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The Other Side #1
The Other Side
At the prestigious Montgomery Prep, history teacher Violet Price is an outsider, haunted by a dark past, just trying to survive. Enter Chance Harper, the enigmatic new English instructor whose privilege clashes with Violet’s gritty reality. When students begin to meet suspicious ends, a chilling connection emerges between the ill-fated teens and a decades-old mystery, leaving Violet entangled in a web of deceit and desire.
Forced to work together to investigate, Violet and Chance must navigate the labyrinth of secrets at Montgomery as they struggle to reconcile their differences in the shadow of the chemistry sizzling between them. Will Violet and Chance unravel the truth, against all odds, or be torn apart in the process?
The Other Side is a standalone dark academia mystery romance with spice. HEA guaranteed. Mature readers only.
Forced to work together to investigate, Violet and Chance must navigate the labyrinth of secrets at Montgomery as they struggle to reconcile their differences in the shadow of the chemistry sizzling between them. Will Violet and Chance unravel the truth, against all odds, or be torn apart in the process?
The Other Side is a standalone dark academia mystery romance with spice. HEA guaranteed. Mature readers only.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
About the author
A.J. Wynn
5 books78 followersAJ Wynn is a Southern California-based author who works in marketing professionally, but whose true passion lies in writing. Weaving captivating stories with romance, mystery, fantasy, and much more allows AJ to express her creativity and serves as a canvas for her boundless imagination. When not immersed in the world of words, AJ is an avid reader, book dragon, and interior decorating enthusiast. Her favorite cozy days are accompanied by a fresh cup of coffee and her faithful canine sidekick.
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October 5, 2026
ʚɞ the other side by a.j. wynn ⋆.˚
⋆.˚ 5/10/26 — 8/10/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 121 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
thank you so so much to behind the pages and aj wynn for the e-copy of this one in preparation for the release of violet among thieves !! 🤭💝
i’m about halfway through this one (yeah, devoured half of it in one sitting) and so far so good 😚 hope the ending delivers 🙂↕️🫶🏻
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐3.75)
❝ i love you too. ❞ ❝ i know. you talk in your sleep. you said it weeks ago. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
── .✦ 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
this plot had me HOOKED. i was eating this up cuz oh my goodness that MURDER MYSTERY?! 😶 gagged.
no because i was actually TERRIFIED near the end. i had actual chills.
the romance itself was a little odd in my opinion, it was pretty rapid and there was not enough development within violet and chance’s relationship to support their level of closeness 😭 like i know violet had her attachment issues (girl me too) and that was a major plot point, but it was kind of incongruent with their sheer amount of freakiness 😦
i really enjoyed the investigation plot point, it had me thinking ‘one more chapter’ at 11pm bahaha 🤭 in other words, i was INVESTED in the investigation (pun not intended)
THE PLOT TWIST NEAR THE END??? girl omg. i did NOT see that coming (but i feel like i should have lmao.) i feel bad for everyone involved (except winston. he deserved it, idc 🙂↔️)
── .✦ 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
violet was kind of just the typical y/n, petite, traumatised FMC, but i did enjoy following her throughout this story 🙂↕️🩷 i really liked her and her backstory was pretty sad, but i did find her a little annoying at times 🥲
this was quite a bit spicier than i expected, especially when they got freaky literally THE MOMENT chance got home from his cousin’s FUNERAL 🫥 like oh my god you guys really couldn’t wait one day?
・・・・・
at first, i was SUPER unsure about chance and his tendency to LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING and those pictures of her… like yikes… 😟 but he did redeem himself and i really liked his devotion to violet 🥹🤍
that conflict at the end was a little silly because i didn’t even know chance like that and could tell something was up 😭 you’re telling me violet didn’t even consider that something could be awry? bruhhh it frustrated me so badly ngl 🫠
── .✦ 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈
at times it felt super juvenile which was a HUGE contrast to the content of this book 😭 but it did make the pace a lot faster, which i did enjoy, but DANG 💔
some of the writing was a bit clunky and didn’t flow quite right, but i still had a great time 😚
・・・・・
𑣲 ᴅᴏ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ?
if you like murder mysteries with some romance, YEEESSSS!! 🙂↕️
⋆.˚ 5/10/26 — 8/10/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 121 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
thank you so so much to behind the pages and aj wynn for the e-copy of this one in preparation for the release of violet among thieves !! 🤭💝
i’m about halfway through this one (yeah, devoured half of it in one sitting) and so far so good 😚 hope the ending delivers 🙂↕️🫶🏻
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐3.75)
❝ i love you too. ❞ ❝ i know. you talk in your sleep. you said it weeks ago. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
── .✦ 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
this plot had me HOOKED. i was eating this up cuz oh my goodness that MURDER MYSTERY?! 😶 gagged.
no because i was actually TERRIFIED near the end. i had actual chills.
the romance itself was a little odd in my opinion, it was pretty rapid and there was not enough development within violet and chance’s relationship to support their level of closeness 😭 like i know violet had her attachment issues (girl me too) and that was a major plot point, but it was kind of incongruent with their sheer amount of freakiness 😦
i really enjoyed the investigation plot point, it had me thinking ‘one more chapter’ at 11pm bahaha 🤭 in other words, i was INVESTED in the investigation (pun not intended)
THE PLOT TWIST NEAR THE END??? girl omg. i did NOT see that coming (but i feel like i should have lmao.) i feel bad for everyone involved (except winston. he deserved it, idc 🙂↔️)
── .✦ 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
violet was kind of just the typical y/n, petite, traumatised FMC, but i did enjoy following her throughout this story 🙂↕️🩷 i really liked her and her backstory was pretty sad, but i did find her a little annoying at times 🥲
this was quite a bit spicier than i expected, especially when they got freaky literally THE MOMENT chance got home from his cousin’s FUNERAL 🫥 like oh my god you guys really couldn’t wait one day?
・・・・・
at first, i was SUPER unsure about chance and his tendency to LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING and those pictures of her… like yikes… 😟 but he did redeem himself and i really liked his devotion to violet 🥹🤍
that conflict at the end was a little silly because i didn’t even know chance like that and could tell something was up 😭 you’re telling me violet didn’t even consider that something could be awry? bruhhh it frustrated me so badly ngl 🫠
── .✦ 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈
at times it felt super juvenile which was a HUGE contrast to the content of this book 😭 but it did make the pace a lot faster, which i did enjoy, but DANG 💔
some of the writing was a bit clunky and didn’t flow quite right, but i still had a great time 😚
・・・・・
𑣲 ᴅᴏ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ?
if you like murder mysteries with some romance, YEEESSSS!! 🙂↕️
September 12, 2024
I love, love, loved this book! I finished it in one evening because I could not put it down.
