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The Underdogs #3

You. Forever. Always.

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---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.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes:
rock band, bandmates romance, older brother’s best friend, coming out, bisexuality, first love, anxiety, compromise, music, secret love
Genre: Contemporary M/M Rocker Romance
Heat level: sweet, explicit scenes

Length: ~50,000 words (Can be read as standalone, HEA)

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 29, 2018

52 people are currently reading
463 people want to read

About the author

K.A. Merikan

130 books3,027 followers
(Goodreads profile run by Kat)

K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.

K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.

e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com

More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Judith.
724 reviews2,944 followers
December 27, 2018
4.5





“I’ve been incomplete without you. You’re the only one I ever needed, and the only one I will ever need. No one else would do.”



it's always quite sad reading the final book in a series,saying goodbye to characters you've come to love.This series has a variety of couples that work together and as a group....a bit dysfunction at times but always loveable.

You get craziness with Dusk and Lolly,

Kinkiness with Sid and Asher,

And sweetness with Mage and Dawn.


Ever since I started this series,this is the one I've been dying to read and it was everything I hope it would be.Mage and Dawn couldn't have been more perfect for each other.Dawn's anxiety was handled with great sensitivity here and Mage's devotion to him was a joy to read.



Best friends from a young age Mage and Dawn's relationship has developed into something much stronger with a mutual respect for each other.This was the sweetest of slow burns.... Neither of them had ever been intimate with a man before and it was beautifully written with feelings galore and the Epilogue was truly adorable.


Could be read as a standalone but you'd be missing out on two other great couples in the first two books.


Review copy.
Profile Image for K.A. Merikan.
Author 130 books3,027 followers
Read
November 14, 2018
YFA

Mage and Dawn's book. Coming in 2018.

YFA

For years now, Dawn has been in love with his big brother's best friend. Painfully shy, too afraid to even try to reach out to Mage, he knows his love is doomed. Especially that Mage is straight. But then one kiss changes it all.

YFA

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Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~.
3,579 reviews1,118 followers
January 7, 2019
~4.5~

Did the Merikans really write this sweet, sweet story? There's little angst here save for Dawn's untreated anxiety. Dawn may be too fragile for real life, but his love for Mage is true and strong.

The MCs come together seamlessly. They're such close friends, the misunderstanding doesn't last long. Dawn confesses his feelings, and Mage follows suit.

It was fun to see Dusk and Lolly again, even though they're obnoxious little shits sometimes and as freaky as ever. Dusk is an amazing brother to Dawn, though, so I can forgive a lot.

Mostly, I wanted everyone to stop treating Dawn like a child and realize that he needed therapy and medication, not coddling.

The sexy scenes were super hot but also tender and pure. I loved how Mage was at once possessive but caring and so protective.

Mage's family was ... not awesome, but pretty damn real. His parents had all these hopes and dreams for him (THEIR hopes, THEIR dreams), but they weren't terrible people.

Plus, the HEA was utterly dreamy. When Dawn started singing, I may have teared up a little bit. 😭 So damn sweet.

P.S. This book overlaps with the end of book 2, which I skipped because BDSM just isn't my thing, but I was able to follow the story. I did read the first book, though. I wouldn't suggest reading this one as a complete standalone.
Profile Image for Barbara➰.
1,661 reviews459 followers
December 31, 2018
So stinking sweet my teeth hurt. Not necessarily a bad thing, but be prepared. If you go into this expecting drama and angst you won't find it. I've only read one other book by these authors and this is nothing like it.

Dawn suffers from severe anxiety. He's always been different..smaller, more delicate. One day he's rescued from bullies by Magnus, a tall older boy who's new and also becomes his brother's best friend. Not only is he off limits, he's straight.

Mage is the father figure in the band. Always looking out for everyone especially Dawn. It sucks being in love with your best friend's delicate little brother. Mage can't help but take care of him and keep him close.

I loved seeing these two come together and finally confess their feelings for each other. While I am not a huge fan of the friends-to-lovers troupe, I do love a sweet and awkward guy getting the hunk of their dreams.

I did not read any of the other books in the series and didn't feel lost. I'm not sure I want to read Dusk and Lolly's fucked up relationship. They are just too much lol. And I'm not really into BDSM so Sid and Asher are out. But I did love this one in all it's sweetness.
Profile Image for Virginia Cavanillas.
Author 58 books191 followers
December 24, 2018
From Dusk...



