriend's daughter all by himself and even though he made many sacrifices he never stopped working hard for her and raised Miller with so much love and care. It takes love and efforts to be a dad.

“She’s not my blood, but she’s my girl,” Monty says from beside me. “And she looks at your boy, who is not her blood, in the same way I look at her.”


Their love confession is one of my favourite chapter because it was so beautifully written. The epilogue was perfect. Liz writes one of the best epilogues ever. I am so excited for Isaiah's book though I was not his biggest fan in this book. But accidental marriage in Vegas is a delicious trope and in Liz Tomforde we believe. She can do wrong in my eyes.

———————
Updating my rating bcs i cannot stop thinking about Malakai Rhodes and this damn book 🤭

Malakai Rhodes can wife me up any time🧎🏽‍♀️ this world will be a better place if only all the men were written by Liz Tomforde. RTC
——————
me 🫂 single dad romances
also mmc named kai never disappoints 😗
Profile Image for Jamie.
964 reviews217 followers
October 12, 2023
Are you looking for a 500 page book where the h pushes the H away for 465 pages (aka 91%), where they finally get together on page 485 (95% aka the end of the chapter before the epilogue)? Well then I’m happy to announce that this is the book for you!!

As someone who loves long books, I can honestly say, this book had no reason to be as long as it was. There was no character development with Miller and it was just the same thing every chapter of her pushing him away and reminding him she’s leaving and won’t consider staying.

Miller LITERALLY pushed the H away the ENTIRE book. I couldn’t find anything really sweet about this book because she always felt the need to remind that she was leaving and would not consider staying. And she did leave. Only convinced to go back (at 90 fucking something percent) by some random person. I actually hated miller. I don’t understand all the reviews that loved her because she just got under my skin with how she was so unbendable about being with Kai and max.

Kai was cool-ish but I felt bad that he was stuck with someone like miller.

Miller ruined what was my most anticipated book of the year. She was unbearable. After going from reading Indy and Ryan’s book (one of my favorite books) where it felt like they actually liked each other, to THIS where Miller just absolutely refused to be with Kai, was very jarring
Profile Image for glavreads.
431 reviews6,929 followers
October 10, 2023
SHE HAS DONE IT AGAIN. CONSTANTLY RAISING THE BAR.

UGH, this was so good. i am so obsessed with kai, miller, and their little family with max 😭

kai is having a very tough time adjusting to life as a single dad while managing a professional baseball career. but his coach, monty, won’t let him waste his potential and retire so he does everything he can to accommodate max. when kai’s most recent nanny doesn’t work out, monty commissions his daughter, a gourmet pastry chef on sabbatical, to fill in for the summer.

i honestly have no words for this story. i have too many words. ugh, i just loved it and them so so much. first, it starts out as a little grumpy sunshine because kai is so overprotective of his son and is VERY skeptical about miller’s abilities but over time, he falls head over heels and spends the rest of the time trying to convince her she has a place with them.

their chemistry and banter was off the charts. their flirting had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire book. AND GOD, the relationships they both had with max. kai had one of my favorite single dad stories ever. i am such a sucker for an mmc who loves to take care of everyone. and miller was so skeptical that she’d be a good nanny but became the absolute best and i just can’t 😭 she has a tendency to run and kai just wanted him and max to be the home she could always have.

liz’s spice is ALWAYS hot and you will be dying for these two to finally give in and when they do!!!!

there are so many amazing new characters in this book but also cameos and joyous future updates from our favorite couples. i’m DYING so isaiah and kennedy’s story. he was so so funny. but please, liz, god, mother nature, WHOEVER is listening, i NEED monty to have a story… preferably with me 🤪

liz just manages to always write such special stories with the most amazing characters and caught up is no exception. you will love it.
Profile Image for Christy.
4,275 reviews35.3k followers
February 5, 2024
5 stars
“Today was a good day.”

Caught Up was the perfect book for me. It had so many things I love in it. Single parent and nanny, the cutest kid ever, sports romance, baking (one of my favorite hobbies after reading), and all the emotions I love and crave in romance. Liz Tomforde has not just one (The Right Move is my #1 favorite book of 2023) but two books in my top favorites of 2023 because this one will be high up on the list!

Miller never planned to be a nanny. In fact, she is one of the top pastry chefs in her field, but she is burnt out and needs a break. She decides to go to Chicago to spend some time with her dad (who is a baseball coach) and that’s where she meets Malachi. Kai. Baseball Daddy.

