What is The Right Move about?

• Unexpected Roommates, Unexpected Feelings: The Right Move centers on Ryan Shay, a disciplined basketball captain, and Indy Ivers, a flight attendant recovering from a breakup, who become roommates. Their forced proximity leads to unexpected feelings and challenges their carefully constructed lives.
• Navigating Fake Relationships: The story explores the complexities of a fake relationship as Ryan and Indy pretend to be a couple to appease Ryan's boss. This pretense blurs the lines between reality and fiction, forcing them to confront their true emotions.
• Personal Growth and Vulnerability: Beyond the romance, the novel delves into themes of personal growth, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace change. Both characters must confront their pasts and insecurities to find their path to happiness.

Why should I read The Right Move?

• Compelling Character Dynamics: The novel offers a captivating exploration of the dynamic between Ryan and Indy, showcasing their contrasting personalities and the ways they challenge each other to grow. Their journey is filled with both tension and tenderness.
• Emotional Depth and Relatability: The Right Move delves into the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery, making the characters and their struggles relatable. Readers will find themselves invested in their emotional journeys.
• Blend of Romance and Personal Growth: The story seamlessly blends a compelling romance with themes of personal growth, making it a satisfying read for those who enjoy both. It explores the idea that love can be a catalyst for change and self-discovery.

What is the background of The Right Move?

• Contemporary Urban Setting: The story is set in modern-day Chicago, a city known for its vibrant sports culture. This setting provides a backdrop for the characters' lives and careers, adding a layer of realism to the narrative.
• Professional Sports World: The novel delves into the world of professional basketball, showcasing the pressures and expectations faced by athletes. This setting adds a layer of complexity to Ryan's character and his journey.
• Modern Relationship Dynamics: The story explores contemporary relationship dynamics, including the challenges of dating after a breakup and the complexities of navigating a fake relationship. This makes the story relatable to modern readers.

What are the most memorable quotes in The Right Move?

• "I'm not a dreamer. Not in the traditional sense, at least. My dreams are within reach, attainable moments in time, not romanticized notions of the impossible.": This quote defines Ryan's character, highlighting his pragmatic approach to life and his belief in hard work and dedication. It also foreshadows his journey of embracing vulnerability.
• "You should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future.": This quote, spoken by Ryan to Indy, reveals his strong stance on love and relationships. It highlights his belief that love should be mutual and that no one should have to compromise their worth.
• "I'm not shy. You just surprised me with how goddamn blunt you were the first couple of times we met.": This quote showcases Ryan's initial reaction to Indy's personality, highlighting the contrast between their communication styles and foreshadowing their eventual connection.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Liz Tomforde use?

• Alternating Points of View: The story is told from alternating points of view between Ryan and Indy, allowing readers to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. This technique enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.
• Dialogue-Driven Narrative: The novel relies heavily on dialogue to move the plot forward and reveal character traits. The conversations between Ryan and Indy are often witty, engaging, and filled with subtext.
• Internal Monologues: The author uses internal monologues to showcase the characters' inner conflicts and emotional journeys. This technique allows readers to understand their motivations and fears, adding layers to their personalities.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

• Ryan's Organized Apartment: The meticulous organization of Ryan's apartment, with its black and white color scheme and limited possessions, symbolizes his need for control and his isolated lifestyle. This detail contrasts with Indy's colorful and chaotic nature.
• Indy's Embroidered Converse: The embroidered designs on Indy's Converse, which include personal symbols and memories, reveal her sentimental nature and her desire to carry her past with her. This detail also foreshadows her ability to bring color and life into Ryan's world.
• The Recurring Use of "Blue": Ryan's use of the nickname "Blue" for Indy, derived from her first name Indigo, becomes a term of endearment that signifies their unique connection. It also highlights his growing affection for her.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

• Ryan's Initial Dislike of Indy: Ryan's initial dislike of Indy, stemming from their first two awkward encounters, foreshadows the unexpected nature of their relationship. It also highlights his tendency to judge people based on first impressions.
• The Mention of a "Spare Key": Ryan's casual mention of getting a spare key made for Indy foreshadows his eventual acceptance of her as a permanent part of his life. It also highlights his growing desire to protect her.
• The Recurring Theme of "Control": The recurring theme of control, both in Ryan's life and in his relationship with Indy, foreshadows his journey of learning to let go and embrace vulnerability. It also highlights the power dynamics between them.

What are some unexpected character connections?

