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
This is most certainly a book that gives you “all the feels” from anger at some points because you just want them to figure it out but really that was also part of what I loved because the growth these 2 characters show throughout the pages is a beautiful thing. There’s heartbreak, sadness, laughter, so many more feels. The internal demons that these 2 fought are something I think a lot of people can connect with in some way in their real life.
These 2 are my favorite in the Underdog Series. I feel like they had the biggest battles to win to get their happily ever after. Not only did they both have inner demons to fight but they both also had things on the outside that made life for them. Lance’s love and commitment to his family had me swooning hard. I loved these 2 and from the moment they met their chemistry was like an atomic bomb waiting for them to get it right because when they had it wrong both of their worlds were under a mushroom cloud
I absolutely adored this book, the story the writing and the characters all made this a must read. Lance and Harper are opposites in every way but the chemistry between them is scorching hot I could feel the heat through my kindle. Harper is such a special young woman I admired her strength and determnation often in the face of such cruelty. Lance is a bit of a mystery he doesn’t fit the stereotypical ball player mold he’s a loner who is not into the party scene. I loved that both characters are so focused on their future goals both for very different reasons. What I was not expecting was for the story to be so deeply emotional. Kate deals with some very tough subjects, I could relate so easily to the feelings of inadequacy as I’m sure many will do. The personal growth they both go through is written so well and so realistically. The ending of the book is just perfect with an epilogue that put a big cheesy grin on my face.
4.5 One breath, one step at a time Stars
I got my first taste of Lance Prescott & Harper Elliott in Fair Catch a short featured in the Team Player Anthology and it definitely left me wanting more of their story. Kate Stewart delivers with The Guy in the Middle. It’s a heartfelt romance full of love and grit.
Their journey begins with an intense encounter. I was immediately immersed in a story that has depth and a ton of romance. Lance and Harper are seemingly complete opposites yet have so much in common. They both have drive and determination. They are goal and family oriented. Their sharp banter had me cracking up or my heart breaking. Their chemistry was combustible. They bring out the best in each another and their faith in one another is incredible. Plus they have this inherent need to protect and fight for the other when all seems lost. They have a love worth fighting for but anything worth having is never easy and they faced their fair share of hurdles as a couple and individuals.
Ms. Stewart created strong and loving yet flawed characters I wholeheartedly cheered. Lance had a gentle soul hidden behind his tough and temperamental exterior and Harper had her sass and backbone but could be crippled by insecurities. I either loved them or was frustrated with them throughout the entire story. Also infused into the story was a great supporting cast. The Guy in the Middle definitely concludes the Underdog Series on a high note. I enjoyed every moment with these couples and hate that their stories have ended.
This emotional story was the perfect ending to The Underdogs series! Lance and Harper were perfectly imperfect! They had a long way to go to overcome their personal demons to be able to fight for each other and each heartbreaking chapter took us closer to the sweetest reward at the end. Amazing series, amazing book, amazing epilogue! Highly recommend for anyone that hasn’t one-clicked it yet!
5+ ‘One breath, one step at a time’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Holy hell. Kate Stewart has done it freaking again! I could not wait a second longer to read this when I got the ARC because I’ve been impatiently waiting ever since finishing the tease we had in the Team Player 2 anthology. Lance and Harper’s story already looked EPIC by then and Kate has taken it to the next level with the full length novel. Get ready for the finale of this series because you’ll connect with this story in such a way, it will completely steal your heart.
The Guy in the Middle is the third and final installment of Kate’s The Underdogs series and we are fully entering Lance and Harper’s minds in this one. Lance Prescott is a sportsman, a secretive man who enjoys his own company and focuses on her player life and his family. Enter Harper Elliott: dancer, not traditional beauty and the coach’s daughter. They have a very intense secret relationship in college but circumstances separate them for two years. They haven’t forgotten each other. They still love each other with the same passion. Will they get their expected second chance?
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?”
Wow. WOW. Guys, you are not ready for the conclusion of The Underdogs. Trust me, this is more than the romance we expected. I am surprised? Heck yes. And heck no. Because this is Kate Stewart we are talking about and she is one hell of a talented writer. She made me fall in love all over again with this couple and the difficulties they go through and have gone through in their lives. This is definitely the most emotional book in the series. Let me just tell you, I was an emotional wreck myself.
Harper is a truth for me. What I feel for her is the truest of truths.