The Other Side is everything you could want in a dark academia romance - a gripping murder mystery that will keep you guessing, an atmosphere full of suspense, and a slow burn forbidden romance between two teachers at an elite prep school.
The chemistry between Violet and Chance is undeniable from the very beginning! Their interactions were just as addictive as the murder mystery. As they dig deeper into the school’s dark past, their attraction smolders. Chance is a complete golden retriever and he is top tier book boyfriend material.
The elite prep school setting layered with mystery and suspense created the perfect balance of intrigue and depth to make this an absolute page-turner! If you’re a fan of dark academia romance with amazing character chemistry and an expertly paced plot, The Other Side is a must read!
The Other Side is everything you could want in a dark academia romance - a gripping murder mystery that will keep you guessing, an atmosphere full of suspense, and a slow burn forbidden romance between two teachers at an elite prep school.
The chemistry between Violet and Chance is undeniable from the very beginning! Their interactions were just as addictive as the murder mystery. As they dig deeper into the school’s dark past, their attraction smolders. Chance is a complete golden retriever and he is top tier book boyfriend material.
The elite prep school setting layered with mystery and suspense created the perfect balance of intrigue and depth to make this an absolute page-turner! If you’re a fan of dark academia romance with amazing character chemistry and an expertly paced plot, The Other Side is a must read!
September 28, 2024
4 ⭐
1.5🌶️
Tropes: dark academia, one bed, cinnamon roll MMC, rich MMC/poor FMC, slow burn, anxiety rep, murder mystery, forbidden relationship
The Other Side is a single POV murder mystery told from the perspective of Violet, who was hired a year ago to teach at the prestigious Montgomery Prep. She meets Chance at a bar when he saves her from being drugged. Their attraction is instant but when she realizes he’s the new English teacher at Montgomery, she gets angry and refuses to give into her feelings. However, they end up teaming up to solve the mystery of one of her former students who went missing last year and it gets harder and harder for her to fight her interest in him.
It took me a little bit to get into this book but once I got past 25% or so I started to enjoy it. The beginning did not grab me- Violet was just such an angry character which made sense but it felt overwhelming. I really loved Chance’s character too and the way he never gave up on Violet. The mystery aspect I thought was well done. One of my two guesses as to whodunnit was right! Plus the one bed trope is my personal kryptonite. Along with that I really appreciated the complex/difficult relationship Violet has with her mom.
I do recommend this book, just make sure you’re ready for the slow/angry beginning.
✨ Trigger warnings that might be spoilers ✨
Death, CSA, SA, Suicide
1.5🌶️
Tropes: dark academia, one bed, cinnamon roll MMC, rich MMC/poor FMC, slow burn, anxiety rep, murder mystery, forbidden relationship
The Other Side is a single POV murder mystery told from the perspective of Violet, who was hired a year ago to teach at the prestigious Montgomery Prep. She meets Chance at a bar when he saves her from being drugged. Their attraction is instant but when she realizes he’s the new English teacher at Montgomery, she gets angry and refuses to give into her feelings. However, they end up teaming up to solve the mystery of one of her former students who went missing last year and it gets harder and harder for her to fight her interest in him.
It took me a little bit to get into this book but once I got past 25% or so I started to enjoy it. The beginning did not grab me- Violet was just such an angry character which made sense but it felt overwhelming. I really loved Chance’s character too and the way he never gave up on Violet. The mystery aspect I thought was well done. One of my two guesses as to whodunnit was right! Plus the one bed trope is my personal kryptonite. Along with that I really appreciated the complex/difficult relationship Violet has with her mom.
I do recommend this book, just make sure you’re ready for the slow/angry beginning.
✨ Trigger warnings that might be spoilers ✨
Death, CSA, SA, Suicide
September 23, 2024
I enjoyed the book and the writing is awesome. The book is atmospheric and perfect for the fall season. Also there are certain parts I felt could be better . The rivalry between the MMC and FMC in the beginning was not as good as I expected it to be. And also the book picked up on the missing case of the student after almost 100 pages, which didn't hook me to the story initially. Despite this I consider this book as a good one as the plot of the book is really good. I also liked the way the author described the events and scenary in the book as it transports one into the world while reading.
November 27, 2025
i’m convinced violet’s an asshole i mean an aquarius like me.
August 26, 2024
The chemistry and tension between our MC and FMC were perfect. Both Chance and Violet were teachers, so we have a little forbidden work romance going on. Seeing them work together to discover and unveil the mystery of the disappearance of students was fun to witness.
The romance and spice were just the right amount. It wasn’t too much, and it wasn’t scarce, if that makes sense. As for the murder mystery aspect of the book, it was mysterious alright. They gave us a good amount of breadcrumbs. And that twist at the end, though! I just wish that we had more gripping mystery. (I’m a sucker for mystery.) But overall, I LOVED and ENJOYED this book. It was definitely a fun read.
If you are looking for a murder mystery with a side of romance and spice, then you should give this book a try. This book is definitely worth reading.
Giving it 4.5 ⭐️
The romance and spice were just the right amount. It wasn’t too much, and it wasn’t scarce, if that makes sense. As for the murder mystery aspect of the book, it was mysterious alright. They gave us a good amount of breadcrumbs. And that twist at the end, though! I just wish that we had more gripping mystery. (I’m a sucker for mystery.) But overall, I LOVED and ENJOYED this book. It was definitely a fun read.
If you are looking for a murder mystery with a side of romance and spice, then you should give this book a try. This book is definitely worth reading.
Giving it 4.5 ⭐️
November 7, 2025
What's not to love?!
Mystery.
Spice.
Phenomenal Writing.
Chance.
I love a light, dark academia when written well, and this sure was.
Fast-paced, great character development, and many fan your face moments.
Mystery.
Spice.
Phenomenal Writing.
Chance.
I love a light, dark academia when written well, and this sure was.
Fast-paced, great character development, and many fan your face moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
This was my first ever mystery romance, and honestly, I had such a great time with it! While I can’t say the mystery element totally captivated me, the romance between Violet and Chance more than made up for it. Their connection was the kind of cozy, slow-burn love story I absolutely adore. There was even a snowed in moment were they only available room at a hotel was the honeymoon suite...who doesn't love that?
