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Under Center
A mistaken identity. A child who feels like he never belonged. A lifetime of secrets comes crashing down. Find out what happens when family lies are exposed, hearts dare to love, and two men find the life they never expected to have. Mason Kennerly
My life has three rules. Keep your head down, protect the quarterback, and ignore all the things about my life that don’t add up. Football was a stable field with clear rules; family was a blur of clipped words and cold looks. Then a flood of social media tags shows me a man who could be my mirror image. British hockey player Axel Hughes. For the first time in my life, I step onto a plane, not because the play calls for it, but because I need to know who I am.
Thomas Kingsley
I thought I knew how to protect someone, but I wasn’t trained to guard the heart. I never expected to fall for a man, especially not the one who had become my best friend. As I help Mason unravel all the questions about his identity, I discover who I am while trying not to blur the lines with my feelings. Now I find myself falling for the one who makes me smile too easily, cries when anger turns to sorrow, and is determined to face the heartbreak head‑on. He’s the love I never thought I’d find, and the only person I’ve ever needed.
Under Center is a slow burn, bi-awakening, found family, age gap, friend-to-lovers, opposites attract, family secrets MM sports romance, and book four in the San Diego Storm Series.
My life has three rules. Keep your head down, protect the quarterback, and ignore all the things about my life that don’t add up. Football was a stable field with clear rules; family was a blur of clipped words and cold looks. Then a flood of social media tags shows me a man who could be my mirror image. British hockey player Axel Hughes. For the first time in my life, I step onto a plane, not because the play calls for it, but because I need to know who I am.
Thomas Kingsley
I thought I knew how to protect someone, but I wasn’t trained to guard the heart. I never expected to fall for a man, especially not the one who had become my best friend. As I help Mason unravel all the questions about his identity, I discover who I am while trying not to blur the lines with my feelings. Now I find myself falling for the one who makes me smile too easily, cries when anger turns to sorrow, and is determined to face the heartbreak head‑on. He’s the love I never thought I’d find, and the only person I’ve ever needed.
Under Center is a slow burn, bi-awakening, found family, age gap, friend-to-lovers, opposites attract, family secrets MM sports romance, and book four in the San Diego Storm Series.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2025
43 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Emerson Beckett
22 books119 followersEmerson Beckett is no longer new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.
The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond.
Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, The Portland Protectors Series, and the San Diego Storm Series. She has 16 published books.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 35 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd and five cats.
The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond.
Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, The Portland Protectors Series, and the San Diego Storm Series. She has 16 published books.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 35 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd and five cats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 22, 2025
This is the last book in the San Diego Storm series and I can honestly say I am going to miss it! Every single book in this series is amazing! Under Center is no exception. Emerson has given us another fantastic story. This is Mason and Thomas’s book and I loved everything about it.
Mason and Thomas are the epitome of best friends to lovers. Thomas tried to fight, he gave it a good try, but in the end he couldn’t fight his feelings for his sweet friend. He went from best friend, to protector and then to lover. He was there for Mason with no questions asked ever… Their dynamic was sweet, funny and intense. I don’t think Emerson could have written a better love interest for Mason, they were perfect.
This book is well written and as expected the characters are amazing. I have my fingers crossed that we might get a spin off for a new charismatic, charming character that we met in this book. Emerson if you are reading this, Axel really really needs his own story!!
I can’t wait for the audiobook! I hope it’s Michael Dean. He has done a fabulous job on the other three books!
Mason and Thomas are the epitome of best friends to lovers. Thomas tried to fight, he gave it a good try, but in the end he couldn’t fight his feelings for his sweet friend. He went from best friend, to protector and then to lover. He was there for Mason with no questions asked ever… Their dynamic was sweet, funny and intense. I don’t think Emerson could have written a better love interest for Mason, they were perfect.
This book is well written and as expected the characters are amazing. I have my fingers crossed that we might get a spin off for a new charismatic, charming character that we met in this book. Emerson if you are reading this, Axel really really needs his own story!!
