Book Review/Author Interview: The Side Project by Laurel Osterkamp

Sometimes the stories we’re afraid to finish are the ones that still have something to teach us. In The Side Project, Laurel Osterkamp delivers an emotionally intelligent story about first love, family loyalty, and the creative courage it takes to rewrite the past.

Rylee’s life has never really gone according to plan. Once full of promise, she’s now living in her late father’s shadow, staying in her childhood home to care for her brother and hold together the pieces he left behind—including an unfinished novel that haunts her like a ghost. Carson, her high school boyfriend, had his own dreams—until an unplanned pregnancy rerouted everything. Now a single dad focused on responsibility, Carson isn’t looking for a reunion. But when a fiction workshop forces the two of them to work side by side, sparks from their past ignite something new. Their “side project” starts as an attempt to compartmentalize their emotions—but fiction doesn’t play by the rules, and neither does unresolved heartbreak. This novel asks: Can we revise the choices we regret, or are some stories meant to stay incomplete?

Laurel Osterkamp’s novels are known for their emotional honesty, nuanced characters, and explorations of love, loss, and personal growth. Her books have topped Amazon charts and earned her a loyal readership drawn to her insightful portrayals of women navigating complex emotional terrain. With a voice that’s both accessible and literary, she brings warmth and relatability to every page. Outside of writing, she teaches ESL and middle school enrichment classes, re-watches ’90s television with her daughter, and tries to keep the peace between her argumentative cats. You can learn more at laurellit.com or follow her on Instagram at@laurel_osterkamp.

THE SIDE PROJECT
By: Laurel Osterkamp
Published: November 13, 2024
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Romance

Back in 2013, I reviewed Laurel’s book THE HOLDOUT. It was a Survivor-style reality show novel with drama, romance, and plenty of fun. I was thrilled to read another novel by Laurel and support a Midwest author. Laurel is from Minnesota.

In THE SIDE PROJECT, I found the story easy to follow, relatable, and had the right amount of spice. Carson’s and Rylee’s struggles stem from their own past conflicts and mistakes, and both are afraid to confront their past, instead keeping secrets from their families and each other, which, of course, blow up in their faces at some point. There is a lot of tension (sexual and otherwise) in the story, and with the short chapters that alternated between Carson and Rylee, it was easy to keep reading.

“But at the same time, on the inside I’m like roadkill, splayed out on the highway, vile and decaying.”

Rylee and Carson are both living in Bemidji, MN. If you are a loyal follower here, you know that it is an area I frequently visit since I have family there. It’s always enjoyable to read a book set in a familiar place, as it makes the reading experience more personal.

If you visit Laurel’s website, HERE, you’ll see tips for writers. Since Laurel teaches College Writing and Creative Writing, she has several writing lessons for the budding novelist on her website. THE SIDE PROJECT is Laurel’s first romance novel and on her website, she shares a Spotify playlist as well as Book Club Questions, HERE. Laurel even answered a few questions about her writing life for this post.

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?
Sometimes, if there’s a lot of laundry or grocery shopping to do, I skip writing on Sundays. Otherwise, I write every day, in the afternoon and/or early evening.

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?
My favorite writing quirk is when my cat, Toffee, snuggles up next to me while I sit on the couch with my laptop. When I get stuck, I’ll pet her and ask for her advice. She always has great ideas!

Which author(s) most inspired you?
This answer is specific to romance writing, but Emily Henry and Carley Fortune inspired me in a huge way. After reading their novels, I was ready to transition from writing women’s fiction to contemporary romance. I love how they use the expected romance tropes that readers love, but they also write layered stories with complex characters and lyrical prose.

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?
That’s so hard, because I often forget the compliments I receive, unlike the criticism, which is always tattooed on my brain. But last night I received this message from a huge BookTok influencer, after she finished reading The Side Project: “I just finished!  Man, I’m crying happy tears. This was so different… and it was SO good.”  I can’t overstate how happy that compliment made me!

Rylee and Carson agree to NOT fall in love or call their “side project” a “relationship”. But, of course, feelings are brewing just under the surface, even though neither one is willing to admit it. As secrets come to the surface, both Rylee and Carson have to decide which path is the best moving forward…together and hurt people they love, or separate and hurt each other. Pride gets in the way, as it does in life, and as the reader, I was screaming, JUST TELL EACH OTHER HOW YOU REALLY FEEL! But romance novels don’t work that way. There usually have to be several missed turns before one of them eventually crumbles and confesses their true feelings.

Besides Rylee and Carson’s non-relationship, there are a few side characters that also have life-stuff happening, which adds more meat to the story. Will Rylee and Carson get their happily ever after? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out. If you like stories that connect high school crushes, have lots of secrets, or a friends-with-benefits storyline, then definitely give THE SIDE PROJECT a read, and maybe they’ll get their happily ever after.

“Some love stories aren’t meant to last, I reflect, as a lump forms in my throat. But that doesn’t mean they can’t end with ‘happily ever after'”.

To purchase a copy of THE SIDE PROJECT, click HERE.

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.