EP. 26: In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

In this lively episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into "In Her Own League" by Liz Tomforde, a refreshing change of pace from their previous reads. They discuss the book's engaging tropes, including workplace and sports romance, and share their enthusiasm for the characters, particularly Monty and Reese. The hosts highlight the book's humor, banter, and the chemistry between the characters, emphasizing Monty's charm and the couple's dynamic. They also touch on themes of empowerment, respect, and the challenges faced by Reese as a female owner in a male-dominated industry. The episode is filled with laughter, admiration for the book's writing, and anticipation for future releases by the author.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:07

Welcome to ReMe Next, the Book Club and Make It a Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Where we have lots of feelings and no qualifications. What are we reading this week, Peely?

SPEAKER_02 0:14

We read In Her Own League by Liz Tom Fordy.

SPEAKER_01 0:16

Ugh. Ate that shit up. Ugh. Devoured. So fucking good. This was such like a good change of pace. Like a much needed change of pace. And I'm not saying what we read before. The romantic is not something I want to get away from. No. I agree. But like something like this is just like, ugh. Like I'm kicking my feet up. I'm smiling all day. Yeah, no, literally.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

Coming from Edge of Darkness. Then we had Fourth Wing. And now this, I was just like, oh my God. This is what a laid back, chill, cute read. What a breath of fresh air. Honestly, it was. Yeah. Because I was like hyperventilating half the time reading the other books.

SPEAKER_01 0:54

No heart palpitations.

SPEAKER_02 0:55

No heart palpitations. It was funny. The banter, the characters.

SPEAKER_01 1:01

Like the reminiscing on the Windy City series. The cameos.

SPEAKER_02 1:05

Yeah. So this is the spin-off of Windy City series by by Liz. It was so good.

SPEAKER_01 1:09

Yeah. Okay, so some of the tropes. Workplace romance. Yes. Yes. Sports romance. Yes. Yes. Um, an age gap. Yes. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 1:19

Just eat it all up. Eating it all up.

SPEAKER_01 1:21

There was even like a one-bed scene. Yes. Frickin' loved it. Oh. So good. So good. So fucking good.

SPEAKER_02 1:27

What did you rate it? I rated it a five. We do. I really liked it. Friggin' five out of five. I loved it. I couldn't like I like I want more. I'm so upset. It's just one book. Same.

SPEAKER_01 1:40

Oh, I loved them. I don't know. This is like a I don't know if it's a reach. Maybe it's a hot take. Like, I love this book. Maybe even more than all of the Windy City books. I'm not gonna lie to you.

SPEAKER_02 1:52

I finished this and I was like, I think I'm gonna have to reread play long because Isaiah was my baby. Yes. Loved him. I remember that. I don't know if I like Monty more.

SPEAKER_01 2:02

No, I mean you have to like Monty more. I don't know. How can someone not like Monty more? No, no, no, no, no. Monty is that guy. Daddy Monty. Daddy Monty. No, no, no. So hot. The things he would say, the things he would do, everything.

SPEAKER_02 2:17

I could not get enough of him. I was so upset that this book ended.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

I know. Fucking same. It was short.

SPEAKER_02 2:22

Right? Well, I think we just like are so used to 900-page romanticity. This is just like a short, sad, cute read.

SPEAKER_01 2:30

Flew through. I love the writing.

SPEAKER_02 2:32

Uh, I was gonna say that too. Yeah. I'm like, she just doesn't. Like her characters are so easy to just fall in love with. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:39

And you connect with them so easy.

SPEAKER_02 2:41

So easy.

SPEAKER_01 2:41

So it's so funny because on Instagram, obviously, like it just came out, so it's everywhere on Instagram. Yeah. So it's funny passing the AI created characters. And I'm like, dang, that shit is Monty. And that is Reese. Locke they look good. Bro, no, it's so good. So that's so freaking funny. Oh god. Okay, so your spice a meter.

SPEAKER_02 3:02

I would say like a four and a half.

SPEAKER_01 3:03

Same.

SPEAKER_02 3:04

It was spicy.

SPEAKER_01 3:04

He was spicy. And I loved it. No, and he was so hot.

SPEAKER_02 3:07

He was so hot. She was so hot, too. No, yeah. There were times where I was like, okay, Reese. Okay. Get it. Okay, mommy. Yeah, she was like hot. Yeah. I was like, damn, she's spicy. She was spicy. Loved them both. I loved it. I so good. All right, let's get into it. Yeah, please. We've met Monty and Reese before, like we said in the Windy City series. She became the general manager and like the president of baseball operations for the Windy City Warriors, which is the baseball team in Chicago, which Monty is the field manager for. And so essentially they have like a oh, this is actually kind of like a secret romance too, no? Yeah, I would say. For a little bit. Yeah, so they had to like kind of hide their well, they were kind of also enemies to lovers. Low key at the beginning.

SPEAKER_01 3:50

Low key?

SPEAKER_02 3:50

Yeah. Like we said, their romance was supposed to be like it's not ethical, I guess you would say, or what? Moral. Moral. Like just either of those, both of those, he he was her employee. And so they had to keep it a secret, but she was the first female owner in the league.

SPEAKER_01 4:06

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 4:06

And so she had all this pressure.

SPEAKER_01 4:07

And one of the youngest.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

Literally. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

So she had all this pressure.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

Poor girl.

SPEAKER_02 4:12

I know. And so she was like, it's gonna look bad if I'm like fucking my employee.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

Mm-hmm. And it didn't help that everybody, like all her advisors were so fucking mean to her. Bro, fuck Scott.

SPEAKER_02 4:23

Fuck Scott. He was the goddamn worst.

SPEAKER_01 4:25

The worst. He was a weasel. He was such a weasel. Such a fucking weasel. Yeah. So we're getting into the spoilers, right?

SPEAKER_02 4:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

Cool.