I can’t wait for the audiobook! I hope it’s Michael Dean. He has done a fabulous job on the other three books!
November 14, 2025
The final book in the San Diego Storm series and I am not ready to say goodbye.
Mason and Thomas began as friends from book one. And their friendship is one that grew for both of them. But when shocking news rocked Mason’s family, he only knew that he he had to turn to his best friend for the comfort and trust to get him through everything.
Not only did the author give us a great story with Mason and Thomas but we also got to see an amazing friendship with Thomas and Hudson. And their incredible bond and friendship between the men of the San Diego Storm.
Emerson Beckett writes found family better than any other author that I know and I will stand on that hill. Every single series features an incredible bond between a group that you just wish you belong in.
Mason and Thomas began as friends from book one. And their friendship is one that grew for both of them. But when shocking news rocked Mason’s family, he only knew that he he had to turn to his best friend for the comfort and trust to get him through everything.
Not only did the author give us a great story with Mason and Thomas but we also got to see an amazing friendship with Thomas and Hudson. And their incredible bond and friendship between the men of the San Diego Storm.
Emerson Beckett writes found family better than any other author that I know and I will stand on that hill. Every single series features an incredible bond between a group that you just wish you belong in.
November 21, 2025
"𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎. 𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎."
I'll be honest. I wanted to strangle Thomas at some points during this story. I even let Emerson know personally that I was placing Thomas in the dog house. She assured me he wouldn't be there for long and thankfully I was able to let him out later on in the story. To be fair, Thomas was never anything but caring and kind to Mason. He went out of his way to be the bestest friend to him. The issue was I WANTED HIM TO KISS THE SHIT OUT OF HIM TOO!
"𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗. 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝙻𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎."
I am trying to write this review without spoilers, and as there are a few major plot point surprises it is proving a tad tricky. I highly recommend you go into this one blind because the OMG moments were pretty epic. And caused me to again reach out to the author to beg for a certain side characters story. IYKYK
I wouldn't call this book angsty. It was truly a sweet romance. I loved how Mason and Thomas were actually friends first. The close type of friends who hang out at each other's homes and spend significant time together or chatting. It gave them a solid foundation for when things turned intimate and I think it helped them speed the relationship along since they already knew almost everything about one another.
The epilogue was a lot of fun because it isn't only the MCs whose POVs we get. It was a cool seeing the same scene from multiple past favorites. I'm also excited because it looks like we will be taking a trip to Portland again for another beloved character whose story I have been dying for and I cant' wait!
I'll be honest. I wanted to strangle Thomas at some points during this story. I even let Emerson know personally that I was placing Thomas in the dog house. She assured me he wouldn't be there for long and thankfully I was able to let him out later on in the story. To be fair, Thomas was never anything but caring and kind to Mason. He went out of his way to be the bestest friend to him. The issue was I WANTED HIM TO KISS THE SHIT OUT OF HIM TOO!
"𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗. 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝙻𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎."
I am trying to write this review without spoilers, and as there are a few major plot point surprises it is proving a tad tricky. I highly recommend you go into this one blind because the OMG moments were pretty epic. And caused me to again reach out to the author to beg for a certain side characters story. IYKYK
I wouldn't call this book angsty. It was truly a sweet romance. I loved how Mason and Thomas were actually friends first. The close type of friends who hang out at each other's homes and spend significant time together or chatting. It gave them a solid foundation for when things turned intimate and I think it helped them speed the relationship along since they already knew almost everything about one another.
The epilogue was a lot of fun because it isn't only the MCs whose POVs we get. It was a cool seeing the same scene from multiple past favorites. I'm also excited because it looks like we will be taking a trip to Portland again for another beloved character whose story I have been dying for and I cant' wait!