Doing a series from Dusk till Dawn is a genius thing to do. Really. Meaningful and fantastic, and I love the whole idea. (is it in my mind? I don’t think so, this has been written by K.A Merikan after all).

So, we could say The Underdogs “tour” ends in the opposite way it started: we finish with little conflict, sweetness and pure love when our first glimpse was sex, laughs and lollipops. And with that I’m not saying that what Dusk and Lolly have is not love because it is and huge. Just dirtier and more open and oh so funny. By the way, best quote from Dusk:

“If you hurt Dawn, I will end you, understood? And that will also break up the band, because you will be dead. And I’ll go to prison for it, so you would have ruined everyone’s lives”

But Dawn and Mage... they are love. They are respect. They are the result of years of friendship. A bond forged in trust. And even if there’s no angsty conflict for the reader’s eyes we need to be aware what a complicated relationship theirs is. In my opinion, it’s the most complicated of all the Underdogs because let’s be clear: Dawn is sweet. The sweetest. The cute kid, the shy guy, the beautiful, sensitive and kind songwriter BUT having a thing with him is not easy. There are issues and they are not little. And patient Mage is the man to deal with it, lovely Mage, Dawn’s friend, muse and savior. It has to be difficult as hell to manage that kind of purity, naivety, kindness and big heart. Really, there’s the conflict. To me, it’s not easy at all.

And about that savior hero thing... The prologue... the prologue is everything: that lovely introduction. The perfect beginning culminating in a perfect epilogue.



My favorite book in this series is book one, because it was my first reading from the Merikans and I have a special thing for Dusk but You. Forever. Always is a sweet and beautiful dawn and the perfect ending for this series.

... till Dawn



Recommend!

👉🏻

ARC generously provided by the author
Profile Image for Meags.
2,479 reviews694 followers
January 15, 2019
4.5 Stars

Firstly, this cover art is my new everything! *heart eyes*

Secondly, this was one of the sweetest, most romantic friends-to-lovers stories I’ve ever read. *swoon*

Having read books two and three back-to-back, it was fascinating to see how in contrast the two romances were, yet both stories still remained true to the series in terms of overall composition and tone. Where Just Here for the Pain was gritty and kinky and full of emotional angst, You. Forever. Always. was all things sunshine and stardust for the members of The Underdogs and their partners.

Dawn and Mage were always inevitable. From the moment the shy, anxiety ridden songwriter and his loyal, fiercely protective bass playing friend first graced the pages of book one, I knew their story would be something special.

Dawn never thought he’d get to be with his big brother’s best friend, not only because of his crippling issues with anxiety but also because he, along with everyone else, believed Mage to be straight. However, one bold night alone in a hot tub changes the tide of their long-lasting friendship, and soon enough the two dear friends begin to fully realise the depth of their mutual feelings and the epic potential they might have as lovers.

Watching Dawn and Mage come together romantically was beautiful to witness. Their love story is more tender and heartfelt in comparison to their steamy couple counterparts, but it was everything I hoped their story would be.

The angst in this story is on the lower end of the angst scale, but what emotional turmoil there is mostly revolves around Dawn’s ongoing issues with anxiety and The Underdogs decision regarding whether or not to sign with a major record label. I especially felt for Dawn’s emotional struggles and I thought the characterisation of him dealing with severe anxiety was remarkably well-depicted.

I adored Dawn and Mage’s slow-burn romance and I appreciated the roles Dusk, Lolly, Sid, and Asher played in this story – Dusk is a total nutter and I loved his scenes here, especially when he dialed down the crazy and became a fiercely protective big brother to Dawn, time and time again.

Most importantly, I LOVED the epilogue. I can’t remember the last time a closing chapter made me so happy I cried – it filled my heart to bursting and I was positively blissful over the perfect ending The Underdogs received.
Profile Image for Dia.
534 reviews150 followers
January 30, 2019
4 stars

This is the third book in the Underdogs series. From the start I must admit I haven't read the previous two books. I know, I know! I missed all the fun. I am going to read them soon!! I honestly have no idea why it took me so long to get to this series. But starting with the last book is totally me. But I'm not sorry about starting with this one because I really enjoyed this sweet sweet couple!