• Ryan and Kai's Friendship: The unexpected friendship between Ryan and Kai, a baseball player, reveals a softer side of Ryan and his ability to connect with people outside of basketball. It also highlights the shared experiences of professional athletes.
• Indy and Dave's Connection: Indy's friendship with Dave, Ryan's doorman, showcases her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. It also highlights her kind and compassionate nature.
• Stevie and Zanders' Relationship: The relationship between Stevie and Zanders, which was initially hidden, becomes a central part of the story, highlighting the themes of love and commitment. It also serves as a contrast to Ryan and Indy's fake relationship.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

• Stevie Shay: As Ryan's twin sister and Indy's best friend, Stevie plays a crucial role in bringing the two main characters together. She also serves as a voice of reason and support for both of them.
• Ethan Jeong: As Ryan's teammate and mentor, Ethan provides guidance and support as Ryan navigates his new role as captain. He also serves as a foil to Ryan, highlighting the importance of balance and connection.
• Zanders: As Stevie's fiancé and a professional hockey player, Zanders adds another layer to the story, showcasing the dynamics of relationships in the world of professional sports. He also serves as a friend and confidant to both Ryan and Indy.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

• Ryan's Fear of Vulnerability: Ryan's unspoken motivation is his fear of vulnerability, stemming from a past relationship that left him hurt and distrustful. This fear drives his need for control and his initial resistance to Indy.
• Indy's Need for Connection: Indy's unspoken motivation is her need for connection and belonging, stemming from her painful breakup and the loss of her previous life. This need drives her to seek out new relationships and experiences.
• Stevie's Desire for Her Brother's Happiness: Stevie's unspoken motivation is her desire for her brother's happiness, which drives her to push him to embrace change and open himself up to love. She also wants her best friend to be happy.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

• Ryan's Control Issues: Ryan exhibits a strong need for control, stemming from his past experiences and his desire to protect himself from further hurt. This need manifests in his rigid routines and his initial resistance to Indy's chaotic nature.
• Indy's Fear of Rejection: Indy exhibits a fear of rejection, stemming from her painful breakup and the loss of her previous life. This fear drives her to seek validation from others and to avoid vulnerability.
• Ryan's Internal Conflict: Ryan struggles with an internal conflict between his desire for control and his growing feelings for Indy. This conflict is evident in his actions and his internal monologues, showcasing his journey of self-discovery.

What are the major emotional turning points?

• The First Kiss: The first kiss between Ryan and Indy is a major emotional turning point, forcing them to confront their feelings and the nature of their relationship. It marks a shift from pretense to genuine emotion.
• Ryan's Confession: Ryan's confession about his past relationship and his fears of vulnerability is a major emotional turning point, allowing Indy to see the real man behind the disciplined exterior. It also marks a shift in their relationship, from a fake relationship to a genuine connection.
• Indy's Vulnerability: Indy's vulnerability when she admits her fears and insecurities to Ryan is a major emotional turning point, allowing him to see her as more than just a friend. It also marks a shift in their relationship, from a casual arrangement to a deeper emotional bond.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

• From Roommates to Lovers: The relationship between Ryan and Indy evolves from a forced living situation to a genuine connection. Their initial animosity gives way to friendship, then to a passionate romance.
• Challenging Each Other: Ryan and Indy challenge each other to grow and change, pushing each other outside of their comfort zones. Their relationship is not just about romance but about personal growth and self-discovery.
• Breaking Down Barriers: As they navigate their relationship, Ryan and Indy break down the barriers they have built around themselves, allowing them to be vulnerable and honest with each other. This leads to a deeper understanding and a stronger bond.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

• The Long-Term Impact of Ryan's Injury: While Ryan recovers from his knee injury, the long-term impact on his career and his mental health is left somewhat open-ended. This allows readers to speculate on his future and the challenges he may face.
• The Future of Indy's Friendships: The story leaves the future of Indy's friendships with her old group somewhat ambiguous, allowing readers to wonder if she will ever fully reconcile with them. This highlights the complexities of relationships and the challenges of moving on from the past.
• The Nature of Ryan's Feelings: While Ryan admits to loving Indy, the depth and nature of his feelings are left somewhat open to interpretation. This allows readers to speculate on his emotional journey and the extent of his transformation.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in The Right Move?

• Ryan's Initial Treatment of Indy: Ryan's initial coldness and dismissive attitude towards Indy may be seen as controversial, highlighting his flaws and his journey of self-discovery. Some readers may find his behavior difficult to accept.
• The Fake Relationship: The fake relationship between Ryan and Indy may be seen as controversial, as it blurs the lines between pretense and reality. Some readers may question the ethics of their arrangement.
• Indy's Quick Transition: Indy's quick transition from her past relationship to her feelings for Ryan may be seen as controversial, as it challenges the traditional notions of grieving and moving on. Some readers may question the authenticity of her feelings.

The Right Move Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

• A Shared Future: The ending of The Right Move sees Ryan and Indy embracing a shared future, both in their personal lives and in their careers. They have found a balance between their individual needs and their desire to be together.
• Overcoming Past Fears: The ending highlights the characters' ability to overcome their past fears and insecurities, allowing them to fully embrace love and vulnerability. They have both grown and changed, becoming better versions of themselves.
• A Promise of Forever: The ending leaves readers with a sense of hope and optimism, as Ryan and Indy commit to a future filled with love, family, and endless possibilities. It underscores the idea that love can conquer all, and that true happiness is found in embracing vulnerability and connection.