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The Other Side
Decision time. Left or right? Mr X, or Mr Z?
Imagine being able to find out what would happen if you chose the other path...
Would you make the same decision?
...and, if you could, would you go back and change all the mistakes you've ever made in the name of love?
"The Other Side" tells of four lives, all so different.
Glamorous Katya is certain she can ‘have it all’, but forgets that some people have long memories...
Cathy is trapped in a tedious marriage with the in-laws from hell – but why did the rock-chick marry Mr Pipe and Slippers?
Alexa fears that a ‘friend’ is trying to steal away her perfect life – everyone dismisses her fears as paranoia...
...while Sandie struggles with a drink problem, a life spiralling downwards – which came first, the drink or the problems?
Four very different stories – but they are all connected.
"The Other Side" travels backwards through time to unravel the decisions of the past and their influence on the present lives of everyone concerned - for better or for worse.
Imagine being able to find out what would happen if you chose the other path...
Would you make the same decision?
...and, if you could, would you go back and change all the mistakes you've ever made in the name of love?
"The Other Side" tells of four lives, all so different.
Glamorous Katya is certain she can ‘have it all’, but forgets that some people have long memories...
Cathy is trapped in a tedious marriage with the in-laws from hell – but why did the rock-chick marry Mr Pipe and Slippers?
Alexa fears that a ‘friend’ is trying to steal away her perfect life – everyone dismisses her fears as paranoia...
...while Sandie struggles with a drink problem, a life spiralling downwards – which came first, the drink or the problems?
Four very different stories – but they are all connected.
"The Other Side" travels backwards through time to unravel the decisions of the past and their influence on the present lives of everyone concerned - for better or for worse.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2012
9 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Terry Tyler
34 books584 followersI am self-published with thirty books on Amazon. Most recently I've published the first two books in my Revenge series, Served Cold and So Shall Ye Reap. More to come!
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 29, 2012
Well.To say that this book was a surprise to me is a massive understatement. In all honesty I almost never read this genre of book and rarely read female authors, (Anne Rice and Herper Lee aside..)a shite state of affairs I know. In this case though, I pulled on my big-boy pants and indulged my feminine side a wee bit for two reasons.
Firstly, I have the odd tweet and FB chat with Terry and she's braw. Secondly, I liked the Sliding Doors/alternate reality/ mess about with time feel the blurb conveyed (I'm a sucker for stories with what ifs and weird running order).
With The Other Side I got way more than I had expected. Well fleshed-out characters who properly developed (in reverse?) as their stories were revealed and inter-woven at the skill-full hands of Terry. How she kept this story straight in her head whilst producing it is testament to her creativity, her patience and her logistic talents.
Each character was believable and engaging for me, which I find isn't always the case for many authors who can barrel through pre-set story markers and forget to realistically describe how their characters change from state A to state B.
Off the back off Terry's book I'll be exploring more of her back catalogue and will welcome the new books at my disposal now I've broken through the "female authors don't entertain me" mental block.
Simply; if you like clever, flowing, funny and very human story-telling, in any genre this book will surprise and entertain you as it did me. Give it a go.
Firstly, I have the odd tweet and FB chat with Terry and she's braw. Secondly, I liked the Sliding Doors/alternate reality/ mess about with time feel the blurb conveyed (I'm a sucker for stories with what ifs and weird running order).
With The Other Side I got way more than I had expected. Well fleshed-out characters who properly developed (in reverse?) as their stories were revealed and inter-woven at the skill-full hands of Terry. How she kept this story straight in her head whilst producing it is testament to her creativity, her patience and her logistic talents.
Each character was believable and engaging for me, which I find isn't always the case for many authors who can barrel through pre-set story markers and forget to realistically describe how their characters change from state A to state B.
Off the back off Terry's book I'll be exploring more of her back catalogue and will welcome the new books at my disposal now I've broken through the "female authors don't entertain me" mental block.
Simply; if you like clever, flowing, funny and very human story-telling, in any genre this book will surprise and entertain you as it did me. Give it a go.
May 27, 2012
A must read, esp if you like Terry's other books!!!
