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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?
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?
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2019
207 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Bryce Oakley
24 books251 followersBryce grew up in the mountains of Colorado with a taste for adventure and a head full of clouds. She never grew out of either. She lives in Denver with her partner, two adorable rescue dogs, and a very opinionated cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
August 31, 2020
**'Find a story you as a writer can't not tell then keep faith with it..Because the act of writing a story is the act of discovering what you believe...'
3.5star!
A nice story..
3.5star!
A nice story..
March 3, 2022
Two songwriters.
I found this audiobook on Storytel. It's the first book of the Kaleidoscope series and the only one to date with an audio version. I really love the narration by Lori Prince and think she's the best choice for this story.
It's a really good story, at least until the last quarter. We have two singer-songwriters tossed together to co-write a song and for the first 80% or so, I genuinely enjoyed the time they spent getting to know each other and figuring out how to work together, which can get frustrating for Billie when Vero blows hot and cold. Both characters are humble and focused in producing songs and I really love that for a good part of the book, the focus is simply on that rather than on them being a celebrity. I love the chemistry between them too. I thought they were kinda great together even with the instalove. But I do buy into the intensity of their feelings despite it being only a couple of days and I really had fun with it until the dramatic black moment, that I felt was a little unnecessary.
I found this audiobook on Storytel. It's the first book of the Kaleidoscope series and the only one to date with an audio version. I really love the narration by Lori Prince and think she's the best choice for this story.
It's a really good story, at least until the last quarter. We have two singer-songwriters tossed together to co-write a song and for the first 80% or so, I genuinely enjoyed the time they spent getting to know each other and figuring out how to work together, which can get frustrating for Billie when Vero blows hot and cold. Both characters are humble and focused in producing songs and I really love that for a good part of the book, the focus is simply on that rather than on them being a celebrity. I love the chemistry between them too. I thought they were kinda great together even with the instalove. But I do buy into the intensity of their feelings despite it being only a couple of days and I really had fun with it until the dramatic black moment, that I felt was a little unnecessary.
May 10, 2020
I read a lot of celebrity romances because it’s one of my jams, but it was interesting to get a different take on a pop star romance. This isn’t about performing or the limelight, but instead about the behind-the-scenes work of crafting music, and I enjoyed seeing that.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/undo...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/undo...
August 31, 2019
A queer f/f hate to love story where an alt-rock girl has to help a pop star write songs for her new solo career after leaving her girl group. As soon as I read that description I had to read the book. And it really delivered.
I thought that the banter between the two main characters was really funny and I liked the chemistry that slowly built between the two of them. Their relationship progressed in a believable way. I thought that them writing songs together was an organic way to have them grow closer. This was a pretty short book so it never got too deep, but I did enjoy some of the commentary it had on the music industry and fame as a whole.
I do wish the book would’ve been a tiny bit smuttier. There’s really only one sex scene, and while it was done well I just would’ve liked it to have been expanded a little bit. Also, this is a dual POV book but sometimes it was hard to tell whose POV you were in. There were labels at the start of the chapters, but the writing was so similar across the board that it made it hard to differentiate between them.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I think if the synopsis sounds interesting to you then you should give it a try. Just go into it knowing that it’s a quick, fun read and not the most sophisticated or smutty romance book on the market.
I thought that the banter between the two main characters was really funny and I liked the chemistry that slowly built between the two of them. Their relationship progressed in a believable way. I thought that them writing songs together was an organic way to have them grow closer. This was a pretty short book so it never got too deep, but I did enjoy some of the commentary it had on the music industry and fame as a whole.
I do wish the book would’ve been a tiny bit smuttier. There’s really only one sex scene, and while it was done well I just would’ve liked it to have been expanded a little bit. Also, this is a dual POV book but sometimes it was hard to tell whose POV you were in. There were labels at the start of the chapters, but the writing was so similar across the board that it made it hard to differentiate between them.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I think if the synopsis sounds interesting to you then you should give it a try. Just go into it knowing that it’s a quick, fun read and not the most sophisticated or smutty romance book on the market.
March 29, 2021
This was really good as a wish-fulfillment romance. I particularly liked the first half (maybe three quarters). I liked their rocky start with each figuring out how to understand and communicate. They were so different but intrigued by each other and that was a lot of fun. I particularly liked Billie as the steady nurturer doing her best with a difficult collaboration.
Billie was only looking to fill some time with an interesting opportunity when she had nothing better to do. Songwriting with Vero was a change-up and unexpected and likely to be a pain, but it was better than nothing and it stood a chance of draining the pop songs that her muse had been throwing up at her since her normal collaborator had gone dry. I liked that she was careful not to prejudge Vero, even though she wasn't perfect at it. And I liked that she kept trying to communicate and understand even in the face of resistance.
