The Side Project

Laurel Osterkamp's The Side Project delivers an engaging exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of small-town intrigues. The story follows Rylee, a young aspiring writer dealing with her father's death and her romantic entanglements while striving to carve out a future in the fiction world. She dreams of moving to California, writing literary fiction, and pursuing her late father’s dreams. But then she unexpectedly runs into the man who rejected her ten years ago — Carson. Carson’s dream of the Ivy League is shattered when his girlfriend unexpectedly becomes pregnant, making him a single dad. They become writing partners when they find themselves in the same fiction writing graduate course. However, their attraction for each other grows, and agreeing to indulge in a “side project,” with no strings attached, seems the most logical thing. But can they respect the boundary and stick to the plan of not falling in love? 

The narrative starts with Rylee starting her graduate-level fiction writing course, where she must reflect on her father's legacy and her aspirations as a writer. The classroom dynamics become the microcosm of her internal struggles as she meets classmates, including her former crush, Carson, who is now a science teacher facing his complicated past. Osterkamp's portrayal of Rylee's passion for writing, juxtaposed with her hesitations, resonates deeply. The Side Project features multidimensional and memorable characters. Rylee’s wit and vulnerability shine brightly, and her interactions with Carson are laced with tension, humor, and chemistry that evolves throughout the book. Carson is not just a romantic interest; he is deeply flawed, dealing with issues related to fatherhood and the remnants of a past relationship. 

Osterkamp deftly addresses the delicate aspect of platonic and romantic side relationships, exploring how friendship can morph into something more complicated. Rylee's secret affair with Carson is suggestively framed within a ''no strings attached'' arrangement that leaves readers thinking about what happens when feelings become tangled. The author articulates this ambiguity well, making readers contemplate the boundaries we set in relationships and how easily they can be crossed. The Side Project shines is a heartfelt exploration of love and the art of writing. Laurel Osterkamp’s character-driven narrative resonates with readers, leaving them contemplating the intricacies of relationships and the importance of finding one’s voice—even amidst the turbulence of life. This balanced, deftly crafted tale will captivate readers with its emotional depth and unforgettable characters.