From the bestselling author of The Guy on the Right comes a heartwarming, steamy, second-chance romance. The Guy in the Middle is BOOK THREE of The Underdogs Series, but can be read as a stand alone.I was born to play and bred to win.My priorities were instilled in me early on—family and football. Those ideals led me to TGU and a coach whose ironclad principles mirrored my own.With one last … my own.
With one last college season to play, my goal was singular—get drafted. By realizing my NFL dream, I could save my family, our ranch, and the only home I’d ever known.
Two birds, one ball.
Playing hard was my only option, but there’s always a wild card.
For all of my planning and hard work, I never anticipated falling for the coach’s daughter. Harper was a fair catch, but who knew loving her could be the one play to throw my career before it started or that the weight of our secret would change the game.
Series Order
The Guy on the Right
The Guy on the Left
The Guy in the Middle
more
Easiest 5 stars I have given in a whileeeee! Stewart knocked it out!! Lance and Harper completely destroyed me! Their struggle is very close to home for me and I was able to relate to them so much. It was fascinating and addicting. Being completely immersed in their world had me crying, laughing and completely emotional. And that ending!!! Getting snippets into everyone’s lives throughout this series was amazing! I loved it!
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life…”
I am in tears! Tears of sorrow to see this beautiful, funny, heartfelt story end and tears of joy because everything in this world is as it should be!
This is Lance’s story, and how I have been waiting for the full story! We got a glimpse of his story in Team Player but to see this story, the full story of Lance and Harper is magic, absolute writing gold!
Lance has been an elusive fella, in the other books in this series, we only see glimpses and glances of him, and now to “see” him is epic.
Harper is an amazing character and I love that Ms. Stewart didn’t make her a “beautiful” heroine, she made her real and honest and for that, as a reader, I thank you!
I love how Lance saw Harper as perfect in his eyes and that all that matters. I could empathize with Harper in finding that hard to believe and the struggles she faced by being with him.
This story, hell this series is absolutely amazing and this book is definitely in the running for my “Best Reads of 2020”. It’s full of heart, heat and oh the fabulous laughs. A #comebackkidlovestory indeed!
P.S. The epilogue is one of the best ones I have read.
Kate Stewart has saved the very best in The Underdog Series for last!!! The Guy In The Middle was far beyond five stars!!!! Brilliant writing, excellent character chemistry, and an ending that makes you sigh and want to start the whole series all over again!!!! Kate Stewart is, BY FAR, the most phenomenally talented author that I’ve read in years!!!!
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?”
It did…..IT EFFING DID!!
The MOMENT I picked up DRIVE, I KNEW my life as a reader would be changed forever!!
The MOMENT I opened SEO, I KNEW I had just scratched the surface of what Kate’s talent is capable of…
The MOMENT I met her and hugged her in nyc, I KNEW we’ll be connected forever…her soul to my soul!
The MOMENT Heartbreak Warfare annihilated me, I KNEW I had taken pledge of allegiance in Kate’s Fanclub!
The MOMENT I met #TheoAndLaney in TGOTR, I KNEW…I had upgraded from a fan to a DEVOTEE.
The MOMENT I saw Troy secretly stalking Clarissa and “Buy My Merch” Dante, I KNEW she will carefully rip my heart out.
I sincerely & religiously WORSHIP every word that ever has or will sprout in your brain Kate, I’m your designated stalker, whether you like it or not!
And she has book and book again proven her Ninja Stealth in creeping upon us with light sweethearted stories and halfway in, out come the knives and she massacres our hearts.
And This book…OMG THIS BOOK will slowly waft like A Heady perfume, envelope you, seep into your skin, linger in your heart and you’ll forever smell like Lance. His frustration, his mania, his generous heart will win you over and you will cross all boundaries of Forbidden to be with him. It’s no surprise that Harper falls for him, although they know how it’s gonna end
“Not every dream is realized.
That’s the hard truth, and the lesson I’ve come away with and survived.
Not all hard work pays off.
Not every guy gets the girl.
And sometimes even the most carefully laid plans get changed, interrupted, or abandoned because life has other ideas.”