I’ll admit, the mystery itself felt more like background noise for a lot of the book. I didn’t fully understand why Violet was so determined to solve it because her motivation felt a little thin, though Chance’s involvement made perfect sense. Still, I found myself not really caring about the mystery because I was so invested in their relationship.
From their banter to the forbidden-romance tension and all the little sweet moments in between, Violet and Chance completely stole the show. I especially loved their secret hideaway in the teachers’ building, because it gave the story a warm, intimate atmosphere that made me wish they’d explored the building together even more (especially after Chance discovered her hidden lounge!).
As for the mystery… I’ll give myself a little credit: I guessed the killer early on. After just a few interactions, something about them just clicked in my head. (Spoilers ahead!)
As soon as Jolene started acting snappy and overly possessive toward Violet, I had a gut feeling she’d turn out to be the culprit. It felt too convenient that she was so attached, and I suspected she might’ve gone to the school herself. When Violet never mentioned that connection, I was sure it was something being hidden. I also noticed Jolene’s absence in scenes with Chance, which practically screamed “jealousy twist” to me, and sure enough, the reveal about her wanting Violet all to herself came true. When the headmaster was revealed to be grooming students, I also immediately knew that Jolene was one of them because what kind of weirdo just does as their told and stays all day for some prick?
What did surprise me was the darker turn near the end when the headmaster’s grooming storyline and Jolene’s involvement in the other girls’ deaths. I didn't guess the connection between the twins at all. Things really ramped up around the 85% mark, and that’s when the mystery finally felt important and tied into the emotional stakes of the story.
I originally picked this up because I saw the ARC signup for book 2, Second Chance Christmas (and I actually received some PR mail for it, so of course I had to start from the beginning!). Even though this could technically be read as a standalone, I’m really glad I started with The Other Side.
If you’re looking for a romance-first mystery with heart, heat, and a touch of danger, this is a great pick. It’s not about the twisty plot as much as it is about two teachers finding love in the most unexpected circumstances, and for me, that’s exactly what made it work.
Overall: 4 stars. Now on to Last Chance Christmas!
I’ll admit, the mystery itself felt more like background noise for a lot of the book. I didn’t fully understand why Violet was so determined to solve it because her motivation felt a little thin, though Chance’s involvement made perfect sense. Still, I found myself not really caring about the mystery because I was so invested in their relationship.
From their banter to the forbidden-romance tension and all the little sweet moments in between, Violet and Chance completely stole the show. I especially loved their secret hideaway in the teachers’ building, because it gave the story a warm, intimate atmosphere that made me wish they’d explored the building together even more (especially after Chance discovered her hidden lounge!).
As for the mystery… I’ll give myself a little credit: I guessed the killer early on. After just a few interactions, something about them just clicked in my head. (Spoilers ahead!)
As soon as Jolene started acting snappy and overly possessive toward Violet, I had a gut feeling she’d turn out to be the culprit. It felt too convenient that she was so attached, and I suspected she might’ve gone to the school herself. When Violet never mentioned that connection, I was sure it was something being hidden. I also noticed Jolene’s absence in scenes with Chance, which practically screamed “jealousy twist” to me, and sure enough, the reveal about her wanting Violet all to herself came true. When the headmaster was revealed to be grooming students, I also immediately knew that Jolene was one of them because what kind of weirdo just does as their told and stays all day for some prick?
What did surprise me was the darker turn near the end when the headmaster’s grooming storyline and Jolene’s involvement in the other girls’ deaths. I didn't guess the connection between the twins at all. Things really ramped up around the 85% mark, and that’s when the mystery finally felt important and tied into the emotional stakes of the story.
I originally picked this up because I saw the ARC signup for book 2, Second Chance Christmas (and I actually received some PR mail for it, so of course I had to start from the beginning!). Even though this could technically be read as a standalone, I’m really glad I started with The Other Side.
If you’re looking for a romance-first mystery with heart, heat, and a touch of danger, this is a great pick. It’s not about the twisty plot as much as it is about two teachers finding love in the most unexpected circumstances, and for me, that’s exactly what made it work.
Overall: 4 stars. Now on to Last Chance Christmas!
August 25, 2024
Ok I devoured this book. The chemistry and tension between our two main characters was perfect. I mean they are both teachers so a little forbidden office romance is always kind of hot. But more so, seeing them work together to uncover the mystery of the students disappearing or being *unalived* was fun to watch unfold.
While the romance was hot, the mystery aspect was what really kept me steam rolling through this book. There were a perfect amount of breadcrumbs. And of course there is always at least one twist. At the end, I was definitely surprised! I love being surprised!
Extra note, I love when the idea behind the a book title finally clicks and you get that “AHA” moment.
If you are looking for something fast paced and maybe something dark but not TOO dark. With some fun and spicy times. Then this should definitely be added to your list this fall!
While the romance was hot, the mystery aspect was what really kept me steam rolling through this book. There were a perfect amount of breadcrumbs. And of course there is always at least one twist. At the end, I was definitely surprised! I love being surprised!
Extra note, I love when the idea behind the a book title finally clicks and you get that “AHA” moment.
If you are looking for something fast paced and maybe something dark but not TOO dark. With some fun and spicy times. Then this should definitely be added to your list this fall!
May 8, 2025
I owe this book a standing ovation. It definitely got me out of my fantasy spiral and made me fall in love with dark academia. The suspense and mystery were top tier, and the characters were amazing. The twists and turns were completely unexpected (and I’m usually not easily surprised) and the way she builds the story to a climax is chefs kiss. You will NOT be sorry if you pick this up out of curiosity… don’t let the ambiguous cover fool you. This is a rich story with suspense and romance and humor all tied up with a bow.
September 29, 2024
Thank you to the Behind the Pages, Booksirens and the author for allowing me access to this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Genre: Mystery Romance
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 354
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
POV: First POV
S/S: standalone
Check trigger warnings for any book.
I don’t usually read this genre, mystery romance, but this book makes me want to read more of it.
We follow Violet as she starts her second year teaching at an esteemed boarding school, after the disappearance of one of the students, Daniel. It seems like she’s the only one to believe that he didn’t run away and that something fishy is going on.
Now introducing, Chance, a handsome new teacher who gets infatuated with Violet. She keeps him at arm’s length as she cares about her job and staff relationships aren’t permitted.
