I don't know why I was holding off on reading this book for so long- it was a solid 5 star read. I was immediately hooked and could not put this book down. I loved the aspect of magical realism and all of the characters. I just can't say enough how much I loved it. This is one of my top books so far this year! Thanks for the opportunity to read!

*The Other Side of Now* is a delightful and surprising read that blends self-discovery, second chances, and a touch of the supernatural. The story follows Meg Bryan, a Hollywood actress who seemingly has it all—fame, beauty, and a high-profile relationship. But on the inside, she’s struggling. A breakdown at her thirtieth birthday pushes her to take a spontaneous trip to Ireland, a place she and her best friend Aimee once dreamed of moving to before Aimee tragically died a decade ago.

Upon arrival, Meg quickly realizes something is off. The town’s residents seem to know her, but she has no memory of them. Her reflection is different, her phone is filled with pictures of a life she doesn’t recall, and the handsome bartender treats her like an ex. Most shocking of all? Aimee is alive—but their friendship is in ruins.

As Meg navigates this alternate version of her life, she’s given a rare opportunity to fix the mistakes of her past. Through an emotional and thought-provoking journey, she learns that memories are not always absolute, and the truth isn’t always what she believed. The novel’s twist is both unexpected and satisfying, leading to a heartwarming, happy ending that feels well-earned.

Harbison crafts engaging, well-developed characters, making Meg’s growth and redemption feel authentic. If you enjoy books with an imaginative premise, heartfelt relationships, and a touch of magic, *The Other Side of Now* is a great pick!

At first I had a hard time getting into it, but once I did I wanted to keep reading regardless of my obligations. This is a very emotionally charged book and the way it discusses grief feels very real. There’s also beautiful moments, both romantic and not, and the general “magic” of it enjoyable without being a fantasy or rom-com. It’s a “life” book.

this book was good! It was a unique concept, and the writing was good! I liked the emotions that this book evoked, and I liked the ways characters developed. I think the flow was good, and the pacing was great! Overall I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

What a unique story. I went in hoping for seven year slip vibes and was not disappointed! I really enjoyed Meg as a character especially as she was confronting her “other life”. I also really enjoyed the way the story resolved as it was satisfying even while everything didn’t work out “perfectly.”

Wow wow wow. This book was so good! I've really been in the mood for an original plot, "tug at your heartstrings" type of book and this one just hit the spot! This story is one of friendship, love, and vulnerability and I deeply connected with it. The writing was so beautiful and I can't stop thinking about the characters. Also I loved the Ireland setting. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book!

3.5 stars

I love parallel lives trope and sadly this one didn’t hit. I love the characters and they are lovable. But it’s hard to grasp the moral of the story. The ending felt rushed where nothing particular really matter. I know wishing for more of romance was a moot point since this is women’s fiction. But, her relationship with Cilian and Aimee is the main plot. Having no resolution to them felt like this story was written with ni ending.

Overall, this is a fun and magical read. I just wish the ending wasn’t rushed.

I really enjoyed this one! Meg was a very interesting protagonist and I found the idea of the two lives to be captivating. I liked how the author gradually revealed everything and how it felt like we were right there with Meg, wondering what was going on. Avalon and its inhabitants were so charming, particularly Kiera and Cillian. Aimee and Meg’s friendship was so beautiful and this book had me racing through the last third desperate to know what came next. A fresh, fun, emotional take on alternate dimensions and the diverging paths one’s life can take!

Initially, I was going to give this 3 Stars because it had a Hallmark vibe to it that I didn't care for, but the ending was a surprise and unexpectedly emotional. I liked that the book stayed true to its plot and remained about the power of friendship and loss and dealing with grief, and didn't get overpowered by a romance.

The ending did read like a prolonged therapy session and was quite heavy-handed in some spots, but I would absolutely recommend this for anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one; whether it be a friend or family member.

This was my first time reading anything by this author and I enjoyed it!

The Other Side of Now is a sliding doors story that showcases what life could have been if you took a different path. Meg is a famous actress on a hit TV show, but she goes back to her college decision and finds another realm where she has her best friend and the love of her life back. This book was so well done- it was sad, emotional, touching, and interesting without being trite, and the ending didn't make me roll my eyes.

Well this book was interesting… I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting but it was… unique? At times it felt like to was a love store, a finding yourself story, and a grief story, but 8 felt like it didn’t pick a real lane and kept bouncing around a bit. Overall I enjoyed it but I just didnt buy into a lot of it. 3/5 stars for being scattered.