November 25, 2025
"My feelings were all over the place, and I needed him to be my calm." - Mason
"The chance to love Mason and to be loved by him was the greatest gift I’d ever been given." - Thomas
Thomas is one of the sweetest and most caring characters in this series; that was immediately clear from how he talked about his dogs. He is a stable person that has been there for Mason through his hardest moments, and he always knows how to ground him and make sure that Mason was never alone with his feelings. Mason has had his world turned upside down; his whole childhood was a lie, and that is a lot to handle, that and having a very public career, and there's also a double bi-awakening. I'm so excited to find out more about Axel and his side of their story. I'm so glad that Mason finally realized that he is part of the friend group/found family! It's a good ending to this series. I really loved everyone's story and that they could always talk to each other! They are all so different with their unique stories, and they've all found love.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
"The chance to love Mason and to be loved by him was the greatest gift I’d ever been given." - Thomas
Thomas is one of the sweetest and most caring characters in this series; that was immediately clear from how he talked about his dogs. He is a stable person that has been there for Mason through his hardest moments, and he always knows how to ground him and make sure that Mason was never alone with his feelings. Mason has had his world turned upside down; his whole childhood was a lie, and that is a lot to handle, that and having a very public career, and there's also a double bi-awakening. I'm so excited to find out more about Axel and his side of their story. I'm so glad that Mason finally realized that he is part of the friend group/found family! It's a good ending to this series. I really loved everyone's story and that they could always talk to each other! They are all so different with their unique stories, and they've all found love.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
November 17, 2025
Thank you, The Literary RX & Emerson for my copy of Under Center. This is the 4th & final San Diego Storm book. I highly recommend reading this series in order. I actually recommend you start at the beginning of the whole universe with The Quarterback Keeper.
Under Center is at heart a MM Sports Romance focusing on Mason & Thomas' love story & eventual HEA. But, like all of Emerson's book there are so many more layers. I wish I could gush about them but I hate spoilers so you'll have to read Under Center to find out. The epilogue was epic and was from multi pov from throughout the series. I am beyond sad that this series is over but I am hoping for cameos in other series by Emerson. Ideally, a MM Hockey romance series!
🏈 MM Romance
🏈 Friends to Lovers
🏈 Age Gap
🏈 Awakening
🏈 Found Family
🏈 Family Secrets
🏈 Mistaken Identity
🏈 Protective MC
🏈 Football Player
🏈 Governors Bodyguard
🏈 Opposites Attract
🏈 Firsts
🏈 Slow Burn
🏈 Dual POV
🏈 Multi Epilogues
Under Center is at heart a MM Sports Romance focusing on Mason & Thomas' love story & eventual HEA. But, like all of Emerson's book there are so many more layers. I wish I could gush about them but I hate spoilers so you'll have to read Under Center to find out. The epilogue was epic and was from multi pov from throughout the series. I am beyond sad that this series is over but I am hoping for cameos in other series by Emerson. Ideally, a MM Hockey romance series!
🏈 MM Romance
🏈 Friends to Lovers
🏈 Age Gap
🏈 Awakening
🏈 Found Family
🏈 Family Secrets
🏈 Mistaken Identity
🏈 Protective MC
🏈 Football Player
🏈 Governors Bodyguard
🏈 Opposites Attract
🏈 Firsts
🏈 Slow Burn
🏈 Dual POV
🏈 Multi Epilogues
December 24, 2025
beautiful story
Talk about a book full of emotions. This author had me in the feels from the first page. I loved these two. This is marry your best friend love. When they are just your person love, know you better than yourself love. If there were soulmates these two are it.
The writing was great, I could have used a little more in the spice, and all the side characters were amazing! I can’t wait for Axles book.
In the know
Dual POV
No cheating/sharing
No om/ow
Relationship before spice.
Talk about a book full of emotions. This author had me in the feels from the first page. I loved these two. This is marry your best friend love. When they are just your person love, know you better than yourself love. If there were soulmates these two are it.
The writing was great, I could have used a little more in the spice, and all the side characters were amazing! I can’t wait for Axles book.
In the know
Dual POV
No cheating/sharing
No om/ow
Relationship before spice.