I have just this second finished this book. Normally on my reviews I dont like to go too much into the story because I don't like to give the story away. So here's a whole new review from me but one I feel is needed.
This story is in parts, A tale of initially 4 different people....Part 1 was okay....got me into it enough I wanted to carry on reading.....Part 2 threw me a little, because it goes back in time, But by the time to come to the end of part 2 things do begin to click into place. Then you come to Part 3, which went back further, but by part 3 I didn't allow it to confuse me, because this is the style the book is written. I decided to go with the flow ;)
I wont give the story away here by saying what parts 3, 4 & 5 are about because I hate it when someone gives the storyline away in a review.
So I wont.
On to part 5, I admit I was confused, but told myself not to let it bother me, because I was so near the end - it would I hoped! become clear in the end.....& it did.
And I will finish by saying ... it ALL became clear & much less confusing on the very last page.
& I would recommend it to anyone who likes Terry's other books.
Thanks for letting me know it was out to download, can't wait for the next <3
I have just this second finished this book. Normally on my reviews I dont like to go too much into the story because I don't like to give the story away. So here's a whole new review from me but one I feel is needed.
This story is in parts, A tale of initially 4 different people....Part 1 was okay....got me into it enough I wanted to carry on reading.....Part 2 threw me a little, because it goes back in time, But by the time to come to the end of part 2 things do begin to click into place. Then you come to Part 3, which went back further, but by part 3 I didn't allow it to confuse me, because this is the style the book is written. I decided to go with the flow ;)
I wont give the story away here by saying what parts 3, 4 & 5 are about because I hate it when someone gives the storyline away in a review.
So I wont.
On to part 5, I admit I was confused, but told myself not to let it bother me, because I was so near the end - it would I hoped! become clear in the end.....& it did.
And I will finish by saying ... it ALL became clear & much less confusing on the very last page.
& I would recommend it to anyone who likes Terry's other books.
Thanks for letting me know it was out to download, can't wait for the next <3
June 20, 2012
I was unsure about this book before I started reading (thought it might be a bit chick-lit ish) but I'm glad I tried it, as I enjoyed it greatly.
The story starts with four different characters (Katya, Cathy, Alexa and Sandy) each having a chapter which sets out where they are in their life now and the choices and repercussions that have led them to this point. The following chapters then go backwards through the timeline of their lives to life changing decisions.
This is a story of 'what if' - what if you'd treated this person differently, what if you'd gone left instead of right etc - and works really well. All the characters were believable (so much so that I really felt like banging their heads together at times) and all their seperate stories are different enough that you don't forget who is who). A very clever story indeed and well told.
It is not just a story for ladies, it is a story for all - so, ladies, pass it on to the man in your life when you've finished it.
The story starts with four different characters (Katya, Cathy, Alexa and Sandy) each having a chapter which sets out where they are in their life now and the choices and repercussions that have led them to this point. The following chapters then go backwards through the timeline of their lives to life changing decisions.
This is a story of 'what if' - what if you'd treated this person differently, what if you'd gone left instead of right etc - and works really well. All the characters were believable (so much so that I really felt like banging their heads together at times) and all their seperate stories are different enough that you don't forget who is who). A very clever story indeed and well told.
It is not just a story for ladies, it is a story for all - so, ladies, pass it on to the man in your life when you've finished it.
November 2, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, because it's 4 individual stories about women with very different experiences, and I could identify with a lot of them. As it followed their stories back in time, it made me want to see how they got to where they were - wasn't expecting the twist, altho I guessed from the blurb there was going to be one. Thought I'd guessed it near the end, but I hadn't, the last chapter gave me goosebumps!