One of my favorites books of my life is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand . Much like John Galt, Lance has the weight of multiple worlds on his shoulder too. He has to bear onus for being Jack’s caretaker, Jeanne’s son, Trevor’s idol/brother, ranch salvager, aspiring footballer, Tony’s fighter and somewhere in the mix, he’s the light of Harper Elliott’s heart. And these heavy globes on his shoulder weigh him down till he collapses on his knees
I want to send him a message- “Lance, you aren’t going to get everywhere at once. You need to stop living for the what ifs and start living in the what is, one breath, one step at a time.
Shrug some of the weight off!!”
The powerful message of Love Thyself clangs like church bells at the end of the sermon.
God loves those who love themselves
Kate has an uncanny sense of ripping your heart out with her words. This story is bursting with emotions, from gloomy to scintillating, kisses to Heartbreak, there’s a flavor for every season, every situation. Be prepared to be utterly devastated, like on your last breath choked with tears. You’ll bawl your eyes out, tear your hair in frustration and cuss her to infinity and beyond. Such is the power packed in this book. I think this is the most deep and angst- filled book of this series.
I am run out of words to praise you sweetheart. This book was a perfect ending to a phenomenal series.
NOBODY can capture the nuances of love and devotion like you can
#Rainbows
#theunderdogsofoharadrive #awardwinningmaestro #NFLdream #heavyweightchampionoftheworld #mrshouseman #plusonecomingsoon #mrsjenner #mrsprescott #grandgirlsstaygrand #grandmanlegacy #friendsforlife #livingourrealestlives
ELEVEN stars cause I HATE season of Summer!!
I was gifted with an ARC (my first) and I could not be happier with the book, except if it was longer 🙂 I started Lance and Harper’s story in the Anthology that was released in fall of 2019. I was immediately taken by the story and could not wait to finish it. I had re-read the short in the Anthology again prior to the ARC I was gifted, so I dove right into Round 2. This book started with all the feels and ended with even more feels. It was also a lot more angsty in Round 2 and 3 then the beginning, and I am not complaining. I thought it brought out the complexity of the characters and even the side characters. You are able to really dive deep into the characters and all nothing was left hanging. During the epilogue you got to get a glimpse into the rest of the characters from the first two books, which was sweet and just wrapped it all up nicely. I will say, I hope we get a few shorts of just Lance and Harper, as they are my all time favorites. Thank you, Kate for the gift of Harper and Lance!! And for the Underdogs in general. Perfect end to the perfect series.
In this, the final installment of the Underdogs book series, we get Lance’s story. Lance was the quiet roommate, the one that Theo and Troy didn’t know much about. Well there’s a reason for that. Troy had to keep his head down and work as hard as he could so that he could get drafted in the NFL and save his family’s ranch. He didn’t have time for distractions, no matter how beautiful they are.
Enter Harper, a TGU student who’s only dream is to dance. When she invades Lance’s private time at his friend’s gym, he’s irritated. He doesn’t want to be bothered, he simply wants to get out all his feelings and stress on the bag in front of him. Having a tight dancer’s body in his sight is definitely not the distraction he needs. But Harper doesn’t give up. She pushes and prods him and they end up together, only telling him afterward who she is. His coach’s daughter, the woman who accidentally snapchatted an image of his ass and a TGU jersey to her whole family instead of just her sister. Now coach is on a tear, trying to figure out who the player is sleeping with his daughter. Punishing the whole team for it.
With this final installment, we get one heck of a romance. It’s a straight up mess, but so are Lance and Harper. They each have their own issues, things that need to be overcome before they can finally be together. You can read the love between them, through all the anger, hurt, and frustration. But it’s more than Lance and Harper’s story. There’s more at stake this time. We’ve got both Lance and Harper’s families. We find out what happens with them as well.
We also get updates on Theo and Laney’s romance as well as Troy and Clarissa’s. The ending is a final goodbye to the trio of couples and it’s done in such a great way. This was the story I’d been waiting for with this series. I’d had my problems with the first two books, but this right here was a great ending. Thank you.
** Read using my Kindle Unlimited subscription
One of these books is not like the others.. That would be this book. That doesn’t mean I loved it any less. If there is one thing I know, it’s that Kate can write. Harper and Lance’s story pierced my soul. These two. They made me go through all of the range of emotions. I was giddy, swooning, happy, heartbroken, angry, wanting to punch both of them, empathetic, and the whole time I wanted to cradle Lance and tell him it would all be OK. He had a loner mentality. He didn’t know how to love someone and open up to them and it hurt to watch him self sabotage.
It was hard to understand why Harper did what she did, but once the whole story came out, it was clear that she loved Lance with all her heart and she would do anything to protect him. Since he had told her about his past, she did what she thought she had to do in order to save him. Mostly I loved how Harper realized she was stronger than what she thought and that she stuck with Lance through the hard times. She didn’t let him give up on himself. He needed someone strong to lean on and he just had to realize how to trust someone else completely and let them shoulder some of his burdens. The emotional journey this book took us on will stick with me for a while. I am going to miss these characters terribly, so rereads will have to take place often.
What a perfect way to wrap up this series. The beauty in which this relationship was detailed is hard to put into words. Kate weaves a tail of love, heartbreak, and outside chaos that has you refusing to put the book down. The pain I felt for the characters seemed so real. The twists and turns as the book came to a close stilled my anxiety, leaving the perfect ending to the series. I loved the appearance of past characters as the book came to a close. I never want this series to end….
4.5 stars – This book was a real mixed bag !
It has Some football, some boxing , some dancing , some bullying , some heart ache , some loving , some hating , some friendships , family strength and family break down , character building and character breaking (bringing great character depth ) .
And a fantastic end to the underdog series .
Lance and Harper meet while working out in the same gym, they both go to the same college and harpers dad is lances football coach .
Lance has a big goal. He needs to get drafted to make money to save his family ranch . He needs to focus and not let anything get in the way.
Harper wants to dance . And she’s really good. But she promised her family she would finish college first .
Their connection is strong , and their banter fun. But their relationship comes at a great cost . Unfortunately this cost becomes too great and there is a long road for them to navigate before they can be together completely .
I found I really enjoyed this book the most from round 3 . Round 1 and 2 had heart break and round 3 saw them really fighting. And the epilogue was the highlight !!
I’ve loved this series and these friendships that formed ! I loved that all of their stories were so different yet they still had some things in common and I loved that the underdogs were the winners in each 😉
I loved theos sentiment in the epilogue when he said :
“I didn’t think I knew my roommates so well. Didn’t think I had a thing in common with them. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong. Though our stories are vastly different, we all longed for the same thing—to belong—all the while figuring out who we were, trying to prove ourselves and win the affection of the women who would help us figure it all out. We may not have had the friendships we do now, but I have zero doubts crossing paths the way we did was a coincidence. Our stories stemmed from the same place, intertwined, and wouldn’t be what they are if it weren’t for each other.”
“You know you gave me…,” I breathe through the pain, “you gave me a love story, a real love story, even if it doesn’t have the ending I was hoping for.”
This book was an absolute knock out and the epilogue was perfectly strung together, bringing our favourite underdogs a fitting ending. Whilst these books could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading them in order. The characters are amazingly flawed, but everything at the same time. Relating with them comes naturally and the storyline flowed seamlessly. Imagine only scratching the surface or overlooking these underdogs it would be a travesty. All the feels, angst, heartbreak, joy and laughter.
Harper and Lance have a forbidden relationship, he’s a ball player and she is the coaches daughter. Opposites attract, they start off on the wrong foot, their enemies to lovers. It was supposed to be some fun with no strings attached, but when you have chemistry it’s impossible to fight. She’s loves dancing on a stage and he loves to dance around a ring or punch a bag. They both have lots of pressure and baggage to work through together, but when one is left behind the other becomes bitter.
Lance and his “resting bastard face” is an amazing guy even with how damaged he is. I’m so happy to see how this all worked out for him since he has been given a difficult life to live.
Harper (coach’s daughter) does cause more struggles in his already challenging life as well as her own but you get to see their journey and if they make it out at the end.
I felt the pain on how long these two dragged on. More drama than I usually like due to the high tension and feelings not being expressed. You just want to hit them upside their heads to just get over it! Which was only reason I didn’t rate this 5 stars.
