Make Your Play Summary, Characters and Themes

Make Your Play by Cali Melle is a heartwarming romance that talks about the complicated, sometimes messy, but ultimately rewarding journey of love, responsibility, and the unexpected turns life takes. 

The story follows Riley, a woman grappling with a difficult pregnancy and financial struggles, and Nash, a professional hockey player who steps in to help her in a big way. As they enter into a marriage of convenience for the sake of her health, their bond deepens into something far more meaningful than either anticipated. This story explores the blurred lines between duty and desire, with a slow-burn romance at its core.

Summary

Riley Harris is struggling with a high-risk pregnancy, compounded by financial difficulties and the absence of the baby’s father. She’s trying to make it through the holidays, attending a Christmas Eve party at the home of her best friend Nova and her partner, Lincoln.

Despite the festive mood, Riley feels isolated and vulnerable, especially when faced with the looming reality of medical bills and a complicated pregnancy. 

The tension between Riley and Nash Simmons, Nova’s brother and a hockey player for the Aston Archers, is palpable. They’ve been circling each other for years, but neither has ever acted on their attraction.

However, during a chance moment at the party, the unspoken chemistry between them finally ignites. But before anything can happen, their moment is interrupted by Carson, Nash’s teammate. 

Despite the interruption, the spark between them remains, adding to the growing tension.

As Riley navigates the challenges of her pregnancy, she struggles with the stress of being a single mother. 

At one point, she has an emotional breakdown over her medical bills and the possibility of being put on bed rest. Nash, who has always been protective of Riley, offers her help.

But it’s not until a team-building event that Nash learns just how dire her situation is. In a conversation with his teammate Carson, the idea of a marriage of convenience is suggested as a way for Riley to get onto Nash’s health insurance. Initially shocked by the idea, Nash slowly warms to it, realizing that it could solve a lot of Riley’s immediate problems without complicating their relationship. 

It seems like a practical solution, with no romantic obligations attached.

Riley is hesitant when Nash proposes the idea of marriage, but after much consideration and with little other option, she agrees. They make a pact to keep things strictly platonic, focusing solely on the practicalities. 

They get legally married in a quiet ceremony, and although it’s meant to be a temporary arrangement, the emotional undertones between them begin to shift.

Nash’s protective instincts grow stronger as he takes on a bigger role in Riley’s life, helping her with day-to-day tasks. While Riley initially tries to maintain emotional distance, she can’t help but appreciate the kindness and care Nash shows her. 

Despite her best efforts to keep things purely practical, she starts to develop feelings for him, a fact that terrifies her.

As Riley’s pregnancy progresses, complications arise. She experiences early contractions and is put on stricter bed rest. Nash, ever the caring protector, takes time off to care for her. The situation deepens their connection, and Riley begins to fear that the life she’s building with Nash might not be as temporary as she had initially thought.

She starts to fantasize about a future with him, but the fear of it being an illusion weighs heavily on her. 

Meanwhile, Nash is becoming more and more emotionally invested. As Riley’s due date approaches, Nash realizes he’s already in love with her. He’s not pretending anymore; he’s fully committed to her and the baby, despite the fact that he’s not the biological father.

He wants to tell Riley how he feels, but he’s afraid that it might ruin the delicate balance they’ve struck. 

The moment of truth comes when Riley unexpectedly goes into early labor. The experience is traumatic, with an emergency C-section required to deliver the baby.

Both Riley and the baby survive, and Nash, who had been beside her throughout the ordeal, is overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings for both of them. In the hospital, Nash finally admits to Riley that he’s not just fulfilling a duty—he’s in love with her. 

Riley, equally overwhelmed, reciprocates his feelings, and the tension that had built up between them is released in a raw, emotional moment.

Back home with their newborn son, Nash and Riley begin to adjust to life as a family. Nash takes to fatherhood with ease, and he and Riley start to develop a true partnership. 

They name their son together and settle into a new routine, one that’s filled with both chaos and joy.