May 29, 2012
I've read Terry Tyler's other 2 books and was looking forward to the new one. I'm sure we've all thought at some point in our lives, what would have happened if things had turned out differently. I would recommend trying to digest this book in a couple of sittings, rather than dipping into for 5 mins per day, as it is quite complex and you would risk getting lost otherwise. Not that devouring it in one or a few sittings should be any problem. As soon as I was able to do that, I was hooked and remembered who all the characters were and when and where. The book delves into the past quite a bit, so you need to engage your brain to follow! The characters are superbly written. I loathed Katja with a vengeance and couldn't find a single redeeming feature. I alternately felt sorry and then wanted to give a stern talking to Cathy. I empathised with Alexa and wished Sandie had had someone close to help her. The Other Side addresses the issues of alcoholism, vanity, selfishness,drudgery, insecurity among others. And I loved the book, but couldn't quite decide if I still preferred Nobody's Fault, the first book I had read of Terry Tyler's...until I reached the last third of the book..I eventually worked out one part of the mystery, but not until it was unveiled to me and I thought all the twists and turns had already been answered, was the even bigger twist revealed. I couldn't help feeling the whole thing was karma. For the ending alone, I have to give it the thumbs up.
December 9, 2012
Sliding Doors has always been my favorite film not for the acting but for the message it leaves you. This tops it!! Come on Hollywood get this one to the screenwriters. An amazing book if there ever was!!
September 7, 2012
This was a very cleverly written story and an absolutely fantastic read. I like stories that keep me guessing - this one had my mind in knots and the ending was a totally unexpected twist. A really extraordinary piece of writing, which had me downloading more of Terry's books onto my Kindle.
July 9, 2012
Just finished reading The Other Side by Terry Tyler - this book kept me hanging on til the very end. I hadn't read any reviews beforehand, only read the book because I had read another by the same auther & enjoyed it very much, so I had no idea what the story was about. Right from the begining I began to piece together parts of the story in my head, I had worked out that there was a link between the various characters, that they were all around the same age & had grown up in the same area but I hadn't quite worked out what the link was until it was explained near the end of the book. It was one of those books where I kept having to go back a few chapters to double check something, I gues some readers might have a better memory than me & remember all those tiny little hidden details that link the whole story together at the end. Very, very clever. Would definitely recommened it. Although maybe it should come with a warning - if you aren't entirely happy with either your relationship or your life at present maybe this isn't the best book for you as maybe it might make you stop & think. Who knows how different all our lives could be?
August 26, 2012
This is a book that really needs to be read in a small a number of goes as possible. That's not because its complex, but it helps with the understanding of the characters. Working backwards over a number of years, it only gradually emerges how the story runs. And when you do realise what's going on, it takes to the end to realise you didn't! I'm not going to explain further, but it will be clear when you finish the book...
There's a level of detail that surrounds the characters that really adds to the story. The people in it are well described as well, and you can feel them as they go through the various travails of their lives.
I really enjoyed this - try it for yourselves...
There's a level of detail that surrounds the characters that really adds to the story. The people in it are well described as well, and you can feel them as they go through the various travails of their lives.
I really enjoyed this - try it for yourselves...
January 9, 2013
FREAKING GREAT BOOK!
Saw the 20+ FIVE STAR Reviews on Amazon US & UK, and what the book was about, and I was sold! This is an extremely clever written book. Completely unpredictable, you cannot put it down as you want to see how it ends. I read it in one sitting, it was that great! You think it is going one way, then BAM! you cannot believe what happens. Very original book that stays with you and makes you really think. I am now a huge fan of Terry Tyler and am presently reading my way through her other books. I strongly recommend this book!
Saw the 20+ FIVE STAR Reviews on Amazon US & UK, and what the book was about, and I was sold! This is an extremely clever written book. Completely unpredictable, you cannot put it down as you want to see how it ends. I read it in one sitting, it was that great! You think it is going one way, then BAM! you cannot believe what happens. Very original book that stays with you and makes you really think. I am now a huge fan of Terry Tyler and am presently reading my way through her other books. I strongly recommend this book!
August 27, 2012
Was going to keep this for a holiday read but after reading Terry Tyler's other two books I couldn't wait ! Read this within a few days as just couldn't put it down, a very cleverly written book, it had me presuming and guessing right up until the last chapter when then all was revealed. A great read and I am looking forward to Terry's book 4 being published :-)
February 6, 2014
Still Thinking....