November 12, 2025
5 stars
Wonderful last book of The San Diego Storm series, the author didn't hold back and gave us a very emotional story.
From strangers to best friends to lovers, Thomas and Mason build a very solid friendship before allowing themselves to declare their love.
Mason is usually the one who has the job to protect, but this time, he needed a fierce guardian who could stand next to him to help, support and cherish his heart against all the hurt that his past and his present delivered to him. And Thomas was the right man for it. He stood like a rock, sure of his feelings, ready to give Mason the world.
Mason's family story is complicated and painful, but a lot of wonderful things were waiting for him on the other side of the world.
I adored Axel, his love for Mason was overwhelming and wonderful and I hope the author will give him his story too.
The players are all here and their banter is excellent as usual: Emerson Beckett knows how to deliver the found family trope.
I'm sad this is the end, but I'm also confident that a lot of other beautiful stories are coming.
Wonderful last book of The San Diego Storm series, the author didn't hold back and gave us a very emotional story.
From strangers to best friends to lovers, Thomas and Mason build a very solid friendship before allowing themselves to declare their love.
Mason is usually the one who has the job to protect, but this time, he needed a fierce guardian who could stand next to him to help, support and cherish his heart against all the hurt that his past and his present delivered to him. And Thomas was the right man for it. He stood like a rock, sure of his feelings, ready to give Mason the world.
Mason's family story is complicated and painful, but a lot of wonderful things were waiting for him on the other side of the world.
I adored Axel, his love for Mason was overwhelming and wonderful and I hope the author will give him his story too.
The players are all here and their banter is excellent as usual: Emerson Beckett knows how to deliver the found family trope.
I'm sad this is the end, but I'm also confident that a lot of other beautiful stories are coming.
November 19, 2025
SOS!!! This book had all the emotions and ended this series in the best of ways. Such a dynamic story line. As always, Emerson brings the love and found family in like a champ. Always a guaranteed great book. Mason and Thomas brought it all. (Now get me Axel’s book!)
November 22, 2025
Under Center by Emerson Beckett
The San Diego Storm #4
Length: 276 pages
Source: Literary Rx eARC
Publication date: November 20, 2025
4.5 ⭐
3 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
🏈 Friends to lovers
🏈 Opposites attract
🏈 'It's always been you'
🏈 Hurt/comfort
🏈 Family secrets
🏈 Age gap
🏈 Found family
🏈 Anxiety rep
🏈 Bi-awakening
🏈 Slow burn
AUTHOR’S BLURB
Mason Kennerly
My life has three rules. Keep your head down, protect the quarterback, and ignore all the things about my life that don’t add up. Football was a stable field with clear rules; family was a blur of clipped words and cold looks. Then a flood of social media tags shows me a man who could be my mirror image. British hockey player Axel Hughes. For the first time in my life, I step onto a plane, not because the play calls for it, but because I need to know who I am.
Thomas Kingsley
I thought I knew how to protect someone, but I wasn’t trained to guard the heart. I never expected to fall for a man, especially not the one who had become my best friend. As I help Mason unravel all the questions about his identity, I discover who I am while trying not to blur the lines with my feelings. Now I find myself falling for the one who makes me smile too easily, cries when anger turns to sorrow, and is determined to face the heartbreak head‑on. He’s the love I never thought I’d find, and the only person I’ve ever needed.
MY THOUGHTS
I've read some of Emerson's books but nothing in this series, so I went into Under Center pretty blindly. I knew I would get strong character voices and found family, and I wasn't disappointed.
I absolutely couldn't get enough of Mason and Thomas together! They are charming, endearing, and lovable as both a couple and as best friends. I really enjoyed getting to go back a little and see their friendship develop first so that it didn't feel like they woke up one day and fell in love with each other. It's also nice to read a romance where the emotion of the story comes from external factors and not from painful back-and-forth while the MCs figure out their crap. These two, while it takes them a while to get on the same page, never doubt that they are in love.
