Make the Play Summary, Characters and Themes

Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan is a romance novel that explores the forbidden and intense relationship between Corie Reynolds and Knox Beckett.  Corie, fresh from college, returns home to Nashville, where she reconnects with Knox, her brother’s best friend and star quarterback for the Rampage football team.

Their relationship evolves from mutual attraction to a passionate secret romance, fraught with emotional tension, guilt, and complications.  As Corie and Knox navigate their growing feelings, they must confront the consequences of breaking the unspoken rule about dating their sibling’s friend, risking their careers, and the future of their relationship. With the backdrop of professional football, family bonds, and love, the novel explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the sacrifices necessary for love to thrive.

Summary

Corie Reynolds has just graduated from college and returned home to Nashville to live with her brother, Landry, a player for the Rampage football team.  Although Corie is grateful for her brother’s support, she feels conflicted.

She is adjusting to life in his quiet home, but it still doesn’t feel permanent.  Corie longs for independence, yet she’s struggling to find a job, which intensifies her sense of uncertainty.

One day, Landry surprises her with an offer to help her get a job as the social media director for the Rampage, a position that could secure her future in Nashville.  Although Corie feels guilty about using her brother’s connections, she is also relieved and appreciative of the opportunity.

Her best friend, Sloane, reassures Corie that taking the job isn’t something to feel guilty about and encourages her to embrace the chance.  However, Corie’s internal conflict about depending on her brother lingers, especially since she has always wanted to carve out her own path.

The situation becomes even more complicated when Knox Beckett, Landry’s best friend and the star quarterback of the Rampage, becomes more involved in Corie’s life.  Their chemistry is undeniable, but Corie has always known Knox as her brother’s friend, and dating him would cross a line that Corie never thought possible.

Despite their unspoken attraction, Corie remains conflicted, unsure of how to proceed.

Knox, who has been very protective of Corie in the past, now sees her in a new light.  He is drawn to her, but he struggles with the idea of breaking the unspoken rule of not dating his best friend’s sister.

Their growing tension becomes apparent when Knox helps Corie by reaching out to his own connections and securing her an interview for the social media position.  The attraction between them intensifies, and during a moment of gratitude, Corie kisses Knox, leaving both of them unsure of what to do next.

Their emotions are tested as they navigate their feelings for one another, knowing that their relationship, if discovered, could jeopardize not only their personal lives but also their professional careers with the team.

Despite the mounting chemistry, Corie remains hesitant, concerned about how Landry will react if he learns about her relationship with Knox.  At the same time, Knox finds himself at a crossroads.

He’s falling for Corie, but he doesn’t want to risk his career, his friendship with Landry, and the stability he has built with the Rampage.  As their relationship deepens, the stakes get higher.

Corie and Knox struggle to balance their feelings with the potential consequences of crossing that line.  Their secret meetings, stolen moments, and constant tension make for a passionate but fragile connection.

The tension reaches a breaking point when Corie is invited to join Knox’s family in a suite at the stadium during a football game.  While Corie is nervous about meeting Knox’s family, she agrees to attend, and the experience brings them closer.

Corie feels conflicted as she attends the game, torn between her growing feelings for Knox and the loyalty she feels to her brother.  As Landry plays, Corie is proud of her brother’s success, but she also finds herself emotionally invested in Knox and their secret relationship.

As the night unfolds, Corie realizes how much she cares for Knox and begins to come to terms with the idea that her relationship with him might be something she can no longer keep hidden.

While Knox and Corie continue to grow closer, they must navigate the complications that arise from their secret romance.  Landry begins to notice the change in Knox, and Corie worries that he will eventually find out.

Sloane continues to provide emotional support for Corie, advising her to follow her heart and not worry about what others might think.  Despite the fear of being caught, Corie and Knox continue to embrace their relationship, knowing that their love could be worth any sacrifice.

The situation becomes more complicated when Corie’s ex, Conner, leaks the news of her relationship with Knox.  Knox, aware that this could cost them both their careers, decides to confront the situation head-on.

He prepares to face the fallout from their secret and risks everything to prioritize his relationship with Corie.  As he approaches Landry to confess his love for Corie, Knox is ready to sacrifice his career for the woman he loves.

Landry, though initially shocked, gives his blessing and acknowledges that Knox’s feelings for Corie are genuine.  With Landry’s approval and the Rampage’s understanding, Corie and Knox are able to move forward with their relationship.

The couple faces the challenges of being in the spotlight while navigating the complexities of family loyalty, professional pressures, and personal desires.  In the end, Knox proposes to Corie, and they begin planning their future together.

The epilogue reveals a happy conclusion, as Knox reflects on his career, his championship win, and the joy of building a life with Corie.  They celebrate their engagement and look forward to their wedding, knowing that despite the challenges they faced, their love for each other has only grown stronger.

Together, they are ready to face whatever life brings, united by their love and commitment to one another.

Characters

Corie Reynolds

Corie Reynolds, the protagonist of Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan, is a young woman who has recently graduated from college and returned to Nashville to stay with her brother, Landry.  Corie’s journey throughout the book is a complex one as she struggles with the desire to gain independence and the overwhelming feeling of needing to rely on others.

Although she has the potential for a promising career, her struggle to find her footing in the professional world weighs heavily on her.  This tension is amplified by her feelings of guilt toward her brother, whom she feels indebted to for offering her a place to stay while she sorts out her life.

Corie is caught between the desire to break free from the safety net Landry provides and the fear of losing the support system she has come to depend on.  Her emotional complexity is further deepened by her budding feelings for Knox, her brother’s best friend and a star quarterback for the Rampage.

Despite her attraction to him, she grapples with the complications that their relationship could cause with Landry, revealing Corie’s internal conflict about loyalty, family, and independence.  As her bond with Knox deepens, Corie must reconcile her personal desires with the weight of family ties and professional boundaries.

Landry Reynolds

Landry Reynolds, Corie’s older brother and a key figure in Make the Play, plays the role of the protective sibling.  A professional football player for the Rampage, Landry is focused on his career, but his love for Corie is evident in the way he supports her.

Despite the challenges that come with being a professional athlete, Landry takes on the responsibility of looking after his sister, offering her a home while she transitions from college to the workforce.  He is deeply invested in Corie’s well-being, and their relationship reflects a strong sense of family loyalty.

As the story progresses, Landry’s role as the overprotective older brother complicates Corie’s burgeoning relationship with Knox, his best friend.  He is initially unaware of the romantic tension between Corie and Knox, and his eventual reaction when he learns about their secret relationship adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.

Though initially caught off guard by their romance, Landry’s character showcases growth as he comes to terms with the situation and ultimately offers his support, confirming his genuine care for both Corie and Knox.  Landry’s emotional maturity and love for his sister shape the familial dynamics of the story, illustrating the delicate balance between protecting family and respecting personal relationships.

Knox Beckett

Knox Beckett is the charming and talented quarterback for the Rampage and Corie’s brother’s best friend, making him a central yet complicated character in Make the Play.  Initially, Knox is portrayed as a confident and successful athlete, deeply loyal to Landry, his longtime friend.

However, his relationship with Corie complicates this loyalty as he begins to develop feelings for her, something he tries to resist due to the “bro code” of not dating a best friend’s sibling.  Despite his internal conflict, Knox’s growing attraction to Corie is undeniable, and their interactions reveal a deep emotional connection.

The tension between his professional responsibilities, his loyalty to Landry, and his burgeoning love for Corie creates an intricate web of emotions for Knox.  His journey involves balancing his feelings for Corie with the potential consequences their relationship might bring, both personally and professionally.

Knox’s decision to pursue Corie, despite the risks, highlights his willingness to challenge the rules for love.  His actions demonstrate a profound commitment to Corie, especially as he navigates the fallout from their secret relationship being exposed.

Knox’s character is defined by his loyalty, both to his friends and to Corie, and his willingness to sacrifice for love becomes a defining aspect of his growth throughout the story.  His deep affection for Corie, combined with the courage to pursue a future with her despite the obstacles, marks a key transformation in his character arc.

Sloane

Sloane, Corie’s best friend, plays a crucial supporting role in Make the Play, offering Corie both emotional support and practical advice throughout the story.  As Corie grapples with her internal conflict about her relationship with Knox and the potential fallout with her brother Landry, Sloane is a steady presence who helps her navigate these turbulent emotions.

Sloane encourages Corie to follow her heart, even when it seems risky, and reassures her that Landry will come around to accept her relationship with Knox.  Sloane’s role extends beyond just being a sounding board; she provides Corie with a sense of perspective and the courage to take bold steps in her personal life.

Her friendship with Corie is grounded in trust and understanding, and she plays a pivotal role in helping Corie manage the complexities of her secret romance with Knox.  Throughout the novel, Sloane is a voice of reason, urging Corie to embrace her feelings without fear of judgment or the consequences of defying social norms.

Sloane’s loyalty to Corie and her ability to offer comforting advice make her an integral character in the development of Corie’s emotional journey.

Everly Beckett

Everly Beckett, Knox’s sister, is another important character in Make the Play who provides both comic relief and emotional support to Corie.  Everly’s playful nature and close bond with Corie allow her to become an ally in Corie’s relationship with Knox.

In a memorable scene, Everly encourages Corie to distract Knox during a friendly game of football, highlighting her understanding of the chemistry between them.  Everly’s support is instrumental in Corie’s journey toward embracing her feelings for Knox, and her warmth and openness create a safe space for Corie to explore her emotions.

Everly’s character serves as a reminder of the importance of family connections and the strength of sisterly bonds, particularly as she helps Corie feel more comfortable in Knox’s world.  Her presence also acts as a balancing force in the narrative, providing lighthearted moments that contrast with the emotional tension between Corie and Knox.

Themes

Forbidden Love and Loyalty

The theme of forbidden love is prevalent throughout Make the Play, where Corie and Knox find themselves caught in a passionate and secretive romance that could ruin their relationships with those they love.  This theme is particularly complex due to the central moral dilemma of their forbidden relationship.

Knox is faced with the loyalty to his best friend, Landry, Corie’s brother, who has always treated him like family.  The complications of dating Corie’s best friend’s brother make their attraction an emotional minefield.

Despite this, their chemistry is undeniable, leading to a romance that is hidden from everyone around them, including Landry.  Both characters must navigate their desires while trying to avoid hurting the people closest to them, and this creates a deep internal struggle.

Corie, on the other hand, grapples with guilt as she becomes more entangled in her feelings for Knox.  Her desire for independence clashes with the loyalty she feels toward her brother, making the relationship all the more precarious.

The narrative consistently explores the fine line between passion and responsibility, testing how far one is willing to go for love despite the risks involved.  This emotional turmoil forces both Corie and Knox to re-evaluate what is more important: loyalty to family or the pursuit of their personal happiness.

As the novel progresses, the tension between these two forces becomes harder to ignore, and the couple’s journey highlights how love, while beautiful, can also be a force that tests the boundaries of loyalty and tradition.

Independence vs. Dependence

Corie’s desire for independence is a driving force in Make the Play, shaping her emotional journey and highlighting the tension between personal growth and the comfort of familial support.  Upon returning to Nashville, Corie is eager to find her own path and avoid being dependent on her brother, Landry.

This desire for self-sufficiency manifests in her internal conflict as she struggles to secure a job post-graduation and assert her independence.  At the same time, she is confronted with the temptation to lean on Landry for support when he offers her a job opportunity with the Rampage.

While Corie initially feels guilty about using nepotism, she also understands that this may be her chance to finally establish herself in a career she’s passionate about.  The novel delves deeply into her emotional battle, showing how difficult it is to reconcile her need for independence with her appreciation for the safety and support Landry provides.

