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The Wayfinding #1
The Ways We Converge
Juniper Banks has spent the last decade running her mom’s powwow food truck—a life far from the dreams she once had. But while serving frybread and iced tea, she’s quietly built something her Tribe’s thriving food sovereignty program. Now, with an official budget and a coveted office in the new Tribal administrative building, she’s ready to reclaim her narrative and help shape her community’s future.
Rowan Birdsong, a rising star in environmental law, never thought she’d return to the Reservation she once called home. But when her father’s health declines, Rowan steps away from her high-profile career to work as a Tribal advisor and take care of him. The last thing she expects is to cross paths with her first love—Juniper. Or maybe, deep down, it’s exactly who she hopes to see.
It’s been fifteen years since Rowan left Juniper behind, shattering their bond without explanation. Now, fate thrusts them together once more to collaborate on expanding the Tribal gardens Juniper worked so hard to establish. Juniper is furious—why is Rowan back now, and why does she have to ruin her carefully constructed plans for redemption?
At first, Juniper resolves to keep their partnership strictly professional. But as old tensions flare into fresh sparks and the truth behind Rowan’s sudden departure begins to surface, both women must decide whether they can rewrite their past—and if their paths are destined to converge after all.
The Ways We Converge is a second-chance, forced-proximity sapphic romance featuring two Indigenous leads, with plus-size and gender non-conforming representation, climate justice, food sovereignty, powwow food truck chaos, and nerds… who really like to bang (a lot, everywhere).
Rowan Birdsong, a rising star in environmental law, never thought she’d return to the Reservation she once called home. But when her father’s health declines, Rowan steps away from her high-profile career to work as a Tribal advisor and take care of him. The last thing she expects is to cross paths with her first love—Juniper. Or maybe, deep down, it’s exactly who she hopes to see.
It’s been fifteen years since Rowan left Juniper behind, shattering their bond without explanation. Now, fate thrusts them together once more to collaborate on expanding the Tribal gardens Juniper worked so hard to establish. Juniper is furious—why is Rowan back now, and why does she have to ruin her carefully constructed plans for redemption?
At first, Juniper resolves to keep their partnership strictly professional. But as old tensions flare into fresh sparks and the truth behind Rowan’s sudden departure begins to surface, both women must decide whether they can rewrite their past—and if their paths are destined to converge after all.
The Ways We Converge is a second-chance, forced-proximity sapphic romance featuring two Indigenous leads, with plus-size and gender non-conforming representation, climate justice, food sovereignty, powwow food truck chaos, and nerds… who really like to bang (a lot, everywhere).
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 17, 2025
We definitely need more Indigenous representation in Sapphic Romance and Collins Fox did an amazing job with The Ways We Converge. I loved this story and was intrigued to learn more about Indigenous culture. I regrettably don’t know enough and need to educate myself more.
I didn’t know what I was expecting with this story, but I loved reading about both Juniper and Rowan’s story. The tension between the two in the first half of the novel was *chef’s kiss*. When they got together, of course their history growing up together only made their chemistry stronger.
I was fascinated by the ecological and scientific aspect of the book as well. It was cool to see both the MCs knowledge of the land and how they both were so caught up in each other that they fell more in love each time one of them talked about something they were passionate about. Both MCs parents (Rowan’s dad and Juniper’s mom) were adorable and supportive. I found myself wanting to know more about them and rooting for them, especially Rowan’s dad.
My favorite thing is when I can tell when an author is
setting up another story with side characters. Hopefully I am right in thinking that there will be an age gap romance between Wren and Beckett. I would absolutely love to see how that pans out. Of course, it would be cute to also see glimpses of Junioer and Rowan if the author did make a book about Wren and Beckett.
I really hope Collins Fox writes more books. I can’t believe that this is her debut. It was wonderfully written and so so beautiful. The love story of Juniper and Rowan is one I will not forget. It was an easy five star rating and will be a reread.
I didn’t know what I was expecting with this story, but I loved reading about both Juniper and Rowan’s story. The tension between the two in the first half of the novel was *chef’s kiss*. When they got together, of course their history growing up together only made their chemistry stronger.
I was fascinated by the ecological and scientific aspect of the book as well. It was cool to see both the MCs knowledge of the land and how they both were so caught up in each other that they fell more in love each time one of them talked about something they were passionate about. Both MCs parents (Rowan’s dad and Juniper’s mom) were adorable and supportive. I found myself wanting to know more about them and rooting for them, especially Rowan’s dad.
