Wasn’t sure about this at first, but I quickly found myself falling for it. The protagonist and love-interest were very likeable, not to mention everyone else that lived in the small town. It was a fun, short read that I would have enjoyed at any time of the year, no matter what mood I was in!
Also want to add that I LOVED the relationships between the protagonist and the older members of the town - so cute!!

The Other Side is about Sadie Wills, a girl who had just experienced a breakup from her boyfriend of 3 years. Sadie wonders how things turned this way when the week before, they were both taking cute selfies together. To make matters worse they broke up the day after high school graduation, and it seems like the ex already has a new girl. Then we meet the cute guy working across the street at a flower’s shop, Eric. Feelings arise and sparks fly, but the problem is Eric’s Dad is behind the company who’s planning to demolish the old flower shop, which Sadie was planning to save, and will probably be steering customers away from the ice cream shop where she is currently working.

“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.”

First of all, this book cover is so cute. I love book covers that actually relate to the content of the actual book. From the cover alone you can probably tell that this novel is a Young Adult contemporary romance. I don’t usually reach for contemporary romances, but these days I’ve been needing my fill on cliche romances and swoon-worthy-boy-next-doors. This book gave me some of that.

It was definitely cliche. There wasn't an instant-love trope but it was weird how it was only the second time that they've met and the girl's already wondering if Eric is like her ex Paul- texting some other girl while she's sitting right next to him. Then, she's on this whole swooning fest about his "messy but perfect hair". As for the swoon-worthy-boy-next-door, it definitely was not Eric.

This is more of a personal thing, but something I don't like in books is when the character is subconsciously talking to him/herself in their head-inner speech- and the thoughts are written in italics. I find it really cringy at times, especially in this book.


46% into the book and she already thinks she loves him.

The plot was kind of all over the place and the writing style did not really work for me. At times I felt like some scenes were just fillers and the book could make do without them. Because of those fillers scenes, I found myself getting quite bored and was reluctant to continue reading. The author's writing style does not seem to be quite descriptive, and because I'm the type of reader who wants to be immersed in the book, the writing style did not appeal to me.


*spoiler* after she tells Eric that she's falling for him and he confesses too, she runs. Instead of maybe trying to move on, she runs. Sadie kept comparing Paul to Eric all throughout, so it's obvious that she's not over the breakup- but it's kind of getting annoying. The last 20% of the book was basically the falling action of the novel. After Eric and Sadie got together nothing else was happening so I didn't really see the point of the last couple of pages.

On a more positive note, I liked the friendship dynamic between Sadie and her best friend Madison. I liked that Madison was there for Sadie when she needed her and really did try to cheer her best friend up. We got to see Sadie's little sister Sophie, who is the cutest and silliest little thing, set her sister and Eric up.

I would only recommend this to very specific people. I'd recommend this to someone who is starting out with YA contemporary romances for the romance aspect and not the plot.

2 stars

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of ‘The Other Side’ by Sarah Hocut.

I really enjoyed this book and was a book I couldn't put down. It really resonated with me and I believe it will with others. Sadie is someone we can all relate to, we all have had our hearts broken one time or another and felt everything she did. I loved her turning moment and was fist pumping in the air for her.

Loved this book. Quick and easy to read, and I found myself wanting to finish it. The main character was a little of a pushover at first, but I grew to like her.

I was looking for a breezy, light read and this book did the trick. I enjoy YA books due to their easy reading quality. However, this one was definitely a REALLY young, YA book. Nevertheless the characters were likeable, as was the story line and it gave my mind a break from the twisted thrillers I usually read.

A great summer read.
It’s an ideal book to relax with
Thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

This was a cute, fluff read. Perfect for a summer beach read but not a masterpiece. The problem is that it lacked any unique quality. The writing and characters were good but I have heard it all before.

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!

I really enjoyed this it was a very cute book with lovable Characters and just makes you happy to read it

I was pleasantly surprised by The Other Side! It was such a cute story with really lovable characters. Reading this book reminded me of the books that made me fall in love with reading in the first place. It was refreshing reading a nice, clean, wholesome book. I highly recommend this one!

Following a break up that she never saw coming, Sophia focuses her attention on keeping GiGi's - the town's one stop shop for ice cream - and the former flower shop across the street open when bigger competition comes to town, threatening demolition and shut downs in its wake.

Still reeling from her break up and the uncertain future of GiGi's, Sophia meets Eric, who proves to be a nice distraction - sweet, caring; an overall nice guy - who's father just happens to be behind all of Sophia's current worries.

The Other Side is an easy, sweet, swoony read that shows how change isn't always bad and how we need to learn to focus on the possibilities that comes with new beginnings rather than the losses of what we've grown comfortable to. You might just miss out on something - or someone - pretty great!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Hocut for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I requested this book from NetGalley because I liked the cover. I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this time I'm glad I did!

I have been reading a lot of heavy books so this book was like a breath of fresh air. It was actually great to read a "clean" teen romance novel. The characters have great ethics and even though there was more of a "christian" theme to it, it wasn't preachy or anything. Just a good wholesome book!

A beautifully written book about first love, heartbreak, finding who you are, and learning what truly matters.

First of all this cover is to die for!! Next the story is just what was needed to get me looking forward to summer! I’m so sick of winter and ready for some ice cream! The romance in here was precious. Loved it!

This book was a classic romance book. I loved the story line, the concept was unique and the characters were quirky. The romance in the book was nothing new but it was really brought to life through the characters. Although I would to have read more emotion from the characters. Overall it was a nice, quick read, 4/5 ⭐️

Description
“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?

*** Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy for a review***

This is a YA book. Everyone was a nice change and easy to like. I enjoyed the book as it had no sex, vulgar words as YA are the focus of the book. Sadie was the typical girl trying to move on after the break up the day after Graduation. A good read for YA romance.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy!

I recommend checking out this well done YA Contemporary. The main character was interesting to follow and I loved the setting. I will be checking out more from this author in the future!

This one was a contemporary with a romance in it and I deeply enjoyed it.
It gave me lot of cute vibes and I read it so fast,I couldn't stop reading.
I think I will gave it 4/5 stars

Sadie and Paul have been together for three years. She thought they were happy until the night he told her “I think we should break up.” Just like that what should have been her dream summer between high school and college was ruined. Sadie can’t imagine life without her ex-boyfriend, at least until Eric shows up.
But the problem with Eric is that he just might be working with the enemy. His dad is about to run Sadie’s employer and friend out of business. How can she fall for someone who would put an established company out of business? How can she fall for someone so soon after her break-up?

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read and I liked how Sadie was able to see the differences between the two guys. What I didn’t like was the fact that she had spent three years with Paul thinking they were the perfect couple when apparently they weren’t. The relationship between Sadie and Madison (and even Adam) was very sweet.
It was a good, clean read that I’d recommend to Christian teens who want something to read for the summer.

Thanks, NetGalley for an ARC.

Sadie's just like any one who believes that they'll last a while with their boyfriend and she's heartbroken when he dumps her without a reason- simply stating that he wants them to have a break.
I like two things about this book: the cover is lovely and it does hint on what the story is about. The second thing I like about this book is that Sadie does not move on immediately, it takes her a long time to get back on track which makes this an interesting read.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.