Vero was a bit of a tougher sell, though I engaged with her quick enough. It was clear that she was looking for an elusive stability and feeling fragile so her hot-and-cold at least made sense. And I liked that Oakley was talented enough to show how Billie saw her inner vulnerability and that helped her have patience and reach out even in the face of a rebuff or two.
And it was awesome seeing them develop an understanding that extended into their songwriting and let them create beautiful music together (sorry, I couldn't resist a dip in the trite). Oakley is at her best depicting the collaboration and music and I liked how she showed the intent and message of the lyrics but only gave enough detail to see refining and honing without giving so much that you get bogged down in trying to see it as an actual song. It was a good choice not trying to replicate actual lyrics so it worked exceptionally well.
What worked less well is the pace of the relationship. I felt like the last bit, maybe the last third or quarter, was very rushed. So I don't think the relationship really gelled as well as it could have and the whole dark moment felt flat and a bit tedious going through it. It doesn't help that we get an outright villain and a well-meaning friend being destructive to make it happen. So the story tanked a bit from it's early high.
That said, I'm going with a bit of a wobbly four stars. Yeah, the rush at the end was bad but at least the parts of the relationship I had attached to played out well-enough.
A note about Steamy: There was one or two explicit sex scenes but in a story this short, it's (just barely) enough to put it in the middle of my steam tolerance. I wish there had been more emotional and/or intimate groundwork there, but that's maybe expecting too much?
Billie was only looking to fill some time with an interesting opportunity when she had nothing better to do. Songwriting with Vero was a change-up and unexpected and likely to be a pain, but it was better than nothing and it stood a chance of draining the pop songs that her muse had been throwing up at her since her normal collaborator had gone dry. I liked that she was careful not to prejudge Vero, even though she wasn't perfect at it. And I liked that she kept trying to communicate and understand even in the face of resistance.
Vero was a bit of a tougher sell, though I engaged with her quick enough. It was clear that she was looking for an elusive stability and feeling fragile so her hot-and-cold at least made sense. And I liked that Oakley was talented enough to show how Billie saw her inner vulnerability and that helped her have patience and reach out even in the face of a rebuff or two.
And it was awesome seeing them develop an understanding that extended into their songwriting and let them create beautiful music together (sorry, I couldn't resist a dip in the trite). Oakley is at her best depicting the collaboration and music and I liked how she showed the intent and message of the lyrics but only gave enough detail to see refining and honing without giving so much that you get bogged down in trying to see it as an actual song. It was a good choice not trying to replicate actual lyrics so it worked exceptionally well.
What worked less well is the pace of the relationship. I felt like the last bit, maybe the last third or quarter, was very rushed. So I don't think the relationship really gelled as well as it could have and the whole dark moment felt flat and a bit tedious going through it. It doesn't help that we get an outright villain and a well-meaning friend being destructive to make it happen. So the story tanked a bit from it's early high.
That said, I'm going with a bit of a wobbly four stars. Yeah, the rush at the end was bad but at least the parts of the relationship I had attached to played out well-enough.
A note about Steamy: There was one or two explicit sex scenes but in a story this short, it's (just barely) enough to put it in the middle of my steam tolerance. I wish there had been more emotional and/or intimate groundwork there, but that's maybe expecting too much?
September 13, 2020
This book wasn't love at first sight for me. I think romance with a music theme just aren't my favorites but I still enjoyed this one while it lasted. It was alright but clearly not a new favorite. wanted to love it but I didn't fall in love with the characters. They both annoyed me a little sometimes. They argued and frustrated each other which in turn, frustrated me. However when they figured things out, it was better a kinda cute but I do think it was underdeveloped. I know this was going to be short which was why I picked this audiobook narrated by Lori Prince.
June 16, 2021
Sometimes you just need a quick sweet read and this is just that. It’s predictable but cute and Oakley’s writing style always works really well for me.
Both characters are likeable on their own accord, but I like patient sensitive Billie just a bit better than Vero who is a bit of a jump to conclusions type of person. At first it’s all super shallow but even in this short book we get to know the characters a little better and it’s just enough for me to appreciate it and not think it’s not enough.
Both characters are likeable on their own accord, but I like patient sensitive Billie just a bit better than Vero who is a bit of a jump to conclusions type of person. At first it’s all super shallow but even in this short book we get to know the characters a little better and it’s just enough for me to appreciate it and not think it’s not enough.
