Book Review | Make The Play – Kaylee Ryan (Nashville Rampage Series, Book One)

Make The Play
By: Kaylee Ryan

Series: Nashville Rampage
Book # In Series: 1 of 5
Genre: Sports Romance (Football)
Publisher: Kaylee Ryan
Publication Date: June 24th, 2025
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
My Reading Format: I received a copy to review honestly

Synopsis:

NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan brings you a new standalone series surrounding the Nashville Rampage football team. Make the Play is a brother’s best friend, forbidden, secret relationship romance.

Corie

Knox Beckett is heartbreak in a helmet. He’s also my brother’s best friend, and so far out of my league, he’s untouchable.

But a few stolen glances turn into a welcome home that blindsides us both.

The rules are clear. We just chose not to follow them.

Now we’re sneaking around like we’re running a trick play, hooking up behind closed doors, and pretending our actions don’t have the power to blow up our lives.

Knox is under my skin and tackling his way into my heart. Ready or not, it’s time we make the play.

Knox

She’s the last girl I’m allowed to want—my best friend’s little sister. She’s all grown up and looking at me in invitation.

The second Corie crashes into me, with her tanned, toned skin, in a barely there bikini, I know I’m in trouble.

I shouldn’t look. And I sure as hell shouldn’t touch. My hands are already on her waist, one second longer, and I’ll do something we both might regret.

What I do is even worse. I help her land a job working for the team. My team.

Now I can’t get her out of my mind, or my way. And keeping my hands to myself is a penalty waiting to happen. Because Corie isn’t just off-limits—she’s one line I swore I’d never cross, yet I’m sprinting toward it.

I’d risk the season—my entire career—for her just to make the play.

honey-script.light

Typically, I tend to stay away from the secret relationship trope. I used to love this trope, but then the outcome and reveal of the relationship would end the same way. Brother throws a hissy fit and makes life all about him instead of taking a step back and looking at the relationship for what it is…. So, when I saw that this trope would be part of Make The Play, I was a tad bit apprehensive about reading it. However, Kaylee Ryan flipped the script and I ended up loving every single moment of this book!

Let’s dive into what Make The Play is all about! Make The Play by Kaylee Ryan is the first book in the Nashville Rampage series. This first book focuses on the quarterback, Knox Beckett, and his best friend’s younger sister, Corie Reynolds. The moment Knox ran into his best friend’s younger sister, was the moment the stars aligned and fate had set its course for the two of them. And that’s all I’m going to say about the storyline to avoid small spoilers!

Now, let’s talk about these characters, starting with Corie Reynolds! Corie Reynolds has been through it all and needed an escape that her brother was willing to hand-deliver. I loved the close bond Corie and her brother, Landry, shared. Having an older brother myself, I loved the closeness and the familial vibe these two gave off. I also loved the fact that Corie was independently stubborn! Aside from a place to sleep, she refused to be a financial burden on her brother…. Mind you, the brother is a professional football player. I also loved her sweetheart personality. I loved the fact that she felt with her whole heart, which in this novel, didn’t always lead her in the right direction where decisions are concerned. I especially loved her relationship with her best friend Sloan! These two are each other’s ride or die!! My heart was so happy to see her find and experience true love for the first time. I felt the flutters in my stomach every time she set her eyes on Knox. It was the excitement and the need to be with him twenty-four seven that hit me hard! What can I say? I’m a sucker for the true love aspect!

And then we have Knox Beckett. This man screams number one book boyfriend! I loved her ambition and determination to be the best and stay the best quarterback in the league. I loved his dedication to the sport! But, I loved seeing something more important enter his life and I loved witnessing that ambition and dedication switch to Corie. My heart damn near fluttered out of my chest with every sweet word whispered. I adored this character and every good thing he represents! I also loved the strong brotherhood he has with his teammates and the close familial vibes he has with his sisters and his parents. Kaylee Ryan has a way of making her heroes shine bright!

The storyline was effortless and the connections and chemistry between every single character in this novel were off the charts! The hopeless romantic in me couldn’t put this one down! I need more books like this in my life and that’s why I decided to give Make The Play a full five-star rating! Whoop Whoop! I’m sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what’s to come in the

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