Somehow they get intertwined together and start looking into the mysterious missing students. Only their investigation brings them closer, up to the point where their closeness gets them into trouble, but not the kind they expected.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is enjoyable, the characters have some depth to them, although the side characters don’t. This really is a mystery romance, it is a romance first and foremost. At times, the mystery aspect is forgotten altogether to make room for the romance. Which I didn’t mind, all that much.
I’ll say that I guessed the secret / the twist pretty quickly into the book, and I was hoping I was wrong to be surprised but I wasn’t. So, on the mystery side, a bit weak in my opinion.
But let’s be honest, I continued reading this book for Violet and Chance. A relationship where they have so much respect for each other ughhh
I really liked the author’s writing, so I’d love to give their backlog a look!
Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Genre: Mystery Romance
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 354
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
POV: First POV
S/S: standalone
Check trigger warnings for any book.
I don’t usually read this genre, mystery romance, but this book makes me want to read more of it.
We follow Violet as she starts her second year teaching at an esteemed boarding school, after the disappearance of one of the students, Daniel. It seems like she’s the only one to believe that he didn’t run away and that something fishy is going on.
Now introducing, Chance, a handsome new teacher who gets infatuated with Violet. She keeps him at arm’s length as she cares about her job and staff relationships aren’t permitted.
Somehow they get intertwined together and start looking into the mysterious missing students. Only their investigation brings them closer, up to the point where their closeness gets them into trouble, but not the kind they expected.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is enjoyable, the characters have some depth to them, although the side characters don’t. This really is a mystery romance, it is a romance first and foremost. At times, the mystery aspect is forgotten altogether to make room for the romance. Which I didn’t mind, all that much.
I’ll say that I guessed the secret / the twist pretty quickly into the book, and I was hoping I was wrong to be surprised but I wasn’t. So, on the mystery side, a bit weak in my opinion.
But let’s be honest, I continued reading this book for Violet and Chance. A relationship where they have so much respect for each other ughhh
I really liked the author’s writing, so I’d love to give their backlog a look!
Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram
October 1, 2024
Montgomery Prep is a prestigious private school located in rural Maine. Violet Price’s dark past prevented her from fitting in with the older faculty. When Chance Harper shows up with his enthusiastic personality and rich boy privilege, Violet is quick to clash with Chance. When students start disappearing and meet horrible ends, Violet and Chance work together to try and solve the decades long case that seemed to be tied to the most recent disappearance. The Other Side is where the mysteries lay to be discovered. Will Chance and Violet be able to work out their feelings and relationship to be together or will their opposite pasts keep them apart?
I have begun to really love suspenseful romances and this book just hit the spot. With it being spooky season, this was the perfect book to read during the season. I will be honest and say I had my guess somewhat right but also wrong. You’ll have to read the book to see what I mean. Some tropes include: bar meet cute, forced proximity, sleuth/detective work, opposites attract, poor girl x rich boy, workplace romance and forbidden romance. Some TWs: m*rder, su*cide, mentions of gr00ming, sexual explicit content, death of a parent (FMC), parental issues (MMC, mostly with the dad), mentions of cheating (not between MCs) and probably a few others I’m forgetting. Some TWs are listed in the beginning of the book so check those before starting. As always, reach out to the author if you have any questions on the trope and just take of yourself.
I have begun to really love suspenseful romances and this book just hit the spot. With it being spooky season, this was the perfect book to read during the season. I will be honest and say I had my guess somewhat right but also wrong. You’ll have to read the book to see what I mean. Some tropes include: bar meet cute, forced proximity, sleuth/detective work, opposites attract, poor girl x rich boy, workplace romance and forbidden romance. Some TWs: m*rder, su*cide, mentions of gr00ming, sexual explicit content, death of a parent (FMC), parental issues (MMC, mostly with the dad), mentions of cheating (not between MCs) and probably a few others I’m forgetting. Some TWs are listed in the beginning of the book so check those before starting. As always, reach out to the author if you have any questions on the trope and just take of yourself.
November 12, 2025
Spice: 1
Tropes:
workplace romance
one bed
dark academia
secret identity
murder mystery
First Person POV
The Other Side was a mix of dark academia meets cozy mystery meets romance for me. I enjoyed it. With mysteries, I always like to try to figure out "who done it" before the answer is revealed... It's like a game, how quickly can I can it, was I right, or was I way off. It's what makes mysteries fun for me lol. In The Other Side, I had my suspicions on who the murderer was, but AJ Wynn made it fun and tried to throw me off the scent. I have to say, I was fooled lol. Which always makes for a good read.
Violet teaches at the prestigious Montgomery Prep Academy where a student went missing. The police say he's run away but Violet is suspicious and believes foul play was involved. New teacher Chance Harper confides in Violet that he too believes the police has the facts wrong and the two of them set out to uncover the truth. Along the way, the encounter old cold cases and a bit of romance. Will the find out what really happened behind closed doors of Montgomery Prep?
I enjoyed Violet and I adored Chance. I think AJ Wynn wrote Violet perfectly for the baggage she carries and the trauma she still holds. I love how Chance was patient with Violet and allowed her the time to decide how/when things would progress between the two of them. Looking forward to the next book!
Tropes:
workplace romance
one bed
dark academia
secret identity
murder mystery
First Person POV
The Other Side was a mix of dark academia meets cozy mystery meets romance for me. I enjoyed it. With mysteries, I always like to try to figure out "who done it" before the answer is revealed... It's like a game, how quickly can I can it, was I right, or was I way off. It's what makes mysteries fun for me lol. In The Other Side, I had my suspicions on who the murderer was, but AJ Wynn made it fun and tried to throw me off the scent. I have to say, I was fooled lol. Which always makes for a good read.
Violet teaches at the prestigious Montgomery Prep Academy where a student went missing. The police say he's run away but Violet is suspicious and believes foul play was involved. New teacher Chance Harper confides in Violet that he too believes the police has the facts wrong and the two of them set out to uncover the truth. Along the way, the encounter old cold cases and a bit of romance. Will the find out what really happened behind closed doors of Montgomery Prep?
I enjoyed Violet and I adored Chance. I think AJ Wynn wrote Violet perfectly for the baggage she carries and the trauma she still holds. I love how Chance was patient with Violet and allowed her the time to decide how/when things would progress between the two of them. Looking forward to the next book!
August 28, 2024
Y’all I’m feeling so GOOEY after this one! I literally hugged the book as soon as I finished it because I ended up loving it so much.