SPEAKER_02 4:32

So a whole bit they had throughout the book was the don't tell me what to do. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 4:35

Freaking love.

SPEAKER_02 4:37

I love that.

SPEAKER_01 4:38

They tied that into like every like everything.

SPEAKER_02 4:41

It was so cute. So the first time that they actually said it, he calls her on the phone and she's taking a bath. Same.

SPEAKER_00 4:48

Literally.

SPEAKER_02 4:49

And it was just like, he's like, Oh, uh, are you swimming? And she was like, I love the fucking internal monologue. The internolog, yeah. So she's like, Yes. I should have said yes. She's like, No, I'm taking a bath.

SPEAKER_01 5:01

I'm like, Reese, you're so embarrassed. They like me as fuck. She's like, but don't picture me naked or anything. Yeah. She's like, what is wrong with me? Who says that to their employee? Don't picture me naked, you know, just in case you're thinking about doing that.

SPEAKER_02 5:13

It was so funny. Oh my gosh. He says, Have a good night. And she goes, Don't tell me what to do. Frickin' best. So that's like when they kind of started to be cordial. Also, the dual POV.

SPEAKER_01 5:25

Always love that. Love that. Love that so much. This is when she started to think about making her first big move as you know, the general manager, the owner of the team. Yeah. So she gets everybody together, and asshole Scott invites Monty to the meeting. And she's like, you know what? Looks like we're being cordial. Maybe it's good that he's at this meeting. And she's like, I want to trade Harrison. And then Scott, the motherfucker that he is, is like, everybody raise your hand if you think this is a terrible decision. Yeah. Like the little fucking toddler that he was. First of all, raise your hand. Stop doing that. Shut up. Shut up. Literally. And Monty did. Oh. I know. And she's like so tough. Oh. Like, I thought you were on my side. Fuck you. Fuck you. Oh, God. I hated that. So then I guess this was after it's Emmett talking, and then he's talking about how Reese's there. And he goes, Then to me, which is when her expression completely shifts to nothing. It's neutral. Blank. I don't get a smile, but I also don't get the scowl. I kind of miss. Reese doesn't seem angry. No, she seems entirely disinterested with me. And I hate that even more than if she were fuming at me. Oof. Yeah. And he was like, fuck. And I'm like, why are you feeling this way? So then in my comment, I annotated, I was like, oh, this is what I needed. I like feeling the little butterflies in my tummy.

SPEAKER_02 6:35

Literally. She's like, wait, why are you like indifferent? I like you when you were mad.

SPEAKER_01 6:38

Literally, I like you when your attention was on me. Too good. So yeah, fuck Scott. That was the first time we'd start to see that these people like really weren't treating her well. No, like they wanted her to fail. Oh my god, no. And then when they were at the press conference, like the very first one, and they were like, How does it feel to be like bossed around by a woman? Oh my god, no. And Emmett was like pissed as fuck. Bro, Emmett, every time anything sexist would happen, he was like, absolutely the fucking odd. No, and he was like, I love that because he was pissed at everybody because of that reason. Not because it was Reese herself. No, because it's just the wrong thing. Yeah. I love that. No, he was so good. He was very much a man to take care of everybody. And the little you know what I loved about Monty is his jealousy moments. You know me. I did up. Ate that shit up. It was so good.

SPEAKER_02 7:22

So after that, they essentially have to go to like this conference, I guess. Where was it? In Vegas. Yes. It was like a one-day conference for like the MLB. So owners and managers would go. And so they both went. And she just like pulled up in like this stunning dress. He was in a suit. It was just hot. Hot. The moment was hot. The moment was fucking hot. And so he goes, You look, and then he doesn't say it. He thinks it's stunning, breathtaking, absolutely unreal. And then he just settles for beautiful, which is still so cute. And then she like looks at him like, um, excuse me. So he's like, nice. I mean, you look nice, fine, average at best. And honestly, I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. And then she goes, hmm, okay, glad to see we're keeping things consistently professional. And then he goes, That's my new rule. If I wouldn't say it to Arthur, I shouldn't say it to Reese. And that shit made me laugh.

SPEAKER_01 8:10

That's a funny rule.

SPEAKER_02 8:11

Literally.

SPEAKER_01 8:12

So at this party, Emmett is like watching her the whole time. And he's watching her pretty much be miserable because nobody's taking her seriously because she's a fucking woman. How he talked about her the entire time, I was like, ah, no, no. I can't. And he was like super also acts of service. Like he would he saw her and he ordered that glass of wine for her just to be ready. And the bartender was like, you ain't that girl. Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_02 8:36

And then he was like, You're not the only one.

SPEAKER_01 8:39

He was like, Is he her boss too? And it was the fucking ex-husband. It was the ex-husband.

SPEAKER_02 8:46

No, but I love how like I guess the maturity of them from like being older, I they were so direct. Oh, yes. Everything that they felt they said. Yes. I agree. You know, that's a really good point. Like, I loved, I loved Emmett. He was so like he does not fuck around. No. But neither did she. No, she didn't either, yeah. I loved, I loved them both.

SPEAKER_01 9:06

Yeah, they were really good.

SPEAKER_02 9:07

Oh, and another thing, you were talking about uh Monty being jealous, but she was hella jealous of the reporter too.

SPEAKER_01 9:13

The fucking reporter. Yes. I mean, what the fuck? The whole press conference was ridiculous. First of all, coming at her, yeah, the way they were coming at her for being a woman. Yeah. And then out of all questions, I thought she was gonna be a girls' girl.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

No.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

She comes out with a girl. She was a Monty girl.

SPEAKER_02 9:29

I mean, honestly, who can blame her? Reese couldn't blame her either.

SPEAKER_01 9:34

Literally, nobody could fucking blame her. But that was so fucking annoying.

