Series Review - Windy City

I've never read a series that just continued to get better & better with each book, until this one. Typically, you have a few ups & downs as you make your way through, but I genuinely loved each book more than the last.

The Windy City series follows the romantic lives of 4 professional athletes based in Chicago. It is technically another series of interconnected standaolne novels, but they just flow so beautifully when you read them in their publishing order. The characters are all intertwined throughout all 4 books & it was truly something special to be able to continue each of the storylines as another developed.

The books all had a decent amount of spice, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming & they were all plot driven.

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BOOK 1 - MILE HIGH

STEVIE & ZANDERS

RANKING IN SERIES - 4th

SYNOPSYS

Evan Zanders is the star defenseman for Chicago's NHL team with a playboy reputation. Stevie Shay, the new flight attendant on the team's private charter plane needs to be reminded that she works for him & not the other way around.

REVIEW

I wasn't overly in love with the characters in this one. While they each had their charms, I just didn't feel connected to either of them. I did like how the characters actually dealt with their individual trauma in order to become better versions of themselves for the sake of future relationships. I will say that it was a cute story & a good opening for the rest of the series. It did a great job establishing the core characters, while giving glimpses of characters to come.

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BOOK 2 - THE RIGHT MOVE

INDY & RYAN

RANKING IN SERIES - 3rd

SYNOPSYS

When Indy Ivers' life comes crumbling down around her, she finds herself crashing with her best friend's brother, Ryan Shay, who just so happens to be the starting point guard for Chicago's NBA team. The could not be more different, where she brings life & colour, he is stoic & monochrome. They quickly discover they might be the solution to each other's problems - he needs to appear to have more of a work-life balance & she needs a date to her friend's wedding. Why not fake a relationship?

REVIEW

I'm really glad I kept going with the series - this book was ridiculously sweet. I loved how different both main characters were & the way they used their differences to help each other. I'm a big fan of the fake dating trope, so this book was an automatic 'yes' for me. She brought light into his life & he helped her learn how to be independant. I always say "it's the little things" & Ryan was the definition of the little things.

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BOOK 3 - CAUGHT UP

MILLER & KAI

RANKING IN SERIES - 2nd

SYNOPSYS

Starting pitcher for the Windy City Warriors, Kai Rhodes has found himself heading into another season, this time with his 15 month old son in tow & no one he trusts to watch him. After firing multiple nanny's, his coach decides to bring on his daughter, Miller, in the hopes that she can help him while spending a little time with her old man. It's a temporary arrangement with no strings attached, her preference. She has big dreams & plans waiting for her at the end of the summer so a quick little break hanging out with the team's single dad & his adorable son should be a piece of cake.

REVIEW

I don't know if it's the "mom" part of my brain that had me so head-over-heels in love with this book or if it was truly just that well written. Watching MIller's relationship with Kai's son, Max, develop was just so beautiful. It did a great job showcasing the love of a parent while highlighting how many people it truly takes to rasie a child + support the parent(s). Great banter with the perfect mix of sappy moments. This one had me in tears multiple times.

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BOOK 4 - PLAY ALONG

KENNEDY & ISAIAH

RANKING IN SERIES - 1st

SYNOPSYS

Isaiah Rhodes & his teammates are out in Vegas to kick off the start of another MLB season when he runs into his crush of 3 years (& the team's trainer) Kennedy Kay. After too much tequila, they wake up the next morning, married with very little memory of how or why. Their plans to annul the marriage come to a crashing halt when they discover she's at risk of losing her job before she can apply elsewhere. So they decide to put on a show for the sake of her carreer under the premise that they'll divorce at the end of the season & part ways. They just have to make it look real for 6 months.

REVIEW

I truly did not think it would continue to get better until it did. The small glimpses I got of Isaiah's character in the other books didn't really have me all that interested, but that very quickly changed once I started this book. I could not put it down. I read over half of it in one sitting & would have kept going if it wasn't 2am. Watching him care for Kennedy & help her understand that she wasn't the problem in her failed engagement was just the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I loved her character & how she grew throughout the book. Seeing them fall completely head over heels for each other was truly the most adorable thing in the world. If I could re-read this book a million times, I would. It has made it to the top of my "would give anything to read of the first time" list & has a very promonent position near the top.

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BOOK 5 - REWIND IT BACK

RIO & HALLIE

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 24, 2025

SYNOPSYS

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK BUT IF IT FOLLOWS THE SAME PATTERN AS THE REST I AM IN FOR A REAL TREAT!