Makers

Upper Echelons #4

by Casey Cox

Blurb coming soon...

Genres: M M Romance

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2026

About the author

Casey writes MM romance with plenty of 💕, 🔥, 🤣, and of course 🍆 + 🍑.

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Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of four I have read in this series, and it was enjoyable reading about Anson, the father of one of the main characters in each of the other three books. A pivotal point in all of the books is the death of Adam, one of the sons, which has had a devastating effect on each brother and the father. It has been three years since Adam died in a car crash, and Anson has pretty much pulled away from the world, his business, and his children, wrapped up in his grief. When Robbie, one of his sons-in-law, approaches him to help his brother Jarvis out in his new personal trainer business, Anson reluctantly agrees. He has never had any interest in men sexually, but when he meets Jarvis, something piques his interest. Jarvis has been overweight his whole life, but has worked hard on slimming down some, accepting his body as still heavy, but now more comfortable within himself. One thing he has is a sense of humor and a habit of flirty comments. He has an attraction to Anson too, and a flirty comment after a training session starts events on a different track, developing quickly from there. Even with a twenty year age gap, and a tremendous financial gap, the two agree to see where things go — and of course it goes to love. The last hurdle from their perspective is how the three sons will react to their father’s relationship with a man (although all three have male partners themselves). Will Anson’s personal happiness and willingness to move forward from his grief be enough to gain the approval of his sons and their partners, forming the final step in this family’s acceptance of their grief, their loss, and their new beginnings?

The characters are all realistic and relatable. I enjoyed the way Anson and Jarvis reacted to each other, the open communication they had on expectations and where they might be headed, and I had a tear or two at the scene at the cemetery, then the family confrontation later. I was glad Anson found the person to make him whole again, and the way each family member found their own partner in the wake of their loss. The book kept me engaged as this new relationship developed, often bringing a smile to my face with the interactions between Anson and Jarvis as feelings deepened and intimacy grew. The book left me with a feeling of rightness and satisfaction at the new love these two found.

I will go back to read the other two books about Anson’s sons finding their life partners, bringing the family full circle. I appreciated having a heavier character who had found a way to accept his body as it was and to be comfortable in himself, able to be open to the possibility of love. I think that group, male or female, needs more representation in the romance genre, although it is improving. I also appreciated the bit about the Great Barrier Reef and the reclamation efforts underway today. This book had a lot of positive things built in, which I did appreciate. It was a short, entertaining and thoughtful read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth title in the Upper Echelons series brings us the patriarch’s story. Not that he would want to be known as such but as father of the men whose stories have already been told, owner of the business empire that has made them all obscenely rich, that is how I think of him.

Being the head of the family, the head of the business is not all is would seem from the outside, especially when you have had to hold your eldest son in your arms and see him pass on. Anson is grieving. He knows it. The family know it. He continues as he is, the family want to see him return to something like his old self. Which is how his son-in-law sets him up with his personal trainer brother, under the auspices of getting Anson fit once again. But Jarvis is nothing like the trainer Anson expected and as for Jarvis, well he wasn’t expecting Anson…

As the two fall into a routine of not-quite-working-out but making half-hearted attempts to do some exercise they soon find something more, something bigger is growing between them. The question is less whether they will act on it and more how they will share with their family. There are a few fun twists that you may see coming, may not see, either way they make the story fun, give it a lightheartedness without taking away from the underlying sadness and end the whole series with a very satisfying conclusion. It’s one that will most certainly bring a smile too.

Another fantastic short story from Casey Cox and whilst I am sorry to see this series come to a close I’m also excited to find out what is coming next!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.The Makers is the last book of the series The Upper Echelons. It’s a series with short stories, about the billionaire Palmer family.
We already met the brothers Dunlop, Bremmer, and Clayton, who found their partners in Robbie, Kelsey, and Vaughn. This story is about their fifty-three-year-old father Anson Palmer.

Anson doesn’t know how to move on after he lost his son Adam three years ago.
He’s grieving his oldest son, he retreated from life and drank too much, and he is lost.
Robbie asked Andon if he could help his insecure brother, Jarvis. Jarvis is a personal trainer but needs some help to feel more confident.

Robbie asked his twenty-three-year-old brother Jarvis to help Anson, who is out of shape and way too reclusive.

Anson is charmed by the younger man. Jarvis is bright, handsome, and makes Anson feel lighter.
He’s also a flirt.
Jarvis is head over heels for Anson, he can’t help but unprofessionally flirt with him.
He apologized, but surprisingly, Anson flirts back. Anson knows he shouldn’t, for more than one reason, but he’s happy when this sexy sweet guy is with him.

Oh boy, what a lovely story. It’s kind, sexy, bright, and also with bittersweet memories. From the previous stories, we already know more about this billionaire family. With this final installment, the circle is round.
The story is short but feels large! Compliments!

Review also on LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anson is a wealthy, powerful man shattered by the loss of his son, unable to move beyond the grief that has hollowed out his life. He doesn’t expect anything to change — until Jarvis, his son‑in‑law’s younger brother and an unconventional, loud, sunshine‑bright personal trainer, steps into his world. Jarvis is nothing like what Anson imagined he needed, yet he becomes the first person to make him feel alive again. As their sessions shift from physical training to emotional healing, Anson begins to question whether he can let go of the past and open himself to a future with someone decades younger — and a man. MAKERS is a bi‑awakening, age‑gap, forbidden romance novella about grief, renewal, and unexpected love.

This novella delivers a lovely surprise in the way the attraction blooms between Anson and Jarvis. With a significant age gap — and the added twist that Jarvis is a man — their connection feels unexpected but completely believable. What really grounds their relationship is the friendship that forms first: Jarvis’s loud, unconventional training methods break through Anson’s grief, and their easy rapport becomes the foundation for everything that follows. Before anything physical ever happens, you can feel how much they genuinely like each other — how Jarvis brings light back into Anson’s life, and how Anson offers Jarvis a depth of care he’s never had. Their shift from companionship to something more feels earned, tender, and quietly transformative. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 4 of the Upper Echelons series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is the story of Anson Palmer and Jarvis Small. Anson is a 53 year old father who is unable to move past his grief. Three years earlier he lost his oldest son Adam in a car crash. Since then he has withdrawn from everything. He is using alcohol to try and numb the pain but it isn't working. Robbie, his son in law, has a plan. He tells Anson that he needs a favor from him. His older brother Jarvis is a qualified personal trainer that has started working with the staff at his company. The problem is that Jarvis is lacking in confidence so he would appreciate Anson training with him to help encourage him. Robbie asked his twenty-three-year-old brother Jarvis to help Anson, who is out of shape and way too reclusive. This is their story. This is a sweet novella. Jarvis is like a breath of fresh air and slowly brings Anson back to life. They become friends and then more. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Red
Anson is really struggling with the death of his son and his family are worried. So one of his son’s partners asked him a favour. You see Robbie‘s older brother Jarvis was lacking confidence and he asked if Anson would take him on as a personal trainer. Anson agrees.
Jarvis couldn’t believe how big and stunning the building was that Anson lived in. It was bigger than his flat. He didn’t look out of shape like his brother said but He has a cunning way to get Anson on board he turns up with two bags of takeaway food. and watching some tv together The first day they get to know each other but there is this crazy attraction between them.
That’s all I’m gonna tell you guys this is a really sweet read I really liked Jarvis and Anson. Anson taking it in his stride to be attracted to Jarvis and they really enjoy their time together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Anson, is ensnared with grief three years after his eldest son, Adam died in his arms. He knows he needs to climb out of his despair, but it's hard. His son in law, Robbie asks him to help his older brother, Jarvis gain some traction in his new business as personal trainer. Robbie, tells Jarvis Anson is shy and prefers getting healthy in private. Such a fun story! Jarvis, has interesting unique ways to get Anson moving and Anson, is delighted in Javis' enthusiasm. Jarvis' spirit is captivating. External opinions create a few bumps in their courtship and they have to work through a few lifestyle differences. Anson, is amazing and Jarvis is a gem. Great story, well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nile Princess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off so well, but Jarvis expressed himself like a teenager. Who still says 'rad?' And everything to him was 'so f*cking cool'. The sex was horrible. I had to skim it. And the whole thing with Bremmer seeming like he was upset but he really wasn't. Why? I wanted to abandon this a couple times, but it was so short I just kept pushing.

1.5 because I liked Anson. I liked Jarvis too...when he didn't talk.

Also...to 'table a discussion' means to put it aside for another time, not to discuss it now, so Jarvis wouldn't say to Bremmer 'if you have an issue with us, now is your chance to table it.' Unless it means something else outside the USA.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 is the series, and while it can be read as a standalone, why not enjoy them all. Anson, who is the father to Bremmer, Clayton and Dunlop, is going through grief at the loss of his son. Jarvis is Robbie’s older brother, who got certified to become a PT. When Robbie sets up Jarvis to get Anson into shape, they start a friendship. With Jarvis having a crush on Anson, he let him know. This started their story of how they started their relationship to a happy ever after. Loved it and cannot wait for more by this author.

[Metz874 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
The final book in The Upper Echelons series is fantastic. It's time for dad to find happiness and with no other than his son- in- law's brother. Here is both age gap and bi awakening as well as chemistry. If you want something to read in one go, this is a good choice. I love Jarvis sunny personality and that characters from earlier books also makes their appearances in this one.

[Megan McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anson & Jarvis

I didn't really know what to expect from the Palmer patriarch, but his sweet relationship with Jarvis was a really fun way to (I assume) end the Upper Echelons series. All of the Palmers had something that drew their partners in, and it was fun to see the two Small brothers fall in love with the oldest and youngest Palmers. I still love rereading Robbie & Dunlop's story when I get the chance, and now I have a great reason to go back to the beginning again and reread the whole series.

I loved the sweet way that these two came together. Anson had gone through so much of his own personal heartache, and while he was getting a bit better on his own, Jarvis was able to really get him to open up and find that bit of peace he really needed. And together they can continue to grow as a couple and embrace the happy family they're both very much part of.

I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Golden Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anton & Jarvis: Very sweet novella. Anton is grieving and knows he needs to do better for the sons he still has and love him. Jarvis is building his business and confidence. Robbie sets them up as PT and client in hopes they help heal each other. Enjoyed this short.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Short again after the series started with longer, better works. Not much happened here.

[Verena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