It started with a lie. A night of blurred lines between a teacher and a student.I wasn’t her student, yet it was the single most defining night of my life.I’ve never been the man she thinks I am.Most people have no idea about the life I’ve lived or the words that ring true when it comes to me—still waters run deep.But you’d be hard-pressed to find a coed on the TGU campus who knows … TGU campus who knows otherwise…because I’ve never corrected them.
The clock is ticking down, it’s Fourth and Inches with the ball inside the one-yard line and the focus is on me, The Guy on the Left. I’ve never felt like a football god, inside I’m…just Troy.
It’s time to set the record straight.
For my son, I‘ll find the strength.
In her eyes, I’m determined to gain redemption.
I will have them both, even if I have to take my eye off the ball.
All books in the series can be read as a stand-alone.
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Talk about being put through the emotional ringer!! Holy moly! I had been waiting for Troy Jenner’s story since we met him in THOTR. His reputation, his whole attitude made us a little unsure of him and then bam Kate Stewart dropped a bomb on us that set us up for this storyline and I couldn’t hardly wait. I assure y’all it was worth the wait. So.worth.it! Troy, Clarrisa and Dante’s story was an epic tale of letting past hurts put your future at risk. It was about letting go and learning to trust. It was a story of redemption and hope and true love and fighting hard for what you want. Full of sweet and funny moments, frustratingly hot moments, and some downright heartbreaking moments. Put that all together and you get the perfect roller coaster ride of feelings.
Troy Jenner was a legendary wide receiver on the Texas Grand football team. Behind the scenes, he also was juggling so many hats that no one knew about. Hiding a baby mama and a son. It was amazing how he managed to keep it all together for so many years. He was wrong for what he did, but he was also a dumb high school senior, and he has been paying for his mistake for six years.
When an opportunity presents itself and the house next door comes up for rent. He convinces Clarissa to let him be a part of Dante’s life and she finally starts accepting his help. He begins running himself ragged to prove himself to Clarissa and to make up for a lie that was told by a high school student.
My heart does break for him because he has a reputation that isn’t 100% who he is. He doesn’t fight it, he lets people think the worst of him, while he’s working like a dog to provide for Dante and Clarissa. I think some of him thinks he deserves it or it’s to punish himself. He keeps his secret about Clarissa or His son, Dante for as long as he can. He just lets himself appear the “helpful neighbor.” It’s sad he was a stupid kid, but he was trying to do the right thing now, but redemption is a hard-fought battle.
I loved the relationship Troy and Dante built. It was organic and real and so beautiful. There were no pretenses on Dante’s side because Troy was just the neighbor. They were best friends.
Clarissa was a strong single mom. She didn’t have any family. It was her, Dante and her best friend Parker. I loved Auntie Parker. She was so protective of her son. She did a great job with Dante. She was scared Troy would leave and hurt him, but I think she also used him as a reason to continue to push Troy away to protect her own heart. They had so much chemistry it was insane. I loved whenever they were in the room together. She was beyond stubborn, but I really think so much of that stemmed from her own childhood and less from what Troy had done. I do feel like she made him suffer much longer than she should have for what he had done as a stupid teenager. By this point she was older and Dante was here and doing fine and had a dad that loved him and had been pining for years to be in his life. But of course that’s what gave this story the ability to emotionally beat you down before building you back up, so it was necessary for it to happen that way so our characters could have the ending the way they did.
As much as I loved Troy and Clarissa and their love story, I absolutely loved getting to see so much of Dante. I want merch! He was precious and quirky and adorable. He was a mini Troy and I giggled many a times in scenes with him, and Parker she was hilarious. Her reviews, OMG her reviews. I loved that she didn’t mince words. She’s my favorite kind of character. I wouldn’t mind reading her book. Hint, Hint. I have loved this entire series and this book was another great addition. This one was way more emotional than Theo’s book, and totally different than Lance’s. But I loved it so much. You should definitely check out this book if you are looking for one that will check off everything you are looking for.
My cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book!
Single Mom/Dad Romance
Laugh out Loud
Slow Burn
Steam
Angst
ALL THE FEELS
– This is definitely a delicious SLOW BURN. There is tension for days though. When they finally throw down, it’s hot AF!!
Cliffhanger Warning-No cliffhanger! HEA! Talk about clawing, kicking, scratching, dragging your way through a mud drenched trench, just to then walk five miles in the snow barefoot to get home to find it burned down. Yeah, it felt like this for this poor couple to get to their well earned HEA! But stick it out, it’s so worth it!
I admit, when I first met Troy on book one, I had this preconceived notion that he’s a typical popular football guy. You know the type. The saying don’t judge the book by its cover never rang true in the newest, second book in this series, The Guy on the Left.