I was so invested in Violet and Chance and couldn’t help but root for them. (Also… Chance has definitely been added to my list of book boyfriends.) Taking a forbidden romance and adding a nice slow burn to it made it almost impossible to put this book down. But what really stuck out to me was the mystery aspect of the book. I was in the main characters shoes the whole time, trying to figure out the secrets and lies along with them. I honestly wasn’t expecting the twists and surprises, making it so much more fun to read. My jaw also DROPPED once the connection was made to the title of the book!
AJ really did a remarkable job with this novel, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about this story. If you’re looking for a fast paced, spooky, and a lil bit of a spicy read, then I definitely recommend adding The Other Side to your tbr.
I was so invested in Violet and Chance and couldn’t help but root for them. (Also… Chance has definitely been added to my list of book boyfriends.) Taking a forbidden romance and adding a nice slow burn to it made it almost impossible to put this book down. But what really stuck out to me was the mystery aspect of the book. I was in the main characters shoes the whole time, trying to figure out the secrets and lies along with them. I honestly wasn’t expecting the twists and surprises, making it so much more fun to read. My jaw also DROPPED once the connection was made to the title of the book!
AJ really did a remarkable job with this novel, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about this story. If you’re looking for a fast paced, spooky, and a lil bit of a spicy read, then I definitely recommend adding The Other Side to your tbr.
June 24, 2025
The Other Side tells the story of Violet Price, a new young professor at Montgomery Prep, an elite boarding school with a history of missing students that are written off as runaways. When an unforgettable new English professor, Chance Harper, joins the faculty, despite all her best efforts, Violet can’t resist Chance’s charm or the urge to join forces with Chance find out what happened to the “runaway” students. With a dark academia setting and all the elements for a mysterious romance, The Other Side is a suspenseful, sexy page turner that I couldn’t put down.
September 23, 2024
AJ…omg…. I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this before the release!💗
Golden retriever-black cat, mystery romance, enemies to friends to lovers, dark academia
This was SO GOOD!!!!
Chance is my new book boyfriend and he deserves the title 😍😍🥰🥰🫠🫠🫠
Love the character growth for chance and Violet. My heart broke for both of them 💔❤️🩹
Loved this book so much! Thank you AJ for writing this 😍🖤💗
Book releases Oct 1st!!!!! Go preorder it now!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this before the release!💗
Golden retriever-black cat, mystery romance, enemies to friends to lovers, dark academia
This was SO GOOD!!!!
Chance is my new book boyfriend and he deserves the title 😍😍🥰🥰🫠🫠🫠
Love the character growth for chance and Violet. My heart broke for both of them 💔❤️🩹
Loved this book so much! Thank you AJ for writing this 😍🖤💗
Book releases Oct 1st!!!!! Go preorder it now!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
September 27, 2024
Amazon, GoodReads and Instagram Headline: Step aside, Ezra Fitz. There’s a new (and better) English teacher in town.
REVIEW
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my unbiased review of AJ Wynn’s The Other Side.
I thought Willowbrooke was perfect. But this… this is a work of art. I just love everything about it, especially Chase.
REVIEW
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my unbiased review of AJ Wynn’s The Other Side.
I thought Willowbrooke was perfect. But this… this is a work of art. I just love everything about it, especially Chase.
October 10, 2024
I really loved this! It kept me interested the whole time with the mystery, and the romance. I related to Violet in a lot of ways, so this will always hold a special place close to my heart. I definitely wouldn't object to them having another mystery together set a bit out in the future.
November 16, 2024
Did not see that twist coming!!
August 4, 2025
I picked up The Other Side while on the hunt for dark academia reads, especially those that mix academia with a disappearance mystery—and this one definitely intrigued me. The premise was promising, with older protagonists (teachers!) and a mysterious student disappearance. I dove in hopeful.
The good? I flew through it and genuinely wanted to reach the end. The setup of the murder case initially pulled me in, especially with the eerie disappearance that’s brushed off as a runaway situation. But after that… things fell flat.
Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with either the story or the characters. Violet, at 27, felt incredibly immature and selfish at times—definitely not the strongest FMC I’ve read. Chance had a bit more depth, but still didn’t leave much of an impression. Their romance felt repetitive, and Violet’s constant overthinking dragged the pace.
As for the investigation into the student's disappearance? It ended up taking up maybe 15% of the book. I was expecting far more twists, suspense, and complexity, but it was all pretty predictable. The writing style also felt more suited to a YA audience, which would’ve been totally fine had the characters actually been teens.
Overall, The Other Side had great potential, and while it was a quick and mildly engaging read, it just didn’t deliver the depth or darkness I was hoping for.
The good? I flew through it and genuinely wanted to reach the end. The setup of the murder case initially pulled me in, especially with the eerie disappearance that’s brushed off as a runaway situation. But after that… things fell flat.
Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with either the story or the characters. Violet, at 27, felt incredibly immature and selfish at times—definitely not the strongest FMC I’ve read. Chance had a bit more depth, but still didn’t leave much of an impression. Their romance felt repetitive, and Violet’s constant overthinking dragged the pace.
As for the investigation into the student's disappearance? It ended up taking up maybe 15% of the book. I was expecting far more twists, suspense, and complexity, but it was all pretty predictable. The writing style also felt more suited to a YA audience, which would’ve been totally fine had the characters actually been teens.
Overall, The Other Side had great potential, and while it was a quick and mildly engaging read, it just didn’t deliver the depth or darkness I was hoping for.
August 30, 2024
I generously received this ARC via BookSirens 😊.
This story gripped me for the first 1/2 of the book. Someone else said it reads like a diary and I haven’t been able to think of a better way to describe it. There were parts of the story where the first line(s) of the chapter summarized and gave away the surprise element so by the end of the book I wished the stakes had been higher and that those elements hadn’t been given away so I could be on the edge of my seat for more of it. The mystery and the twist at the end were all set up pretty well, but it fell a bit short for me as far as the suspense aspect of it goes.
The romance aspect was done pretty well. Who doesn’t love a forbidden romance, forced proximity slow burn? I enjoyed it overall, though there was something missing for me for me to fully fall in love with the FMC and MMC.
I can see someone who is just beginning to dive into the dark academia genre, and enjoys slow burn romance, low stakes mysteries, enjoying this book. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this ARC for free and leave my honest review 🤍
This story gripped me for the first 1/2 of the book. Someone else said it reads like a diary and I haven’t been able to think of a better way to describe it. There were parts of the story where the first line(s) of the chapter summarized and gave away the surprise element so by the end of the book I wished the stakes had been higher and that those elements hadn’t been given away so I could be on the edge of my seat for more of it. The mystery and the twist at the end were all set up pretty well, but it fell a bit short for me as far as the suspense aspect of it goes.