September 4, 2019
This book tries to blend the following tropes: closeted music star, ice queen, & instalove. It had some good & bad parts, so I'm giving it a 3 rating.
June 20, 2020
A cute funny story about two women in the music business and both are already successful and famous before the start of the series.
My second favorite book of the series.
Stars Billie Rush, lead singer and co-writer of her band. The band's first album was hugely successful but it has been a while since it was released - mostly because the writer has writer's block. No, not Billie, the other part of 'co-writer', Billie's sister Dom. As an aside, a big point was made that the first album was written by both sisters writing together, so much so that the constant mention in later books in the series of how Dom was THE writer annoyed the hell out of me. But whatever.
Well, as I was attempting to get to: Billie is still writing but she always edged more in a different direction than the band has positioned itself - her sister 'helped' hmms, smoothing things out. Billie tends to write sappy happy love songs. So they 'can't ' just make the second album be filled with only Billie's songs because that's ...something or other.
Enter: The band's manager mentions an opportunity - work with a famous musician starting a solo career. Billie is reluctant but agrees. Vero, for her part, has been ignoring her manager so didn't even know Billie was going to be visiting her at her home.
Cute story. Though Vero has massive issues to get through and stuff.
Rating: 4.75
June 19 2020
My second favorite book of the series.
Stars Billie Rush, lead singer and co-writer of her band. The band's first album was hugely successful but it has been a while since it was released - mostly because the writer has writer's block. No, not Billie, the other part of 'co-writer', Billie's sister Dom. As an aside, a big point was made that the first album was written by both sisters writing together, so much so that the constant mention in later books in the series of how Dom was THE writer annoyed the hell out of me. But whatever.
Well, as I was attempting to get to: Billie is still writing but she always edged more in a different direction than the band has positioned itself - her sister 'helped' hmms, smoothing things out. Billie tends to write sappy happy love songs. So they 'can't ' just make the second album be filled with only Billie's songs because that's ...something or other.
Enter: The band's manager mentions an opportunity - work with a famous musician starting a solo career. Billie is reluctant but agrees. Vero, for her part, has been ignoring her manager so didn't even know Billie was going to be visiting her at her home.
Cute story. Though Vero has massive issues to get through and stuff.
Rating: 4.75
June 19 2020
September 17, 2022
This book was a nice read after finishing a longer one, this was supposed to be short and fun, but it was a bit more because it turned out to be a bit emotional and charged with real issues like alcohol abuse and in this genre (f/f) that's not common.
This book follows Billie Rush, she's the lead in a band who had their success a few years prior to the present of this story, the band has been stuck with no new songs, basically that's a team issue. Nonetheless the band is pretty close and keeps rooting each other but considering what's happening, Billie is requested by her manager and the band record label to help a former band member, soon to become a solo artist, Vero De Luca for help in writing new songs. Vero is a bit bitter, she opened herself and got crushed in the worst way possible.
They met. Fireworks. Misunderstandings. Happy ending.
This was a nice story, is fast but is not dull and that was the key to me.
By the way, this story actually makes you think that there are a few people that are worthy to fight for.
This book follows Billie Rush, she's the lead in a band who had their success a few years prior to the present of this story, the band has been stuck with no new songs, basically that's a team issue. Nonetheless the band is pretty close and keeps rooting each other but considering what's happening, Billie is requested by her manager and the band record label to help a former band member, soon to become a solo artist, Vero De Luca for help in writing new songs. Vero is a bit bitter, she opened herself and got crushed in the worst way possible.
They met. Fireworks. Misunderstandings. Happy ending.
This was a nice story, is fast but is not dull and that was the key to me.
By the way, this story actually makes you think that there are a few people that are worthy to fight for.
June 13, 2020
This wasn’t too bad. Bit short though. Billie’s a great character.
August 5, 2024
Celebrity romances aren't generally my cup of tea, but I had the chance to listen to this audiobook and figured Bryce Oakley has yet to disappoint me, so why not?
Billie Rush is the lead singer of a fairly successful indie rock band, The Shrikes. But the band is getting nowhere with their second album, mainly because Domino, Billie's sister and fellow Shrikes member and co-writer, is blocked. And while Billie isn't blocked, she's not writing music that fits The Shrikes' sound. So her manager suggests she use the band's hiatus to help write for and launch one of pop music's darlings, Vero De Luca, who's trying to launch a solo career. This isn't an ideal situation for either musician, and the project is stymied over and over again, but they finally figure it out. And fall in love.
There's not a lot about this I didn't like. I was never bored, but I also wasn't truly wow'd either. I liked it enough that I want to continue reading the series though.