Meg Bryan, also known as Lana Lord should be happy. She has the career she has always wanted, but she misses her best friend, Aimee. There’s nothing she can do about it, because Aimee has passed away.
The book goes into Meg and Aimee’s childhood when they are inseparable. They even applied to the same college in Ireland. The deal was if they both get accepted, they both go. And if one doesn’t get accepted, neither go. They didn’t go.
But in this magical realism, Meg gets to journey to Ireland and gets to see what if would have happened if she did go. She loves her life there, especially because Aimee is alive. They get to talk and see how their lives are like, and work together on a play. What if her life is better in Ireland than it is in real life?
This was so different than what I normally read, and I really enjoyed the main character in Ireland more than her life in LA. There was a really sweet thing that happened in the end, and I know everyone that reads it will enjoy it as much as I did. It was a surprise.
Read if you like reading about “what if”. Meg goes through a lot of realization when it comes to Aimee’s death so it is also healthy for her in getting past her loss.

A second chance to see what life might look like with one different choice. Meg finds herself at a crossroads in life and then suddenly if thrust into the alternate life she may have had from one major branching choice. I really enjoyed this story and found myself rooting from Meg. A well written and paced story, especially given the interesting plot.

Very sweet story I loved the ending and the way it all wrapped up! The supporting characters could’ve used a little more dimension.

When I received an advanced copy of The Other Side of Now, I knew nothing about this book or the author but thought the plot sounded interesting enough to give it a shot, and I am SO glad that I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how it focused on themes of friendship and grief. This book is such a sweet reminder to not take the simple things in our lives for granted, and I’d highly recommend adding it to your TBR list. Plus, this book has a black lab in it, so that earns immediate bonus stars from me🫶🏼

A huge thank-you to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the gifted ARC and opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review! This book officially comes out June 2025, and I will definitely be buying a physical copy👏🏼

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison is an outstanding story that blends magical realism, romance, and alternate reality. The main character, Lana Lord, also known as Meg Bryan, is a successful actress starring in a hit TV show and dating a hot Hollywood A-list actor. However, on her 30th birthday, she reflects on her life and impulsively decides to visit a quaint Irish village where she did not attend college.

Upon arriving in the village, Meg discovers she is in an alternate timeline where she did go to college in this quaint town. The story explores the concept of the road not taken. Meg is quickly immersed in this other life, where even her phone shows a different past, and she is deeply involved in the town's community.

I love how the author tackles the issue of alternate realities and the characters' reactions to it. The bewilderment is well handled, and the story is very hopeful and healing. I enjoyed watching Meg's growth throughout the novel. There are no over-the-top moments added just for drama; the story is compelling on its own. While the romance element is present, it feels secondary to the other action.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, and the story is filled with warmth and wit. It is bittersweet, magical, and heartwarming, focusing on finding contentment in our lives and understanding the road not traveled. I found the book entirely charming and will definitely be reading more from Paige Harbison.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

The Other Side of Now is an emotional journey through Meg’s two different lives: One as a successful actress in LA and the other in a tight-knit community of Avalon, Ireland. Her path splits when she books a trip to Ireland on her 30th birthday and ends up in an alternate timeline where everyone seems to know her, and her best friend is still alive. How can she choose between

I don’t want to give away too much since I think this story is best to jump in head-first! So, I will just say Meg’s character growth blew me away and made me reflect on my own decisions and how there are so many ways to pursue happiness.

This book truly has everything: a beautiful Irish setting, cute dogs, impactful friendships, and every emotion felt.

PSA: have tissues ready while reading!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Meg Bryan is a famous actress know as Lana Lord. She's the star of a famous TV show, Brilliance, and lives with Grayson, one of the rising stars of the Marvels license. But as she celebrates her thirtiest birthday, she realizes that everything around her is fake (including herself, having her nose re-done...)
So, on a whim, she decides to buy tickets to Ireland, to visit Avalon, this one city she was supposed to go to study with her best friend.
And as soon as she sets foot on Avalon, she begins to live on a parallel life. A life where she is not famous, where she has friends and a lover, a life that sound more fulfilling.

This books is a lot about self-reflection, about the choices you make and how it affects your life, about how to be happy even with the smallest things. And above all, this book is about friendship and forgiveness. It is fun, and reflective, and a little bit sad too, but it is good !

Wow - this is a book I'll be thinking about for a long time, I can already tell. It earns a well deserved 5 stars and I'm adding it to my Favorites shelf...and it won't surprise me if it remains my favorite book of the year at the end of December. As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it, and it was even better than I'd hoped.

What specifically did I love about it? So many things, but let me tell you a few (ok, several!): excellent writing, a beautiful setting that I could picture so clearly I felt like I was there, characters that felt like real people and whom I fell in love with, good dialogue, humor, tears, friendship, family, ups and downs, surprises, paths not taken, what ifs, alternate lives, choices, dogs, and so much more. I didn't want to put it down, truly, and even more so didn't want it to end. It would make such a good movie!

It's an understatement to say I loved The Other Side of Now, and if any of those themes I mentioned appeal to you, or if you just enjoy a good story, you must add it to your list. It's slated for release this June, and I highly recommend it. A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved. The characters are relatable and had me cracking up. There were also some heavy topics beautifully handled that I wasn’t expecting but loved