When Troy told a lie that he was also a teacher when he met Clarissa at the bar, that ended to a one night stand, they both weren’t prepared for the consequence. When Clarissa found out she was pregnant and that the father of her child is a high school student, she was scared for the outcome of this situation and warned Troy to step back from her and son’s life.
Troy blew me away with his steadfast devotion. Any other guy would never care and run away from the responsibility. That is why I fell in love with his character. True, he was young, reckless and didn’t know what to do at the time but what he did later on, made him an honorable man for me. Also, I just about swoon during Troy and Dante’s moments. I just felt the feels right to my chest. I live for these kind of father-son moments. Truly an enjoyable, sweet, slow burn, second chance romance. Can’t wait to read more from this series.
The Guy on the Left is the second book in the Underdogs series. After reading The Guy on the Right earlier this year, I NEEDED Troy’s story. We, of course, met him in the first book and saw that there was some kind of relationship with the neighbor. I was so intrigued and desperate for this book. And I have to say this highly anticipated book was everything I wanted and more!
The prologue immediately pulls you in and we finally get to find out what happened in the past between them. I was a little uncomfortable with him being a student and her being a teacher. But, I promise, it’s not what you think. This book actually runs parallel to The Guy on the Right. Some of those scenes were in this book but from a different point of view. Clarissa is a single parent to a 6-year-old boy, Dante, that Troy fathered. He is trying to do right by them and moves next door. He is determined to know his son, and co-parent with Clarissa.
Troy was an amazing character. Yes, he made a lot of bad decisions, but he was determined to make things right again. Clarissa is an incredible mother. As a single parent, she had raised a sweet little boy who was polite, caring with a huge personality. I have a 6-year-old son myself, and Dante was a perfect depiction of a 6-year-old boy! Clarissa’s best friend, Parker, was a huge part of Dante’s life and was an absolutely hilarious character. Her comments were perfectly timed comic relief! And her amazon reviews…freaking hysterical! Troy and Clarissa begin to co-parent and begin to fall in love with each other. But, this was not an easy relationship. It was so messy, and took a long time to get there, but when everything came together, these two were incredible together. The epilogue was everything you wanted and more!
This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for this year and it exceeded my expectations. I LOVED this book and will miss these characters so much! If you didn’t already guess, I highly recommend this book and this series!
* ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Pure enjoyment from the first page to the last. Stewart holds nothing back and delivers unadulterated emotional angst. From a distance the reader is offered a love story (and what a story it is) but up close Stewart explores the complicated and complex dynamic between parent and child. Loved the insight, respected the story, and fell instantly in love with every single one of the characters. A must read! 5 stars.
b>The Guy on The Left by Kate Stewart is a heartwarming love story of second chance and becoming a better person for the people you love. Troy Jenner is probably one of my most favorite heroes by Kate Stewart.
Troy has hidden his identity from Clarissa when they have wild and intense sex in drunken state. Now she is pregnant and comes to know that he is a lot younger. To make the matter worse, she is a teacher. Hurt from the betrayal and scared for her future, she deliberately cut Troy out of her life. But Troy is not the guy who avoids responsibility. And he very much wants to be a part of his crazy, sweet, quirky, smart and adorable son Dante. But he has to win Clarissa’s heart before that. Even if it means putting his own heart on line of fire.
I am in love with Troy. Behind his easy going, cocky and arrogant football guy mask; he is a great guy. He is hardworking and dedicate every moment to provide for his son. He proved again and again that he is a trustworthy and responsible guy. On the other hand I am not happy with Clarissa. I understand her anger, insecutity and vulnerabilities about Dante. But she was often unfair and acted on impulse whenever Troy made any minor mistake. Even if it was simple misunderstanding. I adore how she took care of Dante but her attitude towards Troy was not always the best. Both of them has emotional baggages but Troy decided to get over it and learn from his life. And oh I love Dante. This kid is the most amazing boy ever! Troy and Dante’s connection is something special and made me tear up so often. Clarissa and Troy has such an intense chemistry. They rip each other’s heart but they also need each other to be complete. And Dante binds them like glue.
The Guy On The Left by Kate Stewart was an emotional love story with shades of angst, witty humor and emotions. Troy Jenner will always own a piece of my heart.
Received ARC for Honest review
Ahhh!! You can never go wrong with Kate Stewart! When I first read the Guy on the Right, I knew I had to have Troy’s story, and I’m so glad I finally got it!
This series is about true underdogs, people who are underestimated and looked over, and that is what Troy was. Despite his popularity, he never felt good enough for anyone, or was always misunderstood, and I’m glad he finally got people to see the real him, and get his family that he deserved, and was finally loved back.