3.5 stars
Billie Rush is the lead singer of a fairly successful indie rock band, The Shrikes. But the band is getting nowhere with their second album, mainly because Domino, Billie's sister and fellow Shrikes member and co-writer, is blocked. And while Billie isn't blocked, she's not writing music that fits The Shrikes' sound. So her manager suggests she use the band's hiatus to help write for and launch one of pop music's darlings, Vero De Luca, who's trying to launch a solo career. This isn't an ideal situation for either musician, and the project is stymied over and over again, but they finally figure it out. And fall in love.
There's not a lot about this I didn't like. I was never bored, but I also wasn't truly wow'd either. I liked it enough that I want to continue reading the series though.
3.5 stars
August 6, 2020
I read this one pretty quickly… which is not as big of an accomplishment you might think it is, cause the story itself is not a very long one ;) nonetheless, I quite enjoyed it… after some consideration I decided to give it 3 stars… don’t get me wrong, I liked the story, just felt that the romance itself was rushed and underdeveloped… I think a lot of that is connected to the length of this book, but I definitely read novellas with really good relationship building, so that’s not really an excuse… pacing of the whole novel felt a bit off as well, but I liked the writing style enough to be interested in picking up stories about other members of Billie’s band :) the book itself was cute and had a lovely ending so if you’re interested in reading something short but enjoyable, give it a try :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
August 9, 2020
Making music together
Billie and Vero get off to a rocky start,but you can tell they have a connection. Once they get past the celebrity hype and really get to know each other for themselves. I wish I could really hear the songs they made together. I look forward to reading about the love lives of the rest of the band members. This was well written and a wonderful story.
Billie and Vero get off to a rocky start,but you can tell they have a connection. Once they get past the celebrity hype and really get to know each other for themselves. I wish I could really hear the songs they made together. I look forward to reading about the love lives of the rest of the band members. This was well written and a wonderful story.
August 28, 2019
Good story!
I liked the chemistry between Vero and Billie. Vero’s hurt and lack of trust due to a bad break up portrayed her as an Ice Queen. Billie was hard pressed to try and figure out how to reach her due to Vero’s squittishness . Ultimately, they started slowly trust each other and started writing the song they were supposed to write which resulted in the feelings for each other to come to the surface and the rest as they say is HEA. It was well written and characters were very believable. Well done!
I liked the chemistry between Vero and Billie. Vero’s hurt and lack of trust due to a bad break up portrayed her as an Ice Queen. Billie was hard pressed to try and figure out how to reach her due to Vero’s squittishness . Ultimately, they started slowly trust each other and started writing the song they were supposed to write which resulted in the feelings for each other to come to the surface and the rest as they say is HEA. It was well written and characters were very believable. Well done!
October 9, 2025
I liked the premise and, for the most part, it was solid. Out of nowhere the story just kind of takes a nose dive with the pacing and suddenly the book is over. The payout feels like a let down because of this; another 100 pages or so and it would've been a classic. It's too short for a novel and too long for a short story, so it sits in this weird in-between where it falls short of being satisfying for either type.
Still, not a bad way to pass a few hours of a long work day.
3/5
Still, not a bad way to pass a few hours of a long work day.
3/5
October 6, 2021
Sweet, funny, fast read. I’m pretty sure this is Bryce’s debut novel so it moving fairly fast didn’t bother me. Plus, life’s been busy so this was perfect to relax to when I could without feeling lost. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
June 26, 2020
the angst was just.....so contrived
Rep: lesbian mc, bi mc
Rep: lesbian mc, bi mc
July 4, 2023
This book was really fast and easy it was sweet and I enjoyed the story and I liked both of the characters even with the instalove all in all I liked it I did this on audiobook because of Lori Prince narrating and she did a great job at it
February 18, 2021
4.5 rounded up. | I enjoyed the book. It was a fun, quick read and honestly, there was nothing wrong w/ it. It was light-hearted with some angst and misunderstanding towards the end but it's a nice pick-me-up and if someone's looking for a love story about two strangers, forced proximity, have to write a song together kind of romance, I would recommend it. Writing was smooth. Everything flowed well together. I liked that Vero had a decent relationship w/ her rockstar dad, i was kind of dreading it being like unnecessarily angsty, and all that. It was refreshing to read a wlw story where characters were good w/ communication. Often times I read m/m where the idiots go around in circles for 1000 pages. So I was like, yes, women, of course they are smart. Enjoy.
August 25, 2021
Just what I needed! I have had some disappointments recenly with the books I chose after Never Mine
so another Bryce Oakley seemed a good bet and it was.
