Tag: The Underdogs series by K.A. Merikan

An Alisa Review: You. Forever. Always. (The Underdogs #3) by KA Merikan

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

—Years of loving in secret. Now the secret’s out.—

Mage. Reasonable. Mature. In love with his best friend’s little brother.
Dawn. Painfully shy. Crazy talented. An anxious cinnamon roll in need of protection.

Mage has always been Dawn’s hero. He’s been there for him when Dawn was bullied, when Dawn came out, and when he joined The Underdogs. He’s also been Dawn’s first and only love—painfully unrequited, since Mage is straight. But that’s only for the better, because they’re bandmates, and Dawn’s brother is Mage’s best friend.

It would all be too intense, too complicated, too real.

But then one drunken kiss proves Mage might not be as straight as he seemed, and their whole world turns upside down. Even though Dawn craves Mage’s love so much his heart could burst, his shyness stands in the way of any future they could share.

While they have to keep their budding relationship under wraps and they prepare to sign a major record deal, Dawn’s anxiety gets out of control. Mage will have to choose between the success he’s always craved and the love of his life.

I have been looking forward to this book since I read the others last year but it didn’t work for me as the others did.  I found myself not liking the characters from the previous books when seeing their antics from a different perspective.

Dawn and Mage have known each other forever and don’t want to risk their friendship either.  Once the stress of admitting how they felt was passed most things seemed to fall into place and felt that the couple complications were pretty quickly resolved.

I felt for Dawn, Dusk and Mage would do their best to protect him but it seemed that much of his anxiety was swept under the rug and it took him actually passing out to get him the help he needs the most.  Mage seems like the most cautious person and is very caring.  I liked seeing him caring for Dawn but felt a lot of their relationship was skipped over.  I also wish that there would have been more of an ending showing the other couples too.

The cover art by Natasha Snow is nice and is similar in style to the others in the series.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 144 pages

Published: December 29, 2018 by K.A. Merikan

Edition Language: English

Series: The Underdogs #3

An Alisa Review: Just Here For The Pain (Underdogs #2) by KA Merikan

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

—. Whips and chains – not optional .—

Sid. Drummer for The Underdogs. Secretly yearning for pain and submission.
Asher. AKA Stan. Stalker. More than meets the eye.

It’s hard to find good hookups while on tour. Sid wants pain, humiliation, and the kind of sex that isn’t easy to get from one-night stands. So for now, he’s given up, settled for an online Dom to get his rocks off, and focused on his band instead. The Underdogs are getting increasingly popular, but there is one fan who has followed Sid since before he even joined the band, and he’s driving Sid mad! Rich, spoiled hipster brat looking for the bad boy experience. If he knew what Sid was really into, he would run for the hills.

Asher is convinced that Sid is The One, his One True Love, his endgame. Years ago, Asher lost his virginity to Sid, and from that moment on, he knew it was meant to be. They had a spark, that honest connection that couldn’t be faked. The members of Sid’s band call him a stalker, but all he wants is to offer Sid his love. When Sid finally chokes out what he wants, Asher is more than ready to unleash it on him.

But the last time Sid was out as gay and submissive, he got badly burnt when his former band kicked him out, and the doors to many opportunities slammed in his face.

Asher wants the whole world to know that he’s dating Sid. Problem is, Sid would much rather keep the relationship as pain-with-benefits.

Sid and Asher have been dancing around each other for years, since their one weekend together.  Sid assumes that Asher could never be what he needs while Asher assumes Sid wants romance, they quickly learn otherwise and find that they may be perfect for each other.

Once Sid slips his needs Asher quickly shows him that it’s right up his alley.  But Asher needs someone to support and love him in return and giving his all without that isn’t helping.

These two characters have been so alone for so long and no one around them even knew it.  I felt Sid’s pain and fear when they needed to rescue his sister and how he must have felt as a teenager on his own.  Asher seems so put together but hasn’t had the love and support of a family since his past away years ago and he has never let Sid see that side of him.  Once again a simple discussion may have helped but then they wouldn’t have had the opportunity for the grand gesture.  I am loving these guys and I can’t wait for Dawn and Mage’s story.

The cover art by Natasha Snow is great.  I love the picture of Asher and Sid.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages

Published: February 4, 2018 by K.A. Merikan

Edition Language: English

Series: The Underdogs #2

An Alisa Review: Manic Pixie Dream Boy (Underdogs #1) by KA Merikan

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

—. You can’t hide the cracks under the spotlight .—

Dusk. Leader of The Underdogs. Destined for greatness. Lives in the now.
Abe. AKA Lolly. Iridescent. Unicorn.