SPEAKER_02 9:38

Yeah. So funny. So the reporter comes up to him. Reese was like, mm-mm. So she goes up to him and she goes, What? And he goes, We need to finish prepping for a game. It's like that was her excuse to get the reporter away. And she goes, Yes, we need to focus. He goes, I need to focus. And she was like, I think we all should just focus. And she says, and you know, getting friendly with a reporter wouldn't look good for the club. Right. Oh yeah, like things. And so he goes, You make it sound like I'm sleeping with her, which I'm not, by the way. And she goes, didn't ask. He goes, and we're not friendly. I hardly know her. She called you Monty. You said it yourself. Your friends call you Monty. And then he's like, you don't, which I loved that she would call him Emmett. Yeah. Love that. Emmet or Em? Uh or M. And so she goes, Well, we aren't friends, Emmett. I'm your boss. And then he goes, It's always good to remind yourself of that when a female reporter who I barely know starts making you jealous, huh? And just so we're clear here, there's no part of me that wants to be friends with you, Reese. I was like, fuck. I eat him up. He was so hot.

SPEAKER_01 10:37

Like exactly what you're saying, though. He was so direct, but he was so direct in like the hottest manner.

SPEAKER_02 10:43

The hottest manner. Like he wasn't rude, disrespectful, nothing. No, he would just be like, oh, he's putting me in my plate.

unknown 10:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 10:50

Yes.

unknown 10:51

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 10:52

No, and he would be like, uh, you may be the boss out there, but on the boss in here. Got the cameras. Take me away. Take me with you. No, literally. It was like, this is too much. I gotta go touch some grass. Literally. We had to touch grass.

SPEAKER_01 11:10

We really did. Oh my god. I guess after this whole part, right? At some point they slept in the same hotel room together because her AC was too fucking cold. Yes. Or whatever. Classic. Classic. So they slept in the same bed. Classic. And I thought it was really sweet though because they like opened up to each other a little bit. Yeah. You know, at this moment, which was nice. Yeah. But a fucking course, somebody somewhere saw her leaving his hotel room, which I'm like, at this point I was like, Scott, where the fuck are you? Because like this had to be you, literally. You know, it was an anonymous on Reddit. Whatever. So then I guess um the grandfather brought it up and he was like, this is just a rumor, right? You know, and of course she had to go along with it. She didn't know what it was at that moment. Yeah. So she had to like distance herself from Emmett. And she, you know, she had that talk with him. And so he was pissed, right? I guess when they came back from that trip, he went straight to the clubhouse, you know. And I loved the working out in the gym, being mad at each other. Hot. Eat it up. Ate it that up. No, like eye contact in the mirror. Eat it up. Oh my god. Him shirtless, her and her cutie little sets. Eat it up. Eat it up. All of that shit. So then he starts describing how she's looking because obviously it's just them two in this place. Love. And he goes, the berry colored leggings paint her thick legs, and the matching sports prowl just barely holds her in. She's soft everywhere, and I fucking love that. I love that she doesn't hide it either. She's confident in her body and my type to a T. It's the bit of motivation I need to start my next set because yeah, she's my type. I lift heavy for a reason. I'm out of here.

SPEAKER_02 12:46

I gotta go. Got uh Monty! No, no, no. That was one of the fucking Goodreads reviews. It was Emmett, I lift heavy for a reason. Montgomery. Yummy. But that was also a part where I'm saying, like, they were super direct. Like she didn't wait. Yep. He was just like, Why the fuck are you mad? Why are you distancing yourself? Literally, attentive king. And she was like, um, because somebody saw me coming out of your hotel room. Yeah. Direct queen. Like, uh, I love this. So there was another part. I just I loved all the sexual tension that was on the goddamn book. The amount of tension in this book. No, it was eat it up. So I guess they were at a game, and so she's in her owner's box watching, right? Emmett. It was like the hottest day of the fucking year or something. And so she goes, she goes, and as if he knew I I was having an existential crisis over here, Emmett has the audacity to grab the nearest water bottle and take a long drink before pouring the remainder down the back of his neck to cool himself down. Fuck me. Fuck this heat. Fuck my hormones. And then she goes, he may be cooling himself off, but I don't think I've ever been so warm or annoyingly so turned on. It feels criminal that I don't have any cash on me. And then she goes, She goes, Well, they need to change the age rating of this game on the television networks. No, and then her grandfather was like waving. And it looks at the box and it's her and the grandpa. And the grandpa's like, goes, my grandfather, bless his sweet innocent soul, lifts a hand to wave at the man who currently having all sorts of inappropriate thoughts about. She was like, neat. And the grandpa's like, so funny.

SPEAKER_01 14:25

Sweet little grandpa. That was so cute. He is so cute. In the first time they're in the gym, when he hears how Harrison speaks to her, I was like, oh shit.

SPEAKER_02 14:34

And then when he asked Kai about him, and Kai gave him a little bit of him. Fuck you, Monty. Kai gave it to him straight to him.

SPEAKER_01 14:38

Literally. But you know what I loved about Monty? What else? Everything. But he how he let her handle things. He knew he could very well step in in that situation and shut the fuck up, Harrison. But like he was like, I can't make her look weak in front of the players, the organization. I loved that about him. No, he was so good. Like she didn't once have to be like, hey, I know you're a man and I'm a woman, but let me handle it. Yeah. Like she didn't have to do that at all with him.

SPEAKER_02 15:04

No, he knew like when was enough to take care of her and when not too. Yeah. Like he towed that line.

SPEAKER_00 15:11

Perfectly.

SPEAKER_02 15:12

Perfectly. Fucking Monty. Uh. No, and I so we also were talking about how like there were cameos of the other people.

