The Other Side of Us

by Emily Cox, Nicole Allen

Marcus believed he had finally built the life he always wanted with Mei Li—quiet moments, shared laughs, and a future within reach. But everything crumbles the night she vanishes.

He’s left behind with a wound, a baffling note, and a hollow certainty that something terrible has happened. His search ends with a devastating Mei Li is dead. Grief consumes him, and he escapes to Berkeley to rebuild a new life—yet none of it fills the ache she left behind.

But Mei Li is very much alive. A quick trip to Taiwan to deliver evidence should have ended the nightmare stalking her. Instead, her cousin is murdered, and she becomes the next target. Forced into hiding, she sacrifices everything—including Marcus—to stay alive.

Separated by oceans and haunted by choices, Marcus and Mei Li’s paths collide in a twist neither thought possible, forcing them to choose between rekindling their love or letting it go forever.

394 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Emily Langan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of The Other Side of Us by Emily Cox and Nicole Allen.

YA romance. This trilogy was a fast paced story of first love put to the test. It had exciting twists and heartbreaking turns. The second book (The Other Side of Apart) left us on a major cliffhanger. This book picked up right where we left off.

It was an emotional rollercoaster. A journey that was full of hardships and obstacles. My heart hurt for the struggles Mei Li endured. I was angry at Marcus throughout most of this book. But his choices were because he truly believed Mei was gone. Sometimes you have to grow on your own to find yourself.

🥠 It was a fabulous end to their story.

Releasing on 2/24/2026

[Devyn Brummett]

The Other Side of Us is a love story told in heartbeats and hesitations. It’s about the kind of connection that doesn’t fade easily—the kind that lingers in memories, silences, and the spaces between words.
The writing is soft yet emotionally charged, capturing the push and pull of two people learning how to love, lose, and find each other again. Every glance, every missed moment, every tender exchange feels intentional and intimate. The characters are imperfect in the most beautiful ways, carrying their scars while still daring to hope.
This is not a loud romance—it’s a slow burn, rich with longing and emotional depth. The story unfolds gently, reminding us that love isn’t always about grand gestures, but about choosing someone, again and again, even when it’s hard.
If you’re drawn to romances that ache a little, that feel deeply personal and emotionally resonant, The Other Side of Us will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong finisher for the trilogy! I had to speed through this because every Marcus chapter had me FUMING and every Mei Li chapter had me at the edge of my seat. Was I rooting for Mei Li and Leo the entire time? Yes. Was Tavah an infinitely healthier choice for Marcus? Yes.
Am I happy Mei Li and Marcus got their HEA? Begrudgingly, also yes. Second-chance romances are usually the hardest for me to buy into, but this one made sense. Truly the best book of the three.
Thank you to Emily Cox and Nicole Allen for the ARCs for the series!

[Grace Pressman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 90% of this book in the last 2 days. To feel a love that Marcus and Mei felt is so realistic. It’s love. True love. This book is so relatable in my heart and it hits so close to home. Not always the ideal circumstances for our love phases, but it could be just a phase… right… ? It’s most definitely a page turner and gives you all of the love feelings in the world.

[Sheena Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM SO IN LOVE! This ending was just what I needed for this story!

[Abby Schaitkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨book review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Happy pub day to the final installment in The Other Side of Together series!

Still apart, Mei finds herself stuck in Taiwan hiding from the past that’s sought to hurt her until it can be laid to rest once and for all. In the meantime, there’s no way to tell Marcus that she’s gone into hiding and hasn’t left him for good. Consequently, Marcus believes Mei to have walked away and died, forcing him to move on. When their lives reconnect, Mei and Marcus need to decide if there’s still room in their hearts for each other after all they’ve been through together and apart.

This series reaches its conclusion in this novel, twisting readers through the emotional wringer. Having an omniscient perspective of Mei and Marcus’ lives makes the heartbreak even deeper as the story drives them further apart, missing each other and miscalculating their next moves in life apart. The book follows them through gut wrenching heartbreak, devastating grief, rediscovering one’s self and healing.

