Books by Bryce Oakley
Latitude and Longing Series
ONE LAST RUN
Danica Wendell seems to have it all figured out. She’s a respected neonatologist at one of the finest hospitals in the nation, engaged to the man of her dreams, and living a life that most only dream about. Well, one of those things is true. The other? Well, that's her secret to keep for now.
Petra “Pete” Pancott isn’t settling for an average life. She’s globe-trotted, embraced every thrill, and carved out a career that’s on her own terms. Sure, sometimes she daydreams of a future with a family and a home, but who needs roots when you’re flying through life?
When their college friends throw a reunion ski trip in Telluride, Colorado, both women jump at the chance to hit the slopes and reconnect after fifteen years. But as they share a luxurious condo and spend the week together, it becomes clear that everyone has secrets they aren't revealing. More than that, Pete and Danica are finding they can’t avoid the avalanche of unresolved feelings that loom between them after their not-so-casual-after-all fling back in college.
They say opposites attract, but no one ever warned them that navigating the steep terrain of their past would be anything but a slippery slope. Will they finally find common ground, or will this resurgence of emotion leave them lost in a snowstorm of chaos?
SHIFT THE TIDE
Izzy Tierney is doing everything right. She’s got a job she’s proud of and a passport full of stamps from her frequent work trips. Everyone keeps telling her she’s living the dream — but it’s starting to feel more like drifting. Constant motion is just another way to avoid standing still long enough to feel lonely. She tells herself she’s content, but something’s missing — something she’s never quite let herself want.
Kiera Phillips is caught in a swirl of uncertainty. Newly divorced and living with her two daughters in her parents’ house, she’s trying to rebuild a life she no longer recognizes. A new city, no job, no real plan — and now even her closest friendships feel distant. She’s doing her best to hold it all together, but the truth is, she feels completely lost.
Then, an invitation from the group chat: a weekend getaway to a beach house in San Diego. Izzy and Kiera agree, thinking it’s just a short escape — how bad can it be? But what starts as a casual weekend quickly pulls them into deeper waters. Reconnected bonds stir up old emotions, buried truths, and unanswered questions. By the end, neither woman knows where she stands.
When real life rushes back like an unstoppable tide, they’re left wondering if they can truly leave the past behind — or if their lives are about to change for good. What happens when the weekend ends, and you’re left standing at the shore, knowing the tide has shifted?
The Kaleidoscope Album Series
UNDONE
What happens when you fall for the woman you shouldn't want and can't have?
Billie Rush can’t stop writing pop songs. The kind of songs that her rock band, The Shrikes, would never play. After their successful first album, the pressure for a perfect follow-up is crushing her creativity. Billie’s new songs and sound need an outlet, but she’s not just going to give them away to anyone.
Vero De Luca is always in the limelight for making mistakes. The daughter of a famous musician, she’s trying to make smart decisions for the first time in her life as she sets off on a solo career after years in a popular all-female group. Though she knows she’s fully capable of writing her own songs, the label insists that her first single needs a major name behind it, not just her own.
Both women think that working together sounds like a match made in hell. Though they can hardly stand each other, sparks start to fly when they’re writing the new single, “Undone.”
Will they go up in flames or find a way to work together through the blaze?
BEWILDER
Some say opposites attract, but what happens when they act on that attraction?
Domino Rush can’t write a song. Every time she tries, nothing comes out. Her band, The Shrikes, had a hugely successful first album, but writing the follow up is way too muach pressure. Adding to the pressure? Her entire band is depending on her. But Domino has never been one for responsibility. So, instead of writing, she surfs, drinks, and finds pretty women to keep her company.
Sabrina Meloy has her entire life planned out and organized. Literally. One year ago, she founded a home organization company and in the past year, it has slowly grown into something she’s extremely proud about. She doesn’t need any distractions. She just needs one big breakout client to really cement her professional expertise and make her brand explode.
When Domino’s band hires Sabrina to organize Dom’s house to hopefully get her back on track to get in a songwriting state of mind, the two women find themselves spending a lot of time together. Except, the two opposites have nothing in common and quite frankly, can’t figure one another out.
Will Sabrina be able to organize the mess that is Domino Rush — and in the meantime, will Domino finally show Sabrina there’s more to life than matching spice racks?
MIDNIGHT
Two lonely souls with countless secrets — what’s the harm in one more?
Zoey McCarren goes by many labels: keyboard player, fashion industry darling — but she is not a lesbian. As the only not-queer woman in the infamously queer band, The Shrikes, she spends an exhausting amount of time resisting that title. In fact, she’s spent so much time being the not-lesbian that it would be a cliche if she ever did find herself attracted to a woman. Luckily, she’s too busy focusing on her career to date at all.
