(Actual: 4.25⭐) This read was a true surprise for me in the best of ways! While it for sure sounded like something that would be right up my alley right off the bat – what with its unique premise, magical realism elements and use of the parallel timelines/sliding-doors tropes – I honestly was still blown away by how much I ended up loving it! I think what I liked the most was how Harbison approached the heavier topics such as grief and the loss of a loved one; it was very well done and I'm certain a lot of people will be able to really connect with Meg in some way or another as she navigates these two different paths she finds herself at a crossroads with. Overall highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this -- I'm a sucker for a "Sliding Doors" story! More than that, though, I loved the characters. I felt connected to them, and became extremely invested in their lives.

I do wish there had been a *tiny* bit more of the Lana Lord timeline, and a bit more of Meg's too -- perhaps a day trip with Cillian or Kiera, just to get used to that reality.. And of course, <maybe spoiler> I was hoping for a different ending. I guess I just thought there would be more of a choice for Meg, given the fortune teller's reading. All things considered, though, it ended in the best way possible. (Thanks epilogue!)

I've not read Harbison's YA novels, but I will definitely be interested in reading more of her adult works.

4.75
MY HEART. This was so, so good.

Let me be honest. I put this one off, there was a part of me that was a little skeptical, but / was wrong. This was an emotional, heartfelt story full of healing and love and I cannot scream it loud enough- YOU WANT TO READ THIS!
The Other Side of Now had me hooked from the first page. We follow Meg Bryan, also known as Lana Lord, famous actress, who is living the life she always dreamed she would have. She has a hit TV show, a famous, good-looking boyfriend, plenty of money but also a fake nose, a body starving for carlos and a lack of real friendships. After a mini emotional breakdown at her 30th birthday party, she packs her bag while her guests are still downstairs and buys a plane ticket to Ireland. Ireland - the place her best friend Aimee always wanted to be but lost the chance when her life was taken in a tragic accident a decade earlier. What happens when she arrives in a small village in Ireland, will completely change the course of her life. She is no longer Lana Lord, in fact, Lana doesn't exist. Meg finds herself with a healthy body & her real nose, surrounded by friends who are like family, close relationships she hasn't had since her best friend died, a sweet dog who no one can resist, a boyfriend (off and on) who is head over heels for her and most importantly, her best friend Aimee, who is alive.

I loved everything about this story- magic realism, alternate realities, parallel universes. If you had the opportunity to live out a version of your life where you could fix what was broken, find clarity and healing, find friends you didn't realize how much you needed, would you take that chance? The hard thing with this is always the ending- will Meg be able to stay in this new life, or will it be taken away from her- will she end up back in her reality as Lana Lord, being unfulfilled in life and love and without her best friend?

So many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Paige Harbison for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Paige Harbison, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of The Other Side of Now! All opinions are my own.

This book is very nearly perfect. I absolutely inhaled it and felt the full spectrum of emotions as I watched Meg experience love and loss and found her way back to herself. TOSON deals with a lot of heavy topics and emotions, but also felt so healing. After crying my way through the last few chapters, I recommended it to four friends within five minutes of finishing it. Absolutely a favorite and a book I'll be thinking about for a while!

POV: single first person

You can expect: actress FMC, self discovery, magical realism, bartender MMC, friendship, alternate timeline.

Rep: anxiety, panic attacks, grief

Spice: 2/5

CW: disordered eating, death of a friend in a car accident, mention of a bad drug trip.

On her 30th birthday, Hollywood actress Lana Lord impulsively escapes to a quiet Irish village in search of peace. Instead, she discovers an alternate version of her life, where villagers know her as a local, and her long-lost best friend is still alive. Author Paige Harbison tells a poignant story of second chances as the two friends reconnect. The Other Side of Now is a must-read for fans of magical realism, Irish scenery, and anyone who's wondered, "what if?" (Recommendation will be sent to subscribers of WordSmarts.com email newsletter)

Read if you like magical realism, Ashley Poston, Emily Stone, or Jenny Bayliss.

I was given the chance to read this book and chose to simply because a character had my same name (same spelling!) - but joke is on me because turns out, it was a heart warming read!

While there is romance - it takes the back stage to the friendship between Meg and Aimee. As kids a fortune teller tells Meg her path splits in two directions and is startled by what she sees on Aimee's palm. Life changes for these girls and they are no longer in each other's lives.

Years later, Meg finds herself suddenly in a different life as if time changed and she chose a different path... and Aimee is there.

4⭐

I randomly saw a post about this book being available on NetGalley and for some reason, I requested it. SO so glad I did!! This book ended up having such a deep impact. It’s a story of having a second chance to meet with a loved one, of misunderstandings and confronting reality. LOVED how even though there is a deeper message to the story, it is full of lighthearted moments and humor. Although I often found myself smiling, I also teared up on the latter part of the book. I really liked how the “time travel” was done as well as how the ending wrapped up. Highly recommend the audiobook, which is narrated by the author! I listened to the second half of the book and she brings the emotions to life! My favorite book of June so far!