Even if I haven't read the first two books, I didn't have any trouble reading this one. I understood pretty fast the dynamics between the secondary characters and I loved them all. Especially Dusk and Lolly!

Mage and Down have been friends since they were very young. Mage was so protective and kind. Down was shy and he hid his anxiety from everyone. Some scenes were hard to read. My heart was breaking for Down!

I think the authors did a wonderful job in bringing together the sweetest men. This might be the sweetest story I've read so far from K.A. Merikan.

I loved the slow burning here, the way both Mage and Down needed time to adjust to the realization they have a chance to something more. Their friendship was so pure. I just knew them as a couple would be perfection!

We get some super hot scenes and the epilogue was awesome!
flamingtext__25122039351113241 coollogo_com-9102879
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,994 reviews436 followers
December 23, 2018
Well that was radically different than book two in this series!

Dawn and Mage's romance is beautifully slow burn and tender and takes its time to develop mostly because of Dawn's overwhelming anxieties.

The authors treat this with the seriousness it deserves and there's no magic cure because of love which was good to see, the relationship doesn't run smooth, even with all the years they've been friends.

I do like a friends to lovers romance and that's what we get here, with some minor hiccups along the way as they each can't quite believe the other one feels the same way.

This is all ends up sweet and I liked the change of pace from the two earlier books but Asher and Sid remain my faves and Dusk and Lolly still irritate me ;)

#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Iman (hiatus).
726 reviews260 followers
January 10, 2024
They are friends to lovers, I can see they were very close since book #1 which implies the pining, but I gotta be honest, the pining isn’t really there as a plot, instead it was portrayed only like a shadow of the whole relationship. In short, they were just friends who becomes lovers. No in-depth feelings on how they pined on each other.

Their relationship was also fragile, probably because Dawn diagnosed with anxiety and Mage has been protecting him since young, but they kinda fit with each other and eventually figure out themselves. I do have to note that there’s no depth to that as well. Not even in the end. Therefore, it’s very difficult to be really into them and their relationship. Dawn’s medical condition also gets worsened near the end, but it wasn’t resolve at all. 🥴

And I’m not sure if I like how Dusk is portrayed in this book. I had the ick. Kinda ruined my experience with book #1 :’’ I also didn’t like how the band members treat each other especially Dawn. Makes me feel like the whole band didn’t even like each other. Awful!

Overall, this wasn’t memorable, but not that bad either. My only fav is book #1
Profile Image for .Lili. .
1,275 reviews276 followers
December 28, 2018


You. Forever. Always. by K.A. Merikan was precisely what I needed after the stress of the Holidays. This third installment of The Underdogs series was the sweetest and fluffiest of the three. It's the story of childhood best friends in love with one another and had never acted on their feelings.

Some highlights:

-Dawn and Mage. After them being mentioned in the previous stories I was glad that they matched whom I'd come to envision in my head. Dawn was kind and gentle but riddled with anxiety that affects most aspects of his life. Mage, always his champion by his side.

-Overall, this book is pretty low angst; it's all about understanding, patience, and love.

-Relationship development: this is perhaps my favorite part of the novella. There was a lot of care taken in the development of the intimate aspect of Dawn's and Mage's relationship. It was not only romantic as fuck but appropriate with the story.

-The end was everything that I wanted for these two. <3

Can this be read as a standalone? I guess, but I think for maximum enjoyment all should be read in order.

Thoughts on the series as a whole? I loved it. Every couple was utterly different from the next. It still had a messy, gritty feel; they were dysfunctional but still romantic and sweet

4.5 Stars for this installment and 4.5 for the series as a whole. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
Profile Image for Ky.
589 reviews90 followers
December 31, 2018
Note to self: always take what these two ladies say very very seriously.

From the moment K.A. Merikan first posted about the progress they were making while writing this story they emphasised how sweet everything about it was, but my thought was "surely it can't be that sweet". It turns out that it actually can and it is! The good news is that it wasn't over the top, it somehow wasn't corny or eye-roll inducing. It was indeed their sweetest story to date, as they warned us all themselves, but it felt right to be that way.

We've seen Dawn and Mage enough in the previous two books of the series to be clued in that there's something happening between them. In "You. Forever. Always." we finally get their story and, as a bonus, their take on Sid's pursue to win Asher back. Dawn is a very quiet and private person - the exact opposite of his brother -, he suffers from anxiety and is prone to panic attacks when a situation is proving to be too much for him to handle. Mage is the adult in the band, the responsible and the one that aways thinks before he acts. He's had a tender spot for Dawn ever since he met him and is always by his side helping and supporting him through everything he might want.

After a drunken make out session, Dawn and Mage have a long overdue conversation where they reveal their feelings for each other. That's the beginning of a secret relationship that moves slowly but surely foreward at a pace that Dawn is comfortable with. I liked how the story took place over several months and how we got to see the different stages of Dawn and Mage's relationship.

One thing that bothered me was everyone's attitude towards Dawn's struggles. It was clear that just the support and good intentions of his friends and family, while very important, weren't enough to help him deal with his anxiety and he needed outside help to get better. However, no one ever even hinted at that. In the end, it took a well meaning nurse to make them all see what needed to be done and for Dawn to finally start making progress and getting better.

I was excited to see Asher and Sid again and had a smile on my face everytime they were part of a scene. I liked that Asher always had to have some kind of contact with Sid's skin, that he protected and cared for him, that they were so good together and that they were supporting each other. These two remain my favorite couple of the series and I wish that they had a bigger part here.

Dusk and Lolly were, once again, their annoying and immature selves. I don't remember them being that way in their own book but in the next two I can't say that I liked them very much. They seem self-centered and as if they don't care for those around them as long as both of them are having fun. However, when the issue at the end appeared, Dusk surprised me in a very good way. His stance on the matter, the passion and conviction with which he defended Dawn and the things he said were able to erase some of his annoying behavior.

The epilogue at the end was a nice addition and a great way to say goodbye to this band and learn what happened with them a few years down the road. I don't think I'll advice you to read it as a standalone, but if you like "The Underdogs" you don't want to miss this book!



*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me by the authors in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for ~Mindy Lynn~.
1,396 reviews661 followers
January 1, 2019
3.5 Stars!


I knew this one might be a harder read for me, and it was. I have similar issues as Dawn and it made it hard to read this at moments. I probably shouldn't have considering all the triggers this one carried for me. But it was an ARC I couldn't turn down because I more than not love anything these ladies put out.

Dawn and Mage are very sweet together. Dawn is very sensitive and in need of someone who can handle his issues. Mage is a caretaker and just wants to shelter and take care of Dawn. We've seen him stand in front of Dawn plenty times in the previous books when things got to be too much for Dawn or when the other band-mates pushed him. Mage is very much Dawn's protector. They are very well matched.

This one was a bit too sweet and too light on the drama. I wanted a bit more with this couple.

If your looking for a well written sweet story then definitely pick this one up.

Happy reading dolls! xx

I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘.
876 reviews4,173 followers
February 15, 2019
"His ID could state twenty-one all it wanted, but his lovely face didn't look a day over eighteen."

... annnnnnnd that's just gross and I'm out of there.

You. Forever. Always. sparked my interest because one of the MC has panic attacks and I'm always here for the anxiety rep. BUT I've been struggling with the age difference from the beginning and that sentence right there, uttered by the 26 love-interest who has been sexually interested in the MC for god knows how long (he's his big brother's best-friend), reaaaally didn't sit well with me. I don't care how sweet Mage is, the fact that their relationship is so focused on Dawn's innocence makes everything way too icky for me to root for them as a couple. DNF.
Profile Image for Chris.
2,070 reviews
December 29, 2018
4.5 stars for this sweet addition to the series. Mage & Dawn finally found their courage and joy. This was heartwarming and made me smile - Mages protectiveness of Dawn really was beautiful and Dawns love for Mage was so tender. This was definitely the softer book in the series, as it needed to be. My only issue was that it finished way too quickly... I wanted to keep basking in the sweetness !!!
Profile Image for Ele.
1,319 reviews40 followers
December 27, 2018

I honestly think that You. Forever. Always is one of the sweetest and most romantic books I have ever read. Probably the sweetest by these authors. It’s disconcerting considering that in one my recent K.A.Merikan reads the MCs reunited over a man’s dead body…*thinks back fondly*. Good times!

This whole series might be on the fluffy side (for Merikan standards) but it includes a lot of stuff. Book one was about a hook up that turned out to be true love, book two had some pretty intense BDSM and book three is a very sweet friends to lovers story.

I knew from the previous books that Dawn was a very sweet and gentle character, and somewhat socially awkward. In this book we learn that the mastermind behind The Underdogs is actually struggling a lot with his social anxiety which affects his self esteem, his relationship with his band mates and his general well being a lot. It even affects his health a great deal.

Through all this, Mage is Dawn’s protector and trusted friend. Ever since he saved him from bullies in high school, Mage became Dawn’s guardian angel. But it’s not only friendship that binds these two. Mage has been in love with Dawn since forever but there are things that hold him back.

I liked that the issue was treated with respect but very realistically as well. Mage is always there for Dawn but he doesn’t always handle things right. He’s human too so there is frustration and hurt feelings and things left unsaid for a while there.

The conflict in this story is minimal. It’s always been love for Mage and Dawn, so from the moment they approach each other as something other than friends, it’s a serious, committed relationship.

There is not a lot of steam. It’s mostly a gentle romance and the steamy bits follow that pace. Dawn needs to take things slow and Mage is happy to oblige. In the beginning it’s mostly kisses and make up sessions until they ‘re ready for more. I found this very natural and important

The HEA is all rainbows and sunshine. I mean…-riding unicorns, swirling in glitter- happy! So much cuteness. Again…disconcerting coming from Kat and Agnes….

My favorite parts of the book are those that include the whole band. Dusk and Lolly can be pretty obnoxious but their book is still my favorite, and seeing Sid and Asher again was great. I love how the guys interact and how they stick with each other despite being so different.

It’s no secret that K.A.Merikan’s dark reads are my favorites. The grittiest it is, the more I want to read it. But there’s just something about this series that called to me. Recommended for all MM readers.

*Posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,851 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2019
Mage and Dawn

This review is my opinion and please make sure you have your own.

At some point I did enjoy this read, but not all the time.
The writingstyle was good and all sentences were well put together...
Only... for me it was a bit ott. I’m gonna say something horrible, so I will say it very fast...
- I didn’t like the main characters...- WHAT ohh.. really..? Yes really! The whole story wasn’t my kind of thing, for me it was too sugar sweet and even a bit *whisper* boring.

What I read so far from these authors was all good... so it’s not that the writing was bad or there were errors... not of this all... these authors know how to write.
So it’s totally me... not a story that kept me on my toes, or moved me with feelings...

I know for sure most readers will love this story... so forget my review and read it yourself.

Read and reviewed for Signal Boost Promotions
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,681 reviews96 followers
January 16, 2019
*3,5 stars*

I had high hopes for this being the best out of the three books in this series.
Sadly, it didn't quite work out that way.

I really adored Mage. He is so reliable, kind (which is mentioned about every second page) and just a total rock for Dawn.

It is Dawn (or the way people react to him), I had my problems with.
He is shown to be fragile and over-sensitive. Fine.
He is innocent and naive. Fine.
He is shy and withdrawn. Fine.

The thing is - he is ALL those things to the extreme. So why has nobody ever thought about getting him to a doctor to help him with these issues? The guy is having regular panic attacks, for goodness sake!
But there is Dusk, being very much in the face about what Dawn should do and not do. (Handing a severely shy, virgin young boy internet porn??? Does he actually really know and understand his brother?)
There are Dawn's parents who seem to have never recognized that their son has a deep-rooted problem.
There is Mage, 'mothering' him, 'babysitting' him to the point where he is virtually 'shooing the flies away' so that they don't scare Dawn. To me it felt more as if Mage is enabling Dawn rather than helping him. (Thankfully Dawn does get medical help at the end which is something, but ...)

Dawn also behaves so much like a child, completely untouched by the modern world, it was unreal at times. I know he is supposed to be sweet, naive and cute, but I hate to admit there were times when I felt a bit irritated by his behaviour.