I finished this novel a few hours ago and I'm still thinking. While I am of the male species and usually would not read this type of book, I am glad I did. There is a basic truth that is taught as you read The Other Side. I won't tell you what it is but I will say that you will enjoy the journey. I love the novel. Highly recommended.
I finished this novel a few hours ago and I'm still thinking. While I am of the male species and usually would not read this type of book, I am glad I did. There is a basic truth that is taught as you read The Other Side. I won't tell you what it is but I will say that you will enjoy the journey. I love the novel. Highly recommended.
August 26, 2012
Loved it. couldnt put it down. Love the ending, so clever.
October 25, 2012
Completely fantastic. I finished this book and loved it. Keep you guessing and at the end, you really do come away asking "what if".
June 23, 2014
First of all, want to say I love Terry Tyler. I downloaded this some time ago but didn't get around to reading it until now (I blame this on my irrational habit of saving the books I know will be good and trying out the ones that appeal to me less first (why, I have no idea. I am consciously forcing myself to read the good ones first at the moment!). Anyhow, due to the amount of time between downloading and reading, I had no idea what this book would actually be about and I thought it would be a standard story, probably with the darker themes mixed in which makes Terry's characters so readable and convincing.
It pains me to say this, but I had conflicting opinions on this book initially. The first issue I had was that it runs backwards in time. With 4 main characters, I found that difficult to keep straight. (And that one is on me, I really have a shocking attention span). I enjoyed all four of the stories, and I liked all of the characters, but by the time I got to the next segment with another huge dip back in time I found I was quite confused.
When I got to the very end to the big reveal, I was honestly like wtf?! Again, because I hadn't had a clue what the story was about and had taken it at face value.
I went back and reread some bits, and with that I started to appreciate how clever and well written this book actually is.
I liked all the characters. I think Sandie is the one that stuck with me the most - what a sad existence she had. Katya I felt sorry for. It's easy to pass her off as superficial, but I actually think she was terribly insecure. I cringed all the way through reading about Cathy's Inlaws. Bloody hell.
I think I would actually like to reread this - I think understanding what is actually happening, I would enjoy it more (not to say I did not enjoy it, I really did, I was just quite confused!!).
Writing quality is excellent. As always, I wonder why Terry is not traditionally published. She definitely deserves a wider audience and is better than a kindle freebie/cheapie.
It pains me to say this, but I had conflicting opinions on this book initially. The first issue I had was that it runs backwards in time. With 4 main characters, I found that difficult to keep straight. (And that one is on me, I really have a shocking attention span). I enjoyed all four of the stories, and I liked all of the characters, but by the time I got to the next segment with another huge dip back in time I found I was quite confused.
When I got to the very end to the big reveal, I was honestly like wtf?! Again, because I hadn't had a clue what the story was about and had taken it at face value.
I went back and reread some bits, and with that I started to appreciate how clever and well written this book actually is.
I liked all the characters. I think Sandie is the one that stuck with me the most - what a sad existence she had. Katya I felt sorry for. It's easy to pass her off as superficial, but I actually think she was terribly insecure. I cringed all the way through reading about Cathy's Inlaws. Bloody hell.
I think I would actually like to reread this - I think understanding what is actually happening, I would enjoy it more (not to say I did not enjoy it, I really did, I was just quite confused!!).
Writing quality is excellent. As always, I wonder why Terry is not traditionally published. She definitely deserves a wider audience and is better than a kindle freebie/cheapie.
September 30, 2014
If you’re looking for something completely different and intriguing, with a unique and quite complex structure, and shot through with humour this could be the book for you. The story is very cleverly told from the present, going backwards over time, from four very diverse perspectives, showing how decisions taken and choices made can affect the outcome and shape the course of the future. And how different that future could be with one single change of direction.
Katya is a very successful business woman with a very large ego and no permanent man in her life. Years ago she and her friend, Maggie, had discussed ‘The Plan’ they devised for their lives. Katya’s didn’t include anyone less successful, less motivated or less monied than herself.
Cathy is trapped in a dull and boring marriage, with a controlling husband and his very intrusive family. Then she meets someone from her past.
