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
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?”
I fell in love with Lance and Harper when I first read the Novella in Team Player 2, and I could not wait to continue their journey. The Guy in the Middle was a heartfelt, gut wrenching, emotional story full of true love, loyalty, faith and forgiveness. I felt confused, frustrated and tide up in knots as I read Lance and Harper’s story. I was so disappointed in Lance and how he continued to push Harper away. I wanted to knock some sense into Harper as she continuously took Lance’s verbal punches, staying for the next round. At first I saw their actions as desperate and weak. But as I continued to read, I realized that they were anything but weak and I saw the strength, faith, loyalty and undying love. Lance didn’t want Harper to witness the boy that was hidden beneath his mask of anger. But Harper saw it all, and she was willing to accept all that is Lance – the good, bad the ugly. Their love was beautiful, heartbreaking, a love meant to survive life’s challenges. They needed each other and were willing to give themselves fully – mind, body & soul – to one another. Loved their story, and I absolutely loved getting to catch up with Theo and Troy. There is one last Grand Man I really hope we to get to hear more about. Trevor!!
Great conclusion to this series. Loved that both characters were likable and flawed. No perfection here. Just real characters with issues and big hearts.
Well edited.
For most of books 1 and 2, Lance was in his room. We rarely saw him, except in passing. Finally, we find out that still waters run deep. Lance is on the football team with Troy. He has family nearby, struggling to hold on to a family ranch. In addition, Lance is into boxing, which helps let out his anger and frustrations in a non-destructive way. One night, his night at the gym is interrupted by a girl. She comes in and proceeds to dance. Their interactions are less than friendly. However, over time, they develop a friendship which leads to more. It isn’t until after much more that Lance finds out she is the coach’s daughter. Oops. Lance and Harper begin a secret love that eventually implodes. Harper leaves to pursue dance, leaving Lance to continue on at school. A couple of years pass, and Lance decides it’s now or never. Go after the girl or don’t. He and Harper reconnect, but once again, she chooses to let him go. Will that be the end? And if Harper realizes her mistake, will it be too late? Will Lance ever trust his heart to her again?
Lance is a guy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is doing everything he can for his family. Will he ever do something for himself? Harper struggles with self-image because she isn’t the ‘classic’ beauty. Will she ever accept that Lance love her for who she is? By the epilogue, we get to visit with Troy & Clarissa and Theo & Laney. It is so good to see where they all ended up, and that they were able to grow into an adult friendship. Thoroughly enjoyed. Hope you do too.
The Guy in the Middle is Lance’s story. We met Lance in Kate’s ‘The Guy on the Right’ book. Lance is Theo’s quiet roommate and Troy’s teammate. I was very interested in hearing his story and I wasn’t at all disappointed. Lance is a star player on the collage football team. His family needs him to get drafted so he keeps his head down and stays focused. He goes to a friends gym to box when he needs to blow off some steam. While boxing he meets Harper. Harper is a dancer who goes to the gym to work on her dance moves. He initially isn’t happy to have her there but they slowly changes and they become friends. I loved Harper, she was a strong woman who didn’t let people walk all over her. Lance, poor Lance. He has a lot on his shoulders for such a young guy. I fell in love with him. I loved the way he loved Harper and the way he looked out for her.
Lance and Harper had to go through a lot of distance and heartache before they got their happily ever after. This book was an emotional one. I didn’t cry, but sometimes wanted to. This was a wonderfully written love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I enjoyed getting little glimpses of the guys from the other stories and I loved Lance’s family. Especially his little brother. I hope he gets a story one day.
LOVED Lance & Harper’s story so so sooooo much!
I’m beyond addicted to Kate’s words! I have loved every book of hers that I’ve read and I’ve grown to trust that while she might make me laugh, smile and cry at some point throughout her books; she’s going to give me what I need as a reader before the end of the book.
Once I started I could NOT put it down! If you read the Team Player 2 anthology last year then you have probably read part of Lance’s story but not all of it. I remember reading it and then I turned the last page; I might have yelled a bit. Lol. So when I got this I couldn’t wait to dive in! I’ve been waiting so long to read about the other guys recluse housemate.
This slight enemies to lovers romance sucked me in quick! The simmering attraction boiling beneath the surface for both parties involved had my eyeballs glued to the page waiting to see what happened next. She definitely doesn’t make it any easier to break away when she gives us deliciousness like Lance!!! The attraction between Lance & Harper is as instantaneous as their loathing of each other. However, with each moment they spend in the same vicinity the loathing drifts away and is filled with a want that neither can deny any longer.
Their relationship deepens quickly and before they know it, it’s already being put to the test by the people around them. Mostly Harper’s dad; who happens to be Lance’s coach. When things hit the fan, they try to hang on as tightly as they can but things happen that force them apart. It’s not even their time apart that is the most painful to me….but the time they come back together but aren’t really together. Both have issues that they can’t get past; that they are finding it hard to confide in the other. Not because they don’t want to share it or because they don’t trust each other but they are trying to keep that part of themselves…especially the darkest parts away from the one they love.
We need to love, accept and trust all parts of the people we love. The darkness and the light. Sometimes it’s hard to love ourselves and I’ve always heard that you have to love yourself before anyone else can truly love you but I call BS…because sometimes it takes the person that we love the most to see the dark and love it just as much as the light in order for us to feel worthy of loving that part of ourselves. Seeing that part happen in this book is what made me smile the most…..witnessing them love each others darkness.
This book had a special treat at the end….if you’ve read the other guys books; Theo & Troy; then you’ll love this! If you haven’t I recommend them. The Guy on the Right & The Guy on the Left.
You do NOT have to read them in order to read this one but it definitely makes the ending that much more amazing!
I love all the books in the series, this is a second chance romance enemies to lovers story with sports in between. Lance and Harper story was another one I couldn’t stop reading until the end. He is into football while she is into dancing, the sparks fly and the chemistry is off the charts. It can be read as a stand alone but I suggest you read them all, you will love them. Can’t wait for an audiobook to experience it all over again.
I devoured The Guy In The Middle in one sitting. I had been waiting for the rest of Lance and Harper’s story since The Team Player 2 anthology. It did not disappoint.
Lance and Harper’s story is not an easy one and it left me gutted. Forces, both internal and external, conspire to keep them apart from the very beginning, but once they fall in the love, they both know that the other is it for them. However, getting to the point where they can be together is devastating and painful.
Lance is an introverted character that pushes everyone away at times. He’s unsure of himself and thinks he’s not good enough. He cares deeply about his family and his whole life is about saving them. He also loves and believes in Harper and puts her happiness above his own. He can also be so sweet and funny.
Harper has her own insecurities and she works hard to overcome them. She believes in Lance fiercely and knows he will realize his dreams. She loves his family like it is her own and she does everything she can to right the mistakes she has made.
Lance and Harper together are everything. Their chemistry is explosive and they understand each other so perfectly. They are truly soulmates.
I have loved every book in this series. They are all phenomenal and unique in their own way. All the characters are so rich and the character development is amazing. Each couple made me feel every emotion and I know I’ll be reading each book again for many years to come.
Oh my, what a story! I originally read this as part of the Team Player 2 anthology, so was excited to read the full length conclusion. The Guy in the Middle met every expectation and more, it was epic! It will rock your socks, I loved it so much
There is so much to Lance and Harper, as people they have layers and layers we see unwrapping as they get to know and understand each other. From enemies to lovers initially in a forbidden relationship these two are sexy, hot, angsty and they (well Kate Stewart’s fabulous writing) bring all the emotions in to play.
“She’s a six at most, why are you wasting time with a six?”
“Add five to that.”
“What?”
“She’s my eleven.”
This was a rollercoaster of raw emotion of epic proportions that had me wiping tears from my eyes on several occasions. What these two beautiful people went through at times was heartbreaking. They’re both so resilient but so vulnerable at the same time, they just needed to trust each other with their totally understandable insecurities. Together they were unstoppable, apart they were broken.
“You see, my love, it’s a cruel world without you in it.”
I’ve loved this whole series but this finale was the icing on a wonderful cake. Lance and Harper were without doubt my favourite couple, I’d been longing for Lance’s story since we met this tortured lone wolf in book one. I wanted his secrets and I loved him, his demons, his inner fight and the way he and Harper fitted together like a jigsaw, even when they were apart.
“And that’s why I’m here. Because I believed you.”
Beautiful story, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I love Kate Stewart and her writing, this is up there with my very favourites.
5+ never stop fighting for your dreams stars
Wow…I can’t believe this series is over, I’m not ready to let go of the boys of Ohara Drive quite yet!! This is book 3 of the series but can be read as a standalone but I would suggest starting at book 1 to get the full affect. We first met Harper in the Team Player 2 anthology last year and Lance in parts of book 1 and 2. I fell head over heels in love with both of these characters and knew by the end of the novella that I needed more of them and for them to get their HEA. Harper is the sweet heroine of the story who is a bad ass dancer and a very strong character who sacrificed the person she loved to help both of them see that they were destined to follow their dreams and get what they want. Lance, oh my beautiful broken Lance, he was the hero we didn’t know we needed. His passion and drive was amazing and the way he fiercely loved Harper through it all was inspiring! Their story was angsty, emotional and raw where you can just see the emotion bleed off the pages with these two. I absolutely loved these two broken people and I’m so happy they found each other. I can’t believe this is the end for the Underdogs, but I’m so glad they all got their HEA and that extended epilogue, oof my heart couldn’t take it. It was the perfect ending for these boys and they got the ending they deserved. I give this book 5 s!! Thank you Kate and Word Smith Publicity for the ARC in exhange for my honest review Please do yourself a favor and go and one click this book or read it for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, you won’t be sorry!! #katestewart #theguyinthemiddle #theunderdogsofoharadrive
This was the perfect end to this amazing series, I laughed, cried and got angry at the characters, but it was worth it! Miss Stewart delivers another great story as usual!
I love Kate Stewart. And I love this series. Stewart writes from the heart, and you see it beating from the pages within her characters. The stories have their messiness, entangling you in their ups and downs. The beauty of this story is how the lives of these characters are organically interwoven; you see how they interact at just the right moment to bring more value to their interconnections.
Harper was incredible. Her sassiness rivals Lance’s specialty (excelling at boorish behavior and much more). Her self-confidence and playfulness were so much fun to read. But throw them into a gym together and they’re drawn to each other like magnets. Despite Lance’s prickly exterior, I loved who he was underneath the hard exterior. He is certainly a man of many layers.
Overall I couldn’t put this book down. I was so excited for this third installment and it was worth the wait!
Just wow! It took me all night but I refused to sleep until I read from cover to cover! Outstanding! The ups and downs. Heartache. Achievements and disappointments. All of it, the entire book left me raw, open and a ball of happiness. Life has so much to offer but the biggest win is family. It comes before everything else. An OUTSTANDING epilogue that matched the beautiful writing throughout this series. Well done Kate Stewart. Well done.
Lance and Harper are my favorites!!! What can say, this book had me hooked right way. I loved the chemistry between them. Harper is feisty and Lance is a big jerk!! Watching their relationship grow and then fall apart. Will they find their way back to each other? This book has all the feels!!! You will finish this book in one sitting because you will need to know what happens!! And that epilogue, I was so happy!!!! Best epilogue ever!!!!
After reading the novella in the Team Player 2 anthology, I just knew that the rest of Harper and Lance’s story was going to be amazing. And it did not disappoint. The Guy in the Middle was absolutely amazing!!! I adored Lance and Harper so much more than I did before. Their love story was not an easy one by any means. They did and said hurtful things to one another, but one thing was always clear – their hearts truly belonged to one another. So much angst and heartache on their path to happily ever after – but it was all so worth it. And it was a truly beautiful story that moved me to tears.
And those epilogues!! Loved getting to catch up with all the couples from the Underdog series and see how close they had all become. Such a perfect way to end the series.
Kate Stewart can write a story and have you fall instantly in love with every piece of these characters!. Harper and Lance won my heart over completely. Their story is raw and erratic. They had my heart stuttering and never slowing down. I couldn’t put this book down. I was captivated hook, line and sinker.
This is Lance’s story and a rather emotional one with quite alot of struggles for the characters.It shows some issues that alot of us go through at some point in our lives and how the right person by your side can help you along.
However I feel like Lance holds things deep inside and lets them fester and I really felt for Harper and how she’s perceived.This was a difficult book that I couldn’t put down in certain moments but I struggled as to why Lance was the way he was. I really wished I could give him a hug and tell him everything will get better, the same for Harper.
It was a good story which dealt with life’s struggles and it was also wonderful to see how the characters from the previous two books in the series are doing!
ALL.OF.THE.FEELS!!! This was such an EPIC and touching love story! It is a second-chance, frenemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, with a sports aspect romance. I felt this story deep in my soul. I cried, tears just streaming down my face. I laughed. My heart broke and my chest ached. It is gritty, raw, and as real as it gets. I stayed up until 5:30 a.m. devouring every last word. Reading books like this is one of the main reasons I love reading! It is definitely one of my top 2020 reads.
This is Book #3 in the Underdog Series but you do not have to read the other books to understand what is going on in this one. It is a complete standalone with a HEA. This is Lance and Harper’s love story. There are so many aspects of this book that touched me. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. It is that good that I want you to experience for yourself. Feel the feels, swoon, let your heartbreak, and then allow Kate to heal you.
