The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison--Actress Meg Bryan is escaping her unsatisfied Hollywood life by taking a trip to Avalon, Ireland. She & her teenage best friend Aimee had dreamed of going to arts college there before Aimee had died in a tragic accident. But when she wakes up in her cottage things are different. Everyone in the village knows her but she doesn't know them. They insist she lives in the village and also she looks like she did before she has "minor work done" to further her Hollywood career. Oh, and her friend Aimee is alive in Avalon. What is happening and can Meg reconnect with the friend she has been missing for so long? I liked the alternate life/sliding doors aspect of the story and how it led to emotional growth for Meg. This was a quick read with a deeper message than I was expecting. This book releases on 6/3. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I really loved how the alternate reality trope got twisted in this story--that instead of realizing her real life was what she wanted all along, she realized her alternate reality was, and then she had to panic about losing it. This made me so uncertain of how this book was going to end, and also really kept me hooked. I also got sucked in by the romance, the deep relationships, the genuine emotions and how Meg worked through her grief and found a new meaning in her life. All the nerdy acting stuff was great, too. It was just an overall great read and I definitely recommend it.

There was a lot to unpack in this story. Part magical realism, part examination of grief, part romance, part quantum science?!? I enjoyed the storyline, the Ireland setting, and a lot of the side characters. I did have a hard time connecting to the MC and felt like there was a great deal of repetition that some more editing could have easily fixed, hence the 3⭐️ rating. This book was definitely heavier than I expected and overall, a solid story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook ARC in exchange for my review.

This book was interesting. IT took me on a journey I wasn't really expecting, but I'm glad I was along for the ride! Main Character, Meg, dreamed of 'making it big' and being a star one day, but then found that the fame didn't bring the happiness she expected. A birthday look back on her life reminded her of happy times with her BFF before an accident that took her friend's life, when they planned to go to Ireland together. She's looking to find her happiness again. What she gets is a doorway to what I'm thinking is a parallel universe. When she arrives in Ireland, she finds that she's not the star she was, and the enhancements Hollywood suggested have gone so she look like an aged version of her high school self. And the biggest surprise is that her BFF didn't die in an accident, she's still alive, but isn't interested in Meg. Now Meg's one week vacation has turned into an opportunity to mend bridges, right wrongs and try again.

The first part of the book felt like it was trying too hard - the humor felt forced and Meg is superficial. But shifting into Ireland's Meg, the writing felt more real and authentic. Maybe the author's attempt to show the two people Meg is?

Once I got into the story, I wanted to see what would happen. But it was a very slow start for me. But overall, it was an enjoyable read and something to think about.

3 stars.

I am not usually a fan of the sliding doors trope, but I did enjoy this one.

This book was very sweet (maybe a little too sweet for me?). I think that the author may have tried too hard in some spots to make things endearing, which may be where it got a little too sweet for me.

Overall, this book was very well executed, but some of the finer points was where the story lost me a bit.

⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up

"I talked about walking down the red carpet, and she talked about walking down the aisle. How had I forgotten that?"

Final Review

You know those times you know immediately a book isn't for you but you push through and finish because literally everyone loves it? *edit That's not what happened here. Instead, I engaged with the story about 5 pages later and finished in a single read.

Being a story about friendship and redemption, I quickly grew to love the story (starting at about page 60, when the time travel concept finally gets introduced), despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the style. A really good swift story line can carry me right past a list of quibbles. I'm happy I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would!

I recommend this one to fans of enemies to lovers trope, creative time travel stories, and stories about platonic love like friendship.

My 4 Favorite Things:

✔️ The dialogue is snappy but there are not nearly enough beats so it's sometimes hard to follow.

✔️ I like the general concept of this character shifting into another reality, one where her life has gone completely different, but I think I needed this subject to get introduced earlier.

✔️ I have never been more amazed and satisfied! The author calls an actual *doctor* to the scene to rule out mental illness or brain injury as explanations for the characters' experiences. Thank you so much for knocking sideways the common belief among writers that just because *they* know about the characters' mental states, doesn't mean they don't need to give believable evidence for the reader to draw similar conclusions. This is how we stamp out ableism in fiction!

✔️ The character development here is absolutely fantastic! So few stories center around non-romantic, non-family relationships, like friendship-- I find them refreshing. And this one is clever, plot holes aside!

Notes:

1. As a disabled person who takes a stack of psychotropics, I am extremely uncomfortable with the casual handling of serious topics like self-medicating with alcohol...and Xanax! I mean...that's one of the most dangerous drugs on the market for people who take it recreationally.


Thank you to the author Paige Harbison, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THE OTHER SIDE OF NOW. All views are mine.

While the book's premise is compelling, the frequent mentions of apps and celebrities pulled me out of the story at times, making it feel more like a collection of references than a fully immersive narrative. That said, it's clear the author poured a lot of heart into the writing, and I appreciate the passion behind the book.

THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!
There were so many moments in this book that made me smile but in the back of my mind, I kept wondering "this all seems too good to be true". I loved that Meg was able to experience her other life, the side characters were great and the overall message was beautifully written. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. One thing I really enjoyed the most was that I could "hear" the character's accents while reading. Just the writing itself made the book feel so vivid in my mind. I love this book so much. Thank you to the publishers for approving my request of this book because now I've got a 5 star read I will never stop thinking about.

Magical Realism is one of my favorite genres, and although this isn’t a typical read for me, I thought it was really moving.

Not much of a romance which is really my genre of choice but for those who are looking for a moving story about grief, friendship, and the choices we make then this is for you.

Lana Lord is famous. She’s been acting in Hollywood on a prominent drama that is produced like and often feels like a soap opera. No one even knows her real name is Meg Bryan. No one knows that she and her best friend, Aimee, had planned to study acting in Ireland but ended up staying in Florida. No one really knows Meg at all. At her thirtieth birthday party, “Lana” books a one-week trip for that dreamed-of small village in Ireland. When she lands, something is off. Everyone thinks they know her. She’s got history here. And Aimee, whom she hasn’t seen for a decade is here too?

I loved this story. It was a journey of self-discovery for the main character as she processes her past, her goals abandoned, the lack of agency and decision-making she’s had in her current career, and admits that even her love life has been curated and arranged by publicists and agents. She’s not happy as Lana Lord. But in her alternate reality she realizes that Meggie was always looking for something more as well, thinking she was missing out or questioning her past decisions. Can she find contentment in the here and now, while also acknowledging rather than ignoring her past?

Read this if you like:

🧡 heartwarming friendships
🧡 stories about grief
🧡 alternate realities, what ifs, and “Sliding Doors”
🧡 a romance on the side
🧡 books that make you want to call your best friends immediately and tell them how much you love them

Overall, I was surprised by how much I connected with this one. I was very satisfied with its conclusion and the main character’s growth. I will definitely pick up more by this author!

This was a different read for me. It felt like it was part reality and part dream. It kept me reading, and I did enjoy it because it was different and made me get engaged.
I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

Okay I seriously loved this book so much! And for an adult debut??? I’m blown away.

“A hilarious and heartfelt novel about how loves and lives are never truly lost.”

This is magical realism done right. For fans of Rebecca Serle, TJR, The Seven-Year Slip, Big (the tom hanks movie lol) and a little bit of Midnight in Paris.

Gosh, this was just so good.

The way this author has woven grief, fame, unhappiness, hope, optimism, uncertainty and vulnerability into the pages of this book is absolutely incredible.

I have found a new favorite author and I can’t wait to be along for her journey now. Thank you so so much St Martins Press for sending me an arc of this book!!!

Available 06/03!!!

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the
E-ARC! Great characters & interesting concepts. Will definitely read more from this author.

I usually don`t ready much magical realism and this was a nice change compared to what I usually read. I loved the premise with it`s alternate reality and the themes it uses. This book was an emotional, healing and self-discovery journey. The story is more on the fast pace side and it hooks you in pretty quickly. The intrigue starts unfolding pretty quickly and Meg's character development happens from beginning to end. You can really see her grief tranform and the build up to the ending was perfect. I loved the lessons we learned with this story (how one choice can change everything, when something is meant to be it will happen no matter the road you take, etc.) and the emotions it brings out in you. The only thing that I had a harder time with was Meg's inner dialogue and how obsessed with was with Aimee.. It felt repetitive and got to a point it was hard to ignore/get over. It didn't feel like a "classic romance" book to me but felt more like a reflective/self discovery so don't go in this thinking you will get a full blown romance Overall I really loved the book and hope to read more by Paige in the future.

This big-hearted what if story sees Meg, a successful LA actress struggling with memories of her dead best friend and wondering what would have happened to her life if she had gone to Ireland for university instead of staying home. On a whim she books a trip there and upon arrival is met with a town and its people who live in a world where Meg did indeed go there and stay. Torn between her two lives Meg has to learn to deal with her grief and face the past. Moving and great on audio, this is perfect for fans of magical realism books and authors like Rebecca Serle. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was a wonderful surprise! I grabbed it when I saw several friends really loved it, and I can’t resist an Irish connection.

The first quarter of the book focuses on Meg Bryan/Lana Lord, a Hollywood actress who has it all, at least to the outside world. But she’s miserable, forced to fix her nose, lose 20 more pounds, and in a loveless relationship. It all hits her at her 30th birthday party, and she decides to get away for a while, booking a trip to Ireland.

Meg and her childhood best friend Aimee were supposed to attend a fantastic theater college in Ireland, but they never made it there. The small town is just what she expected, and she feels right at home. In fact, everyone there seems to know her. The face that greets Meg in the mirror looks more authentic, and she loves eating real food again. There’s a gorgeous Irish bartender (and cook!), Cillian, who loves Meg, and shockingly, Aimee is in this world, too.

At this point in the book, I just went with it and didn’t worry about things making sense. I was enjoying Irish life along with Meg and a very cute dog.

Meg has to work out why Aimee isn’t speaking to her, though and hopes a theater project will repair their friendship. Meg embraces all there is to love about this life, but she’s worried as the date of her departure flight looms. What will happen?

I loved the way Meg grew in this story, and I wasn’t sure how it would all work out. I really liked the ending, and I will definitely read more from this author!

This is a poignant and heartfelt story about finding yourself through grief. I was invested in the plot as soon as we meet Meg, she was funny and relatable. A popular and recognizable actress of a hit TV show, she was meant to be a star. After losing her best friend Aimee in a tragic accident at nineteen, through her Hollywood persona, Meg was hiding from her life instead of living it. Being transported to a world where Aimee was still alive, Meg will slowly unearth deeply buried feelings as she reconnects with an adult Aimee, but the possibility of change and acceptance may have her running back to LA.

The setting and magical realism elements were very appealing to me. Avalon sounded so dreamy and cozy. Meg went through a whiplash of emotions on her journey throughout the book. I grew to really care for her and how the plot would unfold. I loved the characters of Kiera and Cillian, the way they were able to break through her defenses and showed her what possibilities she was missing while hiding in LA.

I was moved by the conclusion of the book, it made me shed a tear or ten, it was well crafted and sentimental. The many bright and carefree memories for Meg gave me a sense of nostalgia, she also constantly thought of her dog back in LA and that was so touching.

The audiobook was performed by the author and it was very engaging. Knowing the core emotions and personalities of these characters, she really made them come to life. I loved the accents and inflections, she did a wonderful job!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies.

Wow, what a pleasant surprise! This book completely exceeded my expectations. I knew I was in for a good read when even the prologue was a page-turner! It definitely gave sliding-door vibes, which is not a trope I generally read; however, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I found the book to be very well-written - so much so that I began looking up the author’s other works just a mere three chapters in and was shocked to find out that this was her debut adult novel. Will definitely be on the lookout for more Paige Harbison books in the future.

Huge thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Part of being human is wondering, at some point in our lives, what might have been. What if we had done ___ differently? Where would we be now? In The Other Side of Now, Meg Bryan gets a chance to find out, when she unwittingly stumbles into an alternate timeline. I love a good time travel/ inter dimensional story, and this one was definitely a good one. Thoughtful and poignant, with a touch of romance and a deeper focus on friendship, I loved this book.

Author Paige Harbison also did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Paige Harbison, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have to admit this took me a little while to get into it, but once I was in it, I WAS IN IT! I loved the growth in our main character Meg and the journey she takes is on! It was a nice balance between lightheartedness and tender/emotional moments. I'd recommend this one, when it comes out!