High Side
by Julia Talbot
Kylie Brockhurst is kind of used to running the rafting guide program at M&M outfitters in Summit Springs during the high season. She's also used to other guides coming and going in one summer, so when she meets Brittany, she reminds herself not to get too involved. They have an age gap, as well as an experience one, and Kylie has a secret she's not sure she's willing to share. Brittany Lehi is just out of college and doing her last summer as a river guide before looking for her dream job as a park ranger. She knows it's probably a mistake to get involved with Kylie, who really flips her raft, but she can't help herself. When an injury sidelines Kylie and things start to fall apart, though, will they be able to bridge their differences and keep their new romance from sinking? High Side is an age gap, workplace lesbian romance with a happy ending.
About This Book
High Side is a novel by Julia Talbot, first published in 2022 by Independently Published. Readers can expect age gap, forced proximity; sweet heat; a comfort and hopeful tone.
At a glance
- Trope
- workplace romance
- Heat
- Sweet
- Ending
- HEA
- Mood
- Comfort
- Published
- 2022
Where to read or listen
Get High Side by Julia Talbot
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A seasoned rafting guide lead and a recent college graduate must navigate a workplace attraction, a hidden secret, and a sidelining injury to find a lasting connection.
- fans of outdoor adventures
- readers who enjoy workplace hierarchy tropes
- hopeful
- Features workplace romance
This may not be ideal if…
- readers seeking high-fantasy or sci-fi
- those who dislike workplace dating scenarios
- Generic 'secret' trope might feel predictable
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: contemporary romance
Pairing: F/F
Power balance: unbalanced (professional hierarchy)
Age gap: unknown
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate comfort, moderate tension, mild humor, and a strong emotional payoff.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Kylie Brockhurst is the experienced backbone of M&M outfitters, used to the revolving door of seasonal river guides. She knows better than to get involved with staff, but Brittany Lehi, a recent graduate with dreams of being a park ranger, catches her eye. Between an age gap, the professional boundaries of the rafting program, and a secret Kylie is hesitant to reveal, the odds are against them. When an injury threatens Kylie’s livelihood and the program starts to falter, the two women must choose between letting their romance sink or bridging the gap between their different worlds.
Central Conflict
The tension between professional boundaries and personal attraction, exacerbated by Kylie's undisclosed secret and a physical injury that destabilizes her role at the outfitters.
Setting
Summit Springs (River rafting environment)
Themes
Strengths
- Clear setting and occupational backdrop
- Classic romance structure
- Explicit HEA promise
Consider before reading
- Generic 'secret' trope might feel predictable
- Occupational jargon might be specific
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Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
Which theme — river rafting — resonated most strongly with you, and why?
- 3
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 4
Did the emotional payoff feel earned by the story's buildup?
- 5
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 6
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 7
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 8
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- August 30, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Independently Published
- Published
- 2022
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9798351890005
High Side: quick answers
- Who wrote High Side?
- High Side was written by Julia Talbot.
- When was High Side published?
- High Side was first published in 2022 by Independently Published.
- How spicy is High Side?
- EIKNA rates High Side as sweet heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get High Side by Julia Talbot
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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