Pia Marino has everything she’s ever wanted. Almost. She’s the host of a popular daytime talk show, she’s a household name, and people respect her. She’s achieved such wild levels of success by her mid-40s that others only dream about. But most people don’t realize that the smiles and comedy conceal that tragedy has underscored her life in the ten years since her wife’s death.
When Pia and Zoey find themselves alone together at midnight at a New Year’s Eve party, neither one expects anything more than a simple kiss to distract themselves from the loneliness they feel. And after, when they find that one kiss wasn’t enough...
But they soon realize that secrets and lies do nothing to dull the ache of hiding their true selves, and who they bring out in one another.
BLOOM
What happens when you let your guard down and let someone see the real you? Will they like what they find?
Meghan Koo doesn’t take life too seriously — especially not in the ten years since she’s broken away from her conservative, homophobic upbringing. Now, as the drummer for The Shrikes, she’s touring the world and getting to play the music she loves. You could say she’s officially Living The Dream.
Collins has fought for years to be taken seriously as a woman in a male-dominated industry. As one of the most well-respected producers in the world, she doesn’t have time or energy to take others feelings into consideration, earning her a fairly… callous reputation. But is it totally deserved?
When The Shrikes land the amazing opportunity to have a live show and album special produced, the record label taps Collins to produce — given that she did an incredible job on The Shrikes’ Kaleidoscope album. When the opportunity arises for Collins to take over as Director, she's told that Meg is the key to getting The Shrikes to back her new role.
Now, Collins finds that she has to get Meg on her side, and they're both a bit surprised by what they find once they stop arguing and start getting to know one another.
Will the two women be able to call a truce in order for the show to go on? Or will the fireworks between them set the entire concert on fire?
REVEL
Billie and Vero are getting married and the gang’s all here, even the only two members left of the Singles Girl’s Club, Isla and Freya. When the wedding planner mixes up reservations for the wedding, party girl Isla and jaded artist Freya find that they’re either sharing the very last room available or one of them is sleeping out on the beach. There’s just one teeny-tiny problem — the room has one bed. But they’re mature adult friends who can handle a sleepover. Right? What happens when love is in the air and suddenly, kissing one of your closest friends seems like the world’s best idea?
Get your sandals out for a beachy friends-to-lovers novella with one last sweet ending to The Shrikes' love stories.
THE KALEIDOSCOPE BOX SET
Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of The Shrikes! In the Kaleidoscope Album Complete Series set, all four (+ bonus friends!) of The Shrikes band mates’ whirlwind love stories come to life with over 800 pages of hilarious and heartwarming sapphic happily-ever-afters.
From the exhilarating rush of creating their highly anticipated follow-up album to the enthralling complexities of love and identity, follow The Shrikes as they navigate the ups and downs of the music industry and their entangled personal lives. Join them as they craft chart-topping hits, confront creative challenges, and delve into the depths of unexpected romance, all while staying true to the beats that define their journey.
Meet Billie and Vero as they wrestle with collaboration and undeniable chemistry in Undone, and witness the intoxicating collision between Domino's chaotic energy and Sabrina’s meticulous order in Bewilder. Feel the pull of unexpected attraction between Zoey and Pia in Midnight, and experience the electrifying clash between Meghan and Collins as they navigate their roles and relationship in Bloom. And finally, the whole group is back together again on a tropical island to celebrate a wedding in Revel where Isla and Freya find themselves feeling the love in the air.
With a blend of sizzling chemistry, genuine emotion, and the pulsating rhythm of their music, The Shrikes will leave you captivated and craving more. Dive into this kaleidoscope of love, passion, and creative genius – it's a set you won't want to end!
Standalone Sapphic Romance Novels
NEVER MINE
What if their fake relationship wasn’t ever just pretend?
Sage Carson has a messy reputation. Sure, she’s a soccer star with World Cup trophies and Olympic medals, but she’s almost as well known for her rebellious behavior off the pitch. She’s left enough gorgeous women with broken hearts in her dust to fill a roster. That was, until she got injured. Now, her frustratingly-slow recovery means she’d better secure this new squeaky-clean endorsement deal in order to get back on top.
Sweet, sunshiny Willa Bellamy has a crisis on her hands. She’s used to it — as an events coordinator for the Denver Zoo, it’s her job to handle crises. But when she receives an invite to her ex’s wedding, she’s not so sure it’ll be as easy to handle as an escaped emu during a Girl Scout sleepover. Even worse, when the bachelorette party invite mentions that couples are welcome, she realizes she’s the sole single person invited.
