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The Other Side of Him
It’s the middle of the twentieth century, World War II is finally over, and Claire Wagner is on the brink of an exciting new life. With a well-deserved scholarship in hand, and much to her immigrant mother’s dismay, Claire flees the Chicago tenements for a prestigious graduate school program in California. At first Claire keeps her nose tucked firmly into her books, but when her brother asks for a favor, she reluctantly agrees to a blind date. Greg turns out to be handsome, successful, and rich—and he’s definitely smitten with Claire. He introduces her to a sophisticated world she thought only existed in the movies, and before she knows it she’s trading her bobby socks and German home cooking for black silk and caviar. When Greg starts to show signs that he’s not as perfect as he appeared, Claire’s friends urge her to overlook his occasional short temper and controlling behavior. But the warning signs pile up, building to a crisis that will test even Claire’s power to persevere. Inspired by true events and steeped in the details of the 1950s, when vulnerable women weren’t protected by the law or society, The Other Side of Him is a provocative look at how darkness can lie under the most polished exteriors.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2016
13 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Alice Rene
6 books49 followersAlice Rene wrote her award-winning memoir, Becoming Alice, after a grandson interviewed her about her early life when Hitler marched into Vienna, foreshadowing WWII. She followed this work with a historical fiction/ romantic thriller inspired by true events, The Other Side of Him. The working title of her next book at this time is The Lieutenant from Podolia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 27, 2017
Alice Rene!
This. Is. A. Masterpiece!
I absolutely adored this book!
Set in the middle of 20th century, The Other Side of Him unfolds the story of Claire who dreams about having a perfect life.
Claire, a young, ambitious, enthusiastic and passionate girl, wants to study medicine and have an independent career.
Her German mother's life's only goal is to marry her daughter into the riches.
Greg, a handsome, prosperous, charming takes Claire on a blind date and since then they know they are in love with each other.
Claire has met with the man of her dreams. Her life has become a fairy tale.
Until she encounters with the deadly secrets of Greg. She found it too late!
She breaks up with Greg and continues to work at the hospital as a case worker.
But she is not going to have an easy way out.
Kicked out from the place she worked devotedly for, she hunts for a suitable job with her shining bright degrees and ends up working in a pub.
Her determination takes her to places and finally she is living euphoric.
But with Greg just around the corner, will she get a life of her dreams?
A book about obsession and what excessive love can do! With a historical background!
Exceptionally beautiful narration made my heart skip a few beats. Characters are well-researched and their spicy lives kept it interesting. Dialogues are perfect and keeps you entertained.
It's fantastic to see Claire's mother convincing Claire to marry someone in half English- half German.
With The Other Side of Him, Alice Rene has proved that she very well deserves to be in the list of talented and skilled literary giants.
The fact that this book was inspired from true events, increased the zeal in me.
This kind of book I'm certain you'd had not read anywhere.
In the arena of Historical Fiction, I recommend it highly!!!!
Anyone who wants to read a haunting and obsessive romance from World War 2 era, Get This One!
This. Is. A. Masterpiece!
I absolutely adored this book!
Set in the middle of 20th century, The Other Side of Him unfolds the story of Claire who dreams about having a perfect life.
Claire, a young, ambitious, enthusiastic and passionate girl, wants to study medicine and have an independent career.
Her German mother's life's only goal is to marry her daughter into the riches.
Greg, a handsome, prosperous, charming takes Claire on a blind date and since then they know they are in love with each other.
Claire has met with the man of her dreams. Her life has become a fairy tale.
Until she encounters with the deadly secrets of Greg. She found it too late!
She breaks up with Greg and continues to work at the hospital as a case worker.
But she is not going to have an easy way out.
Kicked out from the place she worked devotedly for, she hunts for a suitable job with her shining bright degrees and ends up working in a pub.
Her determination takes her to places and finally she is living euphoric.
But with Greg just around the corner, will she get a life of her dreams?
A book about obsession and what excessive love can do! With a historical background!