SPEAKER_01 15:21

Yes, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 15:21

And so they had dinner, I guess, at Miller and Kai's house, and she had one of like her little dessert parties, and Cody and Travis were also there. Oh, love those two. They were so funny. They're so fucking funny. And so they were eating everything, all the desserts that she was making, and I guess Kennedy was late and Isaiah was there. So Kennedy gets there and and it goes, Isaiah wraps an arm around his wife, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. And then he goes, I made sure we save one one of each dessert for you. Other people wanted to eat them, but I said, No way. Those are for my wife, and if she wants to share those when she gets here, that'll be her decision. I was fucking dying. I love him.

SPEAKER_01 15:56

Isaiah was so funny. I was like, I miss him. I know.

SPEAKER_02 16:00

That was your like daddy of that series. I know. So I was just like, that's why I'm like, I don't know. I gotta reread that book, see who I like more. But uh it was I don't know. I really did love Monty.

SPEAKER_01 16:11

Yeah. No. I mean that's fucking hard as hell. The daddiest of daddies. The daddiest of daddies. So far, this is the age gap for me. Yeah? Yeah. Is your favorite age gap so far? I think so. No. Who else do we got? Kate and Willa. You loved them. Oh, sorry. Yeah. I mean, I love them both. I can't say I like one better than the other. I think they're the same.

SPEAKER_02 16:34

It's fine.

SPEAKER_01 16:34

I can take Kate and Monty. I think you're on something. That's what it is. Oh my god. Yeah. Love. Those two. Oh, anyways. Anyways, as we continue. Around this time, she's like, okay, you know what I need to do? Go on a date. I need to take my focus off Monty. Yeah, get him out of my system. You know, and get him out. No. Girl, you thought. So I have that bookmarked. I love that. I love that. Because it was when he needed to apologize about the whole Harrison thing because he had finally talked to Kai, like you were saying. And he goes, he's texting her. He goes, I'll come meet you. And she's like, You can't. This is work-related, I promise. I'm not crossing any of your boundaries. And then he's like, I'm out of the door and reversing my truck when she responds with a message that has me putting it right back in park. And she goes, I'm on a date.

SPEAKER_02 17:27

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 17:29

This was like amazing though. Then iconic, iconic. Then he responds, I fucking love this. He responds, Great, when is that over? I'll be the one taking you home. I can't. I cannot with this man. And he went and he picked her up. And he did he did just that.

SPEAKER_02 17:50

Uh no, no. And after he picked her up, no. No, no. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, no, but I like that part because he was like respectful. She was like, I'm not gonna get in the car with you. And then she starts walking away and he was like, okay, fine. Like, you know, he tried. He really tried. Yeah. She was not having it. And then she was like, Are you not gonna walk me home? And he was like, Oh, right, right, right. Yep. Let's go. Love that.

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Oh, they're so good. So then, of course, he goes, I told you, I'm taking you home. Also, what was that? A little fight from the guy would have been nice. Another man just stole his date.

SPEAKER_02 18:24

Michael was like, All right, it was nice to meet you. Bye. Thank you. Poor Michael. No, my God.

SPEAKER_01 18:31

Sweet little Ed's sweet little grandson. So she's walking to her building, and of course she's getting a little anxious, right? Because she's never brought anybody here. But she takes that extra step and lets him take her upstairs to her place, right? So she's gonna go, Emmett, and he just cuts her off. How was your date? Looking up, I meet his eye. You sound jealous. He goes, I am. First of all, yum. Thank you. I take a step back for my own sanity, but it doesn't last long before he follows me with a step of his own. I'm jealous that this little red dress you're wearing tonight was for him and not for me.

SPEAKER_02 19:06

I can't. Jesus Christ. List on 40. Why do you write these men? Why do you not real?

SPEAKER_01 19:11

Literally, how do you write these men? Oh god. And then of course it's like Emmett's big body crowds me in the corner of the elevator, tattooed hands meeting the wall on either side of my head. Stop. No. Can't. No, no, no. I can't. Oh my god. It was so good. So why did you go? I don't know. Why did you go, Reese?

SPEAKER_02 19:35

He was like persistent. He's like, tell me why you fucking went on that date.

SPEAKER_01 19:38

She goes, Because I was trying to forget about you. Did it work? Not even a little bit. Oh, so good. So good. And then of course in the elevator scene, he goes, fire me. Oh. That was iconic. Iconic. Fucking daddy. Daddy as fuck. Like he just knew. And he, you know, I love when these men are hot as fuck. Are hot as fuck. But like they are willing to do anything it takes to get this woman. He said, fire me. I don't give a fuck about this job.

SPEAKER_02 20:08

I don't give a fuck. I've been working my entire life for this. I don't care. I don't shit. Fire me right the fuck now so we can fuck.

SPEAKER_01 20:16

Yes. That was so good. I cannot. So after some time, right? There's a like company potluck that they're gonna do. Right. And Kennedy is like, Are you gonna come? She's like, No, no, no, no, I can't do that. Like, they don't want their boss there. And then of course, Emmett is like, come, you're gonna come. And she's like, okay. Okay. Say less. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. Whatever you say. Um, so it was so cute that she went, but no, finding out Miller was pregnant.

SPEAKER_02 20:41

Oh no, I loved that. I know it was really cute.

SPEAKER_01 20:45

It was so fucking cute.

SPEAKER_02 20:47

And it was really cute because Reese like knew what was going on before Emmett.

SPEAKER_01 20:50

She was like, literally. So Miller wraps her hand around the beer, but instead of bringing it to her lips to take a sip, she pushes it back in my direction. From next to me, Reese lets out this excited little gas. The sound is fucking adorable, but I have no idea what she's figured out that I have it.

SPEAKER_02 21:03

Literally. Monty. Come on, sir.

SPEAKER_01 21:05

And then she goes, Can't drink that, Miller states. My eyes bounce from her to Kai then back to her, both of them watching me expectantly. No way. Miller huffs a laugh and her smile blooming, waiting for me to confirm I figured this out on my own. Are you pregnant? So he goes, Are you really? Oh, I love. I know I loved that part. It's so cute. It's so cute because they have like, I mean, that little family on its own. It's like Monty and Miller, they're not related. No. Miller and Max, they're not related. And they're gonna have like another little edition. Super cute. So fucking cute. And they named her Emmy. Stop. Stop. That was cute as fuck. No, so cute. I teared up at that part. Yeah, I can't. I cannot. Very careen of you. Very, very careen of me. Oh. So cute. And you know what I love too? I'm so sorry to be stuck on this part. Oh, I love it. But Reese was there in that moment, which was cute because Monty wanted her there, but she was so good at being like, let me let you guys have this moment of privacy. Yeah. I love that. So respectful. They were both very respectful of each other. Yep. In every way possible. Love. Love. At this point, they're in her office and they're flirting with each other, right? There's a part that it goes, she quickly picks up on the innuendo in my tone. Don't flirt with me, Montgomery. We're at work and I'm your boss.

SPEAKER_02 22:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:15

Right? So they're looking at his tattoos and everything. He sees her and she eyes them, headcocking to the side. They'd make a beautiful necklace, don't you think? Oh, she's so bold. And then he goes, My eyes shoot to hers, finding a mischievous little grin on her lips after delivering an inappropriate line of her own. My boss just told me she thinks my hand would look pretty around her throat, and I couldn't agree more. Oh my god. That scene also was like very tension-y. Don't put ideas in my head, I warned, and don't flirt with me, Remington. We're at work and I'm your employee. I loved it. Oh, it's so good. And then, and then, even after that, she goes, The press is gonna ask you all sorts of questions about Harrison's trade. You'll probably have your hands full tomorrow. And he goes, I don't mind. After that little elevator ride, I think we both know by now I like having my hands full. Love. I mean. You can't, you can't beat it. You can't beat this man. So then we get another gym scene. Uh, which we were eating up. Eating up. Right. So I guess this is the part where she sees him with a reporter and doesn't go see him in the dugout. Is that this part? Okay.

SPEAKER_02 23:19

And she has Michael in her owner suite with Ed. Yes. And he thinks that they're on a date. Yeah, so they're both pissed off.

SPEAKER_01 23:26

They're both pissed off at each other for no fucking reason. Super jealous. So I think it was so funny because I just have I have this highlighted. She's like, if he's waiting for me to be the one to break the silence, expecting me to. Well, jokes on him because I'm suddenly petty as hell tonight.

SPEAKER_02 23:40

Ugh. Frickin' love that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:41

She's so fucking cool.

SPEAKER_02 23:43

And no, and like they were just like the tension in that scene.

unknown 23:46

I know.

SPEAKER_02 23:47

So that's like the first spicy scene we actually get.

SPEAKER_00 23:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 23:50

It goes, she draws a torturous circle through the line of hair just above my shorts, moving down to toy with the elastic waistband. And she's like, So this is for me? And he goes, It's because of you. And she goes, but is it for me? You're not gonna fuck me, but do I get to touch it? And then he's like, Does she get to touch it? He's like, fucking please. She could touch it, twist it, lick it, stroke it, treat it like the fucking Bobbit for all I care. I fucking died. No, he was funny. You they were both so funny.

SPEAKER_01 24:17

They were both great. I love that part. Whatever you call her, baby. Yeah. Oh my god. I'm done. No, so good. No. Please. I love when they like throw it in there.

SPEAKER_02 24:26

Right? Yeah. When they just like a nickname. Yep. Oh, yummy. So good. So she goes, I guess after the whole gym scene, she's like having flashbacks and goes, she goes, images of us in the mirror, the way he could hardly control his breathing as he looked at me, the way his body felt behind my legs, deliciously hard. Everything was hard. His, yeah, that was hard too. And big. Not not too much of a surprise, I suppose. The amount of big dick energy Emmett exudes. I half expected it to be dragging on the floor. It doesn't, thank God, but he's definitely blessed in that department. The best. I fucking died. Literally, his big dick energy. It was.

SPEAKER_01 25:03

It's because that's what he gives. Big dick energy through and through.

SPEAKER_02 25:07

He was so I love that part. Dragging on the floor. I died. So basically, like we were mentioning throughout the entire book, the advisory board fucking sucks. Scott is such an asshole. He's like trying to replace her. He wants to be the president of baseball operations. And she's like, no, I can't do it. This is my fucking team. Literally. This is my team. Get it through your fucking head, Scott. Me. I'm the fucking owner. Fuck you, Scott. So this is one of the 18,000 times she had to reiterate this, right? And so she goes, Well, I stand from my seat. If you're all done treating me like a child, I'm gonna go now. I'll see you tonight at my grandfather's retirement party, where I'm sure you'll all pretend that you didn't just spend the entire morning disrespecting me in my building regarding the team that I own, right? And then I push to open the door, but Scott stops me in the doorway. How do you sleep at night knowing the entire league thinks you're running your team into the ground, Reese? And then she goes, Man, the fucking gall in this guy is she's like, I contemplate his question, usually with a fan on. Thermostat set to 67, like a fucking baby. Thank you for asking. Bro, fuck you.

SPEAKER_01 26:06

Yes, bitch. This is just like something that he said, and I'm like, though the way he worships this woman. Ugh. Amazing. Amazing. He goes, silk shirt she's wearing is unbuttoned at the top, opening slightly in the most teasing of ways, and her heels, they're dark brown with a thin strap circling her ankle. And all I can think about is how I wouldn't mind getting on my knees to unbuckle them with my teeth. Eat it up. I'd fucking love to be on my knees for this woman. Oh, yes. Eat it up. Yes. Like, thank you. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 26:33

Thank you, Monty. I cannot. So I guess like everybody was at that retirement party for the grandpa. So Monty asked her to dance, and she was like, no. And he's like, come on. Like, it's just like, no, it'll be suspicious. And he's like, it'll be more suspicious if we don't dance, basically. Mm-hmm. Kai and Isaiah are huddled together on the perimeter of the dance floor, watching us with ridiculously giddy grins on their faces. But when they realize I've caught them looking, they quickly turn and pretend that as if they weren't occupied doing something else. Which that just like I can picture that. They're just like, literally, that's literally me.