Kai is a single dad and only wants the best for his son, Max. Because of that, he goes through nannies… one right after the other. He’s a pro baseball player and his team is supportive, but they need a nanny that will last the rest of the season. He’s skeptical when it comes to Miller Montgomery, but he loves Miller’s father so he gives her a try.

Miller + Kai + Max = everything. The romance between the couple is perfect, the relationship between Kai and his son was the most beautiful and heartwarming, and don’t even get me started on the bond that Miller develops with Max. It’s the best thing ever. When Max honestly this is everything I want in a romance. I’ll take no criticism with this book it’s as close to perfect as they come.

I’m honestly obsessed with this book and this series as a whole. I have a feeling who the 4th book will be about (confirmed that Rio will be the 5th) and I’m stoked to keep reading about these characters. This is one of those books that I know I’ll find myself rereading time and time again!
“They’re all going to be good days.”

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 5 stars
Narrators: Megan Wicks & Alex Kidd
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Sports Romance
Length: 14h 50m
Profile Image for siff ♡.
146 reviews1,133 followers
October 21, 2023
➵ 4 stars
“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙆𝙖𝙞 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.”


i think this book was exactly what i needed after mp2, an easy, quick, good read. plus i think this book might have saved me from a reading slump, so for that reason alone i love it. i’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews on this book, and although i can understand why some people wouldn’t like it, i just simply loved it. there’s actually many mixed reviews on this whole series, and some people might find liz’ books boring, or cringe, etc. i just find them relaxing, funny, and nice in some kinda way. i can just completely turn my brain off when reading this series, i don’t have to think at all. easy and simple writing, funny characters, the found family, it’s just everything i need from a book like this.

summary:
kai is the starting pitcher for chicago’s MLB team (baseball), but being the starting pitch for the team is hard for kai, especially because he’s raising his son max too. being there for his son has always been kai’s first priority, therefore he keeps firing all his son’s nannies. the teams coach monty is tired of kai firing every nanny within 2 weeks, so he gives kai a nanny he can’t just fire, his own daughter miller who just came to chicago for the summer, because she needed a break from her job.

characters:
miller montgomery / mills 👩🏻‍🍳
i found miller’s character so entertaining, she kinda reminds me of willa grant, from heartless by elsie silver, (i’m just now realising that willa also was a nanny lmao) miller was funny, no filter, passionate, etc. i enjoyed her character really much, and could relate to her in some ways. she’s also very closed off, relationship and friendship wise, and doesn’t get attached to people, because she never stays at one place for very long because of her job. she’s always doing the best she can, and are always trying to make her dad proud, because he quit his job for her, you’ll find out the whole backstory in the book i’m too lazy to explain why right now.

“𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙢. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨.”


malakai rhodes / kai / baseball daddy ⚾️
first of all, can we just appreciate his full name “malakai” for a minute ughh, it’s so hot istg. this man is the definition of a good man, and a good dad. he was funny, reliable, respectful, responsible, etc. total dilf material, just saying. he was always so scared and nervous about not being a good enough father for his son (he was literally perfect). and the way this man treated miller was literally perfect, even tho he fell completely in love with miller, he never begged her to stay, he wanted to tho but he never did, because he didn’t want her to give up her dream job, because of him. and for not to talk about this man’s communication skills, omfg it’s so hot when a man can communicate very hard to find in real life btw. he literally helped miller take off her make-up because she was drunk, he literally ASKED if he could help take off her make-up blushing and giggling omfg. i could write a book about how perfect this man is, but i won’t so i’ll stop my rambling now.

“𝙃𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚.”


miller and kai’s bantering was so funny and entertaining, i absolutely loved it. and gosh the tension between these two in some scenes was just perfect, i literally gobbled those scenes right up ! and while they had their fair share of funny moment too, the also had a lot of absolutely adorable moments my vision got a little blurry sometimes i won’t lie. the way they took care of each other, and respected each other gahh I WANT THAT !

the side characters were all amazing, max kai’s son, monty miller’s dad and kai’s coach, isaiah kai’s brother and his teammate, zanders and stevie from the first book “mile high”, rio zanders teammate, ryan and indy from the second book “the right move”.

i’m not gonna give this book a five star despite all my rambling about how much i loved it, and the answer is pretty simple; I don’t think it deserves a five star i’m trying to be a little more critical, and not give five stars out like candy on halloween. i can’t give you an exact reason to why this wasn’t a five star for me, other than i don’t feel like it deserves a five star. it was very predictable, and the writing was very normal and not anything special. i’d say read this book if you liked the first two in the series, if not then don’t <3

favorite moments:
“Miller?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re sexualizing me in your mind right now, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.”


“Kai, I am not your problem.”
”Be my problem.”


“Are you going to kiss me?”
“Thinking about it.”
“What happened to your no-more-kissing rule?”
“Wanting to break it.”


“She might break your heart.”
“I’ll love her anyway.”


“…but I’d do it all over again. I’d fall in love with you all over again. I’d break my heart all over again because loving you was one of the greatest surprises of my life.”

i’m swooning all over again, over here omfg

tropes; baseball romance, single dad x nanny, age gap, forced proximity, one bed, and found family

------
preview:
despite all the mixed reviews, i think i’m gonna eat this up 🍽️
i’m still reading mp2 but i need something cute and not so toxic and complicated whilst reading it or else i might just kms 😭
Profile Image for Mareeva.
382 reviews9,133 followers
Read
October 11, 2023
dnf 25%

Incredibly bored.

I don't understand what their relationship is meant to be. They aren't friends, they aren't enemies, they aren't even frenemies. The insta-lust was pretty much instantaneous, so they are stuck in this weird courting limbo where they flirt heavily but never do anything about it. And that would be fine if it didn't feel so fruitless, considering all they do is mentally fuck eachother all day but there is no tension to speak of.

This is so long and for what? If this is what it's gonna be like for the rest of the book, then Imma go ahead and listen to the wise words TJ had said to me:

"I'd recommend finishing it to most people but prob not you" 🤡

thank you bae, although I am mildly offended you were right.
Profile Image for Larissa Cambusano.
548 reviews10.4k followers
October 22, 2023
4.5 ⭐️!!!!!!!!!

miller. wow. she was one of my favorite mc’s ever??? she was hilarious, witty, fun, but still had her issues that we got to see her work through!!! obsessed.

and kai <333 oh baseball daddy. it took him so long to open up but when he did.. slay.

and that ENDING??? i’m sobbing.
i need the next book… and i need it IMMEDIATELY.

“this was a good day.”
“they could all be good days.”
Profile Image for paula ♡.
91 reviews192 followers
November 24, 2024
5 ⭐

Liz Tomforde has done it again 🥹

I think that the day this saga ends I will cry a lot. I love these characters so much that I still don't believe there are only 2 books left to say goodbye to all of them.

Kai and Miller will have a place in my heart forever. And always seeing the characters from previous books again is something incredible... I can't wait to read Isaiah and Kennedy's book in June 😭❤️
Profile Image for youssra.
118 reviews872 followers
Currently reading
November 26, 2024
𖥔 ࣪ ˖🍓Pre-read ᯓᡣ𐭩

Single dad x nanny? Sign me uppp. Pls be good bc i have high expectations 🕯️🤍
Profile Image for cherie ^_-★ (semi-ia).
105 reviews659 followers
Currently reading
November 25, 2024
pre-read 🌆:

the single dad trope isn’t really my thing (i’ve never read a single dad romance before 🫢), but i’m in the mood for a romance book right now and i’ve been loving this series so far, so i’m willing to give this one a shot!
Profile Image for cece (cassius’s version).
103 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2024
2024: Changing this to one star because people keep liking this review and it’s just a reminder of how much I hated this book.

————————————————————————————

DNF at 58%- life’s too short to put up with reading more of Miller Montgomery…

I’m free of ever having to read the phrase “Baseball Daddy”! I prayed for times like this.

Both of the mc’s are way too dramatic for their own good. “Baseball daddy” was so cringe. Miller is just “not like other girls 🤪”. There’s just zero connection between these two characters.

1 star for Monty and 1 star for Max. They made this book bearable for the amount that I read, idk what else to tell you…

This book did not, in fact, slap.

Maybe I’ll pick up and try again but not anytime soon…

————————————————————————————

We all know this book is gonna slap
Profile Image for Kara.
55 reviews4 followers
October 12, 2023
Miller Montgomery hate club
Profile Image for Ashley.
484 reviews2,060 followers
January 11, 2024
♾️⭐️

133 highlights, 14 crying sessions, & plenty of laughs later….