The romance aspect was done pretty well. Who doesn’t love a forbidden romance, forced proximity slow burn? I enjoyed it overall, though there was something missing for me for me to fully fall in love with the FMC and MMC.
I can see someone who is just beginning to dive into the dark academia genre, and enjoys slow burn romance, low stakes mysteries, enjoying this book. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this ARC for free and leave my honest review 🤍
September 13, 2024
I liked this book! First and foremost, the vibes were great for this book. The setting felt like Maxton Hall meets Wednesday - academia with a bit of mystery and romance mixed together. The story was easy to follow and I liked the characters a lot. It was great to see how Violet worked through her trust issues and I liked how patient Chance was with her. They seem like a pair who will last beyond the final page of the book. The mystery was interesting, and though I did see the twist coming, I don’t think it was an obvious one. The writing was pretty good, including the spice! There wasn’t a ton of spice but it was placed well and contributed to the story in a way that made sense. The pacing was a little inconsistent, the dialogue felt stilted at times, and I hoped for more with the end, but I’m always so impressed by authors who are brave enough to self publish and I’m looking forward to whatever the author writes next!
October 27, 2024
Meet Violet Price, history teacher and outsider at Montgomery Prep. She’s a creature of habit and comfort after having an unstable past.
Violet can’t get the disappearance of one of her former students out of her mind, and weirdly enough, everyone seems to be too willing to let it go.
Enter Chance Harper. The new English teacher that Violet can’t seem to stay away from. The two pair up to try and piece the mystery together, but not without endless banter & a heavy dose of denial regarding their chemistry.
AJ Wynn knows how to write a gripping story! It was the perfect mix of mystery, suspense, and forbidden romance, all wrapped up in a dark academia setting.
This was such a fun genre switch for me & a perfect fall read!
Violet can’t get the disappearance of one of her former students out of her mind, and weirdly enough, everyone seems to be too willing to let it go.
Enter Chance Harper. The new English teacher that Violet can’t seem to stay away from. The two pair up to try and piece the mystery together, but not without endless banter & a heavy dose of denial regarding their chemistry.
AJ Wynn knows how to write a gripping story! It was the perfect mix of mystery, suspense, and forbidden romance, all wrapped up in a dark academia setting.
This was such a fun genre switch for me & a perfect fall read!
March 9, 2025
I almost DNFed at 44%, but I truly hate leaving things unfinished. I skim read a bunch to see if I would enjoy the plot or characters more once the romance or action started to pick up. Unfortunately this novel just didn’t do it for me. There was a lot of telling, everything was so explicitly stated that it made every aspect of this book fall flat for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters or their romance or the setting or the mystery. The high stakes things meant to build the suspense just didn’t feel high stakes at all. The characters also felt weirdly juvenile to me, like there was no way they were in their late 20s/early 30s.
September 16, 2026
It had been WAY too long since I’d read a good murder mystery, and The Other Side reminded me exactly why I love them. 🔪🖤 This book had me staring into the darkness thinking, “Oh my God… did that really just happen?!” more times than I could count. 😂
Set at the prestigious Montgomery Prep, the story followed Violet Price, a history teacher who had been haunted by her past and never quite felt like she belonged. When students started dying under suspicious circumstances, Violet found herself pulled into a decades-old mystery. 🕯️📚
Enter Chance Harper, the enigmatic new English teacher whose privileged background couldn’t have been more different from Violet’s reality. The two were forced to work together to uncover the truth, all while trying to ignore the chemistry simmering between them. 👀🔥
And Chance… I absolutely adored him. 😍 He completely won me over. Violet, on the other hand, took a little longer for me to warm up to. She definitely had a chip on her shoulder, and while I understood where it came from once her past was revealed, she came across as pretty unlikeable in the beginning. But watching her story unfold helped me understand her so much more. 🥹
What I really loved was the mystery itself. The perpetrator wasn’t revealed until very close to the end, and I genuinely didn’t figure it out. I only started suspecting the actual culprit ONE chapter before the reveal! 😂🔍 Maybe I’m just rusty when it comes to crime novels, but I loved being completely in the dark.
That feeling of constantly questioning everyone? SO GOOD. Every suspicious moment had me second-guessing everything, and I loved the tension of not knowing who could be trusted. 😳🖤
The single POV worked really well for me too, especially because it kept me inside Violet’s head and made the mystery feel even more uncertain.
My only issue was the pacing. The middle felt like it had a few unnecessary sections, which made the pace feel a little uneven at times. I think that was more of a personal preference than a major flaw, though.
Overall, The Other Side was such a fun reading experience. It had mystery, secrets, danger, chemistry, romance, surprises, and a swoony MMC. 🖤🔥 I went in wanting a murder mystery and came out remembering just how much fun it was to be completely kept on edge.
If you’re a fan of:
🔪 Murder mysteries & investigations
🕯️ Dark academia
📚 Secret-filled schools
🖤 Dark pasts & complicated characters
👀 Suspense & hidden identities
🔥 Forced proximity
💥 Enemies-to-lovers-ish tension
❤️🔥 Workplace romance
😏 Spicy romance
🔍 “Who did it?” mysteries
✨ HEA
Thank you to A.J. Wynn and Behind The Pages for giving me the opportunity to read this book. 💕📚
Set at the prestigious Montgomery Prep, the story followed Violet Price, a history teacher who had been haunted by her past and never quite felt like she belonged. When students started dying under suspicious circumstances, Violet found herself pulled into a decades-old mystery. 🕯️📚
Enter Chance Harper, the enigmatic new English teacher whose privileged background couldn’t have been more different from Violet’s reality. The two were forced to work together to uncover the truth, all while trying to ignore the chemistry simmering between them. 👀🔥
And Chance… I absolutely adored him. 😍 He completely won me over. Violet, on the other hand, took a little longer for me to warm up to. She definitely had a chip on her shoulder, and while I understood where it came from once her past was revealed, she came across as pretty unlikeable in the beginning. But watching her story unfold helped me understand her so much more. 🥹
What I really loved was the mystery itself. The perpetrator wasn’t revealed until very close to the end, and I genuinely didn’t figure it out. I only started suspecting the actual culprit ONE chapter before the reveal! 😂🔍 Maybe I’m just rusty when it comes to crime novels, but I loved being completely in the dark.