My favorite thing is when I can tell when an author is
setting up another story with side characters. Hopefully I am right in thinking that there will be an age gap romance between Wren and Beckett. I would absolutely love to see how that pans out. Of course, it would be cute to also see glimpses of Junioer and Rowan if the author did make a book about Wren and Beckett.
I really hope Collins Fox writes more books. I can’t believe that this is her debut. It was wonderfully written and so so beautiful. The love story of Juniper and Rowan is one I will not forget. It was an easy five star rating and will be a reread.
January 23, 2026
felt like home, ended up being home
I sobbed and cried happy sapphic tears over this book til 2am. It felt like home. Every little detail. The first lighthearded native book Ive read. The first sapphic Native book. The first time I’ve seen myself represented as a 2 Spirit person. The first time I’ve seen representation of coastal natives. Everything felt so familiar. When they spoke Algonquin and I recognized the few meager words I knew… I sobbed. Only to get to the author’s bio and find out they are from the Tidewater region Tsenacommacah (Virginia) just like me. It felt like home because it was, and I never knew until the end. I’m so excited for Book 2!
I sobbed and cried happy sapphic tears over this book til 2am. It felt like home. Every little detail. The first lighthearded native book Ive read. The first sapphic Native book. The first time I’ve seen myself represented as a 2 Spirit person. The first time I’ve seen representation of coastal natives. Everything felt so familiar. When they spoke Algonquin and I recognized the few meager words I knew… I sobbed. Only to get to the author’s bio and find out they are from the Tidewater region Tsenacommacah (Virginia) just like me. It felt like home because it was, and I never knew until the end. I’m so excited for Book 2!
April 26, 2026
3.5 stars!
The Ways We Converge is a hopeful and passionate second-chance sapphic indigenous romance that goes a whole lot deeper than that. I am always a sucker for a good second-chance story and Juniper and Rowan’s absolutely knocked it out of the park! Seeing each other for the first time after over a decade of Juniper resenting Rowan for leaving without notice, gave for a great setup for their romantic tension in the first half of the book. And I love how lighthearted and tender their love was once they finally gave in to year and years of yearning. The intimacy between the two of them is *chefs kiss* even if they choose some questionable places at times (the SAND).
Juniper’s deep knowledge of the nature and plants within her community and her reservation were well thought out and deeply tied to her native culture and identity. Her passion to have the Tribal Food Sovereignty Program be successful and then Rowan, as an Environmental Justice Lawyer and Activist, were the perfect fit to put those plans into action. With Rowan, after with the disconnect she felt with her homeland in her youth, seeing her return to the Rez and being able to find her purpose within the community (and with Juniper) was truly heartwarming. The last couple chapters even had me tearing up from the pure connection the two of them had!
I think where this story struggles is that it wants to do so much, that some details get overlooked, which I feel is something that many debut authors run into. The timeline felt a little rushed to me and think the story could’ve benefited from about 50 more pages to dive deeper into things like Juniper balancing the food truck with her work with the Tribal gardens and Rowan turning down the job she was offered and the strain an trauma that brought up for their relationship. I loved how thoughtful this book was regarding their love for one another and how raw it was but since their love flourished so quickly, I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of them apart after getting together.
This book was written with great care and deep personal connection to the land from a Two-Spirit author and I definitely plan to check out their sequel when I get the opportunity. It was a good one! I can’t wait to read a great one from them, as I know it’s coming.
The Ways We Converge is a hopeful and passionate second-chance sapphic indigenous romance that goes a whole lot deeper than that. I am always a sucker for a good second-chance story and Juniper and Rowan’s absolutely knocked it out of the park! Seeing each other for the first time after over a decade of Juniper resenting Rowan for leaving without notice, gave for a great setup for their romantic tension in the first half of the book. And I love how lighthearted and tender their love was once they finally gave in to year and years of yearning. The intimacy between the two of them is *chefs kiss* even if they choose some questionable places at times (the SAND).
Juniper’s deep knowledge of the nature and plants within her community and her reservation were well thought out and deeply tied to her native culture and identity. Her passion to have the Tribal Food Sovereignty Program be successful and then Rowan, as an Environmental Justice Lawyer and Activist, were the perfect fit to put those plans into action. With Rowan, after with the disconnect she felt with her homeland in her youth, seeing her return to the Rez and being able to find her purpose within the community (and with Juniper) was truly heartwarming. The last couple chapters even had me tearing up from the pure connection the two of them had!
