In the vein of Lyssa Kay Adams and Abby Jimenez, Kelly Ohlert’s charming debut is a one-of-a-kind rom-com that explores the power of overcoming the past and fighting for the things you love.

Trixie isn’t exactly sure what she was thinking when she stopped her car in the middle of downtown Chicago, scooped up a chicken struggling to cross the road, and drove off… but she does know that she has to find a new home for herself and her new feathered friend. The landlord at her apartment doesn’t allow pets and has caught Trixie in one too many pet-smuggling attempts in the past.

Bear likes his quiet life with his close-knit family, who own a flower business, but he’s in for a rude awakening when his meddlesome sisters post an ad to rent the spare room in his simple home, without asking his permission. Still, when Trixie responds to the ad, he agrees to let her move in, despite immediate worries about keeping things platonic.

Determined to keep her new room, befriend Bear, and give her rescue chicken the care she deserves, Trixie fights to keep her walls up and resist her romantic feelings for Bear. However, it’s not long before the pair’s proximity and chicken parenting ignite flames that have Trixie and Bear testing the boundaries of their platonic ground rules. They have to figure out how to save a family business, pay for mounting vet bills, and navigate their own emotional baggage if they want to find the love that they all deserve.

Perfect for readers of The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, and fans of The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez, readers will find themselves rooting for every one of the relatable, but tenderly flawed, characters in this book as they follow the heartwarming antics of a rescue chicken and her human companions.

okay read

5/5 stars for this book by Kelly Ohlert. This was my first read by her and will pick more of hers up. Thank you netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

To Get to the Other Side
by Kelly Ohlert
Narrated by Stefanie Kay; Paul Heitsch

I received a digital copy of this audiobook and ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a forced proximity rom com with an offbeat heroine and her rescue chicken and cinnamon roll hero. To me the hero seemed to have more depth than the heroine. Dual POV. Closed door. Some of the ups and downs were a bit much but some stories just are and some people love that. Quirky meet cute.
3.5/5

To Get to the Other Side by Kelly Ohlert is a heartwarming and delightful read!

The story is about Trixie and Bear, who come together under the most unexpected circumstances—a chicken rescue! Ohlert’s writing is full of humor and charm, and I loved seeing the quirky, lovable characters navigate their way through life and love.

The book perfectly blends laughter and tender moments, making it a feel-good read that leaves you smiling. If you enjoy lighthearted romances with a touch of whimsy, this book is a must-read!

A story about a chicken is questionable lol. This book was cute and definitely had tropes I love but it wasn’t clicking super well for me.

This story is so fun!! I loved watching Trixie and Bear’s relationship bloom.

It was a bit drawn out, though.

The story begins with Trixie, an animal lover, adopting a chicken and facing housing issues. This leads to a romcom mixing forced proximity and quirky characters.

Initially, Trixie and Bear, a lumberjack-type who helps with the chicken, show potential for romance. However, their dynamic didn't grab me beyond the catchy title.

As the plot unfolds, Trixie's quirks become exaggerated, detracting from genuine character development. Bear's fixation on her physical attributes feels objectifying.

The plot lacks depth, relying on predictable conflicts and clichéd emotional turmoil. Secondary characters add humor but feel caricatured.

The insta-love element feels rushed, hindering reader investment. Overall, the book falls short due to overused tropes and lack of character depth.

A contemporary romance novel that’s as charming and comforting as its cover. Makes for a comfort read best enjoyed over a weekend.

This was a funny play on the joke of "why does the chicken cross the road?" It was a fun, light-hearted read, perfect to while away rainy days. I love the grumpy/sunshine trope so this was perfect.

This book was really cute and funny. I love the dual POV and it was such a light read. I also really loved Bear! He is definitely a perfect book boyfriend.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Goofy love story. I did have trouble getting through however. I would definitely pin this more in young adult than adult romance. I could have personally liked the story to be executed a little better. But not a terrible read

**DNF @ 1%**

I was really excited to get int0 this book but unfortunately I was cringing before it even really began. The writing leans more towards YA as opposed to an adult romance.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was just okay. I got into it almost immediately, however, it soon went downhill for me. The storyline was good but the execution could’ve been better.

This book was goofy and lighthearted. A true delight to read. The love interests were imperfectly perfect for eachother and made falling in love with them so easy

I really enjoy a rom com so this was a great read for me. Loved the banter, the chicken rescue, the roommate to romance situation between Trixie and Bear.

Excellent stuff to read tbh. The chemistry was EXPLOSIVE. I couldn't stop reading. The romance was sooo cute.

"To Get to the Other Side" by Kelly Ohlert turned out to be quite different from what I expected, leaving me with mixed emotions. The story started strong with promising characters and a cute sunshine-meets-grumpy trope. However, the plot took some wacky turns and veered off the classic rom-com train, slowly morphing into a miscommunication trope. Despite this, the book was still a lighthearted and entertaining read. The unpredictable nature of the story kept me engaged, and the funny dialogue brought some laughs. However, I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, especially the chemistry between the main couple, Bear and Trixie. I grew frustrated with their miscommunications about halfway through the book. On the bright side, the ending was cute and helped redeem some of the flaws. I appreciated the author's portrayal of societal pressures on boys and men, as Bear's issues struck a chord with me. "To Get to the Other Side" may not have met all my expectations, but it still offered an enjoyable reading experience for those seeking a unique rom-com adventure.

It is a sweet story. The plot is really intriguing. It involves a chicken running around a very busy road. That actually caught my attention and went for this book. Two strangers, and love at first sight. They become roommates after Bear's sisters start interfering in his love life.

But it took me a while to get into the book. I struggled to read at a point and had to drag through. But I am glad that I did not DNF it, It was definitely worth a try. I wish there was more banter and drama in the story.

Trixie will be a highly relateable to character to most animal lovers as she stops in the middle of traffic to rescue a chicken crossing the road. This story was laugh out loud funny with an equal amount of heart. One of my favorite romance reads of 2022.