These characters make you feel everything from anger to grief to once in a lifetime, young love. It’s infuriating to watch them get things wrong, unaware of the truth that exists beyond their bubble. It’s nail biting to wait to see if they’ll get around their obstacles to find one another again. A great conclusion with a well paced plot, true to the characters through and through. I flew through this book just like the first two and am sad to see it go!

For anyone looking for a fast paced romance laced with action and danger, this is a great rec for you!

[Justyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to Mei Li and Marcus’s journey is a deeply emotional, "full circle" experience. This third installment takes a noticeably darker turn than its predecessors, fearlessly exploring the "other side" of love—delving into loss, grief, and the heavy burden of loneliness. It was compelling to watch the protagonists battle their internal demons while trying to find their footing after the tumultuous events of the previous book.
​What Stood out
​The Emotional Weight: While the series has always been rooted in love, this book leans into the "ugly" parts of healing. It feels raw and high-stakes.
​Character Growth: Seeing the evolution of #Marli was a highlight. Their relationship has always been a whirlwind, and reaching a definitive, satisfactory end to their arc felt earned.
​The Supporting Cast: The new relationships introduced in this book added a fascinating layer. Characters like Tavah showed incredible strength and agency, which provided a great balance to the central drama.
​Final Thoughts
​While the pacing in this final chapter feels more deliberate and slow-burning than the first two, it succeeds in giving the characters a sense of closure. There is a lingering sadness for the "what ifs" regarding the side characters—particularly Leo, whose devotion provided a poignant contrast to the main romance. Ultimately, it’s a heavy, heartfelt end to a trilogy that isn't afraid to show that the path to "happily ever after" is often paved with challenges.

[Hailey Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing the final portion of Marcus and Mei Lin'a story was absolutely bittersweet!! I finished this book in record time ♥️ I absolutely loved the full circle moment. it had great twists and turns especially, after the cliff hanger in book 2!! what an emotional rollercoaster. Thank you to Emily and Nicole for creating such a wonderful trilogy. it was absolutely wonderful to be a part of :)
I sincerely enjoyed the way the series ended on such a positive note

[Chrystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOAH BABY.
I didn’t think I could get more emotional than I did in book 2 but this one brought actual tears. Without giving anything away I can say that chapters 23, 28, 40 and 46 all brought me to literal tears. What a story.
I held my breath through so much of it and my anxiety was through the roof, but like every good rollercoaster I had a smile on my face when it ended.
365 forever.

[Jenalee J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need time to recover from the emotional damage of this book.
I don’t have the right words to describe this book/series.
This book wrecked me. Literally cried in the bathtub. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters- even Temptress T.
Such a beautifully story and so wonderfully written I can’t wait to read more from the authors! I

The humor, banter, heartbreak and love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.

[Briana Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a brutal, but beautiful ending to the Trilogy. I can't say too much without spoilers, but I can give what my bestie calls a cry count. If I'm remembering and counting correctly, I cried about 10 times throughout the book.

[Joshua Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your future is full of emotions and heartbreak that will end with you needing 3-5 days to recover from this masterpiece of a book and trilogy.
My heart was not ready for the path it was going to take through this book and I was ready to accept there not being a happy ever after if that’s as it be the case.
i cant’ reccomend this entire trilogy enough please gov it love

[Sola Blaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a lover of fast paced, heartbreaks, cliffhangers and plot twists then this is YA series for you. Having read the first 2 books in the series all I can say is that I need to know what happens next!!
Marcus and Mei Li jump of the pages and take you into a thrilling world full of excitement and an emotional roller coaster you won't want to get off from.

[Stevie Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️🎱🥠✨THE OTHER SIDE OF US ✨🥠🎱♾️

♾️🌟10000000000000000/5

♾️TOSOU is set to release February 24th, 2026 and I am THRILLED for you all the read this last installment in TOSOT series!!

🎱My thoughts?! Chefs kiss 💋. I love Emily and Nicole so much, I will ALWAYS be their hype girl! This latest novel had me in all the emotions. Sadness, grief (poor Mei)😭, anger (I’m looking at you Marcus), relief, happiness, and overall peace.

