I think I've found a self-pub gem of a series with Bryce Oakley's Kaleidoscope Album. I've only read Undone so far, but I'm hooked. You know all of those rock band series with five men? This is that, but with lots of lesbian (and maybe bi?) women.
One note - Book three has been called a Toaster Oven in reviews, one of my least favorite tropes since it's usually 100% biphobic, but I am under the impression that the stories are bi-friendly and it's readers who suck.
But back to Undone. Vero is a popstar and daughter of a rock legend. She's recently left the girl group that made her famous and is being forced to write a song with an indie rockstar, Billie. Vero has spoken publicly about not wanting to be "labeled," but she's only publicly dated men in the past, so Billie is hesitant at first. Billie travels to Vero's family's house in the middle of nowhere and they're together for a few weeks as they work on The Song. As it turns out, their blossoming relationship provides just the inspiration they need.
As a reader and bi woman married to a man, I'm not in love with the idea that a person must have public same-sex relationships in order to validate their sexual orientation, but the book and characters didn't dwell on it much. It should also be noted that while Vero doesn't like labels, she does mention at one point that the only relationship that truly meant something to her is the last relationship she had with a woman, her former bandmate. I'm accustomed at this point to biphobia in lesbian romances, so who knows if this is just me being happy to not be completely erased or hated, or if the author actually acknowledges the nuance and fluidity of sexuality.
All that said, the romance unfolds naturally. It's a short development in terms of days, but since they're together every minute of those days, it doesn't feel rushed. As the pair work to overcome their preconceptions of each other, their own professional hangups and their past relationships, their romance and certainly their physical intimacy initially take a backseat.
In short, Undone is fresh but familiar, using common tropes but good communication that grounds the narrative. I wish Vero wasn't so alone, but Billie's band is great and I'm looking forward to spending the next book with her sister, Dom.
Suzanne read this book on audio on Hoopla thanks to her library.
Content Warnings: media homophobia, biphobia