Exceptionally beautiful narration made my heart skip a few beats. Characters are well-researched and their spicy lives kept it interesting. Dialogues are perfect and keeps you entertained.
It's fantastic to see Claire's mother convincing Claire to marry someone in half English- half German.
With The Other Side of Him, Alice Rene has proved that she very well deserves to be in the list of talented and skilled literary giants.
The fact that this book was inspired from true events, increased the zeal in me.
This kind of book I'm certain you'd had not read anywhere.
In the arena of Historical Fiction, I recommend it highly!!!!
Anyone who wants to read a haunting and obsessive romance from World War 2 era, Get This One!
February 7, 2017
2 stars. A big thank you to the author, Alice Rene, who provided me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I wish I could give this book a higher rating. I felt the story was long, drawn out and somewhat repetitive and it failed to grab my interest. The writing and dialogue seemed to be lacking - it didn't flow or feel natural - not what people would actually say or think.
It was interesting to read about how women were viewed during the 1950's. The main character, Claire, was urged by everyone she knew (including her own mother) to marry the doctor she was dating because of his status. Her family and friends overlooked Claire's concerns when she voiced them saying she was "lucky" to be dating a doctor. Claire struggled with what she knew in her heart and what her family and friends were telling her to do.
I had a difficult time caring for Claire. She was hard working and sweet but she was so extremely naive that it was frustrating. While I can understand that the author wanted to portray her as an independent woman working her way up in her career and in the world, her decisions seemed foolish and unrealistic. This novel was based on true events, and I understand Claire's decisions might have been based on what actually happened, but it wasn't described to the reader in a believable way. Claire repeatedly put herself in unnecessary situations - choosing to be alone after she was attacked, walking through city streets alone at night after her attacker was removed from her place of work for harassment earlier that day. Claire had options to stay with her mother, her brother, her friend Barb, yet she still chose to stay alone in her apartment the night before a restraining order was served to her attacker??? Who would choose to stay alone under these circumstances especially when your brother is begging you to come and stay at his place for the night? These are just a few examples of things that didn't make sense to me.
Even though this novel is based on true events, the 'telling' of the story felt weak. I wasn't bought into it. I didn't connect with the characters as they lacked the depth and development I would need to be truly engaged in the storyline. There are some great reviews out there, so please read others before making a decision on reading this book!
While I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, I am still interested in reading Alice Rene's memoir (her first book) about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. She seems like an incredible woman!
I wish I could give this book a higher rating. I felt the story was long, drawn out and somewhat repetitive and it failed to grab my interest. The writing and dialogue seemed to be lacking - it didn't flow or feel natural - not what people would actually say or think.
It was interesting to read about how women were viewed during the 1950's. The main character, Claire, was urged by everyone she knew (including her own mother) to marry the doctor she was dating because of his status. Her family and friends overlooked Claire's concerns when she voiced them saying she was "lucky" to be dating a doctor. Claire struggled with what she knew in her heart and what her family and friends were telling her to do.
I had a difficult time caring for Claire. She was hard working and sweet but she was so extremely naive that it was frustrating. While I can understand that the author wanted to portray her as an independent woman working her way up in her career and in the world, her decisions seemed foolish and unrealistic. This novel was based on true events, and I understand Claire's decisions might have been based on what actually happened, but it wasn't described to the reader in a believable way. Claire repeatedly put herself in unnecessary situations - choosing to be alone after she was attacked, walking through city streets alone at night after her attacker was removed from her place of work for harassment earlier that day. Claire had options to stay with her mother, her brother, her friend Barb, yet she still chose to stay alone in her apartment the night before a restraining order was served to her attacker??? Who would choose to stay alone under these circumstances especially when your brother is begging you to come and stay at his place for the night? These are just a few examples of things that didn't make sense to me.
Even though this novel is based on true events, the 'telling' of the story felt weak. I wasn't bought into it. I didn't connect with the characters as they lacked the depth and development I would need to be truly engaged in the storyline. There are some great reviews out there, so please read others before making a decision on reading this book!