This book was superbly written. It is real and relatable and has great world-building qualities. You feel as if you are living the story with the characters. You feel every ache, every emotion, every struggle, and every triumph. The story flowed smoothly, and I was totally captivated by Lance and Harper’s love story from beginning to end, but you don’t just fall in love with Lance and Harper, you fall in love with every single character in this book (except Mark. You’ll see why)! The chemistry between Lance and Harper was palpable and undeniable. When they came together, it was explosive but life is cruel and love isn’t easy! This was so much more than a love story though. It was about family, loyalty, bullying, illness, forgiveness, and healing. This was my first read by Kate Stewart but it certainly won’t be the last. Now I am dying to read the first two books in this series. There are a few bonus epilogues in the back which I loved, and I think you will too. Don’t walk, run! Run and get your hands on this epically beautiful and touching love story!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
Lance is looking to have a career in the NFL. He wants to protect his family ranch and help out. Harper is the daughter of the coach for Lance’s team. This isn’t a typical college romance. This couple is burning hot with passion and when things take a bad turn they really explode between them. A wonderful story about life, expectations, second chances and finding your way.
I’m speechless! Kate saved the best for last! It was devastatingly beautiful. I laughed, I loved, and I let the tears consume me. The Guy In The Middle was the third and final book of her Underdogs series and I don’t think she could have ended it better!
Lance’s world was turned upside down. Everything he had worked for was gone, how could loving someone be so wrong when it seemed so right?
The rawness of this book cut deep. The emotions were intense but the love shone bright. Lance may have have had a temper but he had a heart of gold.
5 beautifully broken stars
Who knew there was so much more to Lance than meets the eye. As a side character in The Guy on the Right, I certainly didn’t. I love the fact that the real nature of each of the male leads in this series was kept under wraps until they got to tell their own story, but the intensity of Lance and Harper’s tale really caught me by surprise.
The first parts of the book are, overall, more lighthearted but my initial impressions were that Harper and Lance were like oil and water. She a talented dancer, he a ball player/fighter with a bad attitude and even worse temper. When walls started to be broken down, you could see their real personalities shine through and I fell in love with both of them. I particularly loved the way Ms Stewart described Harper’s dancing and the effect *cough, cough* it had on Lance had me cracking up. Harper is wonderful. Strong, feisty and no nonsense, I took to her straight away.
In the beginning Lance was quiet and broody, a trait which was easy to ignore, unlike his jerkish behaviour and hot headedness, which took a little longer to understand. Nevertheless, understanding does come, once we get inside his head and his story unfolds. He was shouldering a lot of responsibility, which he successfully managed to hide most of the time behind that prickly façade and everything started to make sense. Once he let down his guard, I loved how he was with Harper, so patient and understanding. He broke all his rules for her and together they are on fire. However, not everything was as it seemed and a bad decision, made for the right reasons, had far reaching repercussions for this couple and their paths were suddenly not as fixed as they anticipated.
Although both these characters showed their strong side to the world, they were also vulnerable, dealing with things in the only way they knew how. There is so much push and pull between them but it was Harper’s tenacity and perseverance that had me rooting for her to succeed. Lance may be the one wearing the gloves, but who would prove to be the fiercest contender, the most determined warrior, the best fighter?
I have adored each of the three books in this series but this one is by far the most emotional, the most angsty, powerful, moving and downright frustrating of them all. You can feel the agony in the decisions both Lance and Harper have to make, it bleeds from the pages at times. Lance’s reactions often had me on the edge of my seat and I genuinely began to worry that there would be no happy ending for this pair. Once certain situations were revealed and feelings were laid bare, the realisation of what they had both been coping with nearly broke my heart.
Once again this story turned out to be nothing like I anticipated, this couple’s journey truly unexpected. There were some amazing colorful supporting characters too along the way, each with their own personalities and important roles to play. However, despite their differences, each book in the series has a similarity which binds them together. I think the author, through one of her characters, says it best.
“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.”
The Guy in the Middle is another outstanding book in this wonderful series. Funny and emotional, filled with strength and hope, I have loved them all.
Love, love, love Lance and Harper!!
I originally fell in love with Lance and Harper when their story was featured as part of the sports romance anthology Team Player 2.
At the time, in my review I asked for more Lance and Harper. Well, this author delivered in spades!!
Here we get their full story and what a story it is!!
Lance and Harper are perfectly imperfect and perfectly matched. This story was intense, passionate and real. Their story has so much heart, and so much grit, once I started I couldn’t put it down.
From their funny and intense introduction to how their explosive story evolved and developed we get a whole new fresh perspective to their story. They are opposites who fit perfectly together.
Characters from the other books in the series make appearances giving me another reason to enjoy this installment even more!