Lance and Harper are so much more of what you saw in the tease of them in the anthology, their back stories and secrets will break your heart and put it back together. You’ll love them, you’ll hate them, you’ll empathize with them and you’ll connect with them in ways you did not expect. Gah, this book is just.. I don’t know how to even describe all the feelings I had while reading this story. And of course, do not doubt that Kate give these two explosive chemistry that burned the pages! Lance and Harper go through a lot together and it was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time to read how their love story developed. And THAT EPILOGUE. Oh you are not ready. It was EVERYTHING.
I am his. I’ll always be his. Since the day I met him, he boxed his way into my heart, my champion, my fighter, my nemesis, my undoing, my everything.
Therefore, I am rating The Guy in the Middle with my special 5+ STARS rating because it is not just a sports romance, it’s so much more. It was funny, entertaining, sexy, emotional, heartbreaking and unique. It was the perfect way to end this beloved series that made us fall in love with three underdogs and the women at their sides. Outstanding characters, both men and women. Gah, I am not ready to say goodbye because I loved all of them so much. But trust me when I say, you’ll love how Kate ended it. Thank you Kate for another series that has completely stolen my heart. I recommend it to all romance readers, highly highly recommend it!
The Guy In the Middle is Lance Prescott’s story we met him originally in the novella, Fair Catch, Team Player 2 an Anthology that was published in September 2019. I’m not sure if it was meant to be just a novella or it was just an introduction to this book. Anyway, The Underdogs series is just amazing and I hope that you had the opportunity to read the whole series. The common thread is being misunderstood, an outcast among their peers, all have been bullied, some more than others and how they each overcame their fears.
Lance Prescott has a lot of his plate, college, football, boxing, rancher and he’s broke, he needs money to help his family with the ranch and to pay his father’s medical bills. He works his ass off and then some to handle his frustration and stress. He meets Harper Elliot at his friend’s gym she does dance routines and her body is fluid while moving it’s like watching the tide come in. Lance is enthralled and excited that someone else works their body to exhaustion and oh, did I mention she’s sexy as hell. However, others don’t find her pretty, her nose is a little different, her lips too thin, they only see the outside but never look past the superficial. These college students have so much on the plates, not to mention, the stress of fitting in and making friends. In some ways, this story gives us an insight into real-life situations a little too real but that is how Kate Stewart writes she gives it her all with every story. “What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?” “You stay in the gutter, you stay hungry.” “It was pleasure & pain, worship & consummation” Buddha of Boxing is to belong. I love her work! Thanks for another fabulous read!
I seriously don’t know how but Kate Stewart has done it again. She crushed me in the best way with Lance and Harper’s story. She is the queen of writing these incredible heartbreaking characters. Lance was hiding so much from everyone, the last round of this book had my emotions everywhere and I needed more than a tissue or two to get through it. And what Harper kept from him was not easy either. So yes, this storyline was definitely on the heavier side compared to the others in this series (there was no Dante or Theo to give you the laughs) but I still loved every word. I read the beginning of their story in the Team Player 2 Sports Anthology last September, but that was only Round 1 (That’s all repeated in this book so no need to track that down). It left me dying for the rest of the story but it was so worth the wait and it was more than I could have imagined.
And the epilogue! She gave us a great scene that allowed us to catch up with all the couples about two yrs later.
Lance and Harper start out verbally sparring with each other. They are both determined and goal oriented. So much in common in my opinion. They butt heads because they are determined not to emotionally let anyone in.
I loved the back and forth and the chemistry! So entertaining! So hot together!
The emotions are deep and the relevant issues are subtle and not in your face. I thought it was written beautifully!
And there’s one paragraph that owns me- Lance says the most amazing and swoon worthy thing to a teammate about Harper. It’s simple but it choked me up and made me mentally fist bump him. It was a great moment!
I adore everything about this book and it ends an incredible series on a beautiful and emotional high note. I highly recommend it!
Lance Prescott and Harper Elliott. They are each other’s opposites and they but heads immediately leaving no doubts of their tantalizing chemistry. Harper is not a woman to hold back when she’s got something to say. She’s a fighter. Lance is the introvert that keeps to himself and takes on so much more than is necessary for a guy his age. He’s all about his family.
TGITM is the book that has a little of everything. Enemies to lovers, some great laughs and to top it all of second chance that will blow your mind. It’s jammed with emotions. Gut wrenching, heartbreaking emotions which left a huge impression on me because I’ve come to care so much about these characters.
The story arc Lance and Harper embark upon is not easy peasy. It’s a tough and emotionally dark story because of the struggles they’re facing are real and relatable. What they go through makes them stronger. They grow and evolve. Together and separately but it takes time. That time spent is filled with them discovering a lot about each other and themselves. This isn’t just on the surface issues. No these are emotional scars which Lance and Harper deals with and they’re explored flawlessly.