Fifteen years ago, Willa and Sage roamed the same halls of Edgelake High School. When their paths cross again, they decide to team up to solve both their problems — a stable, albeit fake, relationship to snag the endorsement deal and a hot soccer star to make the couples getaway sting a little less… But when the lines between real and fake start to blur, will they be able to keep the growing heat between them just a game or will they start playing to win?
THE ADVENTURERS
Love is the adventure no one sees coming.
Joey Moore got her heart stomped on. At her engagement party. So, she did what any normal, completely rational 28-year-old would do — she moved to a new city with her dog to start a new life. Without much of a plan, it turns out.
Kendall O’Hara doesn’t enjoy chaos — at 42-years-old, she has a stable job and two cats she likes more than most people. Okay, all people, except her close-knit group of friends. She’s not boring. She’s just protecting her still-healing heart decades after a devastating loss.
When Joey and Kendall’s paths cross, a rocky start with an accidental laundry switch turns into an unlikely friendship. From there, the two friends make a pact to get out of their comfort zones, one piece of paper drawn from an “Adventure Jar” at a time. A growing mutual attraction leads them on an adventure that neither one might have expected…
SOMETHING FAR AWAY AND HAPPY
Can you ever truly get over your first love?
Julia Evans has never had anything handed to her: She's worked hard to get where she is — just one high-profile interior design client away from landing her dream job of designing a brand new boutique hotel.
Remington Van der Meer is getting revenge: After a failed marriage, the only thing she has her sights set on right now is taking over her father's company, slowly but surely.
Ten years ago, feisty Julia and arrogant Remi were McManus College’s most unlikely couple — the two couldn’t have had less in common. Their passionate romance burned brightly for a season, but it was painfully over just as quickly and abruptly as it began — neither one understanding exactly why.
Now, a 100-year storm, a meddling assistant, and a lucky blue velvet blazer join forces to throw Julia and Remi back in each other’s lives for a second chance. But soon they find that there are certain perks to being stuck together, even with a deep loathing of one another…
This friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers (whew, that's a mouthful) second chance romance is a little angsty, a lot funny, and completely swoon-worthy.
EVERY VERSION
Lizzie Goldstein needs a prom date.
Queer Prom-A-Rama is Denver Pride's biggest event and as one of the head organizers, Lizzie can’t stand the thought of going alone—especially not when she finds out her ex is bringing a literal local celebrity.
She's willing to try on every version of herself to find the perfect date—she could be the quirky dream girl for an Ice Queen or the snarky and ambitious competitor for a workplace rival. As Lizzie and her best friends continue their search, she begins to realize that maybe what she's really been looking for is someone who doesn't want to change her. Someone who loves her just the way she is. And maybe that someone has been right beside her all along...
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Every Version is part of the I Heart SapphFic Pride Collection, which contains eight standalone books from some of the top authors in sapphic fiction today. Each one promises a Pride theme and a happy ending. The collection was organized by I Heart SapphFic, which is a website for authors and readers of sapphic fiction to stay up to date on all the latest sapphic fiction news.
AGAINST THE GRAIN
James Dayhuff is a simple woman: She likes to build things, she likes the house flipping business she owns with her two best friends Mia and Darby, and she likes her cat. Not on that list: Meeting new women she has to impress, or—god forbid—talk to.
Zee Aliu is a not entirely a complicated woman, per se: She likes plenty of things—peace, quiet, and when situations go her way. There’s no room in her life for anything but the expected with the full-time caretaking job she already has. Not even when a cute woman begins making a racket flipping a house next door.
When James meets Zee at a speed dating event on New Year’s Eve—it was Darby’s idea—she makes quite a first impression with a spilled drink, accidentally saying her name is Jagerbomb (never going to live that down), and, coincidentally, being the cute woman making all the racket.
Will James’ shyness ever warm up enough to melt the ice queen next door’s heart?
Against the Grain is the first in a trio of Flippin’ Fantastic romances about the three women who own and operate Flippin’ Fantastic Renovations. Put down the power tools for a moment and curl up with this romantic comedy perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Holiday Sapphic Romances
MOST WONDERFUL
Emilia Marin thinks Christmas and the holidays are a waste of time. She’s way too busy to think about gingerbread houses and trees and carols. Instead, she’s running a successful indie bookstore, which is exactly as difficult as it sounds.