This might be my favorite romance book…. Ever. I have literally never cried this much in a romance book (that’s technically not supposed to make you cry) if that makes sense 🥹

I am absolutely blown away. Like this series is GOLD. But, this book KNOCKS the first two out of the water.

I am in love with Kai and Miller. They are BOTH top tier mmc/fmc’s.

I’m already planning a reread because this book is absolutely everything. The relationship between Miller and Monty. The relationship between Miller and Max 🥹🥹🥹 The LOVE and support from Kai for Miller. Like … omg I was a mess the entire book.

Did I send a 9 minute video to my friends of me crying? YES. Am I planning to already reread this book sometime later this year? ALSO YES.

Simply, in love. 💗

✨sports romance, baseball
✨single dad
✨nanny
✨forced proximity
✨coaches daughter
✨found family
Spice: 3 / 5
Cry meter: 3.5 / 5


“With my name on her back and my son in her arms, Miller stands in the center of the field, looking like mine. She should be mine. Ours.”

“Today was a good day. They could all be good days.”
Profile Image for luna_inthesouth.
141 reviews408 followers
July 19, 2024
I need Malakai like I need AIR!
How is it like every Kai in books is this swoon-worthy, it's not fair!!

4 stars 🌟







------------------
pre-read

i feel left out that everyone is reading play along, so started this one!😂😭
Profile Image for Noa.
533 reviews537 followers
May 29, 2024
"You promised to help me find my balance in life. I thought I'd try to help you find your joy."

Kai Rhodes is the starting pitcher for Chicago's Baseball Team.
And he is also a single dad.
None of the nannies that he has had the past couple of months have worked out.
He always let them go.
But now Kai doesn't have a choice.
Because the new nanny…
Well, she just happens to be the coaches' daughter, Miller Montgomery.
She's only here for the summer.
And Kai needs to remember that.

"Because with Miller Montgomery, my coach's daughter, standing in my kitchen looking like that, I'm afraid something very dangerous has already gotten in."

Miller Montgomery is one of the most successful chef's in the industry.
At only 26 she is booked so far in advance but she can't create anything new.
Deciding to take a break, she goes to Chicago, to her dad.
Miller ends up becoming the nanny for Kai Rhodes' little boy.
She is only here for the summer and this is only a job.
Isn't it?

"Take care of them, but don't give them someone to miss."

Miller Montgomery needs a break. Kai Rhodes needs a nanny. Just one summer. That's all. At least that's what they think.

"Little does she know I couldn't make myself ignore her if I tried."

Liz Tomforde legit has a direct line to my bank account and this book is just another example of why.
I am legit typing this while sobbing and I am not apologizing.
And the Zanders and Ryan cameos were everything. And Isaiah and Kennedy OMFG I cannot WAIT for their book!!
"Caught Up" is an amazing follow up and instalment to the "Windy City Series" and I am here for all of it!!

"I want her. I want her for a lot longer than she plans on being here, and if there's any part of her that'd be willing to want me in return, I'll be selfish as fuck and take her."

First up we have Kai Rhodes, the starting pitcher for the Chicago MLB team. The Clark Kent hype is REAL!!! I am obsessed. Now now, before everything I want to clarify Evan Zanders and Ryan Shay are still top tier not even joking but Kai Rhodes has just joined the list people. I mean the way he cares for Max is everything and the protectiveness is so yummy I legit gobbled it all up!! Obsessed, obsessed, obsessed!!

"If you're going to start coming to my games, I better see Rhodes on your back and I'm not talking about my brother."

"If you're as terrible of a listener in the bedroom as you are in real life, Miller, I can promise you this, you wouldn't be allowed to come."

And we have Miller Montgomery. Just getting this out of the way, we all knew it was coming. She can run over me with her green Mercedes van and I will replenish her whole makeup and skincare routine. PEOPLE SHE IS THAT GIRL!!! Does she have insecurities? Yes. Is she an overachiever? Yes. Did I legit sob at any and every scene she had with Monty? Absolutely! My heart broke for her and yet she was still a complete and utter badass and all of her quips, comebacks, and innuendos were everything!!! I am obsessed with her just as with Kai. I give equal opportunity to all my obsessions thank you very much.

"You and me, Malakai, will never be done playing hard to get."

This playlist is the bomb I love it so much!! Legit flew through me and I am not apologizing thank you very much!!