The secondary characters especially Lance’s family plays an integral part of his and Harper’s journey. Harper’s amazing and hilarious friend Rene is the loyal support she needs. The other Underdogs and their women make appearances too.
TGITM is different from the previous two books and I’m glad. It’s more angsty and has depth. It’s necessary given the topics this story deals with. Kate Stewart goes for the jugular, not holding anything back but goes all in. That’s why the story and its characters resonated with me and hit me so hard.
The Guy In The Middle is the perfect addition to the series and the epilogue couldn’t be better. The Underdog series is ending on a high note.
5 Ten Days Stars
The Guy In The Middle Is the story of Lance and Harper, two characters with a past and story that is making it hard for both to open up and let things go.
Lance has so much work to do for him and his family, he has to come up with something soon in order to survive but life is not making it easy when the woman of his life steps in front of him ruining his plans and career, he doesn’t have any time for anybody, he only wants to focus on his career and his family but life has other plans that may or may not ruin anything planned.
Harper is talented, good and strong she has dreams and goals that she is looking forward too. Not before meeting the only person who can change her whole life and future forever.
The story is very enjoyable, it’s a book that has a lot of depth, somehow it feels like it is more angsty than the previous books of the series but as always has great moments that will make you smile. The Guy In The MIddle has the right amount of angst and funny moments that will make the characters and the story come alive.
I just can’t stop thinking about Lance and Harper!! Definitely you need to read this book and enjoy the banter and shenanigans of these two.
The Guy in the Middle. This is a continuing story from “The Guy on the Right” Loved the main characters Lance (Theo’s room mate) and Harper!!! Such chemistry and banter that had me addicted right from the start. Lance is a football player and Harper a dancer. When they get together the sparks fly. So looking forward to the full length version coming out January 2020!!! Loved it!!!
Now that I have read the full blown version I must say it was worth the wait!! Kate Stewart definitely did not disappoint!!Loved the chemistry, Kate’s incredible writing skills, her natural characters that make you fall in love with them right from the start!! Well done Kate, You nailed it!!!
11 stars to “The Guy in the Middle” Kate Stewart did not hold back. I repeat Kate Stewart did not hold back on giving Lance a story worth everything. In this novella we get a unique and unpredictable story that just amazed and surprised me. I really thought I knew how this was going to play out but, nope Kate’s writing doesn’t put characters in the stereo typical mold. She blew me away with Lance’s depth. Also, Harper had her own uniqueness that connected with me personally. Her writing does that. It’s personal, it’s connecting, it’s written well, it’s asskicking, it’s all Kate Stewart. I can’t wait for the full length novel of Lance and Harper. I have no doubt Kate will give us her everything!
I just finished the conclusion of The Guy in the Middle and it was everything I wanted for Lance and Harper. It wasn’t an easy journey but a journey that was all theirs. I really don’t have much to add to my review but, I want to write here what I messaged Kate about her writing.
“ you have a gift and it has given me so much already, you have so much more to give and I’m excited for you. I’m front row baby, and I’m cheering for you.”
That’s what this book and this amazing series is all about cheering for happily ever after.
“What if this moment, right here, is the moment that changes your life?”
Whay an EPIC way of ending such a beautiful series!!! I loved the little snippet we got of Lance and Harper with the Team Player 2 anthology, but their full book was filled with so much heartbreak, angst, pain, beauty, love, friendship and everything in between. I loved it so much!!
If you’ve read the other two books in the series, then you know that Lance is on the football team at TGU, and is roommates with Troy and Theo. He has a reputation for letting his temper get the best of him, but he has an outlet with his love of boxing — which is his true passion. He has so much pressure put upon him since this is his last season of playing college football and being eligible for the NFL so he can save his family’s ranch, and he has no time for distractions.. But when a fiesty dancer intrigues him from the moment they meet, can he continue a relationship and save his family? And when it comes to light exactly how she could be the one to damage everything he is fighting for, will there be anything left of their love?
Harper is a heroine that I loved immediately: I adored that she’s not your typically beautiful girl: she is a real person with real insecurities, a young woman with a heartbreaking past who believes she will forever be in the shadows because of her looks, but still refuses to back down because of it. She has such a big, beautiful heart, and I love that Lance fell in love with the PERSON she is, not how she looks like. In today’s society, there is so much pressure — especially for young girls & women– too look perfect and be beautiful all the time, but here we have the perfect example that love shouldn’t be based on looks: It’s the person inside that truly matters. Lance always saw her as beautiful too, always saw how perfect she is, and the more he got to know her, the more beautiful she became to him. That was such a wonderful thing to witness!
