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Sidetracked: Side-by-Side Duet
When two classmates in love share one night of passion, will it bring them closer together or tear them apart?
Librarian Allison Callahan, a.k.a. Encyclopedia Allie, has always loved her steadfast and dependable best friend, Dane. She’s just never admitted it to anyone, including herself. But Dane keeps trying to kiss her, and it’s changing their relationship status from friend-zone to danger-zone. Sure, Allie wants more, but what if Dane finds out she likes her hanky panky with a side of spanky?
He’ll freak, that’s what.
So she rebuffs his advances, tries to shake things up… and unbeknownst to him, discovers one of his best-kept secrets.
Meanwhile, Dane is so frustrated he fantasizes about taking Allie over his lap. A good spanking would serve her right for refusing to acknowledge what they both already they’re perfect for each other. But he’s so busy trying to make partner at his law firm, he doesn’t notice something’s a bit off about his bestie.
Between the shock of the secret she never knew and her lukewarm launching of the library’s virtual book club, Allie’s ready to let loose. At her and Dane’s high school reunion, it’s clear they’re ready to take the next step, but after a red-hot night of lust and love, will the next morning’s Walk of Shame ruin everything?
Librarian Allison Callahan, a.k.a. Encyclopedia Allie, has always loved her steadfast and dependable best friend, Dane. She’s just never admitted it to anyone, including herself. But Dane keeps trying to kiss her, and it’s changing their relationship status from friend-zone to danger-zone. Sure, Allie wants more, but what if Dane finds out she likes her hanky panky with a side of spanky?
He’ll freak, that’s what.
So she rebuffs his advances, tries to shake things up… and unbeknownst to him, discovers one of his best-kept secrets.
Meanwhile, Dane is so frustrated he fantasizes about taking Allie over his lap. A good spanking would serve her right for refusing to acknowledge what they both already they’re perfect for each other. But he’s so busy trying to make partner at his law firm, he doesn’t notice something’s a bit off about his bestie.
Between the shock of the secret she never knew and her lukewarm launching of the library’s virtual book club, Allie’s ready to let loose. At her and Dane’s high school reunion, it’s clear they’re ready to take the next step, but after a red-hot night of lust and love, will the next morning’s Walk of Shame ruin everything?
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 4, 2025
I received this book as a ARC copy. I absolutely loved it. I didnt wanna put it down. There was some spice but not a ton. I loved seeing their love grow from them being shy and only being best friends to being everything to each other. you definitely have to read the 1st book to understand everything going on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
Sidetracked by Cassidy Lish is one of those romances that feels like slipping back into a world you already love and then realising it has even more to give.
We first meet Allie and Dane in Sideswiped as the sister and brother of Tara and Jared, so there’s already a sense of familiarity when their story takes centre stage. What makes this book so satisfying is that Allie and Dane aren’t strangers finding sparks out of nowhere—they’ve been best friends since they were eight years old. Years of suppressed feelings, near-misses, and everyone-knows-but-them energy make the slow burn deliciously tense.
After Dane’s accident (seen in Sideswiped), he finally decides to stop playing it safe and make a move. The problem? Allie keeps dodging him—not because she doesn’t want him, but because she’s terrified of what he’ll think if he discovers that her good-girl, librarian exterior hides some very kinky preferences. The internal conflict here is handled with warmth and humour, and it makes Allie incredibly relatable.
A high school reunion becomes the catalyst they both need, pushing them to finally admit what’s been obvious to everyone else for years: they’re hopelessly in love with each other. And when they finally cross that line? Absolute gold. Their first night together is clumsy, messy, awkward, and laugh-out-loud funny—the kind of intimacy that only works when you’re with someone who knows you inside out and will still tease you mercilessly in the morning.
Heartwarming, spicy and genuinely funny, Sidetracked is a friends-to-lovers romance done exceptionally well. Highly recommended—especially if you love emotional payoff, real chemistry, and characters who feel like old friends by the final page.
We first meet Allie and Dane in Sideswiped as the sister and brother of Tara and Jared, so there’s already a sense of familiarity when their story takes centre stage. What makes this book so satisfying is that Allie and Dane aren’t strangers finding sparks out of nowhere—they’ve been best friends since they were eight years old. Years of suppressed feelings, near-misses, and everyone-knows-but-them energy make the slow burn deliciously tense.
After Dane’s accident (seen in Sideswiped), he finally decides to stop playing it safe and make a move. The problem? Allie keeps dodging him—not because she doesn’t want him, but because she’s terrified of what he’ll think if he discovers that her good-girl, librarian exterior hides some very kinky preferences. The internal conflict here is handled with warmth and humour, and it makes Allie incredibly relatable.