Alexa is living the dream, running a cafe in the picturesque Fort Angus in Scotland. Until Janey arrived.
Sandie has a serious problem with alcohol. Filled with the hopelessness of her life and situation, in a relationship she doesn’t really want, she feels completely lost and superfluous. Then it was crunch time. It was time to stop trying to please everyone else and get her life back.
The portrayal of the women, the completely contrasting experiences and the realistic lifestyle issues are compellingly written.
Entirely unpredictable, this story is a fascinating journey of supposition. How would a life unfold if particular choices were made differently and how would it impact on other people? Would that life be better? Or worse? And how would that person ever know how things might have turned out if they had grabbed an opportunity when it was offered, or not made that inopportune decision at that precise time. I could never have guessed the very satisfactory conclusion. An extremely entertaining story and one that makes you think.
Katya is a very successful business woman with a very large ego and no permanent man in her life. Years ago she and her friend, Maggie, had discussed ‘The Plan’ they devised for their lives. Katya’s didn’t include anyone less successful, less motivated or less monied than herself.
Cathy is trapped in a dull and boring marriage, with a controlling husband and his very intrusive family. Then she meets someone from her past.
Alexa is living the dream, running a cafe in the picturesque Fort Angus in Scotland. Until Janey arrived.
Sandie has a serious problem with alcohol. Filled with the hopelessness of her life and situation, in a relationship she doesn’t really want, she feels completely lost and superfluous. Then it was crunch time. It was time to stop trying to please everyone else and get her life back.
The portrayal of the women, the completely contrasting experiences and the realistic lifestyle issues are compellingly written.
Entirely unpredictable, this story is a fascinating journey of supposition. How would a life unfold if particular choices were made differently and how would it impact on other people? Would that life be better? Or worse? And how would that person ever know how things might have turned out if they had grabbed an opportunity when it was offered, or not made that inopportune decision at that precise time. I could never have guessed the very satisfactory conclusion. An extremely entertaining story and one that makes you think.
April 11, 2013
I was lucky enough to win this eBook from a giveaway on Sooz’s Journal. After reading and enjoying You Wish by the same author I was looking forward to starting.
The characters involved in this story all had issues that were troubling them, their lives had taken a wrong turn at some point and as I was taken back in time (something I loved because it was very different) I was able to piece everything together. It highlighted the choices people make and how those choices can affect the rest of their lives – I found it fascinating to think back on some of my own choices and imagine how different my life might be if I had taken a different path. I’m pretty sure everyone has thought about this at some point in their life.
There were times when I found it difficult to remember who was who because there was so much going on – concentration was definitely needed whilst reading this book.
An interesting twist came along later in the story which made me think back to everything I had already read and look at it all from a whole new perspective, this was great because I really hadn’t expected it!
The author tackled real life issues with ease, I think most people would be able to relate to someone or something in this story and that is what made it so interesting. The epilogue was fantastic because it wrapped everything up beautifully and I finished the book with a smile.
This was a clever book that really got me thinking, another enjoyable read from Terry Tyler.
The characters involved in this story all had issues that were troubling them, their lives had taken a wrong turn at some point and as I was taken back in time (something I loved because it was very different) I was able to piece everything together. It highlighted the choices people make and how those choices can affect the rest of their lives – I found it fascinating to think back on some of my own choices and imagine how different my life might be if I had taken a different path. I’m pretty sure everyone has thought about this at some point in their life.
There were times when I found it difficult to remember who was who because there was so much going on – concentration was definitely needed whilst reading this book.
An interesting twist came along later in the story which made me think back to everything I had already read and look at it all from a whole new perspective, this was great because I really hadn’t expected it!
The author tackled real life issues with ease, I think most people would be able to relate to someone or something in this story and that is what made it so interesting. The epilogue was fantastic because it wrapped everything up beautifully and I finished the book with a smile.
This was a clever book that really got me thinking, another enjoyable read from Terry Tyler.
February 12, 2014
This is the cleverest plot of anything I’ve read since ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’. It is told backwards!