One of my best friends died in a car accident when we were 19 & 20.

This was an emotional read for me. This is beautifully written. I ate it up, compelling and quick— perfect for summer reading. I love the type of friend Kiera is. I also love the focus on contentment and being present in our lives while grappling with grief. Just very well done.

Spice: 🌶️ open door scene in chapter 19 that I skipped.
Very strong language in some emotional moments. The points could have easily been made the same without them.

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison is an endearing novel of a womanwho doesn’t know what she wants when she seemingly has everything. Meggie Bryan is known around Hollywood as Lana Lord and she is a star. It is her birthday at her boyfriend’s fabulous Hollywood home and she just can’t do it. She buys a plane ticket to Ireland, writes a note, and is off. Upon arriving she hires a taxi to take her to her rental and promptly falls asleep. When she awakes she is truly Meggie again, not Lana. She doesn’t even look the same, the Hollywood Botox and surgeries are gone. The cottage is perfect, but she is hungry so she sets off to see if she can find some food. She finds a pub where the kitchen is closed but the bartender says he’ll fix her something. He’s very nice and very hot and he seems to know her. She runs into a woman there, Keira, who seems to know her, too. This is all very odd.

I don’t know if this is a dream, a portal into a parallel universe, or a bad trip, but this sojourn in Ireland awakens the real Meggie. The Meggie that would have been if she hadn’t run when her best friend, Aimee, died in a car wreck. Heck, Aimee’s even there, with a husband and kids. She falls in love with Cillian, the bartender, although apparently she was in that timeline. Meggie faces some hard facts about herself, and better yet, returns home and does something about her problems. She become the person she was and that she still wanted to be. Some surroundings she recognizes, some she does not. It’s a fun read. A romance, of sorts. Interesting story. Good characters. Moving. Interesting. The ending is worth it all.

I was invited to read The Other Side of Now by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #PaigeHarbison #TheOtherSideOfNow

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the review copies of The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison.

This novel feels less like a traditional “sliding doors” story and more like drifting through a dreamstate—a kind of modern-day Christmas Carol that meditates on grief, memory, and the possibility of self-forgiveness. The premise is compelling and full of thematic promise, especially in how it grapples with personal loss and emotional reckoning.

And yet, I never fully connected with the journey. The story felt more suited to a novella or extended short story; the pacing and structure left me more invested in the ending—and the awakening it suggested—than in the journey that led there. What stuck with me was the idea of a character on the edge of change, not quite transformed, but finally open to it.

I found this to be a great character driven story. The story was well developed. Will be recommending to others.

I absolutely loved this book!

It reminded me of one of my favourite books, The Good Part by Sophie Cousens. What I loved about both that book and The Other Side of Now was the tender love story between two people, where one remembers their history and is deeply in love with the FMC, while she re-learns how to fall in love with him. This made me swoon so much. Cillian is so devoted to Meg, it was so bittersweet to read. I think this kind of romantic plot really elevates the story to such emotional heights.

What I really connected with in The Other Side of Now, compared to The Good Part, was the codependency of friendship and traumatically losing that sacred friendship. The author uses so much relatable nostalgia surrounding a childhood friendship. It reminded me of my own friendships. The good, the bad, and the ugly fallouts. The chapter with the play really made me cry, it was so intense.

I really appreciated how this author approached this topic of restlessness in one’s life. Thinking back on the past and wondering what like would be like if you’d chosen a different path. I liked the magical realism aspect a lot and it didn’t feel forced or cheesy. I liked that Meg confided in her new family in Avalon, despite not knowing anyone really. While The Good Part had a cute kid helping the FMC, this book had literal golden retrievers that made an outstanding running joke within the book. But these characters in Avalon were also so endearing! I love Keira! She was hilarious but also such a steadfast and loyal friend. I teared up when Meg had to return to her old life. But was over joyed when Keira came back!
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Thank you so much for letting me read this ARC! It was such a treat!

Overall this was a fairly enjoyable read. There were parts in the middle that seemed a bit slow on occasion but in general, I enjoyed it. Cute and quirky with a lot of self-introspection.

The Other Side of Now explores grief, memory, and second chances in a heartfelt and emotional way. When Meg and Drew meet after the loss of their spouses, what starts as a support group connection gradually turns into something deeper. But the story isn’t just about moving forward—it's about the weight of the past and the complications that come with love, loss, and letting go.

This was a tender, slow-burn novel that really leaned into the emotional complexity of its characters. I appreciated how the author didn’t rush their healing or connection—it felt authentic. Some parts were a bit slower-paced for me, but overall, it was a moving look at rebuilding life after tragedy. If you enjoy character-driven stories about love and resilience, this one’s worth picking up.

1st person single point of view, magical realism, contemporary story with some romance. I really enjoyed the premise and the author's writing style. I found the one sex scene unnecessary though. Not because I'm a prude, but because it was a lot of telling and no showing. It was somehow explicit but not and didn't work for me. Regardless, this had heartwarming and heartbreaking moments along with humor and friendship. Though it deals with some grief it is very cozy. I thought this was a perfect length read with a satisfying ending (epilogue).

5 stars. 10 stars. Infinite? Stars.

I’m actually a little pissed at myself for waiting so long to read this book, because it was absolutely incredible. It was enchanting, and not just because it had to do with the space time continuum.

Have you ever felt that sense of deja vu? Where you feel like you’ve been there before, but maybe in a different life or timeline? If the answer is yes, this book is for you.

Meg Bryan, aka Lana Lord, is a semi successful actress in a soap opera in Hollywood. After a tragic accident in her teen years, she left her hometown in the dust, vowing to never go back. Yet, even as she’s living out her dreams in LA, she brings to feel like she’s missing something, needing more out of her life. So, she books a trip to a small town in Ireland, Avalon, where she had always dreamed of going to school with her best friend.

As soon as she steps foot in the door of the Airbnb however, she immediately steps into an alternate timeline, where she is different, with different friends and different problems she’s running from.

I laughed. I cried. I got goosebumps. This book is immediately a Top 10 book of the year for me.

Meg Bryan is better known as Lana Lord, actress with a leading role on a TV show and dating a Hollywood heartthrob. After a small breakdown on her thirtieth birthday, Meg books herself an impromptu vacation to a small town in Ireland, where she and her best friend growing up, Aimee, always dreamed of moving. Meg left that dream behind a decade ago, after Aimee’s death. When Meg arrives, she is shocked to discover people treating her like they know her and that when looking in a mirror, she has lost her bleach blonde hair and nose job. Her phone is even full of pictures suggesting she has a life here in Ireland. Most surprising of all, Aimee is alive and living in Ireland, yet wants nothing to do with Meg. Meg may not know what is going on, but she is sure of one thing: She wants to reconnect with Aimee, fixing whatever broke between them.

I loved all the characters in this book; they were complex and loveable. While the story has its heavy elements, it also has plenty of light moments to balance it out. This book is categorized as a romance, but that is just one of many threads in the book. I recommend checking this one out, especially if you enjoy AU stories!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Oh my heart. The Other Side of Now is the kind of book that wraps itself around you like a cozy sweater on a rainy day in the Irish countryside — and yes, that’s exactly the vibe this story delivers. It’s tender, nostalgic, and quietly magical in a way that made me laugh, cry, and want to hop on a flight to Ireland immediately.

The story follows Meg Bryan, who’s told as a child that she’ll live two lives. Now, years later, she’s starting over — and that “second life” prediction begins to feel eerily accurate. What unfolds is a beautifully layered journey of friendship, second chances, and the kind of found family that finds you when you need it most. It’s a slow burn in the best way — both in romance and emotional depth — with moments that feel so real and raw you’ll want to hug the book to your chest.

I adored Meg. She’s flawed, funny, and fiercely relatable, and the people around her feel like real souls, not just side characters. And don’t even get me started on the setting — the Irish charm practically leaps off the page. You’ll want to sip tea at the local café and walk the cobbled streets with Meg and her crew.

This book is about destiny, yes — but it’s also about the choices we make, the people who help us heal, and the beautiful messiness of life itself. If you’re a fan of stories with heart, humor, and a touch of fate, The Other Side of Now absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. ❤️

Paige Harbison explores how our lives would be different if we had made slightly different choices in a very literal, fun way. THE OTHER SIDE OF NOW is a fun, well written book that’s full of magical realism, romance, friendship and humor. It reminds me of the Nicolas Cage movie Family Man, where a person is switcherooed into a life they could have had.

I enjoyed the beginning and ending of this book more than the middle, which I found to be a little repetitive. Overall, however, this is a sweet book that also made me think, and I enjoyed it very much. I will be checking out Paige Harbison’s other works immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early digital ARC of THE OTHER SIDE OF NOW in exchange for my honest feedback.

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison

I truly love a sliding doors concept - who wouldn’t want a peek into a life where you followed a different road or made a different decision! So this book was right up my alley, and I honestly loved how it was explored and explained in this book.

Meg is a successful tv star, but is simply unhappy and unsatisfied with how her life turned out. After booking a last minute trip to Ireland she finds a life not explored. Everyone knows her and she has an entire history and life that she knows nothing about. I appreciated that romance was just a side storyline. This book was more about friendships, decision making, trauma, self assessment and acceptance. The character growth and lessons were so well thought out.

I really enjoyed it.