The Other Side

by J.A. Halley

751 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2025

Reviews

[Morgan P.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely loved reading The Other Side. I needed a break from fantasy and this book became my comfort book I gravitated to anytime I had a stressful day and just needed to wind down.

It gave me Sullivans Crossing vibes which I’m obsessed with - the feeling of going back to a place that holds so much history, complicated relationships, and friendships. What I liked most was how easy it was to get into. The characters felt real with real dynamics and history wasn't over explained.

There were moments I laughed, moments I smiled, and a few where I just sat there like… okay wow J.A. Halley really did that😂 (but then I was ok lol).

Overall, it’s such a comforting, easy read but still has enough emotion and tension to keep you hooked. I liked the length too - nothing was rushed and nothing was dragged out. Also I hope this can become a series one day because this is a show I will literally watch 20 times.

If you need a comfort book that feels like tea, soup and a comfy couch, she's your book ❤️

[Jewel Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book flowed so nicely. Such a good read! Loved the way this book was written, descriptive but not overly descriptive so that I could also use my imagination. I felt like I was in the story. It left me wanting to read on more about everyone’s lives. A great read!

[Thalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!
The characters were genuine, flawed but likeable, and relatable yet interesting. The story really captured the best of small town community spirit. I loved how the relationships evolved and grew.
I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Other Side by J.A. Halley. From the very first chapters, I was drawn into a world that feels both deeply comforting and quietly compelling. The characters are incredibly well developed—you don’t just read about them, you feel like you know them. Their relationships, struggles, and growth unfold in such a natural way that it’s easy to become fully invested.
There’s a nostalgic charm to this book that reminded me of settling in with a favorite TV series. It has that cozy, character-driven feel—like a blend of Gilmore Girls and Dawson's Creek—where the heart of the story lies in the connections between people and the moments that shape them.
It’s the kind of book you want to linger in, not rush through. Thoughtful, engaging, and full of heart, The Other Side is a story that stays with you even after you’ve turned the last page.

[Cassandra Meijers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! This was such a feel-good read with relatable and memorable characters you really grow to love. It’s an easy one to get pulled into, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to picking it back up.

As someone who doesn’t read a ton of fiction, this felt super approachable and just really enjoyable from start to finish. Definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for something light, warm, and uplifting.

[Hailey Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all walks of life, its shows the highs and lows. That you can meet the most meaningful people in unexpected situations.
Each chapter switching perspectives really kept me hooked and wanting more! It was hard to put the book down, I just wanted to keep reading it!

Something that stuck with me throughout reading this book is that change happens and when you embrace it deep connections can be made and the most wonderful things can happen. Even if things don’t work out there is always opportunity to learn, grow and try anew.

I am so pleased with this book, the events were unpredictable yet in the end everything wrapped up perfectly just in the way I hoped it would! It is an amazing feel good book to read.

[Sheri Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this novel. The characters were relatable and the storyline engaging. It was heartwarming and thought provoking. A great mother daughter story. I highly recommend!

[Tracey Joiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side was a wonderful read! Getting to view the different perspectives of characters really made it easy to connect with them. I was continuously curious about what was going to happen and loved how heartfelt the story was.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Halley’s novel, and I can say with certainty that you should read it, too. Halley tells Brianna’s story from the perspective of four very different characters, and the way she handles each of them as an individual is really impressive. By using different perspectives, you get to see everyone from multiple angles, which makes them feel so much more human and layered.

Having grown up in a quiet island town myself, I felt completely at home in the setting of this novel and loved how well Halley captured those unique small-town connections.

I'd definitely recommend picking it up! It's a perfect read to settle into for the summer.

[Veronica Van Vliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Other Side” is a light, heartwarming read that sweeps you up into the island world - a quant, quirky community that Jess Halley creates in vivid colour! I felt at home as a reader, settling somewhere between the experiences of Brianna and Rhonda, her grandmother; between a legacy of pre-existing characters and the discovered friendships that develop when Brianna settles in. This book wasn't strictly a romance - it had a romantic side plot, which added intrigue and kept me waiting to see what would happen, but it didn't detract from the main character's story arc or the changes you witness in her key relationships. I felt the book reinforced the importance of being really known, of really belonging, and creating belonging - all wrapped in a warm story that unfurled at a perfect, easy-reading pace. 

[Savannah Joiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wholesome read that left me feeling uplifted. Though there were a lot of challenges for many characters throughout the book, the relationships that grew and the ones that were developed allowed for each character to end up where they were meant to be. The book gave such a sense of friendship, sometimes in the most unlikely places. I particularly loved experiencing Brianna and Mara’s relationship and the support they both gave each other. I found Brianna to be very relatable, as self identified people pleaser myself, the author really captured the essence of that in this character. I found myself wondering, what would I do if I was in the same situation? Overall a really great book that I would definitely recommend!

[Benjamin Bondy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in four days and very much enjoyed it. The character development is strong, relatable and well done. I found myself caring about these people that aren't even real and really feeling for them as they go through hurdles and happiness together and individually. I'm not much of a crier, but it even got a tear out of my near the end while I was on an airplane of all places! I highly recommend this book for anyone really! The 4 perspectives are super fun to read. 10/10!

[April Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first chapter, I felt completely transported into this charming small town filled with unforgettable characters. Each person felt real and layered — the kind of characters you can’t stop thinking about long after you’ve finished reading.

The plot development was beautifully done. Nothing felt rushed, and every twist and reveal unfolded so naturally. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, it surprised me in the best way. The pacing kept me hooked while still allowing time to really connect with the town and the people who live there.