The story opens with cameos of four apparently unconnected women – Katya, successful, glamorous and utterly self-centred, who has given up all her chances of love in order to succeed – Cathy, who married a nice, safe man but is slowly going insane with the tedium of her dull marriage and interfering in-laws – Alexa, who is very happily married and in love with her husband but whose happiness is threatened by a scheming woman – and Sandie whose life has sunk into the grey misery of drug addiction.
Go back a few years . . .
We meet the four women earlier and find out what the decisions were that put them on the path to their eventual fates.
Go back again . . .
See what I mean?
I wasn’t sure at all about this book when I started reading it. I couldn’t see where it was leading and, although I guessed there must be a connection between the women, initially I couldn’t see what it was. But I had read Terry Tyler before and I trusted her to give me a good read. By half way through I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to see whether my suspicions about the connection would prove correct.
Wow! What a dénouement! I’m telling you no more. Just trust me. Buy it and have one of the most gripping reads of your life.
The story opens with cameos of four apparently unconnected women – Katya, successful, glamorous and utterly self-centred, who has given up all her chances of love in order to succeed – Cathy, who married a nice, safe man but is slowly going insane with the tedium of her dull marriage and interfering in-laws – Alexa, who is very happily married and in love with her husband but whose happiness is threatened by a scheming woman – and Sandie whose life has sunk into the grey misery of drug addiction.
Go back a few years . . .
We meet the four women earlier and find out what the decisions were that put them on the path to their eventual fates.
Go back again . . .
See what I mean?
I wasn’t sure at all about this book when I started reading it. I couldn’t see where it was leading and, although I guessed there must be a connection between the women, initially I couldn’t see what it was. But I had read Terry Tyler before and I trusted her to give me a good read. By half way through I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to see whether my suspicions about the connection would prove correct.
Wow! What a dénouement! I’m telling you no more. Just trust me. Buy it and have one of the most gripping reads of your life.
June 3, 2013
Brilliant! This is an absolutely superb novel that completely surprised me. Just when I was beginning to think it was going to be another book about four different women and what their lives could have been like if they'd only done something differently when they were young (which is a nice idea for a novel, but not an awe-inspiring one) the author put a spin on it which totally changed everything.
Having read You Wish... by this author, I knew that she is a very talented writer, and was looking forward to reading more of her books. This book has left me wondering why Terry Tyler hasn't been snapped up by one of the major publishing companies.
'The Other Side' will entertain you, but more importantly, it will make you think. So much of our time is spent comparing ourselves with others and cursing our luck. This book drives home a very important point about life. I don't want to give too much away, so I will leave it at that. I think everyone would enjoy this book. It's full of believable characters, and everyone will be able to relate to at least one of the characters. This book isn't as funny as 'You Wish', but it is just as entertaining and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
Having read You Wish... by this author, I knew that she is a very talented writer, and was looking forward to reading more of her books. This book has left me wondering why Terry Tyler hasn't been snapped up by one of the major publishing companies.
'The Other Side' will entertain you, but more importantly, it will make you think. So much of our time is spent comparing ourselves with others and cursing our luck. This book drives home a very important point about life. I don't want to give too much away, so I will leave it at that. I think everyone would enjoy this book. It's full of believable characters, and everyone will be able to relate to at least one of the characters. This book isn't as funny as 'You Wish', but it is just as entertaining and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
July 17, 2013
This is an excellent lively read, with lots of lovable characters.
It poses the fascinating question, 'Have you ever wondered what might happen to you if you’d made one different decision in the past?' If you’d met another person to marry, if you’d been brave enough to make a career decision you never made, or if you’d given something up just to follow your dream. But you can only analyse what happened in your life by looking back on it and comparing and guessing ‘what might have been if only... But what if you could look forward and see what might be, instead?
This is a book about choices, alternatives and parallel lives. Smart sophisticated and sexy Katya, successful businesswoman who has everything she could possibly want except a satisfying relationship. Then meet Cathy, trapped in a marriage to a ghastly control freak. Alexa, happily married, breaking free and starting a cafe in Scotland, getting away from the south of England. And alcoholic desperate Sandy.