That feeling of constantly questioning everyone? SO GOOD. Every suspicious moment had me second-guessing everything, and I loved the tension of not knowing who could be trusted. 😳🖤
The single POV worked really well for me too, especially because it kept me inside Violet’s head and made the mystery feel even more uncertain.
My only issue was the pacing. The middle felt like it had a few unnecessary sections, which made the pace feel a little uneven at times. I think that was more of a personal preference than a major flaw, though.
Overall, The Other Side was such a fun reading experience. It had mystery, secrets, danger, chemistry, romance, surprises, and a swoony MMC. 🖤🔥 I went in wanting a murder mystery and came out remembering just how much fun it was to be completely kept on edge.
If you’re a fan of:
🔪 Murder mysteries & investigations
🕯️ Dark academia
📚 Secret-filled schools
🖤 Dark pasts & complicated characters
👀 Suspense & hidden identities
🔥 Forced proximity
💥 Enemies-to-lovers-ish tension
❤️🔥 Workplace romance
😏 Spicy romance
🔍 “Who did it?” mysteries
✨ HEA
Thank you to A.J. Wynn and Behind The Pages for giving me the opportunity to read this book. 💕📚
October 3, 2026
It was very clear early on that Violet is a very stubborn person whose financial background would not typically lead her to become a teacher at Montgomery Prep. She thinks that nearly everyone sees her as not good enough, and it makes her interact less with others. On a rare evening out, she meets Chance, who she instantly connects with. When things become heated, he suddenly leaves, which does not exactly help her sense of self-worth. When she runs into him the next day and learns that he is a new teacher, she feels betrayed and misled. Obviously hurt, she tries her best to interact with him as little as possible, but he is not backing down. I already had a feeling that she would accept his apology at some point, and the journey there came with a lot of banter and entertaining moments. When she learns that he is connected to a missing boy and has come to learn more about the case, they combine their efforts, with Violet refusing to accept that the boy simply ran away.
This book combined a lot of different elements, and there were moments where it was not clear to me which direction the story would take. So I embraced it and went along for the journey. Elite colleges are not presenting themselves in the best light right now, and some of the topics mentioned felt a bit uncomfortable to me when reading this. Especially the things money can accomplish when you have enough of it.
The connection between Violet and Chance was special. Him holding things back from her is not the ideal way to start something new. Violet not being happy about that was something I completely understood. She stood her ground and offered him an olive branch while still keeping her guard up. The investigative work the two of them did was handled very well, and I enjoyed that part a lot. Showcasing their different upbringings also felt like an important piece of the puzzle, providing context for both of them and explaining why they acted the way they did. At the end of the day, everything became just a little bit better when they started working together, and I became very curious about their findings.
This did not feel like your typical Dark Academia book to me. The setting clearly fit the bill, but it also included a mystery and a romance. And in the end, it all worked very well.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book combined a lot of different elements, and there were moments where it was not clear to me which direction the story would take. So I embraced it and went along for the journey. Elite colleges are not presenting themselves in the best light right now, and some of the topics mentioned felt a bit uncomfortable to me when reading this. Especially the things money can accomplish when you have enough of it.
The connection between Violet and Chance was special. Him holding things back from her is not the ideal way to start something new. Violet not being happy about that was something I completely understood. She stood her ground and offered him an olive branch while still keeping her guard up. The investigative work the two of them did was handled very well, and I enjoyed that part a lot. Showcasing their different upbringings also felt like an important piece of the puzzle, providing context for both of them and explaining why they acted the way they did. At the end of the day, everything became just a little bit better when they started working together, and I became very curious about their findings.
This did not feel like your typical Dark Academia book to me. The setting clearly fit the bill, but it also included a mystery and a romance. And in the end, it all worked very well.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 6, 2026
I don’t read a lot of mystery romance, but The Other Side may have convinced me I need to try more of it.
What immediately hooked me was the dark academia setting from the faculty side rather than the student side. Violet is a young teacher at an elite boarding school, which gave the usual dark academia atmosphere a different perspective—faculty politics, wealthy families and donors, job insecurity, and all the ways an institution can protect itself when something goes wrong.
The romance was probably my favorite part. Violet and Chance had such a fun dislike-to-like progression, and Chance is absolutely a he falls first (and harder) MMC. What started as attraction and distrust slowly turned into friendship, secret investigative partners, and a relationship I became genuinely invested in. I especially loved that once they were together, the story didn’t manufacture unnecessary relationship drama just to create conflict.
I also really enjoyed Violet’s emotional arc. Her difficulty trusting people and accepting help felt rooted in her past rather than being there simply to keep the romance apart, and I appreciated seeing her learn that accepting love doesn’t have to mean giving up her independence.
The mystery took longer to fully grab me. The first portion is definitely more focused on character development and romance, while a lot of the major reveals come fairly quickly in the back half. I would have loved a slightly more even balance throughout. That said, once Violet and Chance really started investigating together, I was in. I also liked that the most obvious suspect wasn’t as straightforward as the book initially wanted you to believe, and there were enough earlier clues that the final reveals didn’t feel completely out of nowhere.
My one romance-side hesitation was Chance secretly photographing Violet early on. It crossed a line for me initially, although I did appreciate that the book later addressed the consent issue and showed a very different approach to his photography going forward.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mix of dark academia, romance, and mystery with a strong emotional relationship at its center.
What immediately hooked me was the dark academia setting from the faculty side rather than the student side. Violet is a young teacher at an elite boarding school, which gave the usual dark academia atmosphere a different perspective—faculty politics, wealthy families and donors, job insecurity, and all the ways an institution can protect itself when something goes wrong.
The romance was probably my favorite part. Violet and Chance had such a fun dislike-to-like progression, and Chance is absolutely a he falls first (and harder) MMC. What started as attraction and distrust slowly turned into friendship, secret investigative partners, and a relationship I became genuinely invested in. I especially loved that once they were together, the story didn’t manufacture unnecessary relationship drama just to create conflict.
I also really enjoyed Violet’s emotional arc. Her difficulty trusting people and accepting help felt rooted in her past rather than being there simply to keep the romance apart, and I appreciated seeing her learn that accepting love doesn’t have to mean giving up her independence.
The mystery took longer to fully grab me. The first portion is definitely more focused on character development and romance, while a lot of the major reveals come fairly quickly in the back half. I would have loved a slightly more even balance throughout. That said, once Violet and Chance really started investigating together, I was in. I also liked that the most obvious suspect wasn’t as straightforward as the book initially wanted you to believe, and there were enough earlier clues that the final reveals didn’t feel completely out of nowhere.