The bond between them is undeniable, but Nash knows he wants more. He proposes to Riley again, this time with a real marriage proposal, not out of obligation, but out of love. Riley, still processing the whirlwind of emotions, says yes.

In the epilogue, months later, Riley and Nash are fully settled into their new life together. 

They are now happily married, balancing their responsibilities as parents and partners. Riley’s business has flourished, and Nash is thriving on the ice.

Their son is growing strong and healthy, and they are a true family, united by love and the unexpected journey that brought them together.

Characters

Nash Simmons

Nash is a professional hockey player with a strong sense of duty and loyalty, especially when it comes to his family and close friends. He initially comes off as guarded, but his character depth is revealed through his actions and emotional evolution.

His relationship with Riley evolves from one of obligation and practicality to one rooted in love and devotion. Nash is protective, thoughtful, and increasingly tender as he cares for Riley, despite their complicated circumstances.

His emotional growth is one of the key arcs in the book, as he transitions from viewing the marriage as a mere necessity to truly falling in love with Riley and the baby. His internal conflict, especially when it comes to his fear of ruining their arrangement, makes his character relatable and grounded.

By the end of the novel, Nash is not only a devoted partner but a doting father, embodying the values of commitment and selflessness.

Riley Harris

Riley is a strong, independent woman who is grappling with a difficult pregnancy, emotional turmoil, and financial instability. Initially, she tries to handle everything on her own, but her situation forces her to accept Nash’s help, which gradually leads her to confront her feelings for him.

Riley’s character is marked by vulnerability, resilience, and a deep sense of pride. She struggles with the idea of relying on Nash, especially given their “temporary” marriage arrangement.

However, as she becomes more connected to him, Riley allows herself to experience love and intimacy, even though she fears it will all be fleeting. Her growth is significant as she learns to accept both her vulnerability and the love that Nash offers.

By the end of the novel, Riley has transformed from a woman battling isolation to someone who fully embraces her family and the love she’s found in Nash.

Rowan

Rowan plays a supporting role in the narrative, offering a shift in perspective that teases future developments. His presence hints at future romantic or emotional arcs, likely setting up the next book in the series.

While not deeply involved in Riley and Nash’s relationship, Rowan provides an outsider’s reflection on the couple’s dynamic. His character adds depth to the world-building of the story and acts as a bridge for future explorations of character development.

Though Rowan’s role is more peripheral in this book, his inner musings about love and change suggest that his own journey will be explored in the subsequent installment.

Carson

Carson, Nash’s teammate, plays an important supporting role in the early stages of the story. Though his role is primarily to catalyze the marriage proposal by suggesting Nash marry Riley for health insurance purposes, Carson’s interactions with the main characters are crucial for setting the stage.

His presence in the story highlights the complexities of relationships in high-pressure environments like professional sports. While Carson’s own character arc isn’t fully fleshed out in this book, his contribution to the plot is significant, especially in how it indirectly encourages Nash and Riley to take their relationship to the next level.

He serves as a sounding board for Nash’s internal conflicts and provides a degree of comic relief in moments of tension.

Nova and Lincoln

Nova, Riley’s best friend, and Lincoln, her husband, provide emotional support to Riley throughout the story. Though their roles are secondary, they act as anchors for Riley, especially during her toughest moments.

Nova’s protective nature and her concern for Riley’s health and well-being highlight the deep friendship they share. Lincoln, as a supportive partner to Nova, adds balance to the dynamics of the main characters.

Their interactions with Riley are grounded in care and friendship, offering moments of lightness amidst the heavier themes of the story.

Themes

Love in Unconventional Circumstances

In Make Your Play, one of the most profound themes is the evolution of love in an unexpected, complex arrangement. Initially, Nash and Riley’s relationship starts out of necessity: a marriage of convenience born out of Riley’s high-risk pregnancy and Nash’s desire to help her access medical benefits.

However, what begins as a practical solution evolves into something far more complicated. The gradual shift from emotional detachment to intense connection highlights how love can grow in the most unexpected places.