The comfort that Mason is able to take in Thomas as his life falls apart is satisfying not only because he's found his soft place to land, so to speak, but also because it's the final hurdle for Thomas to let down his guard and relinquish his heart. And Mason's relationship with Axel! Loved, loved, loved, especially after being privy to his childhood.
BOTTOM LINE
I didn't have to have read the first three books to know that Mason and Thomas are both men who deserve the good things that come to them in this book. But, having met the supporting cast here, it makes me want to go back and read their stories as well. Definitely recommend.
— A🩷
CONTENT WARNINGS
Explicit sexual content, family trauma, mental and emotional abuse toward a child (not by the MCs), parent with dementia, very questionable parenting
Thanks to Literary Rx and Emerson Beckett for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, Fable, Amazon, and Goodreads.
The San Diego Storm #4
Length: 276 pages
Source: Literary Rx eARC
Publication date: November 20, 2025
4.5 ⭐
3 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
🏈 Friends to lovers
🏈 Opposites attract
🏈 'It's always been you'
🏈 Hurt/comfort
🏈 Family secrets
🏈 Age gap
🏈 Found family
🏈 Anxiety rep
🏈 Bi-awakening
🏈 Slow burn
AUTHOR’S BLURB
Mason Kennerly
My life has three rules. Keep your head down, protect the quarterback, and ignore all the things about my life that don’t add up. Football was a stable field with clear rules; family was a blur of clipped words and cold looks. Then a flood of social media tags shows me a man who could be my mirror image. British hockey player Axel Hughes. For the first time in my life, I step onto a plane, not because the play calls for it, but because I need to know who I am.
Thomas Kingsley
I thought I knew how to protect someone, but I wasn’t trained to guard the heart. I never expected to fall for a man, especially not the one who had become my best friend. As I help Mason unravel all the questions about his identity, I discover who I am while trying not to blur the lines with my feelings. Now I find myself falling for the one who makes me smile too easily, cries when anger turns to sorrow, and is determined to face the heartbreak head‑on. He’s the love I never thought I’d find, and the only person I’ve ever needed.
MY THOUGHTS
I've read some of Emerson's books but nothing in this series, so I went into Under Center pretty blindly. I knew I would get strong character voices and found family, and I wasn't disappointed.
I absolutely couldn't get enough of Mason and Thomas together! They are charming, endearing, and lovable as both a couple and as best friends. I really enjoyed getting to go back a little and see their friendship develop first so that it didn't feel like they woke up one day and fell in love with each other. It's also nice to read a romance where the emotion of the story comes from external factors and not from painful back-and-forth while the MCs figure out their crap. These two, while it takes them a while to get on the same page, never doubt that they are in love.
The comfort that Mason is able to take in Thomas as his life falls apart is satisfying not only because he's found his soft place to land, so to speak, but also because it's the final hurdle for Thomas to let down his guard and relinquish his heart. And Mason's relationship with Axel! Loved, loved, loved, especially after being privy to his childhood.
BOTTOM LINE
I didn't have to have read the first three books to know that Mason and Thomas are both men who deserve the good things that come to them in this book. But, having met the supporting cast here, it makes me want to go back and read their stories as well. Definitely recommend.
— A🩷
CONTENT WARNINGS
Explicit sexual content, family trauma, mental and emotional abuse toward a child (not by the MCs), parent with dementia, very questionable parenting
Thanks to Literary Rx and Emerson Beckett for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, Fable, Amazon, and Goodreads.
December 2, 2025
This is the last addition to the San Diego Storm series and the series finishes with a bang.
It's a really great friends to lovers story with a dose of bi-awakening.
Mason and Thomas meet in book 1 and a friendship is formed, low key, under the radar from their friends. Both develop feelings but neither really wants to start anything, at least not until Mason's world is crashing down.
When secrets come out, Thomas is the one thing Mason can rely on and slowly they move to lovers and acknowledge what is between them. I love that it's a bit of a slow burn and we learn so much about them both before they are burning the sheets.
I love how Thomas shows Mason how much he is worth and how to stand against his parents while Mason remembers Thomas that being a loner out of guilt is not something to live your life.
The ending is brilliant, a great way to wrap up the series. Throughout the book we have all the previous characters and it's so good to see them all with their HEA.
I can't wait what Emerson Beckett will bring us next.
It's a really great friends to lovers story with a dose of bi-awakening.
Mason and Thomas meet in book 1 and a friendship is formed, low key, under the radar from their friends. Both develop feelings but neither really wants to start anything, at least not until Mason's world is crashing down.
When secrets come out, Thomas is the one thing Mason can rely on and slowly they move to lovers and acknowledge what is between them. I love that it's a bit of a slow burn and we learn so much about them both before they are burning the sheets.
I love how Thomas shows Mason how much he is worth and how to stand against his parents while Mason remembers Thomas that being a loner out of guilt is not something to live your life.
The ending is brilliant, a great way to wrap up the series. Throughout the book we have all the previous characters and it's so good to see them all with their HEA.
I can't wait what Emerson Beckett will bring us next.
November 18, 2025
4 ⭐
2 🌶️
Mason and Thomas gave all the feels of best friends to lovers and all the emotions of hurt/comfort that I love so much.
The prologue broke my heart for baby Mason. He didn't deserve to be treated that way, especially by a family member.
Thomas' dedication to Mason was so tender. I loved his ease at which he took his attraction to Mason.
Without any spoilers, one character stole the show for me and that was Axel. His possessiveness for his family and friends got me every time.
The epilogues at the end, omg. What a beautiful way to tie them all together.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Friends to Lovers
• Bi-Awakening
• First Times
• Slow Burn
• Found Family
• Family Secrets
• Mistaken Identity
• Opposites Attract
Cheating: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
2 🌶️
Mason and Thomas gave all the feels of best friends to lovers and all the emotions of hurt/comfort that I love so much.
The prologue broke my heart for baby Mason. He didn't deserve to be treated that way, especially by a family member.
Thomas' dedication to Mason was so tender. I loved his ease at which he took his attraction to Mason.
Without any spoilers, one character stole the show for me and that was Axel. His possessiveness for his family and friends got me every time.
The epilogues at the end, omg. What a beautiful way to tie them all together.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Friends to Lovers
• Bi-Awakening
• First Times
• Slow Burn
• Found Family
• Family Secrets
• Mistaken Identity
• Opposites Attract
Cheating: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
December 16, 2025
Mason and Thomas story concludes a beloved series with emotion, shenanigans, teasing, and a love that slowly blooms, but will last a lifetime.
They had numerous obstacles in their way, insecurities, misunderstandings, heartache, and past trauma that contributes to their development.
I loved their dedication, and how united their friends were when it counted.
It also had a psychological impact, as one character was determined to ruin their happiness, but that’s when friends and important persons in their lives interfered.
I liked how their future paned, the additions to their family, the professional and personal changes, as well as the little glimpses to what’s coming next.
They had numerous obstacles in their way, insecurities, misunderstandings, heartache, and past trauma that contributes to their development.
I loved their dedication, and how united their friends were when it counted.
It also had a psychological impact, as one character was determined to ruin their happiness, but that’s when friends and important persons in their lives interfered.
I liked how their future paned, the additions to their family, the professional and personal changes, as well as the little glimpses to what’s coming next.
November 13, 2025
This was sweet! I loved Thomas and Mason’s relationship. They were adorable as friends and even more so as their relationship developed. I really enjoyed seeing how supportive Thomas was of Mason’s endeavor, he was there every step of the way and gave love, guidance, hugs and a shoulder to cry on. Their friendship gave them the perfect foundation for their relationship and it was nice to see the dynamic change but that foundation remain the same. I love the found family in this series and I’m loved getting Mason’s story as heartbreaking as it was.
💙ARC REVIEW🖤
💙ARC REVIEW🖤
November 20, 2025
I have been waiting for Mason & Thomas’ story, and it was worth the wait! It’s the perfect friend to lovers story. These two are so sweet and absolutely perfect for each other. They just needed a little push from the entire San Diego Storm family.
I have enjoyed this whole series, and I am sad to see it end, but I am looking forward to whatever comes next!!
•Friends to Lovers
•Sexual Awakening
•Family Secrets
•Hidden Identity
•Found Family
•Slow Burn
•First Times
I received an ARC from The Literary RX, and this is my honest review.
I have enjoyed this whole series, and I am sad to see it end, but I am looking forward to whatever comes next!!
•Friends to Lovers
•Sexual Awakening
•Family Secrets
•Hidden Identity
•Found Family
•Slow Burn
•First Times
I received an ARC from The Literary RX, and this is my honest review.
November 25, 2025
cute and sweet
Ahh, this was so fun. I have really enjoyed this series. Thomas and Mason were so sweet and swoony. I loved getting their story and seeing all the rest of the group. I was really sad the way it was written that Evan and Hudson weren’t at their wedding simply because Hudson is so important to Thomas but regardless it was a really fun book. I loved the additional chapters from others POV of that game.
Ahh, this was so fun. I have really enjoyed this series. Thomas and Mason were so sweet and swoony. I loved getting their story and seeing all the rest of the group. I was really sad the way it was written that Evan and Hudson weren’t at their wedding simply because Hudson is so important to Thomas but regardless it was a really fun book. I loved the additional chapters from others POV of that game.
December 11, 2025
What I loved best about Thomas and Mason was that despite everything Mason had gone through and was still going through there was never a doubt for him of trusting Thomas with every emotion. Mason was trying to find himself and it was lovely to see Mason do that and for Thomas to find himself as well, with Mason! They had the strongest of friendship bonds and the progression to lovers was beautifully done.
November 23, 2025
Under Center is the fourth and final book in the San Diego Storm series, and I suggest reading them in order for the best read. This is a hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, age gap, sexual awakening, opposites attract read about Mason and Thomas. I absolutely loved this story and all the wonderful characters that we have met over the series.
December 4, 2025
Laughter
I love stories that make laugh. This one did not disappoint. The scene on the plane headed to the wedding made me laugh so loudly, it disturbed my fur baby’s sleep. The scene where they were determining ring size also caused me to disturb her sleep. I love all the books in this series.
I love stories that make laugh. This one did not disappoint. The scene on the plane headed to the wedding made me laugh so loudly, it disturbed my fur baby’s sleep. The scene where they were determining ring size also caused me to disturb her sleep. I love all the books in this series.
December 5, 2025
love this entire series!!!
What a great finale to a fantastic series! For all those sports fans that enjoy a good romance with it, this is for you! All the guys in this group are adorable and lovable. Our FBI protector Thomas and his shy and quiet bestie football player, Mason, have been slowly falling in love throughout their friendship. The perfect romance! I loved it all!
What a great finale to a fantastic series! For all those sports fans that enjoy a good romance with it, this is for you! All the guys in this group are adorable and lovable. Our FBI protector Thomas and his shy and quiet bestie football player, Mason, have been slowly falling in love throughout their friendship. The perfect romance! I loved it all!
November 21, 2025
Romance Goals
These series are so heartwarming and the interlacing of characters with those we have already grown to love is such a wonderful approach. Thank you for helping these characters warm our hearts.
These series are so heartwarming and the interlacing of characters with those we have already grown to love is such a wonderful approach. Thank you for helping these characters warm our hearts.
November 21, 2025
It was fine honestly the best part was the way that it tied in all the other books in the closing chapters/epilogues.
November 26, 2025
Good
I enjoyed these characters. They were funny and emotional. I am sorry their stories are over. Can't wait for Axel.
I enjoyed these characters. They were funny and emotional. I am sorry their stories are over. Can't wait for Axel.
December 3, 2025
what a beautiful way to end the series with the snippets from everyone.
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