I think where this story struggles is that it wants to do so much, that some details get overlooked, which I feel is something that many debut authors run into. The timeline felt a little rushed to me and think the story could’ve benefited from about 50 more pages to dive deeper into things like Juniper balancing the food truck with her work with the Tribal gardens and Rowan turning down the job she was offered and the strain an trauma that brought up for their relationship. I loved how thoughtful this book was regarding their love for one another and how raw it was but since their love flourished so quickly, I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of them apart after getting together.
This book was written with great care and deep personal connection to the land from a Two-Spirit author and I definitely plan to check out their sequel when I get the opportunity. It was a good one! I can’t wait to read a great one from them, as I know it’s coming.
January 21, 2026
Alert for indie lovers: here’s a lovely sapphic romance debut! Environmental justice lawyer Rowan has returned to the rez after 15 years away and is confronted with her former childhood best friend and first love, Juniper, whom she ghosted. Juniper now runs a community garden dedicating to cultivating Indigenous food and must decide if she’ll forgive Rowan and rekindle their friendship/love. I loved the 2 spirit rep, food descriptions, and community focus of this book.
February 16, 2026
3.75⭐
More indigenous Sapphic romance, please.
More indigenous Sapphic romance, please.
November 27, 2025
Sapphic indigenous romance by an indie author? Ummmm yes please.
Meet Juniper Banks and Rowan Birdsong (my new favorite book girlfriend)-estranged childhood best friends who are reunited as adults with unresolved issues. There was some very good spice in this book. However-This wasn’t just a romance, it was a commentary on what it means to be women finding ourselves, who we are truly meant to be with all the very raw human emotions that come with that-anxiety, generational trauma, self-doubt, jealousy, feelings of abandonment and isolation. And on top of all that baggage the women in this story also have to grapple with upholding the teachings and expectations of their indigenous culture while staying true to themselves.
Meet Juniper Banks and Rowan Birdsong (my new favorite book girlfriend)-estranged childhood best friends who are reunited as adults with unresolved issues. There was some very good spice in this book. However-This wasn’t just a romance, it was a commentary on what it means to be women finding ourselves, who we are truly meant to be with all the very raw human emotions that come with that-anxiety, generational trauma, self-doubt, jealousy, feelings of abandonment and isolation. And on top of all that baggage the women in this story also have to grapple with upholding the teachings and expectations of their indigenous culture while staying true to themselves.
August 21, 2025
I really loved reading this second-chance story in this particular setting. The characters had depth and nuance and their community felt like a whole character itself, full of personality and quirks.
I also appreciate that it doesn't have a third-act break-up!
I also appreciate that it doesn't have a third-act break-up!
October 5, 2025
This book was absolutely lovely!! I really hope it gets made into an audiobook some day because it would be 🔥 but just the cutest second chance sapphic romance with indigenous characters and themes. I couldn’t love it more!!
April 21, 2026
This book settles into you and stays there.
The first thing that stands out is how deeply Indigenous culture shapes every part of the story. You get community, responsibility, history, and daily life woven into each scene. Juniper’s work with food sovereignty grounds the narrative in something real and urgent. You see how food connects to land, identity, and survival. The story treats that connection with care and precision.
The representation matters. Sapphic romance rarely centers Indigenous characters, and here it is not a side note. It drives the plot. It shapes the tension. It informs how Juniper and Rowan move through the world and how they move toward each other. You feel the weight of being seen in a genre that often overlooks this perspective.
The environmental thread adds another layer. The focus on land stewardship and climate justice does not feel like a lesson. It feels lived in. The work Juniper builds and the work Rowan returns to support carry emotional stakes. Their professional collaboration creates friction that pushes the romance forward instead of slowing it down.
There is also a powerful throughline around hair and mourning. The story speaks to the cultural significance of hair for Indigenous people and the act of cutting it as a response to grief. Rowan’s relationship to her hair mirrors her relationship to herself. She is mourning the version of herself who did not feel worthy, who could not love who she was. Leaving the Reservation becomes part of that process. She has to step away to understand herself, and that journey adds depth to her return and to the choices she makes now.