While I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, I am still interested in reading Alice Rene's memoir (her first book) about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. She seems like an incredible woman!
August 12, 2016
THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM
Alice Rene
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Claire has finally finished college and is working as an intern at a hospital in San Francisco. There she meets a charming and handsome older doctor named Greg Lombard who sweeps Claire off of her feet right away. Claire is a bit leery of getting her hopes up with Greg as he is a much older and sophisticated man and she is a poor girl from the Chicago projects. At first life with Greg is perfect and Claire feels very flattered that Greg would even be interested in a girl like her. After a while, Claire starts to see THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM. At first, it's little things, like how he never asks her what she wants to eat when they go out to dinner. He always orders for her and even when she says what she would like, he orders what he thinks she should have. He starts to question every move she makes and with who.
Soon Claire struggles with how she is going to get away from Greg. He is charming and attentive to her, but now it's to the point where red flags are going up and Claire can't ignore them. Unfortunately, Greg can not take no for an answer and he starts to stalk her. THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM takes place in the 1950's and stalking isn't as common back then as it is now. But Claire knows she must escape Greg's reach before he hurts her or kills her. She loves her job and refuses to let Greg keep her from doing what she loves most. Trust me, once you start reading Claire's story, you wont be able to put it down.
THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM is a quick read and had me turning the pages with such anticipation. I had to find out what was going to happen to Claire and if she would ever find her happily ever after. Would Claire ever be able to get over what happened to her with Greg? Would her life ever be without turmoil? As I was reading THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM I felt like I was right there in San Francisco staring out into the ocean, waiting for Claire to see what is right there in front of her. I'm excited to read more by Alice Rene.
Alice Rene
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Claire has finally finished college and is working as an intern at a hospital in San Francisco. There she meets a charming and handsome older doctor named Greg Lombard who sweeps Claire off of her feet right away. Claire is a bit leery of getting her hopes up with Greg as he is a much older and sophisticated man and she is a poor girl from the Chicago projects. At first life with Greg is perfect and Claire feels very flattered that Greg would even be interested in a girl like her. After a while, Claire starts to see THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM. At first, it's little things, like how he never asks her what she wants to eat when they go out to dinner. He always orders for her and even when she says what she would like, he orders what he thinks she should have. He starts to question every move she makes and with who.
Soon Claire struggles with how she is going to get away from Greg. He is charming and attentive to her, but now it's to the point where red flags are going up and Claire can't ignore them. Unfortunately, Greg can not take no for an answer and he starts to stalk her. THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM takes place in the 1950's and stalking isn't as common back then as it is now. But Claire knows she must escape Greg's reach before he hurts her or kills her. She loves her job and refuses to let Greg keep her from doing what she loves most. Trust me, once you start reading Claire's story, you wont be able to put it down.
THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM is a quick read and had me turning the pages with such anticipation. I had to find out what was going to happen to Claire and if she would ever find her happily ever after. Would Claire ever be able to get over what happened to her with Greg? Would her life ever be without turmoil? As I was reading THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM I felt like I was right there in San Francisco staring out into the ocean, waiting for Claire to see what is right there in front of her. I'm excited to read more by Alice Rene.
February 4, 2017
I'm teetering between a 2 or 3. I'll round up to a 3
Received from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Claire years for a better life and it appears she will have it when she is awarded a scholarship to a college in California and leaves her hometown of Chicago behind. In the midst of her studies, her brother, Tom, contacts her and asks her to go on a blind date with a man named Greg.
Greg is a handsome doctor who she sees on occasion. In the beginning it doesn't really seem like he is that into her but somewhere along the way he begins to become possessive and Claire begins to see a side of him she does not like. She tends to overlook his outburst of anger and continues dating him until he becomes more than she can handle.
