ARC Review | The Other Side

Can I just say that this might be one of my favourite reads of the year? A summertime romance with ice-creams and rediscovering oneself.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion from Netgalley. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.

MY RATING: 5 stars 

THE BLURB:

I think we should break up.

Those six little words mean the summer after high school is not starting off the way Sadie Wills had planned. When her boyfriend of three years dumps her the day after graduation, she’s suddenly unsure of what the future will hold.

Serving up ice cream at Gigi’s Dairy Bar in downtown Abbyville proves to be a nice distraction. That is until she finds out the old house across the street, which used to be the town’s flower shop, is being torn down to put up an ice cream franchise. Convinced the new store will put Gigi’s out of business, Sadie comes up with a plan. Her newfound summer resolution? Save that house and save Gigi’s.

Complications arise when she meets Eric and serious sparks start flying. The problem? Eric’s dad owns the company responsible for demolishing the old flower shop, and Eric is working for him over the summer. Even though she tells herself not to fall for him – he’s going to help run Gigi’s out of business after all, and besides, it’s too soon after her break-up to even think about giving her heart to someone else – Eric has other plans.

Torn by the arguments between her head and her heart, Sadie becomes very good at running over the summer. Running from her past. Running from her feelings. Running from love.

As the summer wears on, Eric slowly slips more and more into her life, and Sadie eventually realizes that she can’t run forever. But can she risk giving her heart to someone else?

MY VIEWS:

Oh, gods, I loved this book. It was such a cute book and well, the writing was great too!

I love the protagonist, Sadie and could relate to her in many ways. Her boyfriend of 3 years, Paul had broken up with her and had been cheating on her but she still liked him and wanted him back. She was overwhelmed with emotions and she broke down and ended up ranting to a complete stranger – Eric.

She makes up the most improbable situations in her head and that is something I always do! She is scared to date Eric because she is afraid of getting hurt again and I completely get what she is going through. Yes, it does get frustrating at times and I just want her to run to him but it is pretty realistic.

She cares too much, loves too deeply and 50% through the book, she thinks she’s in love with Eric.

Yes, this is unrealistic in many ways but also not really. She doesn’t know much about love but she does know that she likes him – a lot.

Eric is the love interest and well, I completely fell in love with him! He patiently listens to Sadie rant. He also brings her coffee and banana bread in the ice-cream shop later. He also makes an effort with Sadie’s little sister and gets her to like him.

He likes her and so, he doesn’t give up on her. He waits for her.

Oh, god, the second that they finally kiss is so amazing! Even though I’ve been waiting for the entire book for it and the kiss is not a moment too soon.

Then, there is the entire plot related to the selling of the flower shop which was Paulette’s house in front of the ice-cream shop. I love how that is handled and how it is resolved.

Everything doesn’t end with a ‘happily ever after’ but it is very realistic and I loved it!

This book is the story of the aftermath of a teenage break up where the girl learns that there is more to life. She enjoys the summer and finds that there is more to life. We join her on an adventure of finding new love and experience great things!

Anyways, what did you all think of my post? Are you all going to read this book? Do you find it to be interesting? Tell me in the comments below. Will be waiting to hear from you all, it means a lot to me.

-Jayati xx