🥠Again, this novel kicks off right after TOSOA kicks off. It makes all three novels flow so well together that you really can just read them all in one day (if you have the time)🤪

✨I couldn’t stop crying when Marcus opened the box and started reading all the notes (IYKYK)😭😭😭 For about 85% of this novel, I loathed Marcus but I’m glad he was able to make his redemption 🥰

♾️If you love YA, contemporary romance, cultural appropriation and appreciation, and lots of drama- this novel (or trilogy really) is meant for you!!

🎱synopsis:

Marcus believed he had finally built the life he always wanted with Mei Li—quiet moments, shared laughs, and a future within reach. But everything crumbles the night she vanishes. He’s left behind with a wound, a baffling note, and a hollow certainty that something terrible has happened. His search ends with a devastating truth: Mei Li is dead. Grief consumes him, and he escapes to Berkeley to rebuild a new life—yet none of it fills the ache she left behind. But Mei Li is very much alive. A quick trip to Taiwan to deliver evidence should have ended the nightmare stalking her. Instead, her cousin is murdered, and she becomes the next target. Forced into hiding, she sacrifices everything—including Marcus—to stay alive.

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is beautifully woven with love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. From the very first page, the reader is thrust into Marcus’s heartbreak—he’s left behind with a wound, a baffling note, and a hollow certainty that something terrible has happened. His desperate search for answers only leads to a devastating truth: Mei Li is dead. The grief that consumes Marcus is palpable, and his attempt to escape the pain by starting anew in Berkeley resonates deeply, especially as nothing can fill the void Mei Li left behind.

But the story’s brilliance lies in its dual perspective. Mei Li, far from lost, is fighting for her own survival. Her journey to Taiwan meant to bring closure, but it plunges her into greater danger—her cousin’s murder, her own life threatened, and the need to vanish, even if it means severing her bond with Marcus. The agony of her sacrifice is rendered with aching clarity.

As the narrative unfolds, Marcus and Mei Li are separated by oceans and haunted by the choices they’ve made. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, the emotional stakes soar. The twist that reunites them is both surprising and inevitable, and the decision they face—to rekindle their love or let it go forever—is heartbreakingly real.

This is a story that lingers long after the last page. It’s a testament to resilience, to the powerful grip of grief, and to the hope that even the most broken hearts can find their way back to love. I was moved, captivated, and utterly invested in Marcus and Mei Li’s journey. Highly recommended for anyone who craves a love story with genuine depth and suspense. This series is my favorite of the year so far.

[Kerry Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart… where do I even begin to explain the emotional rollercoaster that TOSOU took me on, I’ve never cried so much on a public train reading a book until this one!! Emily and Nicole I am your newest fan and will be diving into everything you bring out in the future.

The journey this book takes us on with Mei Li and Marcus is one full of sadness, grief, laughter angst and everything else in between. I am so glad we got to see their journey through to the end and that Guo Mama didn’t loose her witty words and crazy insights.

Thankyou again Emily & Nicole for the journey of The Other Side of Us and the rest of the Series.

Book Overview

Marcus believed he had finally built the life he always wanted with Mei Li—quiet moments, shared laughs, and a future within reach. But everything crumbles the night she vanishes.

He’s left behind with a wound, a baffling note, and a hollow certainty that something terrible has happened. His search ends with a devastating truth: Mei Li is dead. Grief consumes him, and he escapes to Berkeley to rebuild a new life—yet none of it fills the ache she left behind.

But Mei Li is very much alive. A quick trip to Taiwan to deliver evidence should have ended the nightmare stalking her. Instead, her cousin is murdered, and she becomes the next target. Forced into hiding, she sacrifices everything—including Marcus—to stay alive.

Separated by oceans and haunted by choices, Marcus and Mei Li’s paths collide in a twist neither thought possible, forcing them to choose between rekindling their love or letting it go forever.