All Dusk wants out of life is for his band to become world famous. He also wants to have a lot of fun along the way. And to get his rocks off. When he wants something, he goes for it, consequences be damned.

So when he sees a gorgeous pink-haired guy who is the human equivalent of tattooed cotton candy, he can’t help but have a taste. But it’s when Lolly ends up on their tour bus that Dusk knows their meeting was destiny.

Abe is the kind of guy who goes with the flow. He was hitchhiking anyway, so why not spend the week with a hot piece of rocker beefcake, getting smothered by his sexy long hair? And why not play the part of the supportive cutie while he’s at it? It’s not like he’d be sticking around for long anyway.

All plans hit a wall when photos of Abe and Dusk emerge online, suddenly pushing the band into the spotlight. To take advantage of the sudden popularity, the band offers Abe money for staying.

Which means money for being in a fake relationship with Dusk.

Which isn’t even fake.

Or is it?

Dusk and Abe connect immediately end up going full steam ahead, without really talking about it.  Their relationship works well for the band and they are enjoying their time together so what’s wrong? Maybe some actually talking would help.

Abe is totally a ball of energy and he seems to put that energy into everything he does.  He even helps with promotion for the band behind the scenes without telling anyone.

I loved these two characters, Dusk is enthralled with Lolly and just knows it means more while Abe is expressive but reserved with his own emotions.  The non-fake fake relationship causes more confusion than help, it gives Dusk and Lolly the chance to get to know each other but also puts a slight boundary between them that they are scared to cross.  I could feel Dusk’s pain when he was scared for Lolly and then when Lolly pushes him away.  Abe tried to keep a part of himself away from Dusk and ends up deeply hurt when Dusk tries to help their situation.  These two are wonderful for each other and I really enjoyed their story.  I can’t wait to read more in this series.

The cover art by Natasha Snow is wonderful and I loved the picture of Dusk.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 143 pages

Published: September 10, 2017 by K.A. Merikan

Edition Language: English

Series: The Underdogs #1

An Ali Review: Manic Pixie Dream Boy (The Underdogs #1) by K.A. Merikan

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
—. You can’t hide the cracks under the spotlight .—

Dusk. Leader of The Underdogs. Destined for greatness. Lives in the now.
Abe. AKA Lolly. Iridescent. Unicorn.

All Dusk wants out of life is for his band to become world famous. He also wants to have a lot of fun along the way. And to get his rocks off. When he wants something, he goes for it, consequences be damned.

So when he sees a gorgeous pink-haired guy who is the human equivalent of tattooed cotton candy, he can’t help but have a taste. But it’s when Lolly ends up on their tour bus that Dusk knows their meeting was destiny. 

Abe is the kind of guy who goes with the flow. He was hitchhiking anyway, so why not spend the week with a hot piece of rocker beefcake, getting smothered by his sexy long hair? And why not play the part of the supportive cutie while he’s at it? It’s not like he’d be sticking around for long anyway.

All plans hit a wall when photos of Abe and Dusk emerge online, suddenly pushing the band into the spotlight. To take advantage of the sudden popularity, the band offers Abe money for staying.
Which means money for being in a fake relationship with Dusk.

Which isn’t even fake.

Or is it?
This was an entertaining start to a new series about a group of up and coming rock stars.  The band is on tour and have made a stop at a convenience store where Dusk meets Abe.  It is instant and explosive attraction between the two men and one thing leads to another and the next thing Abe knows he’s on the tour bus with the band and headed to California. As the two men spend more time together the attraction continues to grow.  Things become a struggle though as the pressure of being in the media is combined with them barely knowing each other.  They each have to decide if they can work  through their issues.
I thought both MC’s were fun and entertaining.  The writing in this book was unique and a bit different from the other books I’ve read by these authors.  One of my favorite things about this author duo is you never really know what you’re going to get and their plots and MC’s are quirky and different.  In addition to Dusk and Abe, we also get to know the other guys in the band and they are super interesting side characters.  My interest in them was built up and I can’t wait to get to their stories.
This book had a bit of everything.  It had good characters and an interesting plot, some funny scenes, some sweet scenes and some smoking hot ones.  I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next in this series.  Definitely something fans of these authors should check out.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow. I love this cover.  It is very eye catching and it is a great representation of the plot.  There is a lot of talk in the book about colors as sensations and I think this cover captures that vibe perfectly.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 143 pages
Published September 10th 2017 by Acerbi & Villani ltd
ASINB075469B7Y
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Underdogs #1
CharactersDusk Hill, Abe ( aka “Lolly”)