Cody Nowak loves every holiday tradition, but baking at her uncle’s shop is one of the best. Which is exactly why she’s taking a few weeks hiatus from her role as a paramedic to help him at the bakery. She is definitely not harboring any secrets about why she was put on forced temporary leave.
When Cody realizes that Emilia hates Christmas –– like Ebenezer Scrooge levels of hate –– she decides that making Em love Christmas is exactly the distraction she needs. Will Cody be able to melt Emilia’s ice queen exterior with ice skating, hot cocoa, and tree decorating?
Or will larger problems arise when they realize that what they each most want threatens to tear them apart?
ALL AGLOW
A college tradition turned long-term promise means the Payne and Sideris families have spent every Christmas together for the past thirty-something years.
Cass Sideris loves traditions. She’s trying her hardest to follow in her lawyer parent's footsteps to make them proud, but in all honesty, the only family customs she truly feels inspired by are the ones that involve cutting down a giant Christmas tree, walking through the forest as the snow falls, and sipping eggnog next to the fire, surrounded by loved ones.
She’s grown up alongside the Payne children, including her best friend Dylan, the young twins who exist solely to make her life harder, and, uh, the oldest Payne daughter, Stevie. Stevie, a firefighter with perfect hair and a kind heart. No big deal. Cass hasn’t had an unrequited and unconfessed crush on Stevie since she was eight-years-old or anything.
When Stevie gets her heart broken, Cass doesn’t expect to be the one consoling her. And after a series of unfortunate events and a last-minute road trip bring her closer to Stevie, Cass starts questioning more than just her feelings for Stevie… like her path in life. Still, she definitely shouldn’t be trying to casually catch Stevie under the mistletoe, right?
This is a holiday romance packed with all of the warm fuzzy feelings. You know the ones. Grab your hot cocoa bombs and a cozy blanket to cuddle up and enjoy as the yuletide gets real gay.
GHOSTED CHRISTMAS PAST
Last Christmas, I gave her my heart, but the very next day…
Well, you know how it goes.
Merritt Perkins has spent an entire year thinking maybe it was too cliche to be real. Dylan Camber: the cute private chef, and her: the nanny — connecting over being tucked away in the Rockies while working through the holidays. She thought they had something special, but immediately after parting, Dylan seemed to fall off the face of the earth. Not a single call, text, or even a DM for a year. Ghosted at Christmas, a fate worse than even Dickens could have imagined.
So maybe Merritt is a little extra icy this year when Dylan shows up to the holiday house again. And maybe she throws an outright tantrum when they have to share a bedroom. And maybe her entire head explodes when Dylan thinks they deserve a second chance at all the fun that they had last year.
It’s going to be a long two weeks of resisting a truly irresistible woman.
BAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
I have carefully constructed my life plan: Bake my jingle bells off. Win Top Holiday Baker. Open my very own bakery here in Snowy Springs. That’s what I should be focusing on.
Not Ariadne—“call me Ari”—Greco, the gorgeous celebrity chef judge of the competition. Even though Ari’s flirtations are irresistible, she’s basically off-limits, right? She’s a judge, which I think means it's actually illegal for me to even be her friend, and besides, she's only in town for a few days.
Everything about Ari puts my dream in danger. But... it’s Christmas and Snowy Springs is magical at Christmas. And for elf’s sake, tonight, I don’t care that Ari kissing me under the falling snow does not fit into my plan.
Surely a little Christmas fling could be fun and meaningless and not ruin everything I've worked so hard for, right?
Get ready for a brand new series of holiday romances! The Snowy Springs holiday romances are fluffy, fun, and quick reads, complete with bad Christmas puns and merrily-ever-afters.
REBEL WITHOUT A CLAUS
I’ve finally gotten a handle on my life. Sure, it’s taken into my 30s to get here, but I’ve finally got all my candy canes in a row. A job I love, a house I adore, and a town that still takes my breath away every holiday season.
Let’s just forget all of the things that had to go wrong for me to get here. In fact, that’s just what I’m doing when Joy Martin waltzes back into town for the holidays. I’m surprised by how much hurts to see the first girl to break my heart—and the last.
Snowy Springs is a small town, but I’m determined to steer clear of the heartbreaker until the holidays pass and she leaves. That is, until a Santa Claus crisis at the library gives me the choice of groveling to Joy for help or disappointing a terrifying group of sugar-high children. And what she asks for in return? I have a feeling nothing could prepare me for what comes next.
Get ready for another Snowy Springs holiday romance! The Snowy Springs holiday romances are fluffy, fun, and quick reads, complete with bad Christmas puns and merrily-ever-afters.