I loved this book, though it was a but more emotional than what I thought it was going to be seeing as Theo’s story was more lighthearted and funny, but then again I don’t think I have ever read a Kate Stewart book where I have NOT shed a couple tears, happy or sad tears.
Clarissa was more hardheaded, though I definitely understood a lot of her decisions, she wasn’t always in the right, and she could have gone about them in a different way. Same thing goes for Troy, he had lied to her not thinking about the consequences, and he also didn’t expect what happened to happen, and I don’t think he ever truly matured until he was given the opportunity to be a dad, which was sad on his part, but more understandable on Clarissa’s part, to have taken that from him. Either way, both were at fault, but they eventually learned and grew which is all that mattered.
This is a great series, and everything Kate writes is amazing. I cannot wait to read more about Lance in his story!
Wordless!! I am sitting here trying to find the right way to express all the emotions running through me. I am absolutely in love with this story! I was hooked from the moment I started reading. I spent most of the story in utter heartbreak. Troy and Clarissa’s story is so full of angst. This story pulls you in and tears you heart out all the way to the ending.
It will definitely be an all time favorite. My heart is still pounding from the incredibly sensuous scenes. Troy is definite dream man material!!
Each of the recipes in between the chapter looked amazing! Kate Stewart’s thank you section is also very lovely and I loved reading it!
I couldn’t get enough and red until the very end!
5 TOUCHDOWN STARS!! Kate Stewart has delivered one of my favorite reads for 2019. I absolutely loved Troy and Clarissa. These two had lots of growing up to do and it was fantastic watching it happen. This series keeps getting better, so I am excited to what the next book brings. You should 1-Click this book now.
I can’t even to begin to express my love for this emotional and amazing story. As always, Kate Stewart writes with humor, with heart, with heat, and with one heck of a hero. Troy was swoon-worthy and Dante was hilarious. There was a perfect amount of angst sprinkled into a story that is sure to stick with me as one of my favorite reads of 2019.
OMG i loveddddd this story! TROY IS EVERYTHING. Just like everyone said he was. Ugfh. So good. I love his love. His determination. He never was far. Despite everything, i loved Clarissa. I got why she did what she did. But i loved how things built and how the story went. Parker was absolutely hilarious! Gah can we get this girl her own book please?! I loved seeing bits of Theo and Lance! Im so ready for Lance’s book. And i can’t wait to read Theo’s book. Oh and how can i forget Dante! That little cutie! I loved that kid. Seriously the best book ever.
Just finished The Guy On The Left and I am reeling!! I loved every emotion this book took me through! After finishing a new book from Kate Stewart I always think ” there’s no way she can top that one”. And holy crap she did !! A roller coaster of ups and downs and hot and cold! Troy and Clarissa were definitely the perfect mess. I wish I could rate more than five stars because this book is worth a million for absolute perfection!
This is Troy’s story, he was Theo’s roommate in The Guy on the Right. Clarissa is a new teacher and in a bar having a drink when she meets Troy. The two end up having a one night stand. Clarissa finds out that she is pregnant and finds Troy. Troy lied to Clarissa and it turns out he’s an eighteen year old high school student. Clarissa is horrified and fearful of losing her job and alone raising a child. She doesn’t want to see Troy again.
Flash forward a couple of years later, Troy is a senior in college and about to go to the NFL. He doesn’t get to see his son Dante, but he takes care of him the best he can in the circumstances. I understand why Clarissa made the choices she made but it took awhile to like her. This book had all the feels and Troy was so sweet with Dante. A beautiful story.
Oh my goodness…there are not enough words to put how I feel about this book. Back when we met Troy in The Guy On The Right I just knew there would be something special about him. We finally get to see into his and Clarissa’s life and see what happened between them. I love love loved this book so much it had me swooning from the first couple of chapters and all I can say is Troy is definitely one of my new favorite characters from Kate. Dante’s one liners and banter were everything I didn’t know I needed throughout this book that had me laughing from how silly of a kid he was. Kate sure didn’t disappoint with this book and if I could give it more than 5 stars then I would. I loved it and you will too, so do yourself a favor and pick up a copy RIGHT NOW!
To say I’ve loved every one of Kate Stewart’s books is a huge understatement. She has a true gift for creating worlds and characters that truly draw you in and captivate you from the very first chapter.
That said, the expectation is always there. And having read book one The Guy on the Right, book two had some big shoes to fill.
We meet Troy in book one, so we have a small idea of what his story will be about.
Honestly, I wasn’t prepared to love him as much as I did. The way he loves. How hard he loves. The pain. The heartache. Gah-this book was so much more than I thought it was going to be
It’s not necessary to read book one, but I highly suggest doing so!
Bravo on another bound to be bestseller!!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
When we briefly met these characters in The Guy in the Right, I was instantly curious as to what their story was! In fact I was secretly crushing on Troy and felt there was more to him than just the all american football star!