The premise of this book sounded promising. A young woman determined to make her own way after the end of WWII. She wants an education and a job as a medical social worker. She is smart, independent and self sufficient.
I really wished I would have liked this book better. It just failed to grab my interest. The book felt chunky to me. There were a couple of change of scenes which felt abrupt. I also found that the story continuing after the incident wasn't necessary. I wished the book would have focused more on Claire and less on all her relationships with men. This book may not be the first book by this Author, but it felt like a first book. I think in time, the Author's writing will become more polished in terms of transitioning from one scene to the next.
What I did like is how the Author showed the viewpoint of people at the time i.e. during the 50's. Claire mentioned her unease with Greg's behavior to several people who all seemed to urge her to overlook his behavior. After all, wasn't he a successful doctor? How lucky for her that she landed him! I think there was not enough education back in the 50's about domestic violence, warning signs, victims rights, etc.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Received from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Claire years for a better life and it appears she will have it when she is awarded a scholarship to a college in California and leaves her hometown of Chicago behind. In the midst of her studies, her brother, Tom, contacts her and asks her to go on a blind date with a man named Greg.
Greg is a handsome doctor who she sees on occasion. In the beginning it doesn't really seem like he is that into her but somewhere along the way he begins to become possessive and Claire begins to see a side of him she does not like. She tends to overlook his outburst of anger and continues dating him until he becomes more than she can handle.
The premise of this book sounded promising. A young woman determined to make her own way after the end of WWII. She wants an education and a job as a medical social worker. She is smart, independent and self sufficient.
I really wished I would have liked this book better. It just failed to grab my interest. The book felt chunky to me. There were a couple of change of scenes which felt abrupt. I also found that the story continuing after the incident wasn't necessary. I wished the book would have focused more on Claire and less on all her relationships with men. This book may not be the first book by this Author, but it felt like a first book. I think in time, the Author's writing will become more polished in terms of transitioning from one scene to the next.
What I did like is how the Author showed the viewpoint of people at the time i.e. during the 50's. Claire mentioned her unease with Greg's behavior to several people who all seemed to urge her to overlook his behavior. After all, wasn't he a successful doctor? How lucky for her that she landed him! I think there was not enough education back in the 50's about domestic violence, warning signs, victims rights, etc.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
July 28, 2017
Note: This is my very first review so please bear with me, and hopefully I will get better at this.
This was sent to me for review.
Wanting to go into this book a bit blind-sided, I only read the first few lines of the synopsis, but that was all I needed to get hooked in. I’m not going to lie, when I was reading the first 20 or so pages, I truly thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the book as much as I had hoped. I figured it would be a book with a simple plot and a lot of romance. But boy was I wrong! This book was such an emotional rollercoaster and I couldn't put it down.
There are so many things that I loved about this book:
1. The pacing is very fast, Alice Rene does not waste any time with unnecessary characters or information. Every single interaction and scene served a purpose, which was so refreshing to read.
The writing style was absolutely wonderful; it made the book such an easy read. It was so simplistic yet so addictive.
2. Not once did I find any of the characters insufferable, aside from Greg (for reasons I won’t mention because, spoilers). The story is told from Claire Wagner’s point of view and even though there were times she made unwise decisions (what 22-year-old doesn’t), she learned from them and constantly tried to improve herself.
3. The family and friendship dynamic in this story was possibly my favorite part. Claire’s family may not be perfect, her German mother is more interested in her marrying a man than her being an independent, working woman, and her brother was the cause for a lot of Claire’s troubles. However, just like Claire, they both end up growing and learning from one another and from their mistakes. Barb, Claire’s best friend, was my favorite character through out this book. They had such a strong friendship, constantly being there for one another and understanding each other’s decisions. Differences aside, both family and friend rushed to Claire’s side whenever she needed them, which I loved.
4. So much suspense! It comes out of nowhere, just smacks you in the face. One minute I was feeling so happy for Claire and was mesmerized by Greg’s charm, then a few chapters later I began feeling scared for Claire and for the people around her. I couldn’t put this book down until I knew what would to happen to them.