It was an awesome book just more angsty than the other two. I felt at 50% into the book that their issues should be resolved by now.
I held on tight and was certainly rewarded.
Definitely different than the previous two books but very enjoyable.
Book 3 in this series
The last roommate who kept to himself more- Lance he needs to make it to the NFL he is focused until he meets Harper. I love that this story continue over time and you find love can conquer all or most things. Love revisiting the other characters in the series.
Great series
I LOVED ITA NA novella that captures your heart and tugs on your heartstrings. Oh, and the Angst level is a 10 on the 1-10 scale!!
Lance Prescott is the silent broody football guy who has a lot on his plate. No one knows but he does what he needs to do. Harper is this sweet and sassy dancer who has to get an accounting degree before she can pursue her real dream. These two start out as oil and water. They clash in every way but with time, they create a friendship with lots of sexual tension. These college kids have similarities that draw them together. Their banter is sweet, fiery, spot on and addicting. But when their relationship becomes public, a new angst and tension emerges and Harper has a major decision to make.
I will say that the love between Lance and Harper is real and raw. But sometimes timing isn’t on your side and these two have major struggles. It’s hopeful, angsty, and romantic, yet also gut wrenching, sorrowful and sad. They push and pull and bring out the best and worst in each other. But through it all, their love is first and foremost even when they are stubborn and infuriating. Sometimes it just takes time and grit and determination when love is complicated.
I will say that I adored Lance’s family, Trevor, and René. They all added that extra special sass and sparkle to the story!! And to have Laney and Theo and Clarissa and Troy to be part of the story as well was like having an extra cheery on your already delicious and perfect sundae.
Kate Stewart blew me away with this story. I loved every minute of this stressful and beautiful and emotional story. A must read of 2020!!
L O V E D It!!!
I think this was my favorite out of the underdog series (but it’s really hard to choose) The 2 first books were amazing! I absolutely love Theo Troy Lance.
All of them
Lance and Harper in The Guy in the Middle took my breath away. This is my new favorite book. Kate Stewart wrote her heart out with this one and moved mine in the process!
Can you find true love in college? Can it withstand sacrifices for family, career dreams and distance? Can you trust love if you’re not sure you are worthy? These are some of the themes explored in this amazing, heart tugging romance.
I have loved this series since Theo and Laney in The Guy on the Right and this book was a fantastic ending to a series I’ll be re-reading again and again. Books make my all-time favorite list whenever I find myself thinking about them for days, even weeks after I’ve finished the last page. It’s when I find myself rereading highlighted passages over and over again just to recreate that feeling they first gave me.
I have been thinking about Lance and Harper for DAYS!! Thinking about their story and the moment they both break. Kate Stewart made me feel so many things almost to the point of my own breaking but in the most beautiful way. I was completely patched up again after reading what may be the best epilogue I’ve ever read in a romance book. She knocked it out of the park with this book and series and gave it such a wonderful conclusion. I’m so grateful.
The Plot
Lance Prescott is a quiet loner and footballer at Grande. He’s about to enter his final year at Grand having forgone the draft after his junior year. Everything rides on this season – for him and for his family. He just didn’t expect to fall for Harper, the coach’s daughter.
Harper is a sophomore at Grand pursuing her accounting degree although her first love is dance. She’s biding her time before pursuing her dance dreams in NYC though she didn’t see Lance coming, or that she’d fall for a baller.
I became completely immersed in Lance and Harper’s world. The first part of this book felt like a complete novel, exploring their secret relationship. With some books, it seems like you sneeze and they are already over or that they read so quickly because they are so predictable with hardly any depth or surprise to keep you captivated. But The Guy in the Middle felt like three books in one.
Lance and Harper sort of didn’t like each other at first but it quickly turned into an attraction that couldn’t be denied even though neither were looking for a relationship. Yet, life situations that neither can really control make it uncertain whether their relationship can last.
I know that romance books can’t be all roses otherwise how do characters and relationships grow, but I also don’t like unnecessary drama. Kate Stewart wrote the perfect novel. She wrote amazing characters that you really get to know and understand what motivates them. She also made you fall for them as they fell for each other. And, there was no useless drama but an amazing story and plot points that made the characters stretch and ultimately realize they were stronger together.