I like the description of the way Billie "invites" her muse as well as the lyrics diary and I have also enjoyed the description of the atmosphere in the studio, when they record the demo. The best bit, though, is the tenderness that develops between Billie and Vero, once they start being honest with themselves and one another.
Ofcourse there is an ex-bitch who tries to throw a spanner in the works, this is a lesbian romance after all, but I enjoyed the unusual resolution that leads the two ladies out of the resulting funk.
so another Bryce Oakley seemed a good bet and it was.
I like the description of the way Billie "invites" her muse as well as the lyrics diary and I have also enjoyed the description of the atmosphere in the studio, when they record the demo. The best bit, though, is the tenderness that develops between Billie and Vero, once they start being honest with themselves and one another.
Ofcourse there is an ex-bitch who tries to throw a spanner in the works, this is a lesbian romance after all, but I enjoyed the unusual resolution that leads the two ladies out of the resulting funk.
January 11, 2023
Content warnings: ableist slur used (can't recall what percentage but it's the s*** one), alcoholism.
Rep: Billie (MC) is cis white lesbian, Vero is cis white sapphic (label not specified).
This one was easy to read and easy to enjoy. Until the ableist slur.
I talk about books at these places: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
Rep: Billie (MC) is cis white lesbian, Vero is cis white sapphic (label not specified).
This one was easy to read and easy to enjoy. Until the ableist slur.
I talk about books at these places: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
February 15, 2020
Enjoyable, easy read & was on course for a 5* review when it just sort of ended. Reading on Kindle so assumed 10% left, but no, that was the first couple of chapters of book 2 - yea, it's a series, bet you didn't know that! -which seems to go back before end of part 1! Confused? You will be. Sad, as huge potential.
September 9, 2019
rep: lesbian mcs, f/f romance, side bi and lesbian characters
March 27, 2024
3.5⭐️ Well written, super quick celebrity/musician sapphic romance! Together for a couple weeks to write a song together, the MCs are a bit frosty in the beginning. Slowly opening up (well in that time frame slowly lol) they begin to bond and then naturally make beautiful music together. Once back to the grind, things quickly become stilted through a couple of, well let’s just say idiots, and time goes bye before the hea. The length of time kinda seemed excessive because why couldn’t we talk in person? The reconnection was also quite quick, especially with the amount of time with no contact and after only a two week beginning…
However, 5⭐️ to the wonderful Lori Prince in her narration/performance. She brought life to the characters and made it a nice quick read!
If you like a more instalove type celebrity quick read sapphic romance, then this is definitely one to dip into!
However, 5⭐️ to the wonderful Lori Prince in her narration/performance. She brought life to the characters and made it a nice quick read!
If you like a more instalove type celebrity quick read sapphic romance, then this is definitely one to dip into!
December 18, 2025
A book about Billie and Vero, two musicians forced to write a song together. With alternating perspectives, which I always appreciate.
It was a quick read, simple and straightforward, and certainly not a literary masterpiece, but still very entertaining. Although I felt a little more editing would have improved it somewhat.
Also the pacing and build up could have been a bit smoother. It went from cold to hot quite fast.
Maybe a 4 star rating is a bit much, but it was too enjoyable to rate only 3.
It was a quick read, simple and straightforward, and certainly not a literary masterpiece, but still very entertaining. Although I felt a little more editing would have improved it somewhat.
Also the pacing and build up could have been a bit smoother. It went from cold to hot quite fast.
Maybe a 4 star rating is a bit much, but it was too enjoyable to rate only 3.
September 16, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I'm just starting to read my way through Oakley's work and I'm looking forward to reading more.
I'm not sure if I really believed the chemistry between Billie and Vero. I can't quite put my finger on why that is, but if I had to guess I'd say that I'm used to more pining before the 'fireworks'. In saying that, I did like the characters.
I'm not sure if I really believed the chemistry between Billie and Vero. I can't quite put my finger on why that is, but if I had to guess I'd say that I'm used to more pining before the 'fireworks'. In saying that, I did like the characters.
November 23, 2025
3 stars. Wasn’t bad. Two artists come together to write a song. The writing was good but honestly Billie and Vero weren’t my favorite leads. I found both to be childish and not all that likable. There was definitely chemistry between them though but I just didn’t care. I liked some of the side characters though. Three stars for the writing and plot.
December 14, 2020
Such a comfort series. Love these characters, love the chemistry, love the little peek into how musicians write and record. And I love that Billie lives in Hermosa Beach, as I am from Redondo. Bryce Oakley’s books are my favorite ones to read before bed every night!
July 7, 2022
it was cute it was alright🥺
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