Mage, dealing with Dawn, is behaving way beyond his years while Dawn is behaving like a spooked, frightened deer (Bambi actually did seem quite a fitting nick-name, if it had been meant in a nice way!) in desperate need of help. I would have really liked to see Dawn do something major FOR Mage to pan out the playing field a little bit!

So - an interesting series with very different books. Unfortunately not quite my thing.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,349 reviews456 followers
February 4, 2019
3.5 stars

While I loved the sweetness of this, I always feel like something is missing when I read a K.A. Merikan book. And I felt the same way here. The thing is, I can’t even say what it is I was missing.

There was one sex scene when Dawn loses his virginity that was all rainbows and sunshine. Perhaps a bit too rainbow puppies unicorns everything is good in the world like. It was a bit of an eye-rolling scene actually.

I did really like Dawn and Mage, but I’m still not sure about the rest of the band. They were okay, but not really nice people.

Well, it was super sugary so it fulfilled my need for a sweet, romantic book.
Profile Image for Briar.
833 reviews
December 23, 2018
So very sweet and cute. No angst at all in this one, just softness.


(Also can people stop labelling this book as 'Gay for You', Mage states multiple times in the book that he's bi & he's known for a while, it's not GFY.)
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,071 reviews517 followers
January 21, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.

3.5 stars


Fans of this series are going to eat this story up. For me, unlike others I suspect, this was just so overly sweet and romantic as to make it almost too much to handle. The language was more poetic than realistic with constant declarations of how much Mage and Dawn loved each other. However, this was often derailed with one or the other overthinking their relationship and worrying if they were either pushing too hard (Mage) or not being sexually progressive and aggressive enough (Dawn). What can’t be faulted here is the commitment and love that Mage and Dawn had for each other and their desire to make their new found partnership work. Mage was a caregiver—a mother hen, in some ways, and in others just a really sweet and loving man who was determined to shield Dawn from potential hurt and harm. He knew what it took for Dawn just to move through his day and how he grappled with the emotionally devastating effects of panic attacks that shut him down so completely. He was the quintessential knight in shining armor and no one appreciated that more than Dawn.

Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.



Profile Image for Amanda.
1,398 reviews326 followers
June 11, 2024
1st read - 12/2018
2nd read - 6/2024

I love this series and I just wish every book is longer. In this Book 3, which I think might be the final book of the series, we have Mage and Dawn's story. Dawn is the little brother in the band and everyone treated him with kids glove. He is such a cinnamon roll ( I learned this term from reading BL webcomics ) and needs to be protected at all cost. Mage is the protector and at times seems even more perceptive than Dusk.

The romance is freaking sweet and cute and just warm your heart. Dawn is this naive little virgin who can't wait to spread his wings and Mage is the perfect person to bring him out of his shell.

We also get some #Dully action, man... thank goodness their story was the first book of the series and I already on the Dully ship because seriously, looking at them through Mage's POV make them seems like a pair of hooligan and they can be annoying at times.

KA Merikan definitely had a knack for writing fluff (their words!) besides of the usual carnage and kinky fuckery. Please give us more who these cutesy read because we need it once a while to cleanse the palate, so to speak.
Profile Image for Alex.
342 reviews30 followers
January 8, 2019
It was sweet.
Too sweet for me?...

I don't know. I'm not used to this much vanilla from these authors so I guess I was kind of surprise.

Anyway. It wasn't what I was expecting but that's on me...

Like I said. It was sweet and completely drama free...
Profile Image for Widya Vello.
143 reviews22 followers
January 3, 2019
Holy God!!! This book makes me weep. Like I expected from Mage and Dawn, their story shared lots of fluffy and sweet things, feels like I almost got toothache from reading it lol. Definitely my most fave couple from the series.
I knew If I were Mage I'd also would keep Dawn inside my nest forever. Protected him from outside world. Well you just couldn't help it. Dawn is just too sweet and tender to ignored. There's something enchanting from a fragile porcelain looked alike guy *if u know what I mean ;)*
I never imagined the author could write such beautiful and light book. It added another spectrum from these ladies, usually I liked them for their gritty, kinky and darker story. But I wouldn't mind to read another one like this book from them.
So I guess Mage and Dawn is the last from these series. It's sad to part from these Underdogs guys. I love them for their mixed personalities. I just hoped I could read more about Mage and Dawn, their story is just too short. Gonna missed these guys a lot.
I will grow old with you
The beginning of my forever
And I will love you always
You.Forever.Always


Profile Image for Santy.
1,258 reviews76 followers
March 31, 2019
I've been on a roll lately with great books from this duo but unfortunately, this book was just not it.

