Review | Never Mine by Bryce Oakley

Bryce Oakley’s Never Mine is a sweet, low-stakes sapphic romance that mixes fake dating, emotional growth, and just the right touch of mischief.

Sage Carson, an Olympic soccer star with a rebellious streak, is sidelined by a knee injury and distracting herself with a string of short-lived flings. Her agent worries her “wild child” image could put lucrative endorsement deals at risk. Meanwhile, Willa Bellamy, an events coordinator at the Denver Zoo, is dreading her ex-girlfriend’s destination bachelorette party, especially since it’s a couples-only affair. When Sage and Willa bump into each other at their high school reunion, they find an easy solution: a temporary fake dating deal, complete with a formal contract brokered by Sage’s agent.

What begins as a PR move slowly shifts into something real. The romance is a gentle slow burn, built on small moments of connection and quiet vulnerability. Both women struggle with open communication, but it’s in those tentative conversations that the story finds its heart.

Told in alternating third-person perspectives, the novel offers insight into each character’s emotional journey. Sage’s arc feels the most developed, with her gradual realisation that she needs to define herself beyond her athletic career. Willa’s best friend brings bursts of humour, and while there’s little actual soccer on the page due to Sage’s injury, her identity as an athlete still shapes the world around her.

The plot unfolds predictably and the ending ties up neatly, without big twists or heavy drama. Instead, Never Mine leans into comfort, chemistry, and an easy charm: a cosy, feel-good read for when you want romance without the wild amounts of angst.

Interested in other WLW YA and adult fiction? Check out my ultimate list of women's football books featuring wlw relationships.