As Corie navigates these feelings, the theme of dependence vs.  independence becomes a central conflict, demonstrating the complex nature of adult life and the uneasy transition from relying on family to standing on one’s own.

Even as Corie grows closer to Knox, her sense of self-worth and autonomy is constantly challenged by the support she receives from others.  The theme explores how much of one’s identity is shaped by external help and whether true independence can ever be fully achieved when personal and emotional connections complicate the equation.

Love and Sacrifice

The theme of love and sacrifice is intricately woven throughout Make the Play, as Corie and Knox must both make significant emotional sacrifices in order to be together.  Their relationship, initially hidden and fraught with secrecy, requires them to keep their feelings under wraps, even though it becomes increasingly difficult.

Knox, for instance, has to risk his professional career, his friendship with Landry, and his public image by continuing a romance with Corie, all of which show the depth of his feelings for her.  The concept of sacrifice in this theme extends beyond the professional; it also affects their personal lives.

Corie’s sacrifice is more subtle but equally significant—she must navigate the potential fallout with her brother, which could strain their relationship permanently.  Her own internal battle revolves around balancing her desire to pursue her relationship with Knox while also honoring the loyalty and trust she has built with her family.

The sacrifices each of them makes for the sake of love emphasize the novel’s exploration of how powerful romantic relationships can be, especially when both partners are willing to risk everything they have for each other.  The final moments of the story, where Knox makes a public commitment to Corie despite the risks, encapsulate the essence of this theme: true love is not just about passion and connection, but also about willingness to endure hardship and face consequences for the sake of the person you love.

This aspect of the story is a testament to the strength and resilience of love, even when it demands everything from those who experience it.

Family Dynamics and Protection

Family dynamics play a critical role in Make the Play, especially as Corie’s relationships with her brother Landry and her growing connection with Knox unfold.  Landry, as Corie’s older brother, has always been protective of her, and this protective nature is tested when Corie begins her secret relationship with his best friend, Knox.

The tension between loyalty to family and personal desires creates a significant strain in their sibling relationship, with Corie fearing the potential fallout of their actions.  At the heart of this theme is the question of how family bonds can influence individual decisions.

Landry’s love for his sister is undeniable, but his connection to Knox complicates matters.  The novel captures the emotional weight of this dynamic, as Corie is forced to decide between her loyalty to her brother and her desire to pursue a romantic relationship with Knox.

At the same time, the theme also explores the protective nature of love—whether it’s Landry’s concern for his sister or Knox’s desire to keep Corie safe from the emotional pain that could come with their relationship.  Through moments of vulnerability and confrontation, Make the Play highlights the delicate balance that must be struck between family loyalty and romantic love, showing how these two forces can either strengthen or fracture the relationships they are meant to protect.

The evolving dynamics between Corie, Landry, and Knox underscore how family, while a source of unconditional support, can also be the greatest obstacle when pursuing one’s personal happiness.

Identity and Self-Discovery

A key theme in Make the Play revolves around the journey of self-discovery and identity, particularly for Corie, who returns home after graduating from college.  She finds herself caught between her past as her brother’s little sister and the woman she has become after her time away at school.

Corie’s exploration of her own identity is central to the story, as she contemplates what she wants for her future—professionally and personally.  The novel delves into Corie’s struggle to step out of her brother’s shadow and assert her independence while balancing her romantic feelings for Knox.

This internal journey is complicated by her conflicting emotions of guilt, desire, and a yearning for stability.  As Corie learns to navigate her evolving feelings for Knox and the complexities of being a part of a professional football family, she begins to understand that self-discovery often requires difficult decisions, both emotionally and relationally.

Her journey toward figuring out who she truly is, outside of the roles she has been assigned, is what makes her relationship with Knox not only a romantic endeavor but also a vital part of her growth as an individual.  Through Corie’s experiences, Make the Play highlights how love, family, and career all contribute to the formation of one’s identity, and how embracing change is often necessary for personal growth.