[Crystal Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

March Book Spotlight ☘️
#bookreview
📚: The otherside of Us
✍️ : Emily Cox and Nicole Allen
📖 : 394
🗓️: 2-24
⭐️: 5 stars
✨review ✨️
Well….. I was not expecting that. This book wrecked me. I went though ever stage of grief for this book and I know that when I receive my physical book this book will go to time out for at least 6 months. UTTER DESTRUCTION of my soul, I have read some tear jerking books before but this one will be forever on my top 10. Beautifully written, the story was achingly beautiful. Thank you for giving me and the couple a wonderfully HEA. I don’t think I could have handled not having that ending. It was full circle and so real. The heartache in this story shows so much growth. It was so real. Thank you again for letting me be part of this arc team, I was touched beyond words for the note. I believed in this series and these authors because of book one but I know this is not the end of what we will see for them in the future. They write the hard stories, the one people don’t want to talk about but we need to, how one ripple can change everything and how hard it is to come back stronger,
Marcus and Mei will always have place on my shelf. I hope it will find a way to more readers.
This series is on kindle unlimited starting with Book 1 the other side of together, followed by the other side of apart and ending with this conclusion of the other side of US.

[Jordan Mains · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart! I have been anxiously waiting for this third and final book of the trilogy and it wrecked me. First in all the worst ways, then in all the best. I read this one so slow (like no joke, it took me almost a month) because I just couldn’t handle where it felt like it was headed. I would read some, and then have to put it down between tears and anger, excitement and frustration. If you have ever ridden a roller coaster in the dark… that is exactly how this book handled my heart. Those out of nowhere, not what you were expecting sudden yanks that leave you feeling weird in your belly, just to then drop out from under you with no warning, then next thing you know you’re on the up and up again!
Emily and Nicole have such a talent of making their readers FEEL every emotion from beginning to end. I laughed and cried multiple times throughout the entire trilogy, but this one most of all. Though there are some dark and sad parts, they do a wonderful job of balancing the story with humor and fun as well. Marcus and Mei Li have got quite the story through each book. Don’t miss this. You’ll regret it.
Thank you Emily and Nicole for taking me along on this journey and allowing me the privilege of being a part of your ARC team! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

#arc #arcreview #bookish #books #bookstagram #romance #lostlove

[Jennifer Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in The Other Side of Together trilogy. Marcus and Mei Li are in separate parts of the world. Marcus has no idea why Mei Li left him at the hospital after he was shot other than a vague note. Marcus has his father Detective Miller search for Mei Li that turns up a death certificate and his world comes crashing in. Marcus starts to rebuild, but Mei Li is alive, in Taiwan after her cousin washes up dead in Jamaica and she’s forced to hide for her safety and for Marcus’. I could not put this book down, it will have you yelling at times, crying at others, and sometimes you will feel joy. What would you do for the person you love? Would you leave them to protect them? This book and series are an absolute must read. An amazing series by Emily and Nicole. Can’t wait to see what else you two come up with!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the cliffhanger ending in book two, I could not wait to read this book. It is the conclusion of Mei Li and Marcus's story. Wow. I am speechless. Ok, maybe not fully speechless (this is a good thing) otherwise, I would not be able to write this review.

In this book, Marcus and Mei Li's journey is a tough one. It will test them both like they have never been tested before. Just how long do you wait for your true love?

"I didn't even breathe for months after you left."

After being along from the beginning of Mei Li and Marcus's story, it was a bit hard to see them separated for a good length of the story. It kind of felt like my heart was broken and I did not know what to do about it. I know Marcus can relate.

"I left because you were everything to me, and I refused to be the reason you got hurt again."

Emily Cox and Nicole Allen are amazing. They are a winning duo. I invested myself mind, body, heart and soul into this trilogy. It is safe to say that Mei Li and Marcus will hold a special place in my heart forever. This trilogy ends on a high note. I look forward to what these two ladies have planned next.

[Nikki Endicott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cox and Allen stun again! Full of unexpected twists and turns, The Other Side of Us will break your heart…then piece it back together in the most fulfilling way possible. An amazing end to an amazing series!

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this entire series

This series was well written and has become one of my favorite series. The ending was a great way to end. You could feel the emotions of what the characters went through. This book is very fast paced and didn’t take long to finish.

[Sierra Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me feeling so empty then full. Earth gripping twist and turns. Loved this so very much! Read the series!!