I remember when I had you and you had so much promise then: THE OTHER SIDE OF NOW.

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it was better than I thought it would be!!

Meg Bryan is an actress in Los Angeles; known as Lana Ford, she's melded herself for LA success, from her personality to her body. She's finally achieved the fame she's always wanted, but when she really thinks about it, she's not truly sure happiness has come with the fame. Meg escapes for a week on vacation to Ireland. There, she finds herself in a parallel life. She's Meg again--she's not famous--and her best friend, Aimee, who passed away in Lana's world--is alive and well. Her body is normal (no nose job!) and... while she's a little befuddled, she feels like she could be happy in this life.

This is a mystical look at parallel universes and how one choice can change our lives in so many ways. It's also a delicate and touching exploration of grief, delving into Meg's complex feelings about Aimee's death, both in her "real" life and in Ireland, where she feels thrilled to find Aimee alive, even if the pair were apparently fighting in that universe.

Harbison explores how seeing parts of our lives play out differently--can make us appreciate what we truly have. In Ireland, Meg has Cillian, an on-again/off-again boyfriend who runs the local pub. He's patient and adorable, and their sexual tension adds a fun element to the story.

This is a fun and different tale, and the Ireland portion of the setting is so much fun!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review.


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