It’s books like these that make me feel like such a dud sometimes as a book reviewer because I don’t feel like I adequately convey what is so wonderful about a book and how much I love it. I want to do it justice without any spoilers but it always feels less than. Just take me word for it and read this book because it is just simply one of the best.
Thank you Kate Stewart for the advanced reader copy. All comments and opinions are completely my own.
Check out this review and all my romance book reviews and romance book lists on my book blog, She Reads Romance Books: http://www.shereadsromancebooks.com
A great ending to a great bookseries.
Througout book 1 and 2 Lance was always in the back of my mind. He‘s the quiet one of the group and you desperatley wanted to know his secrets. He didn‘t disappoint.
The book is split up into 3 Rounds – the first round is the beginning of Harper and Lance and I loved them both fiercly! Harper is a strong, though woman and she keeps Lance on his toes. The love story between the two is just so good! I fell in love so quick with both of them.
Round 2 begins a few years after Round 1 ends and we see how both of the characters are doing after the events that happened in round 1. This is where the story picks up and you get pretty emotional reading it.
But my favorite was round 3! There was so much raw emotion in it and my heart broke for borh characters so much! I loved how we got to see a new side to Lance and get to know his family better. Harpers fight for Lance is just amazing and truly inspiring for me! She doesn‘t back away from a challenge as hard as Lance pushes her away.
The Epilogue was split up in to all different POV‘s from book 1 to book 3 and I enjoyed reading some final chapters of our beloved characters.
A great ending for a great series!
Wow this was exceptional! I loved it!!! And the Epilogue Jeez!!! Just amazing!
I started TGIM in Team Player 2 and this conclusion was so good!
Harper and Lance are miles apart trying to start their journeys in different states all because Harper wanted them both to live their dreams..
Not realizing they can still have their dreams being together even if they’re miles apart.
After years apart Lance needs to try one more time to get Harper back, the love of his life.
In heartache and realizing they have more in common then they realized, love conquers all! Faith and trust completes it!
Such a great series!!! Thank you Kate for The Underdog Series!
I read the first part in Team Player 2.
I was so excited that we got a Lance story. You really didn’t know that much about him in TGOTR since he always kept to himself in his room. Hearing about his family and the pressure he’s under made me feel for him. I absolutely loved Harper. Her interactions with her bestie made me giggle. I just loved Lance and Harper together, I can’t wait to see where they go from that ending!
The second half I absolutely loved. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Man did they ever fight for their happy ending. It was rough at times but so worth it in the end. It was great seeing everyone else from the other two books. The epilogue gave me all the feels. I really enjoyed all three books in this series, I highly recommend them!
3.5 stars
First of all I have to say I really loved and enjoyed the “The Underdogs” series. Lance has always been the biggest secret of them all and I’m happy I finally got to really meet him in this book.
I know, all stories here are kind of bumpy on a rocky road, but I think Lance and Harper had by far the most rocky bumpy one. Kate Stewart really got me hooked on the pages with part 1, somehow lost me in part 2 but won me back over in the last half of part 3. She really has a fantastic talent to create her characters as real as possible.
Lance and Harper were flawed in so many different parts and ways that their story touched my heart deeply. I really felt close to Harper and her insecurities and I so damn loved that Lance didn’t define himself through his look and always wanted to be more than one thing.
The Guy in the Middle is an inspiring second chance romance, that will make your heart bleed.
***4.5 STARS***
So sad to say good bye to the Underdogs! But what a way to go out. Lance and Harper’s story was a perfect ending to this series. I found it sadder and a bit more serious than the other 2 books, as it was filled with heartbreak and angst and lots of pain. But there was also unwavering faith, love, and survival.
I loved all mentions of characters from the previous books (even Dave!) and I loved the addition of Trevor and René (René was hilarious, I found myself speaking his lines out loud in his thick accent) And that epilogue?!?! Beyond perfect.
So, it’s good bye to the Underdogs but hello to whatever Kate Stewart writes next, she is just amazing.