The Other Side of Now
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!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital review copy. All thoughts are my own.
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This book contains one lightly descriptive open door scene.
This book is available through Book of the Month Club. Join with my referral link, and get your first monthly selection for $5. Then add this one to your box for $11.99.