Their relationship, though initially a push and pull, really developed into something so real and pure early on, and I was rooting for them at every point of the book. Even when they are at their worst, they are still each other’s champions and biggest supporters, and even though my heart broke for them on numerous occasions, their ending could not have been more perfect!! Dare I say that Lance and Harper are my favorite out of this entire series? Because I truly believe that. They both are flawed, carry their pain and insecurities in such real ways, but that is what made me love them more. I connected with these two so much and didn’t want their story to end! I was so saddened to see this beautiful series come to an end, but our wonderful author truly did everything justice. I just can’t get over how amazing this was!!
With this being the last book, I was so excited that we got to see the entire gang!! Theo, Laney, Troy and Carissa all make an appearance, and seeing them again being so happy with their lives made my heart so full!!! These are truly amazing characters!
I barley scratched the surface with my review, but just know that this is a book that is impossible to put down. You will become so invested with this story and its characters: you will cry, laugh, cheer, feel their heartbreak and their love so powerfully that you will immediately want to read the entire series again as soon as you finish. Don’t miss out on this book! It is truly one of the best releases of the year!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Ask and you shall receive! Yes, yes, yes I am so happy that Kate Stewart decided to give Lance and Harper a full length novel so that we revisit and delve deeper into their story. This couple deserved to have their story told in full!
How to review a book without any spoilers, this is the toughest part because TGITM in my opinion is the best book of this series, Lance and Harper’s story is more complicated, emotionally deep with more angst than the other previous books.
Readers, prepare to lose yourself in this couples world!
Kate Stewart KNOWS how to write a hero! Lance Prescott is one of the best!
When we meet Lance he’s kind of gruff and rough around the edges, he’s dealing with a LOT of crap! More than any young man should have to shoulder. What he needs is a place in the NFL draft and this is all dependent on how he performs this season. This books begins in the summer and he is working out in his buddies gym when he meets Harper. To say that the first meeting is riddled with sarcastic jibes at one another is an understatement! She knows who he is and thinks he’s a god but his attitude SUCKS
Harper!!! I loved her! She is one of my favorite Kate heroines, more than that she’s ranks on the top of my list of favorite heroines of all time! She’s ballsy and quick and super smart and according to Lance, a beautiful, skilled dancer. All she wants is to dance professionally but she’s promised her parents that she will finish school first. The problem with Harper is she has a vision of herself and tbh it’s not good. It is actually heartbreaking. The fact that the people that know her and love her see something totally different is beautiful. It is painful to hear some of the things that are said about her but Lance sees the inside, the heart and soul of the woman. I get chills thinking about it!
These two are facing some MAJOR adversity. The outside forces are doing everything they can to keep them apart and to also make them feel as if they aren’t worthy of each other. We get the background of both of these characters and I had a feeling I knew what both had faced as youngsters but truly had no idea the depth of what had happened to them. Gaaaah…the obstacles….and the biggest one is themselves and their pride and insecurity. I wanted to throw my phone at the wall at one point because they are both so stubborn!!!
The chemistry is OFF THE HOOK between these two! It was instantaneous even when they were fighting
I don’t know that this is as much of a rom-com as TGOTR, with the exception of Harpers bff René and Lances brother Trevor, they were hilarious. This is more about making your dreams a reality, no matter the cost even if it’s your heart, self sacrifice, standing up to those that belittle you and KNOWING YOUR WORTH!
By the epilogue I was SOBBING my guts outNot because I was sad but because it was the end to a phenomenal series, seeing everything come full circle and because the epilogue was the best one I think I’ve ever read! The way Kate wrote that just made my heart full and I was overflowing with emotion. It was absolutely brilliant.
I can’t get over how much I love every word Kate writes no matter the trope! She only gets better with each and every book! I Couldn’t have asked for a better hero than Lance or a ballsier more fierce heroine than Harper!
If you aren’t on the Kate train…you need to get there! She DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!!!
One more thing I forgot to add…actually 2
1.These heroines made their men! Harper knee what Lance needed and believed in him just as Laney did for Theo and Clarissa did for Troy.
2. Kate Stewart is one of these authors that make you feel an array of emotions. That, to me, is the sign of a kick ass author!
Angst
Cheating None
Sexy Time
Epilogue
Plot
*arc kindly provided by author for honest review *