The plot is fiendishly clever, and I won’t give the story away here, except to say, that, as with all of Terry Tyler’s books it’s an easy-to-read, highly accessible novel, with a lovely fluid style, with plenty of characters you can like.
All in all, it’s a jolly good read.
It poses the fascinating question, 'Have you ever wondered what might happen to you if you’d made one different decision in the past?' If you’d met another person to marry, if you’d been brave enough to make a career decision you never made, or if you’d given something up just to follow your dream. But you can only analyse what happened in your life by looking back on it and comparing and guessing ‘what might have been if only... But what if you could look forward and see what might be, instead?
This is a book about choices, alternatives and parallel lives. Smart sophisticated and sexy Katya, successful businesswoman who has everything she could possibly want except a satisfying relationship. Then meet Cathy, trapped in a marriage to a ghastly control freak. Alexa, happily married, breaking free and starting a cafe in Scotland, getting away from the south of England. And alcoholic desperate Sandy.
The plot is fiendishly clever, and I won’t give the story away here, except to say, that, as with all of Terry Tyler’s books it’s an easy-to-read, highly accessible novel, with a lovely fluid style, with plenty of characters you can like.
All in all, it’s a jolly good read.
August 1, 2012
Interesting book that uses an unusual technique to tell the story of four very different women. The book opens in the present - Katya is manager of an exclusive Gift shop and wot settle for second best whatever the cost; Cathy is tired of being judged by the in laws from hell; Alexa is worried that a "friend" is after her husband; and Sandie is disappearing into an alcoholic hole.
We then see the women a few years earlier, and a few years earlier, and a few years earlier, and start to understand more about their lives and the decisions they've made.
The book has a "what if" element about it - what if I'd done this instead of that?
I admit I found the structure confusing for a long while - I kept forgetting who was who and mixing people up (you'll understand when you read it!) and I did wonder why this particular "backwards" structure had been used - but towards the end you realise there really was no other way to do it, and it all makes sense eventually!
An interesting book with good strong characters and a satisfying ending - though I did find myself wanting to know how everyone's story ended!
We then see the women a few years earlier, and a few years earlier, and a few years earlier, and start to understand more about their lives and the decisions they've made.
The book has a "what if" element about it - what if I'd done this instead of that?
I admit I found the structure confusing for a long while - I kept forgetting who was who and mixing people up (you'll understand when you read it!) and I did wonder why this particular "backwards" structure had been used - but towards the end you realise there really was no other way to do it, and it all makes sense eventually!
An interesting book with good strong characters and a satisfying ending - though I did find myself wanting to know how everyone's story ended!
March 3, 2013
I enjoyed this book very much. The reverse timeline in which it was written was a creative way of approaching the idea of all the "what ifs" we have in life, and must have required a huge amount of planning on the part of the author. I must admit, I did have trouble following sometimes due to this unique approach, and had to stop and remind myself what timeline I was in. I think if I were reading it in print instead of an e-version, I would have been flipping back through the pages from time to time to help me out with that. That is my only negative about the book. The characters were very engaging and relatable; I felt like I knew them and I loved how everything came together in the end. I know this is pretty vague, but if I went into any more detail, it would give away the twist. I would definitely read more from this author.
August 16, 2013
I am really enjoying Terry Tyler's THE OTHERSIDE. A look into multiple characters that reflect back on their life and "What ifs?" Found it on Amazon. One my my Twitter friends. Reading on my Kindle App on my phone.
***This book had a fresh approach in showing the latter part of life first through different women with different lives. I found myself attached to some characters more than others & wanting to find out what happened first for them.
Reading with sharp dialogue, the characters felt real as so did their circumstances.
I downloaded on my phone and enjoyed reading Terry Tyler for the first time. I will def. read her other books, too.
***This book had a fresh approach in showing the latter part of life first through different women with different lives. I found myself attached to some characters more than others & wanting to find out what happened first for them.
Reading with sharp dialogue, the characters felt real as so did their circumstances.
I downloaded on my phone and enjoyed reading Terry Tyler for the first time. I will def. read her other books, too.