A high school reunion becomes the catalyst they both need, pushing them to finally admit what’s been obvious to everyone else for years: they’re hopelessly in love with each other. And when they finally cross that line? Absolute gold. Their first night together is clumsy, messy, awkward, and laugh-out-loud funny—the kind of intimacy that only works when you’re with someone who knows you inside out and will still tease you mercilessly in the morning.
Heartwarming, spicy and genuinely funny, Sidetracked is a friends-to-lovers romance done exceptionally well. Highly recommended—especially if you love emotional payoff, real chemistry, and characters who feel like old friends by the final page.
December 6, 2025
This is why I love Lish’s writing…it’s funny, it’s relatable, and it’s just plain solid writing. Sidetracked is the sequel to Sideswiped, and the story follows the uptight allies Allie and Dane. Trust me…all their “uptight” attitudes are quickly shed when they give in to their desires. The heat is undeniable between these two characters and Lish delivers. The writing is hot, hot, hot—lots of teasing that leads up to one of the most put-together, relatable, sensuous love scenes I’ve read in a while. Best of all, there’s also a lot of sweet romance, which balances out the characters’ true personalities. This little number was hot and sweet—a perfect combination for getting in your romance fix on busy weeks. I highly recommend!!!!
Lish is such a talented writer and way underrated. If you’ve not had a chance to read any of her writing…run to buy it for yourself. you will become quickly addicted to the writing and especially to the characters.
Lish is such a talented writer and way underrated. If you’ve not had a chance to read any of her writing…run to buy it for yourself. you will become quickly addicted to the writing and especially to the characters.
December 6, 2025
Allie - Dane almost your typical cat and mouse relationship. I am beyond happy they took a chance only for everything to blow up. I am beyond happy they got the happily ever after they both deserved!
Thank you Cassidy Lish for the opportunity to read this book before it was released💖
Thank you Cassidy Lish for the opportunity to read this book before it was released💖
December 6, 2025
Allie and Dane have been best friends since they were kids, but as adults could they be more? This was a cute friends to lovers story with spice and witty banter! Thank you, so much, Cassidy for allowing me to read this as an ARC reader!
December 26, 2025
This was my favorite of this Duet series. I'm a sucker for the whole seemingly shy librarian-nerd type who's actually a freak in the sheets! It's so fun to see these characters awkwardly bump around each other and then finally...Well, I don't want to spoil it for you! I love how much Allie and Dane seem to misread each other at first, and then they just can't keep their hands off each other. Also, they aren't as innocent as they seem to one another, and it's fun to watch that develop. From each character's POV. I can't wait to read more from Cassidy Lish!
December 8, 2025
Sidetracked is one of those books that feels instantly familiar yet refreshingly original. The characters are genuinely fun, and the quick pacing combined with warm emotional threads kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop. Cassidy Lish writes with an easy humour, yet weaves in enough heart that the story never feels light in a forgettable way—it has real depth beneath the charm.
Allie was the standout for me. She begins as someone almost understated on the surface, but Lish slowly reveals the spark and passion she keeps hidden. Her love of book boyfriends adds a playful layer that hints at something bolder underneath, and watching that unfold was a genuine delight.
The real magic, though, is how comforting the whole experience feels. I tore through it in a day because I desperately wanted to know what happened next, but it also felt like the perfect book to curl up with alongside a mug of hot chocolate. It’s cozy in the very best way.
This story doesn’t try to reinvent its trope—instead, it leans into what makes the genre so satisfying, delivering familiar beats with a fun voice and fresh touches. That combination is exactly why it works so well.
A delightful, warm, and utterly addictive read. Highly recommended if you want something fun with just enough emotional weight to linger after you turn the last page
Allie was the standout for me. She begins as someone almost understated on the surface, but Lish slowly reveals the spark and passion she keeps hidden. Her love of book boyfriends adds a playful layer that hints at something bolder underneath, and watching that unfold was a genuine delight.
The real magic, though, is how comforting the whole experience feels. I tore through it in a day because I desperately wanted to know what happened next, but it also felt like the perfect book to curl up with alongside a mug of hot chocolate. It’s cozy in the very best way.
This story doesn’t try to reinvent its trope—instead, it leans into what makes the genre so satisfying, delivering familiar beats with a fun voice and fresh touches. That combination is exactly why it works so well.
A delightful, warm, and utterly addictive read. Highly recommended if you want something fun with just enough emotional weight to linger after you turn the last page
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews