What lies beneath
What happens when a man who seems to have it all finally stops running?
Under the Current is a gripping and timely novel about the men's mental health crisis hiding in plain sight. Meet Tristen Rhodes: a polished executive and successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley who seems to have the perfect life. But beneath the surface, he's fighting a quiet war between who he truly is and who he believes he has to be.
From the foggy California coast to high-stakes boardrooms, Tristen is haunted by his father’s fractured legacy, the crushing weight of impostor syndrome, and an inner voice that asks, "Is this your true self?” This is a profound story of personal transformation and the courage it takes to face the parts of ourselves that were never broken—just buried.
This powerful work of psychological fiction dives deep into the unseen struggles men face, challenging outdated ideas of masculinity and performative toughness. It’s a masterful exploration of:
The journey from emotional numbness to authentic feeling
Healing from unresolved grief and loss
The father-son relationship and inherited trauma
Unmasking vulnerability as a source of incredible strength
Perfect for readers of contemporary literary fiction and anyone moved by stories of self-discovery and redemption. Under the Current is a must-read not only for men steering this path but also for the partners, friends, and loved ones who stand beside them.
If you're ready for a story where healing isn’t shameful—it’s heroic—click Buy Now.
What inspired the book
Hidden emotional struggles
I wrote “Under the Current” to dive into the complexities and contradictions that lie just beneath the polished facades or "masks" so many people, especially men, present to the world and themselves in everyday life. In a culture that often values success, intellect, and control above all else, the book seeks to reveal the emotional struggles and silent battles that remain hidden—feelings of loneliness, unresolved pain, and the search for identity that don’t easily fit into Western societal expectations.
Pressure to be perfect
Through Tristen’s journey, I wanted to explore how the pressure to maintain a perfect exterior can create deep inner fractures, and how confronting those fractures requires great courage and bravery. The story is a reflection on the ways men are often taught to suppress vulnerability, and it aims to challenge that narrative by showing that true strength lies not in control or stoicism, but in surrendering to the unpredictable flow of life and emotions.
Ocean as a meaphor
I have always found the ocean fascinating for many reasons. It's vast, very much unknown, and yet, for many, can be a calming presence. I used the ocean as a metaphor for the currents within ourselves—sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent, yet, always shifting. By sharing Tristen’s process toward healing and self-discovery, my hope was to inspire readers to embrace their own complexities, confront their pasts, and find meaning beyond the surface.
Discussion guide for book clubs
This discussion guide is a great conversation starter for book clubs seeking to mine deeper themes within “Under the Current,” as well as in daily life.