What truly makes this book shine is its heart. It captures the warmth, complexity, and sometimes messy beauty of life so perfectly. You can almost feel like the characters would be your friends in real life!

This is the perfect beach read — engaging, emotional, and impossible to put down. Whether you’re reading it with your toes in the sand or curled up at home, it’s the kind of story that completely sweeps you away.

I couldn’t recommend it more. Such a special, beautifully written book!

[Melanie Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. Loved the characters and the whole world that J.A. Halley created! I wanted to stay in that world and know more about all of them!
I was impressed by this author. Her storytelling skill and the way she kept it all unfolding made me feel like I can trust this author. The characters stayed true to themselves, she let the story play out.
I feel like her readers are in great hands and will have a great experience when they enter her worlds! Definitely a new author for me that I will be eagerly following and adding to my list of authors I really enjoy!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect vacation read, this book is captivating with every turn of a page. This book left a heartwarming feeling full of compassion,care and love. With a desire to seek connection with an open mind.

Her writing style creates detailed imagery in my imagination effortlessly, feeling real emotion throughout my reading experience.

A fantastic book for an easy read leaving you feeling Inspired and optimistic for what’s next to come in life.

[Daniel Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This came highly recommended by a friend who said, “It feels like going home.” She was absolutely right. The atmosphere is beautifully layered, and Brianna’s return to the island felt both tender and deeply relatable. The way the past and present intertwine made me think about my own unfinished chapters. It’s the kind of book you press into someone else’s hands the minute you finish it.

[Bari Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll make this quick yet my husband‘s mom passed away right before we left for vacation 😩 and I got Jess’s book, “The Other Side” and took it with me and it was such a nice reprieve and I needed it!! I completely. Enjoyed the book. Excellent writing, excellent story, & highly recommend. Got it on Amazon! My mom is reading it next! 5 stars across the board!!

[Emily Borden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! Different perspectives from all the characters and was so rich in development! I didn’t want to put it down! Very easy to read and follow, loved all of her books she’s written! Would definitely recommend!

[Suzanne Tremblay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this booked so much! It was exactly what I needed in a crazy world right now. I couldnt wait to get back into it after a busy day and finished it in 3 days. It was wholesome, and heartwarming. I'm looking forward to J.A. Halley's next book. Suzanne Tremblay

[Adams Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something really comforting about this story. It reminded me of going back to places from my childhood and realizing how much you’ve changed. The characters felt natural, and the island almost felt like its own character. I didn’t rush through this one, I wanted to sit with it.

[Judy Smith]

The Other Side by J. A. Halley is a warm coming of age story that spans 3 family generations with a complex interplay of an engaging community of characters in an enchanting island small town atmosphere. In the space between graduating high school and "whatever comes next" Brianna's estranged grandmother passes away and her mother sends her to the island to deal with the family home until she can join her. Here Brianna navigates the depths of adult relationship with her emotionally distant mother, her best high school friends and the small community that knew and loved the grandmother she had not seen since she was 10.
Exposing and reconciling old family dynamics and secrets, Brianna grows past the awkward silence of the unspoken events of the past, bringing together her family and the community in a celebration of a life created and lived fully in the present. With such a large cast of characters each presenting their perspective of relationship in the first person I, the reader is easily and comfortably drawn into the story like a warm embrace and I found myself thinking about the characters when I was not reading this wonderfully engaging story. I loved it.
Judy Smith

[Ally Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing but praise for this book. Every character has a distinct voice when it switches to their perspectives. The way grief is described and handled is so unbelievably real. I found myself relating a lot to Brianna as a fellow people pleaser with insecurities and friend jealousy.

This book made me laugh, cry, smile, and just feel good. I love the characters and watching how they all grow and develop as the story goes on. 5 out 5 would recommend to everyone

[Heidi Lefaive · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story About Coming Home
The novel leans heavily into atmosphere. The island feels suspended in time, and Halley uses that stillness to draw out Brianna’s internal conflict. Her return forces her to confront memories she’s tried to bury, including the guilt she carries from her teenage years and the relationships she abandoned.

Emotional depth: The book thrives on introspection. Brianna’s inner world is rendered with honesty and nuance.

A strong sense of place: The island setting is vivid and symbolic, mirroring Brianna’s emotional state.

Themes of reconciliation: The story explores how confronting the past can be both painful and liberating.

Overall Impression
The Other Side is a thoughtful, atmospheric novel that rewards readers who enjoy character‑driven stories about memory, identity, and healing. It’s a gentle but resonant exploration of what it means to face the parts of ourselves we’ve avoided for too long.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side by Jessica Halley is a heartwarming story about relationships from a young person’s perspective. It shows how friendships, romance, and the wisdom of elderly people shape who we are. The book emphasizes the importance of family, loyal friendships, and telling the truth, especially when it’s difficult. Even when the future feels uncertain, it highlights the importance of trusting your instincts and staying true to yourself, ultimately making it a happy, uplifting story.

[Sylvia H]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The further into I got, I couldn't put it down! I loved all the characters, feeling their joy and their pain. The story proceeded at a good pace, never dragging. Moving between past and present, with four different narrators, there was no confusion or lost details. A great job by a relatively new author!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book to read! I could not put it down. Long after finishing I find myself wondering about the characters as if they were real while I try to imagine what will come next. The book is well written, warm and satisfying. I highly recommend!

[Angela Bedard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is both fun and heartfelt. It has some unexpected twists. I recommend it!