My one romance-side hesitation was Chance secretly photographing Violet early on. It crossed a line for me initially, although I did appreciate that the book later addressed the consent issue and showed a very different approach to his photography going forward.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mix of dark academia, romance, and mystery with a strong emotional relationship at its center.
September 23, 2024
Before I review this book, I want to say thank you SO MUCH to A.J. Wynn for sending me a copy to read early. It releases on October 1st, so being able to read and review this book before its release was such a pleasure! I am so grateful for the opportunity!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I loved this book, truly. It was everything it was promised to be: a murder mystery, an enemies-to-lovers romance, complete with dark academia vibes. I knew all of this going into it, but I was so pleasantly surprised by everything from the writing, to the twist, to the romantic tension. Don’t get me wrong, I had high hopes, but this book really surpassed my expectations.
The dark academia of it all put me in such a fall mood. It’s such a good read for the season and I will definitely be seeking out reads similar to this as the season goes on.
I loved both of the MCs. The grumpy x sunshine trope was there, and I was so obsessed with Chase. He was sweet, funny, and charismatic. I also loved Violet and empathized with her guarded personality. Their chemistry was written so well that I felt myself blushing at times. The slow burn romance was enticing and rewarding.
I felt myself wishing this was part of a series! As good as it is as a standalone, I don’t feel ready to leave Violet and Chance behind. I became so connected to the characters and their relationship.
The twist and the mystery aspect were also done really well. There were times I thought I knew the answer to the questions asked but was thrown for a loop when the twist was revealed.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. I thought it was so fun but also dealt with potentially sensitive topics in a serious way. I had so much fun reading this book and am so happy I did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, thank you so so much to A.J. Wynn for giving me the chance to read and review The Other Side before its release on October 1st! I had such a great experience doing so and can’t wait for the release date!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I loved this book, truly. It was everything it was promised to be: a murder mystery, an enemies-to-lovers romance, complete with dark academia vibes. I knew all of this going into it, but I was so pleasantly surprised by everything from the writing, to the twist, to the romantic tension. Don’t get me wrong, I had high hopes, but this book really surpassed my expectations.
The dark academia of it all put me in such a fall mood. It’s such a good read for the season and I will definitely be seeking out reads similar to this as the season goes on.
I loved both of the MCs. The grumpy x sunshine trope was there, and I was so obsessed with Chase. He was sweet, funny, and charismatic. I also loved Violet and empathized with her guarded personality. Their chemistry was written so well that I felt myself blushing at times. The slow burn romance was enticing and rewarding.
I felt myself wishing this was part of a series! As good as it is as a standalone, I don’t feel ready to leave Violet and Chance behind. I became so connected to the characters and their relationship.
The twist and the mystery aspect were also done really well. There were times I thought I knew the answer to the questions asked but was thrown for a loop when the twist was revealed.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. I thought it was so fun but also dealt with potentially sensitive topics in a serious way. I had so much fun reading this book and am so happy I did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, thank you so so much to A.J. Wynn for giving me the chance to read and review The Other Side before its release on October 1st! I had such a great experience doing so and can’t wait for the release date!
August 24, 2024
✨The Other Side✨
Oh man, did I enjoy this dark academia mystery romance! Not exactly in my wheelhouse without the fantasy but I’m so glad I leapt out of my comfort zone and got the honor of reading this gifted arc by AJ, because it was SO GOOD.
In TOS, we follow the first person POV of Violet, a struggling private school professor just trying to make ends meet. But something dark happens at the academy and Violet finds it difficult to let it go. And when a handsome new teacher comes on campus, Violet finds herself deepening herself into the “closed case”. Reluctantly allying with this new professor, Chance, we find ourselves knee deep in hidden identities, past and present disappearances, and a forbidden entanglement.
Violet is our grumpy black cat FMC. She struggles with her past and the poor relationships she’s had and fights tooth and nail against letting anyone in. Chance is our sunshine golden retriever MMC who is incorrigible and doesn’t take “no” for an answer. He’s thoughtful and a big proponent in the mental health rep within these pages. Together they get to decide whether they’ll allow the walls they’ve built around their heart continue to control them or finally give someone the trust enough to be in their corner.
I thoroughly loved this dark romance. The mystery was so fun. The romance was just SO GOOD. And I definitely smiled stupidly every time Chance was in the room. AJ did such a wonderful job and her writing allowed for an immersive and elegant experience. I ate this up in one day and I’m not ashamed.
Tropes you may find in TOS are forbidden love, reverse grumpy x sunshine, reluctant allies to lovers, workplace romance, one bed, forced proximity, mystery, slow burn, he gives her a nickname, mental health rep, spice 2.5/5, and a perfectly suspenseful and heartfelt ending.
This was such a good read. I’d definitely reread it and recommend it!
Oh man, did I enjoy this dark academia mystery romance! Not exactly in my wheelhouse without the fantasy but I’m so glad I leapt out of my comfort zone and got the honor of reading this gifted arc by AJ, because it was SO GOOD.
In TOS, we follow the first person POV of Violet, a struggling private school professor just trying to make ends meet. But something dark happens at the academy and Violet finds it difficult to let it go. And when a handsome new teacher comes on campus, Violet finds herself deepening herself into the “closed case”. Reluctantly allying with this new professor, Chance, we find ourselves knee deep in hidden identities, past and present disappearances, and a forbidden entanglement.
Violet is our grumpy black cat FMC. She struggles with her past and the poor relationships she’s had and fights tooth and nail against letting anyone in. Chance is our sunshine golden retriever MMC who is incorrigible and doesn’t take “no” for an answer. He’s thoughtful and a big proponent in the mental health rep within these pages. Together they get to decide whether they’ll allow the walls they’ve built around their heart continue to control them or finally give someone the trust enough to be in their corner.
I thoroughly loved this dark romance. The mystery was so fun. The romance was just SO GOOD. And I definitely smiled stupidly every time Chance was in the room. AJ did such a wonderful job and her writing allowed for an immersive and elegant experience. I ate this up in one day and I’m not ashamed.
Tropes you may find in TOS are forbidden love, reverse grumpy x sunshine, reluctant allies to lovers, workplace romance, one bed, forced proximity, mystery, slow burn, he gives her a nickname, mental health rep, spice 2.5/5, and a perfectly suspenseful and heartfelt ending.
This was such a good read. I’d definitely reread it and recommend it!
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