The Side Project

De: Laurel Osterkamp

Narrado por: Amelia Hugh, Christian Leatherman

Rylee dreams of moving to California, writing literary fiction, and pursuing her late father’s dreams. But she’s still in Bemidji, MN, caring for her younger brother and running into her high school crush, Carson. Ten years ago, Carson rejected Rylee and she never quite recovered.

Carson had his sights set on the Ivy League, until his girlfriend’s unexpected pregnancy. Being a single father is the most important job he’ll ever have, even if it means postponing his dreams.

Rylee is shocked to discover she and Carson enrolled in the same fiction writing graduate course. They become writing partners, but also take on a secret “side project”--a no-strings-fling that will end once the class is over.

Because they can’t fall in love. Hearts would be broken and secrets would get revealed. Should Rylee and Carson risk everything to find their happily-ever-after?

©2024 Laurel Osterkamp (P)2025 Laurel Osterkamp

Happy Hopeless Romantic Heart

This is a cute little romance. The narrators were so perfect for the roles. Definitely a great book for us hopeless romantics!
Rylee & Carson are old high school friends/crushes who happen to take a writing class together years later. They each have a lot to navigate on their own, and even more while working on their 'side project' for class. Does the reunion reignite their sparks? Or do their past and present situations get in the way of a happily ever after?
Read/Listen for yourself to find out how it wraps up. I did love the ending ;)

cute story

⭐ (Story) 3.75
⭐ (Narrator) 4
🌶️ 1
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 24, 31 (plus a few fade to black scenes)
📚 Tropes/Themes: first love, besties brother, no strings attached, single dad, friends with benefits, secret relationship, it's always been you
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🎙️ Dual narration (Amelia Hugh + Christian Leatherman)
⏰ Approx 6 hours
💔 Triggers: terminal illness
🛍️ Available: Now

💬 So I'm very torn on how to review this. Full disclosure when I signed up for the AUDIObook tour I didn't realize that I'd actually DNF'd this Ebook before. Ultimately I decided that since it was an audiobook I might have a different experience so I went ahead and listened to it.

First, Chapter 24 is a repeat of chapter 23. I'm not blaming the author for this but putting it out there for other readers.

Most of my feelings were the same from my previous read, but I give it a higher rating because of the ending. I finally felt like i was invested in the story, understood everything and some of their childishness made sense.

Both characters are young and act, imo super childish, and that's what a lot of the story, tension, and drama is centered around. I know just because a writer creates a story, a certain way doesn't mean that the writer necessarily endorses that or thinks that those things are reasonable, like you can write a childish character who's purposely that easy but I had a REALLY hard time connecting with the characters.

I think people who enjoy NA romance would like this book.

The overall plot or framework, I guess? Is good. I liked the idea of the story but I don't like the execution again because of the immaturity. Probably the biggest reason is because I'm in my forties and I don't know what it's like to be 24 anymore, and I couldn't suspend reality enough to overcome that.

Also, as a former XR tech, while I'm grateful they didn't call us technicians, the imaging scene in the book could have still used some more research. Most likely the brain MRI would be with and without contrast, and they wouldn't have been able to repeat it- no matter how much Riley stamped her feet - the same day. Not to mention it's atleast a 30 minutes scan so it would put everyone else's appt behind.

Emotionally engaging

The narrators? Chef’s kiss. Emotionally engaging, perfectly delivered, and totally nailed the tone.

The Side Project by Laurel Osterkamp gave me all the feels — sweet, emotional, funny, and just the right touch of angst to keep me fully hooked.

Rylee’s already a successful romance author (under a pen name 👀), but she decides to go back to school for creative writing. And who does she run into? Carson — her best friend’s older brother and her old high school crush. He’s a single dad, juggling life, love, and a soon-to-be ex-wife, and let’s just say… messy never looked so good 😏

Their “side project” (aka friends-with-benefits setup) starts off casual, but you know how that turns out — feelings, chaos, and all the heart flutters 💕

Rylee’s personal growth was so satisfying to watch, and Carson’s vulnerability completely pulled me in. Plus, the side characters? Total scene stealers. Carson’s soon-to-be ex-wife Dana and Rylee’s brother Brandon are both amazing — layered, real, and the kind of characters you end up emotionally attached to.

This was my first book by Laurel Osterkamp, but it definitely won’t be my last. Heart, humor, heat, and healing — what more could I want?