SPEAKER_00 27:04

Like, wow.

SPEAKER_02 27:05

Oh, okay. So she goes, the road boys have no chill. And then he goes, Tell me about it. Like it was so funny.

SPEAKER_01 27:12

I loved all the cute parts with everybody. So then this is also at the party. I guess this is when he sees her in her dress. He goes, You look, his eyes trail down my body, fitting for you to wear black tonight. My heart practically stopped when you walked in and he already dressed for my funeral. Bro. But wait. There's that unapologetic confidence again. And then she's like, But wait, there's more. But wait, there's more. But then she goes, You're far too old to be joking about heart issues, Emmett. I loved her. She's so fucking funny. She was. So I guess here they're in another um spicy part. And then he goes, Are you begging for it? Yes, yes, yes. I learned from the best. I truly don't think I've begged for anything in my life. If I want something, I just do it myself. But there's no way I could make myself feel as good as he's making me. And then he goes, Sounds lovely coming from you, but you don't have to beg, Reese. You ask for anything from me and you'll get it. Understand? And then she goes, Will you make me come?

SPEAKER_00 28:11

Cut the cameras. Cut it. Bro. I'm done. I'm fucking done.

SPEAKER_01 28:16

Who's gonna compare to Emmett?

SPEAKER_02 28:17

No.

SPEAKER_01 28:18

No. No, no, no. I don't know what it is about him. Everything? All of it. So then this is after being together, whatever, they woke up in the morning and he's gonna go make her a cup of coffee. And he goes, I was asking if you wanted some, not if you'd get up and make me a cup. She's like, I know, but I can do it. Good for you, so can I. And you know me. Like an act of service. Amazing. Yes, please. Thank you. He goes, lie down, I've got it.

SPEAKER_02 28:43

Yeah. Oh.

SPEAKER_01 28:45

Oh. Yes. And then come to find out at the end, the little brown sugar cubes. Uh. Like for real. For real. Be for fucking real. Be for fucking real. Liz, what are you what what?

SPEAKER_02 28:56

Liz, come on. We're setting these expectations.

SPEAKER_01 28:58

It's ridiculously high at this point. Literally. And then he goes, and to make this clear, I don't do things for you because I don't think you can do them for yourself. I do them because I want to, and because you should know what it feels like to be taken care of. God damn. God damn.

SPEAKER_02 29:12

I'm getting sad.

SPEAKER_01 29:17

We don't get mo more Monty? Come on now.

SPEAKER_02 29:19

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 29:21

Give us a sequel, Liz, please. Yeah, anything to include this man.

SPEAKER_02 29:24

Or make like, I don't know, do the wilder boys have a daddy?

SPEAKER_01 29:27

A daddy?

SPEAKER_02 29:28

Please. Matthew, please. These wilder boys better fucking live up to Monty's expectations. They fucking better. If not, I'm gonna be pissed. I'm gonna be pissed. Anyways. Anyways, go ahead. It's on to you. So after all of this happens, right, we're getting to the end of the book. Essentially, he takes her to Kaim Miller's wedding, which was so sweet. He was basically her date. He officiated the wedding so fucking cute. Oh, I thought that was such a cute little part. Love. Yeah. It was so cute. So cute. And so they had like the best time ever. They were a little they were seen out in public, but it was like the team and everybody was respectful, this, that. And so the next day she goes to the office where weasel ass Scott had like he had somebody like take pictures of them or whatever, and he was like one of the staff didn't sign the NDA.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

Literally. Which is like, who is letting this happen? Number one. I'm like thinking logistically. I'm like, who the fuck didn't let this little ass boy not sign the NDA?

SPEAKER_02 30:21

So he gets these pictures of them and he's like, You have until tomorrow to step down, or I'm going to send this to the press. And fucking weasel. And you and him are fucked. And I love, she immediately tells Emmett. Yeah, she really does. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Love. Like, it wasn't like, oh, like this com miscommunication, this, that. He was like, why are you upset? Why are you distancing yourself? What's going on? She's like, here's the here's the middle of folder. Good luck. Here's the fucking blackmail. Here's the fucking blackmail. And no, and he was pissed. Oh, he was so mad. He was like, Where's Scott? Rightfully so. And he was like, Where the fuck is Scott? I was like, he's gonna kill him. Get him, Daddy. Yeah, he's like, You wanna come after me? Come after me. Don't come after Reese. Ate it up. So, whatever. She's like, no, no, tomorrow we're gonna have the advisory meeting and I'm I will handle it. Which is what you were saying. Like, he let her handle things. Yes, which at that point was really cute because he's like, Okay, I'm literally not gonna let her handle it. I'm gonna quit my show. Literally, he was like about to throw up. Like he was anxious as fuck. Poor guy. Like he was not to take care of her at this moment. Poor guy. Yeah. It was such a hard situation. So he tells Isaiah and Kai he's quitting. It was so sad. The whole like pre-warmup speech or whatever. I was like almost crying. I'm like, I love you guys. Literally, he was like, what the fuck is going on? Like, why are you so sentimental right now? Whatever. They win the game because he's like also that. He's like, I don't want to go off on that loss. He's so cute. So they win the game. He like writes the elevator up. He's like reminiscing and everything.

SPEAKER_01 31:47

He thinks he's gonna like it's my last time touching the elevator button. Shit like that.

