Who among us hasn’t considered what our lives might have been like if we’d chosen a different path for ourselves? I love a good “what if” story, so when I heard the premise of The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison, I knew I wanted to read it. This novel takes readers on a magical journey with Meg Bryan, an actress who uses the stage name Lana Lord because she’s heard the reference to the When Harry Met Sally actress a few too many times. Frustrated by the fake Hollywood life she’s been living, Meg reflects upon the past and decides on a whim to leave behind a houseful of party guests (nevermind that she’s the guest of honor!) and head to the airport to visit Ireland where she had once dreamed of attending college.
Things go from strange to downright spooky when she arrives and no one recognizes her for the famous actress she is. Instead they call her by her given name and act like they’ve known her for years. Confusion leads to a lightbulb moment in which Meg recalls something she was told as a teenager when she and her best friend, Aimee, visited a fortune teller. In Meg’s “real life,” something happened and Aimee died, yet here in this tiny town of Avalon, Aimee is not only alive but no longer is talking to her high school best friend. Determined to make the most of this new life, Meg works to right the wrongs, appreciate the little things, and figure out what she really wants in life.The Other Side of Now had me laughing out loud at the loveable and quirky Kiera and Cillian as they tried to figure out what was going on with the Meg they remembered. Also, many sad moments had me on the verge of tears. While there is some romance, this novel is primarily a story of self-discovery and friendship.
The Other Side of Now is for fans of Freaky Friday, Groundhog Day, and Marvel’s Multiverse who will appreciate this unique and touching story. It was particularly enjoyable to listen to the audiobook narration (as I did for half of it), performed by the author. If you’re looking to go on an adventure and you’re willing to suspend belief for this “time loop” tale, The Other Side of Now is a quick read that may provide just the escape you need.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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