Evie Snow is eighty-two when she quietly passes away in her sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. It's the way most people wish to leave the world but when Evie reaches the door of her own private heaven, she finds that she's become her twenty-seven-year-old self and the door won't open.
Evie's soul must be light enough to pass through so she needs to get rid of whatever is making her soul heavy. For Evie, this means unburdening herself of the three secrets that have weighed her down for over fifty years, so she must find a way to reveal them before it's too late. As Evie begins the journey of a lifetime, she learns more about life and love than she ever thought possible, and somehow , some way, she may also find her way back to her long lost love . . .
On the Other Side will transport you to a world that is impossible to forget. Powerful, magical and utterly romantic, this is a love story like no other from everyone's favourite 'big sister', Carrie Hope Fletcher.
Review: this is unlike anything I've read before and for that reason it was pure escapism. I read this book in two sittings, it could have been one if I didn't have other things to do because once you fall into this world, you won't want to get back out again! I had no idea what the book was about when I picked it up, I just knew there was a lot of hype surrounding it and I had been introduced to some of the characters through the power of YouTube and so I knew I wanted to read it. I like going into books with a completely open mind like that sometimes and I recommend to anyone that that is how they approach this book so if you want to go away and read it now before reading anymore of my review then feel free to do so...
Ok so the concept of the book is Evie Snow literally trying to get to the other side and it takes you through her memories and shows you the secrets that she has stopping her from crossing over to the other side, going to her version of heaven. This sounds like a slightly depressing concept and so that is why I said it is best to go into this book with an open mind becaue this book is not in the slightest bit depressing. It is quite the opposit in fact, more like a warm hug of a book with a lot of interest and intrigue along the way. I really liked the shift between times and it is made all the more easy to read because the different time setting have a different font and so you always knw whether you are in the past or the present.
As the book progresses, we gradually get to learn about Evie's family and Evie's great love. I really liked the way these characters were bult up, seeing them as their elder and younger selves. I really liked Evie and enjoyed joining her as the protagonist of this novel. I also really liked Jim, he was such a kind and understanding person and I totally fell in love with him mere pages into the book. One of the interesting things about the book is that we never learn where the story is actually set. There is a city but it is never names. I like the fact that this author has left us to make up our own minds about where the setting actually is, I have my own thoughts and I'm sure you'll have yours too!
I have to say that I love the cover of this book, it is beautiful with and without the dust jacket and there are all sorts of clues from the book and things that tie into the story on both covers, you find yourself flicking back and forth as you read-it really is very clever. I loved reading this book, it was truly warm and lovely. It was wonderful to switch off from the outside world and immerse myself in its pages for a good few hours! This book would make an awesome film and everyone should set aside some time and read it for themselves!
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