June 3, 2014
This is not an easy chick-lit read. It is thought-provoking, intense, and has more twists and turns than any roller coaster I have ever been on.
As I read, I was constantly having to remind myself what had happened before, whilst asking a million questions. I even woke up this morning thinking, "What IS going to happen now?" Some parts to the 'what ifs' make for harrowing reading... But, without revealing anything, let me just say that the ending was GREAT! It left me smiling.
I loved it, and would recommend to to readers who like to read about real relationships, the ups & downs of trying to please, coming of age angst, and the importance of friendship...
As I read, I was constantly having to remind myself what had happened before, whilst asking a million questions. I even woke up this morning thinking, "What IS going to happen now?" Some parts to the 'what ifs' make for harrowing reading... But, without revealing anything, let me just say that the ending was GREAT! It left me smiling.
I loved it, and would recommend to to readers who like to read about real relationships, the ups & downs of trying to please, coming of age angst, and the importance of friendship...
April 29, 2013
Four women, the choices that paved their lives and that intriguing what-could-have-been. That other undiscovered path is one topic that fascinates me and that was why I chose The Other Side as my first Terry Tyler book. And I must say it did not disappoint. The characters are well-portrayed and easy to identify with, and the story is smooth, thought-provoking and unpredictable. But apparently I’m not the only one to think that it’s a highly entertaining read...the five stars The Other Side has already bagged is a living proof of that.
May 8, 2013
This book has an intriguing structure, from day one backward. And then there's the twist. No spoilers but it is mind-blowing! Tyler has a natural storyteller's voice. Reading her books is like talking to a friend.
May 21, 2013
This was the first Terry Tyler novel I've read. It confused the hell out of me, but I love the style of writing and good characters, only put it down to do essential things like sleep and going to bloody work!
June 12, 2013
A very unusual book - and it works! I liked it very much. The only criticism I have is that I really had to concentrate to keep all the characters straight in my mind, as you follow them back in time. I guarantee you've never read anything like it, and it will keep your interest to the end.
January 18, 2013
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
October 27, 2016
The consequences of the choices made in life and the paths taken make for a gripping and entertaining read. The structure of this novel is very clever – we begin at the end, discovering the consequences of those choices, and are then taken gradually back through time to find out what the situations and circumstances were that made those choices happen. It’s an unusual idea and in other hands could be confusing and complicated to read, but Terry Tyler is too skilful a story teller for that to happen.
The characterisation here is brilliantly done. The women are believable and, while you do find yourself sometimes wanting to shake them, their motives become clear as the story unfolds and there are plenty of moments when you think to yourself – ‘Ah, so that’s why she did that’. Their actions and reactions are authentic and you’re left wondering just how much our destiny is in our hands or under our control.
As always with Terry Tyler’s books, the sense of time and place is spot on, with little details adding authenticity. The depictions of Cathy’s Saturday nights spent with her in-laws watching TV and waiting for the lottery were brilliant – I wanted to scream at her for putting up with it and the small mindedness of her husband’s family and their narrow views on life were so recognisable. This is something this author is particularly good at – she can really portray ordinary people and the ordinary, mundane aspects of life and manages to make it entertaining.
There are some very clever twists that are genuinely surprising and the ending works really well.
A clever, classy read.
The characterisation here is brilliantly done. The women are believable and, while you do find yourself sometimes wanting to shake them, their motives become clear as the story unfolds and there are plenty of moments when you think to yourself – ‘Ah, so that’s why she did that’. Their actions and reactions are authentic and you’re left wondering just how much our destiny is in our hands or under our control.
As always with Terry Tyler’s books, the sense of time and place is spot on, with little details adding authenticity. The depictions of Cathy’s Saturday nights spent with her in-laws watching TV and waiting for the lottery were brilliant – I wanted to scream at her for putting up with it and the small mindedness of her husband’s family and their narrow views on life were so recognisable. This is something this author is particularly good at – she can really portray ordinary people and the ordinary, mundane aspects of life and manages to make it entertaining.
There are some very clever twists that are genuinely surprising and the ending works really well.
A clever, classy read.
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