In the previous books I liked Dawn and Mage well enough but for some reason I just didn't like them in this. Our MCs had been in love with each other for ages and were both too cautious but once they discovered their feelings for each other(in the first 15% of the book) and started "dating", the story stopped being interesting.

Yes, they were sweet to each other and probably came off as romantic to others but to me the story was about them going through day to day the motions and managing Dawn's anxiety (without even seeking the proper help). Even Dusk's blowup up at their discovery couldn't salvage the drabness that the story had fallen into. Also I felt Dusk and Lolly were a bit over the top in this book and not their usual selves. I must admit that they got on my nerves quite a bit.

It's unfortunate that this went this way one, because of the POC MC(which I wish to see more of) and two, because this was the final book of a great series.

I have hope however, that the next K.A Merikan book I read will be back to its usual awesomeness.
Profile Image for  Thea™.
3,778 reviews11 followers
February 6, 2019
ARC provided by the authors! THANK YOU again ladies!! ❤
I absolutely LOVED Mage and Dawn's story! They are sooo swieeet together! Cannot think of any reason why this book wouldn't get my 5 stars! LOVED everything about it!


(Illustration by Alexzappa)

Manic Pixie Dream Boy (The Underdogs, #1) by K.A. Merikan Just Here for the Pain (The Underdogs, #2) by K.A. Merikan You. Forever. Always. (The Underdogs, #3) by K.A. Merikan
Profile Image for River .
450 reviews73 followers
December 28, 2018
Lovely closing for the series.

I've been waiting for this story since the first book came out, Dawn was too cute and charming for his good and I needed to know more about him.

I really liked the way they showed little moments from their childhoods to made us see how strong the bond between these two was. It was really nice to see Mage always having Dawn's back and how he always looked to make him happy and comfortable.

At one point I was a bit frustrated about nobody discussing Dawn mental health however this was addressed later on which made me really happy and more hopeful about the HEA.

Speaking of HEA's, these two get a beautiful one and perfect for them!

K.A delivered a romantic story that is different from what you might be used to from them but it still has the distinctive Merikan signature.

I wouldn't be mad if they decide to write another story in this universe.
Profile Image for Vallie.
707 reviews78 followers
January 14, 2019
I really liked Mage and Dawn as a couple. Especially because of Dawn’s struggle with anxiety and the way Mage was overprotective of him, I could really feel their connection.

But.

I didn’t remember Lolly and Dusk being so obnoxious. Have I simply forgotten or was it amped up in this book? Their characters came off a bit like caricatures and the drama towards the end was very OTT for my tastes.

Overall an enjoyable and steamy read with emotional overtones but weighed down by the ridiculous antics of Dusk and Lolly and the whole business with the contract. It bored me a bit around those parts.

Fans of the Merikans and the series will probably enjoy this. Weirdly, the first book remains my favourite but I’m a little hesitant to do a reread after seeing Lolly and Dusk in this story. I’d rather keep the fond memories lol.
Profile Image for Stephanie   GooglyEyes.
1,263 reviews32 followers
December 25, 2018
I'm not one to read a book about rockstars. For some reason they put me on edge and make me so nervous, so I've not read books 1&2. Reading the blurb and listening to the girls talk about Dawn and Mage in their group (and that gorgeous fucking cover) really peaked my interest. I decided to give this one a shot and I'm glad I did.

Coming in on the 3rd book wasn't confusing at all, they did a great job giving a bit of info without overdoing it for those who have read the other books.

Dawn is this fragile, sweet thing, but I never once saw him as weak. He really proves in the end too that he cannot be trampled on, not even by his band mates, brother and love of his life.

I really like Mage (Magnus). He's so headstrong but calm in just about every situation. He knows the way he wants the band to go and is always mindful, especially of Dawn. The way he wants to protect him and all his "sweetness" is adorable. Yup, I said it...a KA Merikan book is adorable lol
That being said, it's still an emotional book, both of worry and of happiness.

I may even suck it up and read the first 2 books :)
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