SPEAKER_02 31:52

Literally, this is the last time I'll get to be in my office. And it's funny because he's like, Well, you know what? Reese still works here, and Kai still works here, and Kennedy still works here, and Isaiah still plays here, but it won't be the same. Whatever. Dramatic, he's like, I'm the one being dramatic. Dramatic as fuck. Yeah. So he gets into the meeting. He like, as soon as Scott is saying, all those in favor, raise your hand. Another fucking little ass kid. Raise your hand. If you'd like Reese to step down, shut the fuck up. You're such a goddamn loser. Oh my literally loser and weasel. Scott. Shut up. So he's like, um, actually, I quit my job, so there's no need for a vote. And they're all like, wait, what the fuck? No way, absolutely not. This, that, whatever. Yeah. Scott didn't see that coming. No, he's like, I'm not gonna work for you. And Reese's like, I'll handle it, Emmett. Don't worry about it. Pause. I'll handle it. Don't worry about it. I got I got Scott handled. So she has like this whole trickery thing going on in the background where she wouldn't be his um direct leader, his direct manager. She gave Ed the VP, which is so good. Good for Ed. Good for Ed for being like the nicest guy ever. So she's like just talking mad shit to Scott. And she goes, Don't you dare threaten me or what's mine ever again. And then she goes, she points in my direction to Emmett. And that includes him. And then it's funny. He goes, I smack Ed in the arm, point Therese. That's my girl. I loved it, but she ate them up. Ate them up.

SPEAKER_01 33:17

Oh she goes, You four are fired immediately. Ugh no. And she goes, Here are you guys' severance package. And I'll obviously, Scott, you fucked up, so you don't get one. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 33:27

Thank you. Yeah. She goes, You you went against your your claws or whatever. And she's like, when she gives them the severance, she's like, You guys don't deserve it. But I'm not like, you know, I got I am moral.

SPEAKER_01 33:36

I am moral. I loved so good. I love that she started working on this as soon as she knew, like, this is it for me. So like you. And when he found out it was 10 days ago that she started working on this, not like the night before. Like, that was so sweet. So cute. And like she's like business woman as fuck. Because in the real life corporate world, these motherfuckers know that they can pull shit if they needed to. And she went ahead and did that.

SPEAKER_02 33:58

She was that girl.

SPEAKER_01 33:59

She was that girl. Not only was she getting things ready with HR and all those things, she's talked to a woman reporter that kept on wanting to interview her to get their story out first. Yeah. To fuck Scott, pretty much, like for real. Fuck Scott with the narrative. Literally to get in front of the narrative. Loved. And she was waiting for his approval.

SPEAKER_02 34:19

So cute. For it to go live. For it to go fucking live. She's making sure that I'm good with our relationship going public. And so he's like, So just to be clear, you're not breaking up. It was so cute. And then she goes, I think we can confidently agree that the option is off the table. Off the table. Yeah, yeah. Her laugh is soft. You're my person, Em. It took me 35 years to find you. I'm not gonna let you go. And he goes, Oh fuck, that confession hit right where it needed to land.

SPEAKER_01 34:42

Same. Same, same, same. Same. Us two. No. But I thought it was so sweet because he's reading the article to like check it or whatever. And he's like, the article is mostly about Reese. As it should be. As it should be. He was just so, uh, so amazing.

SPEAKER_02 34:56

No, and so then we get the epilogue. No, no, the epilogue was so fucking cute. Love. So the epilogue, she she had actually mentioned, like, during the book, that next season she wants to win it all. Shoot for the stars, baby. And so the epilogue, they're literally game five of the world series. They end up winning, and it's this whole emotional party. Monty's there, and Isaiah and Kai are there.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

Milo's the one that hits the uh like literally close circle, motherfucker. So cute.

SPEAKER_02 35:23

Like, I like he wanted it to be Isaiah, but I'm like, all right, I guess Milo, like, it's Kai, like, you know.

SPEAKER_01 35:28

Yes, yes, yes, yes. I know you wanted it to be Isaiah, but it was Milo to close the the close it.

SPEAKER_02 35:34

Yeah, close a full circle moment.

SPEAKER_01 35:36

Thank you. Yeah, not close the circle, full circle moment. Full circle.

SPEAKER_02 35:40

But anyway, talking about Isaiah, it was the whole part where like they're all like, yeah, literally. Monty goes and he's like hugging Kai and he's like, I love you, and he's like, I love you too. And then Isaiah goes and hugs him, and then he's like, Where's Kenny? Isaiah calls out. Where's my wife? I was like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 35:55

Literally always thinking about Kenny, like for real. Like Kennedy is that girl for him, which I love.

SPEAKER_02 36:00

I love.

SPEAKER_01 36:01

I think it was funny how they kept mentioning in the book they're getting remarried.

SPEAKER_02 36:03

Oh so cute. Yeah, they have like their vows again. And he also Monty. Her him and Reese. And she was so funny. She's like, Marry me. I know. How funny was that? And he's like, Can you stop beating me to these things? Yeah, you gotta stop getting ahead of me, man. Uh, but he had a ring. And then he just I love that. And he was like, Are you asking or are you telling me? He's like, Don't tell me what to do.

SPEAKER_01 36:23

Literally was about to say that. I love how they're like, they never ask each other anything. They're like, no, marry me. Yeah, yeah. It's like a we're telling you what to do. Love. I'm so happy. I'm so happy that at that part, Monty had the ring already. And the fact that he like carried it in his pocket for a couple of the games, like I love that. I love that because it shows like he wanted the right moment. Yeah, he was gonna do it anyways.

SPEAKER_02 36:44

Yeah, yeah, yeah. 100%.

SPEAKER_01 36:45

Like, thank you, Monty, for showing up at that moment. And every moment before that.

