As 2024 truly has been my romance year, I read many novels within this genre. One of the series I started was “Windy City” by Liz Tomforde. Whereas I enjoyed both Mile High and The Right Move, it took me a while to continue with the third book, Caught Up. I knew I had to catch up as the final book in this series is about to be out in the world. The previous books really surprised me in terms of character growth, chemistry, dynamics and enjoyment. I therefore expected no less from this sports romance. Were my expectations met or did this book start to feel pretty formulaic to me now?

About the book

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde
Series: Windy City #3
Published by Hodder & Stoughton on November 23, 2023
Pages: 470
ISBN: 9781399728591
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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. 
 

My review

In line of enjoying the previous books in this series, my expectations were pretty high. I love the way Tomforde portrays her characters and how much growth they undergo. At first, I’m always a bit hesitant to get to know them, but once the story progresses, they turn out to work really well individually and together. I expected no less from this novel. Even though this series is a sports romance one, the focus shifts more to the characters and the sports they play is just a thing they do instead of being their major character trait we often witness in this kind of romances.

In terms of characters and their elaboration, my expectations are definitely met. Admittedly, I had to warm up to both Kai and Miller, because they didn’t immediately speak to me. I found it really hard to see the chemistry and I was wondering how this would affect the romance. The forced proximity trope is pretty existent here as Miller has to spend a lot of time with kai as she’s working as a nanny for his son Max. She struggles in life as she thought her career would mean everything to her and the kind of gypsy life without having a place to call home would suit her forever. However, when she needs a break, she takes on this nanny job which is something completely different. Kai is not the easiest person to be around. He – understandably – wants only the best for his son and as a single dad who also has to maintain a professional sports career, he is quite picky in choosing Max’ nanny’s. Many of them don’t stay long because he fires them due his unsatisfaction. He even wasn’t too fond of Miller. However, when Miller and Kai spend more time together, the chemistry becomes visible and I could see their romance blooming. Although it’s all a bit predictable, they undergo a lot of growth both individually and together. They are not my favourite couple, but they have been written well. Furthermore, many of our familiar faces show up and we also got to meet new characters.

As this book is character driven, the plot is subordinate to the characters and is there to support them every step of the way. I think this particular plot felt a bit formulaic and repetitive somehow because there is not much at stake. I expected this though, because it’s a romance which should be character driven. However, Tomforde’s writing style makes it worth it. This story is alternately told by Miller and Kai, with a POV switch every chapter. The character growth intrigued me in the end, and I was able to finish this book pretty quickly. The chapters aren’t too long, which is good for a romance. Even though this book is nearly 500 pages long, it doesn’t feel like that as the writing is so easy and smooth. I just wasn’t too fond of the predictability of the plot and therefore think the book is a little formulaic, but the characters and their growth intrigued me. If you’re not a fan of too much spice, this book is suitable for you. When I have to rate the spiciness of this book, I think it’s average. At the start there’s no spice, but the level increases once the story progresses. However, it adds up to the story and the deepening of the relationship between Miller and Kai.

Even though I noticed the predictability and formula creeping in, I still had a good time reading Caught Up by Liz Tomforde. Whereas this is a sports romance, the sport is subordinate to the characters and their growth. I have to admit that it took me a while for me to warm up to main characters Kai and Miller, but once the story progresses, their chemistry becomes more visible to me. The writing is smooth and easy to follow, it doesn’t feel like you’re reading a nearly 500 pages long romance novel. The plot is predictable but is there to support the characters in both their individual growth and the deepening of their relationship. I am definitely curious for Play Along, because I hope one of the main characters in that instalment will redeem themselves since my first impression of them wasn’t too good in this book.