Wicked Ink Publishing Falls Head Over Heels for Waverly O'Brian's Swoon-Worthy Romance “The Deskmate Dilemma”
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Waverly O'Brian, an exciting new voice in contemporary romance, to Wicked Ink Publishing. Her debut novel, The Deskmate Dilemma, promises to sweep readers off their feet with its perfect blend of humour, heart, and heat—a truly captivating story of friendship, love, and the risks we take when we follow our hearts.
Based in Alberta, Canada, Waverly O'Brian has always been a champion of creativity in all its forms. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a talent that spans multiple artistic disciplines—writing, painting, crocheting, and baking—Waverly pours her love for the creative process into every aspect of her storytelling. Her contemporary romance stories reflect the joys and complexities of modern love, infused with rich, relatable characters and emotional depth. Outside of her craft, Waverly can be found curled up with a good book, always on the lookout for fresh inspiration for her next creative endeavour.
In The Deskmate Dilemma, Waverly delivers a fresh, fun, and heartwarming story that perfectly captures the essence of the friends-to-lovers romance trope, while adding her own special twist. Katie and Ryan have always been the perfect team—inseparable deskmates, best friends, and partners in crime when it comes to surviving the grind of corporate life. Their witty banter and late-night pub sessions help them power through endless workdays, uninspired projects, and the constant frustrations of their demanding boss. But behind the jokes and easy camaraderie, there’s an unspoken connection, a spark neither of them has dared to explore—until Katie’s world is thrown into chaos.
When life takes an unexpected turn, Katie is forced to reexamine not only her carefully curated city life, but also her close-knit relationship with Ryan. As the boundaries between friendship and love begin to blur, Katie faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: should she risk their friendship for the possibility of something more? Through alternating perspectives, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as Katie and Ryan navigate the push-and-pull of their growing feelings for each other. With their hearts on the line—and the risk of losing everything they’ve built—will they find the courage to take the leap into love?
The Deskmate Dilemma is brimming with all the elements contemporary romance fans crave: sizzling chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and tender, emotionally charged scenes that will make readers root for Katie and Ryan’s love story from page one. From office pranks and flirty texts to late-night confessions, Waverly captures the thrilling anticipation of two people who’ve been dancing around their feelings for years—and the powerful realization that love has been right in front of them all along.
With her relatable characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt storytelling, Waverly O'Brian has crafted a story that will leave readers smiling, swooning, and eagerly turning the pages to see if Katie and Ryan will risk it all for a love that’s been hiding in plain sight.
We are incredibly excited to bring The Deskmate Dilemma to readers everywhere. Stay tuned for updates on release dates, exclusive sneak peeks, and preorder details.
Love was never on their to-do list—but it’s the one deadline they can’t ignore.
Katie and Ryan have always been the dream team. Sharing everything from office desks to inside jokes, they survive the monotony of corporate life with witty banter, office DM's, and their weekly post-work pub nights. They’ve mastered the art of making the 9-to-5 grind bearable—until Katie’s world is flipped upside down.
With her life suddenly in chaos, Katie finds herself questioning everything, including her perfectly platonic friendship with Ryan. As unexpected feelings begin to surface, the lines between colleagues, friends, and something more start to blur. Is she imagining the lingering looks and charged moments, or has Ryan been hiding feelings of his own?
Told through both Katie and Ryan’s perspectives, The Deskmate Dilemma is a charming story of office antics, workplace tensions, and the tender journey from friends to lovers. As they confront their deepest fears and desires, they’ll have to decide if love is worth risking everything—even the job and friendship that have kept them steady for so long.
In this modern romance, classic tropes like friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, and workplace romance take center stage, creating a heartwarming tale about taking risks when love is on the line. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, The Deskmate Dilemma brings humor, office shenanigans, and heart-fluttering romance together in a story that will make you believe in love where you least expect it.
If you enjoy contemporary romance filled with slow-burn tension, laugh-out-loud moments, and relatable characters who walk the fine line between friendship and something more, this novel is for you!
