Make The Play By Kaylee Ryan Book Review

I finished Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan and honestly, I think it’s a solid pick if you love sports romance, forbidden love, or you enjoy her other books. This book kicks off the Nashville Rampage series and focuses on a secret romance that really hooked me.

I checked the ratings, too—Kaylee Ryan’s book sits at a 3.8 average from over 1,500 readers, which beats most similar sports romances.

If you like stories with tension, heart, and a bit of rule-breaking, you might want to give this one a shot.

Key Takeaways

Make the Play is a quick and simple sports romance. The characters feel real and have strong chemistry.
The secret romance and football world make the story exciting. Even people who do not like football can enjoy it.
The story is a bit easy to guess and sometimes slow. But the feelings and sweet parts make it worth reading.

Overview

Plot

I jumped into Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan expecting a typical sports romance, but the forbidden love twist pulled me in fast. The story follows Corie Reynolds, who falls for Knox Beckett—her brother’s best friend and a star on the Nashville Rampage football team.

Their romance has to stay a secret, which adds a lot of tension and excitement. I found myself rooting for them, even when I knew things could get messy. The book mixes football action with stolen moments and secret texts, making every chapter feel like a new risk.

Main Characters

Corie and Knox both felt real to me. Corie is smart, stubborn, and not afraid to stand up for what she wants. Knox is loyal, protective, and has that classic athlete charm. I noticed that I connected with them because they seemed like people I could actually meet.

Research shows that readers get more attached to characters when they feel similar to them or find them attractive, and I definitely felt that here. The chemistry between Corie and Knox is strong, and their personalities make the romance believable.

Readers often engage more with characters who:
- Feel present and real in the story
- Seem physically and mentally attractive

Setting

The Nashville Rampage football team gives the story a fun, energetic backdrop. I liked how the author used the team’s world to create both excitement and obstacles for the couple. The locker room scenes, game days, and team drama all made the romance feel more intense.

Even if you don’t know much about football, the setting helps you feel the stakes and the thrill of keeping secrets. Since this is the first book in the series, you don’t need to read anything else to enjoy it.

Strengths

Writing Style

I’ll be honest, I read Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan in one sitting. The writing just flows. Kaylee Ryan uses short chapters and snappy dialogue, which kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime. I never felt bogged down by heavy descriptions or slow scenes. Instead, every chapter felt like it moved the story forward.

Tip: If you like books that don’t waste your time, you’ll appreciate this style.

The banter between Corie and Knox made me smile, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling forced. It’s the kind of writing that feels easy to read but still packs a punch.

Character Development

Corie and Knox both surprised me. They aren’t just cardboard cutouts of “girl next door” and “star athlete.” Corie stands up for herself, even when it means risking her heart. Knox isn’t just a tough guy—he’s thoughtful and genuinely cares about Corie’s feelings.

I noticed their growth as the story went on:
- Corie learns to trust herself.
- Knox faces his fears about love and loyalty.
Their choices felt real, not just plot devices.

I found myself rooting for them, even when they made mistakes. That’s rare for me in sports romance. Most of the time, I roll my eyes at the drama, but here, I actually cared.

Romance

The chemistry in Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan is off the charts. I’m talking about those scenes where you feel your heart race a little faster. The forbidden aspect—her brother’s best friend—adds a layer of tension that kept me hooked.

The romance never felt rushed or fake.
Every stolen glance and secret text made me want to see what would happen next.

I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know if they’d get caught or finally admit their feelings. The buildup is slow enough to feel real, but not so slow that you get bored.

Emotional Impact

This book surprised me with how much it made me feel. I laughed, I got frustrated, and I even teared up once or twice. The emotional highs and lows felt genuine, not just thrown in for drama.

Readers on Goodreads seem to agree—over 1,500 ratings and a 4.27 average is no joke for a sports romance.

I noticed that stories like this one, with strong emotional arcs, tend to leave readers feeling more positive and in control. Research shows that books with higher emotional “valence” and “dominance” scores make people feel good and empowered after reading. That’s exactly how I felt when I finished the last page.

Quick Recap of What Worked:
- Fast-paced, easy-to-read writing
- Characters who actually grow
- Sizzling, believable romance
- Real emotional payoff

Weaknesses

Predictability

I have to admit, I saw a lot of the twists coming in Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan. The forbidden love angle—falling for your brother’s best friend—felt familiar. I’ve read plenty of sports romances that follow this path. Research on hundreds of romance novels shows that most stick to a predictable arc.

The story usually starts slow, builds up the drama, and peaks with big emotional moments. This book fits that pattern. If you want a story that shocks you or flips the script, you might not find it here. Sometimes, I wished for a surprise that never came.

Pacing

The pacing in Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan worked for me most of the time, but I did notice a few slow patches. Some chapters felt like they dragged, especially in the middle. I’ve seen this in other romance books, too.

Studies show that pacing often follows a curve—fast at the start and end, but slower in the middle. I found myself skimming a few scenes, waiting for the next big moment. If you like a story that moves fast all the way through, you might get a little impatient.

Audience Fit

This book hits all the classic sports romance notes. That’s great if you love those tropes, but it might not work for everyone. If you want something totally new or dislike secret relationships, this one could feel too safe. I’d say Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan is best for readers who enjoy comfort reads and don’t mind knowing what’s coming next.

Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan Compared

Similar Books

I’ve read a lot of sports romances, so I can spot the usual patterns. If you’ve picked up books like The Deal by Elle Kennedy or The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata, you’ll notice some familiar beats here. Both of those books have strong athletes, slow-burn tension, and a bit of forbidden love.

But Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan stands out for a few reasons:

The football setting feels more real. I could almost hear the crowd and smell the turf.
The secret romance with her brother’s best friend adds a layer of risk that kept me on edge.
The story works as a standalone, so you don’t need to read anything else first.

If you want a book that mixes sports, family drama, and a romance that feels risky, this one hits the mark.

Series Context

This book kicks off the Nashville Rampage series, but I didn’t feel lost at all. The story wraps up nicely, so you don’t have to worry about cliffhangers. I’ve read some of Kaylee Ryan’s other books, and she always nails the chemistry between her leads. Here, she brings that same spark but adds more football action and team dynamics.

You can jump in with Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan and not miss a thing.
If you like it, you’ll probably want to check out the next books in the series.

I have to give props to the way this book balances romance and sports. It’s not just about the game or the love story—it’s both.

Reader Experience

Emotional Engagement

I have to admit, this book pulled me in more than I expected. I found myself reading late into the night, just to see if Corie and Knox would finally get caught or confess. My heart raced during their secret meetings. Sometimes, I even caught myself grinning at my phone like a total goof. The story made me feel like I was right there on the sidelines, watching everything unfold.

I laughed at the banter.
I got frustrated when things went wrong.
I felt a little sad when the characters struggled.

I noticed that stories with strong emotional moments stick with me longer. It’s like cheering for your favorite team and feeling every win or loss. Deloitte’s survey shows that fans who feel connected to the experience are more likely to come back for more. That’s exactly how I felt finishing this book—like I wanted to read the next one right away.

Entertainment Value

If you want a book that keeps you turning pages, this one delivers. The short chapters and quick dialogue made it easy to keep going, even when I should have been sleeping. I never felt bored, even during the slower parts. The football scenes added excitement, and the romance kept things interesting.

The story gave me a break from real life.
I felt happy and entertained, which is what I look for in a good read.
Fans, especially younger ones, love unique and personal experiences. This book gave me that feeling, like I was part of the team.

I’d say Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan works best for fans of sports romance or forbidden love.