Despite the initial boundaries set by Riley, the tender moments of care and support between them blur the lines between duty and desire. The theme challenges the conventional idea that love must be romantic from the start and instead proposes that genuine affection and emotional connection can develop through shared vulnerability and mutual respect, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Struggle for Independence and Self-Worth in Times of Vulnerability

Riley’s character arc centers on her internal struggle to maintain her independence and sense of self-worth, especially in the face of overwhelming vulnerability. Throughout the story, she grapples with being dependent on Nash—emotionally, physically, and financially—while also trying to retain her autonomy.

This tension between vulnerability and self-reliance is evident in Riley’s resistance to Nash’s help, despite his clear concern for her well-being. As her pregnancy becomes more complicated and she faces a series of medical challenges, Riley’s fight for independence deepens.

Her reluctance to accept help, combined with her growing emotional attachment to Nash, reflects a larger struggle that many people face when they are placed in situations that force them to rely on others. This theme poignantly explores how accepting support doesn’t diminish one’s strength but rather allows for growth and healing.

The Boundaries of Commitment

At the heart of Nash and Riley’s relationship is the theme of navigating the fine line between duty and genuine desire. Both characters enter the marriage with clear terms—Nash out of a sense of responsibility to help Riley, and Riley out of practical necessity.

As the story progresses, their evolving feelings challenge these boundaries, making them question the nature of commitment. Nash initially views their marriage as something temporary and unromantic, but as he becomes more involved in Riley’s life and the well-being of their unborn child, he finds it difficult to suppress his deeper feelings.

This internal conflict between his sense of duty and his growing romantic desire forms a key theme in the story, showcasing the complexities of emotional intimacy in relationships that start without romantic expectations but develop into something much more profound.

The Power of Family Bonds

Parenthood emerges as a transformative force for both Nash and Riley. Nash’s gradual immersion into the role of a father changes his perception of what it means to be a man and a partner.

His deepening bond with Riley’s baby reveals a side of him that was previously hidden, and it propels him to confront his feelings for Riley in a more open and vulnerable way. Riley, too, experiences transformation as she navigates motherhood.

Her role as a mother shifts her priorities and redefines her sense of purpose. Both characters, through the challenges and joys of parenthood, come to understand what it truly means to be a family.

The theme of family bonds also reflects the broader idea that love can grow from commitment and that family doesn’t always emerge from traditional beginnings. Parenthood, in this context, becomes a symbol of emotional growth, resilience, and the profound ability of individuals to change and evolve through their relationships with others.

The Duality of Personal Growth Through Trauma and Healing

Another critical theme in Make Your Play is the idea of personal growth through both trauma and healing. Riley’s experience with a high-risk pregnancy and her subsequent health complications push her to the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion.

Similarly, Nash is forced to confront his fears of vulnerability and emotional attachment, knowing that his initial commitment to Riley was driven by a sense of duty rather than passion. The journey they both embark on—through crisis, vulnerability, and recovery—forms the bedrock for their personal growth.

The story emphasizes that growth is not a linear path but a series of setbacks and progressions, often happening in parallel with moments of hardship. In the end, it’s through the shared experience of trauma that Nash and Riley discover the depth of their emotional bond and their capacity to heal, both individually and together.

The Perception of Love as an Evolving Journey Rather Than a Fixed State

Finally, the theme of love as an evolving journey is central to the book’s portrayal of relationships. Nash and Riley’s evolving connection illustrates the idea that love doesn’t come fully formed; instead, it is a fluid and ever-changing process.

From their initial awkward and transactional marriage to the deep emotional commitment they eventually share, their relationship challenges the notion of love as something immediate and fixed. The story presents love as a process of learning, growing, and adapting to the circumstances and needs of the other person.

This evolving nature of love is explored not just between Nash and Riley, but also through secondary characters, emphasizing that love is a complex, multifaceted experience that develops in different ways for everyone.