(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4K9... )

🎵 "Mind Over Matter" - Young the Giant
🎵 "Without You" - David Guetta, Usher
🎵 "Dazed & Confused" - Ruel
🎵 "eyes don't lie - sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "What Baking Can Do" - Waitress: The Musical
🎵 "the AUDACITY" - emlyn
🎵 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎵 "Invisible Battles" - Carolina Rial
🎵 "I Feel Like I'm Drowning" - Two Feet
🎵 "Stick Season" - Noah Kahan
🎵 "Almost There" - Anika Noni Rose
🎵 "QUARTER LIFE CRISIS" - Taylor Bickett
🎵 "Cruel Summer" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "Wild Ones" - Flo Rida, Sia
🎵 "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" - Edison Lighthouse
🎵 "Superstition" - Stevie Wonder
🎵 "Style (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "Youngblood" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎵 "Let Me Down Slowly" - Alec Benjamin
🎵 "Wonder" - Shawn Mendes
🎵 "HEAVEN AND BACK" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "Stay" - Zedd, Alessia Cara
🎵 "STAY" - The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber
🎵 "Lean On Me" - Bill Withers
🎵 "You Are Enough" - Sleeping At Last
🎵 "Nervous" - The Neighborhood
🎵 "boyfriend" - Ariana Grande, Social House
🎵 "Dangerous Hands" - Austin Giorgio
🎵 "Collide" - Justine Skye
🎵 "Nonsense" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎵 "Swim" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "Silence" - Marshmello, Khalid
🎵 "Consequences" - Camila Cabello
🎵 "Too Close" - Alex Clare
🎵 "She Looks So Perfect" - 5 Seconds Of Summer
🎵 "Trouble" - P!nk
🎵 "Guys My Age" - Hey Violet
🎵 "older sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎵 "golden hour" - JVKE
🎵 "Adore You" - Harry Styles
🎵 "ocean eyes" - Billie Eilish
🎵 "I Think He Knows" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "Slow Down" - Chase Atlantic
🎵 "There You Are" - ZAYN
🎵 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎵 "Don't Give Up On Me" - Andy Grammer
🎵 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎵 "birthday cake" - Dylan Conrique
🎵 "Crash My Car" - COIN
🎵 "Delicate" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "People Watching" - Conan Gray
🎵 "A.D.I.D.A.S" - Little Mix
🎵 "This City" - Sam Fischer
🎵 "Love Don't Die" - The Fray
🎵 "CHRONICALLY CAUTIOUS" - Braden Bales
🎵 "Homesick" - Noah Kahan
🎵 "Share Your Address" - Ben Platt
🎵 "Forget Me" - Lewis Capaldi
🎵 "Achilles Heel" - J. Maya
🎵 "Please Don't Leave Me" - P!nk
🎵 "…Ready For It?" - Taylor Swift
🎵 "You Get Me So High" - The Neighborhood
🎵 "Holy" - Zolita
🎵 "Paris" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎵 "I Think I'm In Love" - Kat Dahlia
🎵 "Poison" - Rita Ora
🎵 "The Power Of Love" - Olly Dobson
🎵 "Runnin' Home To You" - Grant Gustin
🎵 "Lovesick In Public" - Zoe Ko
🎵 "Good Enough" - Little Mix
🎵 "Nothing Compares 2 U" - Sinead O'Connor
🎵 "If Only" - Dove Cameron
🎵 "Unconditionally" - Katy Perry
🎵 "I Wanna Be Yours" - Arctic Monkeys
🎵 "Fallin' For Ya" - Grace Phipps
🎵 "Car Lights" - James Marriott
🎵 "In Case You Don't Live Forever" - Ben Platt
🎵 "Heart to Break" - Kim Petras

And the amount of times I had to fan myself over Kai, god help us all people I swear to you…

"Goddamn, who knew you'd sound so pretty when you whine?"

"Are you clenching on my finger already, Miller? I've barely started and you're desperate, huh?"

"That's it. Ride my hand, Miller."

🧁 Tropes 🧁

⚾ Single Dad Romance
⚾ Coach's Daughter
⚾ Sports Romance - Baseball
⚾ Age Gap (7 Years)
⚾ Single Dad x Nanny
⚾ Grumpy x Sunshine
⚾ One Bed

"Life is about finding your joy, living in a way that brings you and others happiness."
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