Juniper and Rowan carry fifteen years of history, and the second chance arc hits hard. When the truth behind Rowan’s departure starts to unfold, the emotional payoff lands because the story took time to build it. You understand why forgiveness is difficult and why it still matters.
The romance delivers. The tension builds with purpose. The return is intense. The spice is confident and well written. It matches the emotional depth instead of replacing it. You get connection, desire, and vulnerability all working together.
This is a five star read. I will think about it long after I've finished it. I'll definitely be recommending it to everyone who will listen.
The first thing that stands out is how deeply Indigenous culture shapes every part of the story. You get community, responsibility, history, and daily life woven into each scene. Juniper’s work with food sovereignty grounds the narrative in something real and urgent. You see how food connects to land, identity, and survival. The story treats that connection with care and precision.
The representation matters. Sapphic romance rarely centers Indigenous characters, and here it is not a side note. It drives the plot. It shapes the tension. It informs how Juniper and Rowan move through the world and how they move toward each other. You feel the weight of being seen in a genre that often overlooks this perspective.
The environmental thread adds another layer. The focus on land stewardship and climate justice does not feel like a lesson. It feels lived in. The work Juniper builds and the work Rowan returns to support carry emotional stakes. Their professional collaboration creates friction that pushes the romance forward instead of slowing it down.
There is also a powerful throughline around hair and mourning. The story speaks to the cultural significance of hair for Indigenous people and the act of cutting it as a response to grief. Rowan’s relationship to her hair mirrors her relationship to herself. She is mourning the version of herself who did not feel worthy, who could not love who she was. Leaving the Reservation becomes part of that process. She has to step away to understand herself, and that journey adds depth to her return and to the choices she makes now.
Juniper and Rowan carry fifteen years of history, and the second chance arc hits hard. When the truth behind Rowan’s departure starts to unfold, the emotional payoff lands because the story took time to build it. You understand why forgiveness is difficult and why it still matters.
The romance delivers. The tension builds with purpose. The return is intense. The spice is confident and well written. It matches the emotional depth instead of replacing it. You get connection, desire, and vulnerability all working together.
This is a five star read. I will think about it long after I've finished it. I'll definitely be recommending it to everyone who will listen.
October 13, 2026
I loved this! Indigenous, sapphic, workplace romance — say less! Rowan is a hotshot lawyer who left the Rez for a career in indigenous rights worldwide, and Juniper is her childhood best friend and former love who was left behind. I loved that Juniper’s life on the Rez is still rich and full — yes, she might have too much responsibility on her too-young shoulders, and yes, she battles issues of her own self-worth for being a college dropout, but she’s turned these disappointments into an important career maintaining her people’s food culture and building gardens to establish food sovereignty. There was so much cool stuff sprinkled through this story about the Runapewak tribe’s culture and history, but also the romance itself was top-tier sapphic yearning and spice. These two felt inevitable from the jump, but had to overcome a lot of their own inner issues before they could move their relationship forward. I just loved it so much, and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
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January 27, 2026There is so much good stuff packed into this book. Indigenous sapphic love, complex relationships with identity, connection to land and food, the food sovereignty movement at the tribal level, second chance romance with your estranged best friend, and a well drawn cast of side characters. I'm glad I read this, and I will be reading more from the author.
The writing desperately needs a line edit. There is so much narrative distance between the characters and the reader that it was hard to stay connected to their emotions sometimes. Less internal narrative and more dialogue would serve the story so well, because the bones are here. Given more time and writing experience/study, I think the author is going to blow out socks off with the things they have to say about love and the world.
The writing desperately needs a line edit. There is so much narrative distance between the characters and the reader that it was hard to stay connected to their emotions sometimes. Less internal narrative and more dialogue would serve the story so well, because the bones are here. Given more time and writing experience/study, I think the author is going to blow out socks off with the things they have to say about love and the world.
November 4, 2026
I normally hate second chance romance with a passion, but this one was actually pretty good! If more of these did the second chance in the first 40% and spent the rest on the romance, and made them all lesbians, maybe I would like these books more?
June 25, 2026
I would give it 5 stars if it had better editing. The lack of commas all over the place and the miscapitalizations were distracting. Sweet story though and good steamy parts.
November 1, 2026
More indigenous romance books please, but most specifically more sapphic indigenous romance books
November 3, 2026
Cute second-chance sapphic romance. I liked learning more about the food sovereignty program. Juniper was more likable and relatable than Rowan.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews