“You must remember that life on that side of the mirror is not real. The mirror can be a useful tool to show you the way to become who you have wanted to be”

“Across Both Sides of the Mirror” is a novel that engages, with a very well elaborated idea. At first the narrative effectively portrays Nova's daily routine, her interactions with co-workers, and her inner thoughts and desires. That monotonous life that she has, the internal struggle that she has and the realization that she has let life go by without pursuing her passions. But everything will change when she finds a mirror with a unique energy that takes her to another reality, and Nova sees the mirror as an opportunity to transform her life.

The author knew excellently portrays Nova's emotional journey. Personally, I felt very identified and connected with Nova in many parts. Bianca Pensy delves into the concept of self-improvement and the dangers of becoming overly reliant on a fantastical escape. And the consequences of Nova's decision to continue using the mirror, and how it will impact her relationships with the people she loves the most. The character development of her through the pages was one of my favorite things.

The dialogue between the characters feels very connected and real, offering moments of both humor and vulnerability.

It's amazing how it unfolds. In addition to its touches of drama and romance, the book also explores themes of forgiveness, self-acceptance, the power of friendship, the prospect of a new beginning, the importance of personal connections, self-discovery, and embracing uncertainty in shaping one's journey, it is a novel that at the end leaves the reader with a feeling of hope and empowerment that teaches us to discover the unexpected in life and take risks. I totally enjoyed it from start to finish.

“Across Both Sides of the Mirror" is a wonderful novel exploring the dichotomy of life experienced by all of us – the reality we live in and the potential life in the realm of our dreams through the use of the enchanted mirror Nova purchases at the beginning of the book. The author did a great job exploring self-improvement, self-realization, forgiveness, processing trauma, and the danger of giving up and using the pleasures of life (the mirror in this instance) as a means for avoidance and escape.

We follow Nova as she navigates life with her lackluster job, lonely home life, and hefty dose of unhappiness and lack of satisfaction with her current state. After purchasing a new mirror from the local thrift store, things get a little weird. The mirror is a portal to an alternate reality where you become the person you most desire to be.

I really enjoyed the back and forth between reality and the magical realm of the mirror, it was interesting to read how each different world panned out in the same situations. I really identified with Nova’s internal struggles and lackluster feelings about her current state of life. Her introspection and character development by the end was great to follow throughout the novel, and I also really enjoyed the dialogue, both internal and external between the characters. There was a rawness and vulnerability to it that captured the conversations we have throughout everyday life when things aren’t always going as we want them to.

I couldn’t put this book down, and read it in 2 sittings! When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about what what going to happen next, and felt extremely invested in the character development of Nova. It left me with a fresh look at my own life and gave me the opportunity to have an alternate perspective on how I navigate life. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to other readers.