Troy and Clarissa’s story surpassed all my expectations.
The Guy in The Right is a top read of 2019, and The Guy in the Left is right up there with it. The author showed her genius giving us such a poignant story of love, redemption and second chances!
The minute this book landed in my kindle I dove in and didn’t stop reading until the end.
Brimming with all the feels, this book was flawlessly written.
The passion, the emotions and the humor throughout their story had me falling so hard for these characters. Well paced, the sharp one liners, the snarky banter, and the steamy development this story was unputdownable.
When life throws you a curve ball, what do you do?
Must read and find out!!
#thelegitlife #takenotes
We have met Troy. We have seen him in action. We have judged him. And all because we were seeing him through someone else’s perspective. It isn’t until the end of TGotR that his true identity is revealed and we see he is in fact, Bruce Wayne.
Troy may come across as the typical badboy: Arrogant yet charming with a side of “party like a rockstar”. But as soon as I met him in The Guy on the Left, I knew there was more depth to his personality and I immediately jumped on the band wagon of rooting for this underdog.
The true Hero of this story is Dante. He brings light, love and humor to what could potentially be a disastrous situation. He doesn’t even realize it because he is just being himself.
This book had AAALLL the feels! All the laughter and joy. All the tears and angst. All the smoking (yowza!) hotness you can handle in one sitting. The slow build creates ALL the sexual tension and will have you begging for sweet relief.
Kate Stewart delivers another masterpiece in this tale of redemption. She showed us sometimes you just cant take a person at face value. No matter how appealing their mask may be.
You ever met a guy and instantly thought, finally, a character that I can say…his momma raised him right! Troy is all that and more. Although that one night 6 years ago, he was the young, go for it kind of guy. Now here he is his senior year of college and things are looking pretty good for him to get drafted into the NFL.
This book is the perfect story of living the american dream. Dream Big, Work Hard, and all your dreams could come true.
Love this book!!! If you ever need a quick course on the proper way to write a review, please laugh out loud on some of the reviews in this story…Enjoy the recipes but most of all, enjoy Troy and Clarissa’s story <3
Konnichiwa!!
This book has been one I’ve looked forward to for months but with that came some high expectations, after reading The Guy on The Right I couldn’t help but hope this story lived up to such an awesome build up. I definitely had nothing to worry about because Kate Stewart gave us a phenomenal storyline with some pretty outstanding characters!
When you start any relationship in a lie no matter what you do that one moment will always come back to haunt you but the consequences for Troy were life changing, soul destroying but most of all the making of him! As the star footballer being on the sidelines has never been a place he is comfortable with but when that’s the only position he gets in a life that should be his he makes sure to do everything in his power to work his way up to deserve to be present and shows his dedication for something out with football.
Clarissa has worked her self to the bone to be something more in life, her dream job of a teacher is nearly in her grasp but one night with Troy nearly destroys everything but also gives her a new purpose in life! Stuck in her world of making him suffer she doesn’t want to let him in, he doesn’t deserve to enjoy that same joy she has when his lies could have ruined everything!
This story ripped me in two at times I was never sure who’s side I was on all I knew was Dante was a light so bright anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him was blessed to have that joy in there lives!
This Rollercoaster that was there life was worth every twist and turn for the beauty that there story becomes and I for one will be willing to jump on board with them l, strap in and enjoy the ride over and over again!
Bravo Kate this series is only getting better with each book!
First of all I adore Dante! That kid is the cutest, smartest kid ever with the best personality.
Kate knocked it out the park again! I must say, Shit! I can’t wait for Lance’s story!
I fell for Troy and I fell hard, I wanted to object so many times to Clarissa’s thinking with keeping Dante away but at the same time Troy was only at arm’s left and she knew it at all times.
It was difficult for me to wrap my brain around her whole reasoning and I think at times people just become blind with their anger and forget there are other people who should be involved in such a drastic decision, the decision is not only yours but its others too..
As usual, Kate writes a book that captivates life, everyday life to the fullest!
This book bought so much Laughter, Heartbreak and Love!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing book with us Kate!
Troy’s story is my absolute favorite! Forbidden, age gap, lies, one night stand, love, this book had it all!
It started out as a one night stand and ended up in lies, anger and an unexpected pregnancy. Troy could’ve walked away and moved on with his life, but he stepped up and wanted to be a part of his son’s life but how can he do that when the woman he lied to won’t have anything to do with him and doesn’t want him to have anything to do with son? Needless to say things get super complicated but in true Kate Stewart fashion everything comes together in the end.
“He’s so smart, my son. My son. He wasn’t a mistake. I refuse to believe it. I will be whatever he needs. For my son. It’s time to be a father.”