SPEAKER_02 36:50

In the entire book. Thank you, Monty. Oh, it was so good. I'm so happy we read this. Says you did it. I'm so happy for the wilder boys to come out. I'm so excited. We've got to wait until November. But, anyways, so on to the goodreads. Yes, it is. Okay, so this is five stars. It goes, Monty can disrespectfully run me over and I thank him. The daddiest daddy that ever daddied. That's honestly so true. Like a hundred percent. Like, I'm trying to think of Cade and his daddiness, but like I don't know. I don't know if we're writing the high of Monty.

SPEAKER_01 37:22

I don't know either.

SPEAKER_02 37:24

I don't know. Monty was that fucking guy. He was that guy.

SPEAKER_01 37:28

Because like Cade was kinda low-key a little broody. Oh so? Monty wasn't that broody. No, he wasn't as broody as Cade. No. I don't want to say which one over the other because I love them both. I'm gonna say both. Yeah. Both them. Both of them.

SPEAKER_02 37:39

Both them. All right. This says, here I am yearning for someone's grandpa. Yes. Okay, another five stars. What is it about this book that feels like coming home to me, like a warm hug, like a safe place? And I mean safe in the very best of ways because yeah, I loved it. Honestly, same. Same. Like was like a breath of fresh air, like we said. We were saying at the beginning. So it goes, adored it, devoured it, held my candle to my chest when I was done, wishing I could go back and start it all over again because I this had me so locked in. I think Liz Tom 40 has a specific ability to write adult contemporary romance that just feels so right to me. Honestly, like I loved all the other Windy City. Windy City was our first episode. How cute. Oh my god, how cute! We've come a long way. We have. It says it's not to say these plots are completely uncharted or unpredictable, or that her books have intense angsty or deeply traumatic arcs that play on my emotions for those reasons alone, but they do end up hitting the solar plexus in a quiet, don't see it coming until it does kind of way. Her characters are down to earth, and there's this particular brand of sincerity that I get swept up every single time. And so it keeps going, right? And so she goes, let me start the yaps with babbling on the main characters. So she talks about Reese and then she talks about Emmett. She goes, Emmett, I lived heavy for a reason. Montgomery. Yes. She goes, Y'all gonna need to put a muzzle on me because if I open my mouth to speak on this man, the dribble that threatens to pour out of me would be concerning and cause for a case to have me committed. This man, oof, as scrumplyumptious as he was in all the aesthetic ways, and I won't be forgetting that mouth of his anytime soon. His heart and the way he cared for his people was the most attractive thing about him. He was so protective of his family, his players, and of Reese. Sacrificial and selfless man through and through. Again, I loved how he became her rock while never wanting to undermine her ability to handle her own. Yeah, exactly. The book put it best. I don't do things for you because I don't think you can do them for yourself. I do them because I want to and because you should know what it feels like to be taken care of. Yes, love. Yes. This one says, this is four stars. It goes, power couple for real. I love them together. Emmett is so hot and Reese's a queen. That's all I have to say. Emmett, fire me, Montgomery. Emmett, and like a dog, I followed Montgomery. Emmett, don't tell me what to do, Montgomery. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:59

Literally. Oh god, why do we all have the same freaking quotes? Because we're all sluts for fucking Montgomery.

SPEAKER_02 40:06

For Monty. Literally. This is five stars. It says this book is everything to me. The series is everything to me. I love these characters so much. Liz Tom Forty is truly one of the best romance writers of our time. She is so good with all the little details and all the things that the characters notice about each other. It makes her stand out above all the rest. And she absolutely came into her own with this one. I loved every second. Bro, Monty is so hot. Good God. I love him and his feminism and his slutty little backwards cap so much. Not the slutty little backwards cap. Love. He and Reese are so amazing together, and they had the best flirting and chemistry I've seen on the page. Seriously, the flirting was next level. I was dying. I honestly could not stop squealing, and my jaw dropped more times than I could count. Whenever he couldn't take his eyes off her, even when talking to someone else, done. And Reese was so sexy and strong. I love her. I love this so much. Thank you, List Tom 40. I can't wait for the wilder boys. Literally, thank you. Neither, neither can we. Neither. So this is the last one. Five stars. I'm convinced List Tom 40 is a genius. How does she manage to outdo herself with every single book? I absolutely loved Monty and Reese's story. Monty and Reese are two people who've gone so long without love and care, finally finding each other. They truly feel like soulmates. The way each filled the gaps in the other's lives, balancing, supporting, and loving so deeply. It was such a beautiful journey to read. And the things that came out of Monty's mouth, I was screaming, kicking my feet the whole time. And easy five stars. Kicking my feet. No, I was giggling. I was gonna be giggling, squealing. Squealing as fuck. Yeah, I was like, good. The entire fucking book. I was like, God damn. I don't like it's so good when you're reading a book and like you just gotta like I gotta take a fucking second. God damn. Like, no, literally, like I'm in the car at lunch reading, and I'm like, that's it right there. You're like, I ain't no fucking way, man. He said that? He said that? What's going on?

SPEAKER_00 41:55

No, and you're like, like, literally, like I love it.

SPEAKER_01 42:01

So good. This was such a good read. Oh, so good.

SPEAKER_02 42:05

I'm so excited. I'm so happy. Thank God. So happy we read it. Now we gotta wait for the wilder boys. So, like we mentioned during our Windy City episode, Liz is coming out with a new series. Yeah, The Wilder Boys out in California. Another sports romance. Yeah, another sports romance, four athletes, three teens. Yum. Can't get enough. Eat it up. Mm-hmm. So good.

SPEAKER_01 42:28

Oh, what a good, what a good episode, too. Oh man. So fun. This is great. No, I loved it. All right. So it looks like we're wrapping it up, huh? Yep. Sadly. Unfortunately. I think we'll definitely read Monty again. Oh, for sure. This is one of those that I'll pick it up.

SPEAKER_02 42:41

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 42:43

Alright, anyways. So read responsibly, guys, or don't.