5. There is romance, but it’s not overbearing and not the main focus of the story, instead it's more of a subplot.
6. So many 20th century pop culture references, such as actors, movies, music. etc. It really set the tone of the story and made me feel connected to the time period.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Whenever I put the book down I ended up picking it back up again within a few minutes, because I couldn’t shake it off my mind. I highly recommend this book, and if you end up picking it up I hope that you end up enjoying it as much as I did!
There was just one thing I didn’t particularly like, I'm posting this at the bottom because it's a spoiler:
This was sent to me for review.
Wanting to go into this book a bit blind-sided, I only read the first few lines of the synopsis, but that was all I needed to get hooked in. I’m not going to lie, when I was reading the first 20 or so pages, I truly thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the book as much as I had hoped. I figured it would be a book with a simple plot and a lot of romance. But boy was I wrong! This book was such an emotional rollercoaster and I couldn't put it down.
There are so many things that I loved about this book:
1. The pacing is very fast, Alice Rene does not waste any time with unnecessary characters or information. Every single interaction and scene served a purpose, which was so refreshing to read.
The writing style was absolutely wonderful; it made the book such an easy read. It was so simplistic yet so addictive.
2. Not once did I find any of the characters insufferable, aside from Greg (for reasons I won’t mention because, spoilers). The story is told from Claire Wagner’s point of view and even though there were times she made unwise decisions (what 22-year-old doesn’t), she learned from them and constantly tried to improve herself.
3. The family and friendship dynamic in this story was possibly my favorite part. Claire’s family may not be perfect, her German mother is more interested in her marrying a man than her being an independent, working woman, and her brother was the cause for a lot of Claire’s troubles. However, just like Claire, they both end up growing and learning from one another and from their mistakes. Barb, Claire’s best friend, was my favorite character through out this book. They had such a strong friendship, constantly being there for one another and understanding each other’s decisions. Differences aside, both family and friend rushed to Claire’s side whenever she needed them, which I loved.
4. So much suspense! It comes out of nowhere, just smacks you in the face. One minute I was feeling so happy for Claire and was mesmerized by Greg’s charm, then a few chapters later I began feeling scared for Claire and for the people around her. I couldn’t put this book down until I knew what would to happen to them.
5. There is romance, but it’s not overbearing and not the main focus of the story, instead it's more of a subplot.
6. So many 20th century pop culture references, such as actors, movies, music. etc. It really set the tone of the story and made me feel connected to the time period.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Whenever I put the book down I ended up picking it back up again within a few minutes, because I couldn’t shake it off my mind. I highly recommend this book, and if you end up picking it up I hope that you end up enjoying it as much as I did!
There was just one thing I didn’t particularly like, I'm posting this at the bottom because it's a spoiler:
February 9, 2017
A stunning tale of obsession.
The Other Side of Him is a fascinating exploration of the darker side of romance- when love descends into deadly obsession and a girl's dream becomes a nightmare.
Claire Wagner is on the brink of an exciting new life; fleeing the Chicago tenements with a prestigious graduate scholarship in California, she dreams of a bright future.
Then she meets Greg- a rich, handsome, sophisticated doctor who seems to be prince charming with a Capital C.
Affluent, polished and generous, he immerses Claire in a movie like world of boundless luxury and refinement.
But is Greg as perfect as he seems?
Reminds me a bit of Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
But the frequent German phrases and foods were a bit confusing for a reader that doesn't understand German .
Fabulous writing, with an amazingly eye-catching synopsis by Alice Rene.
Alice Rene is a spectacular storyteller.
Her writing is so vivid and powerful- the words translate so easily into image and sound scenes.
The Other Side of Him fits so many genres- thriller, contemporary women's fiction, historical, romance, New Adult.
This book would make a fabulous movie.
The Other Side of Him is a fascinating exploration of the darker side of romance- when love descends into deadly obsession and a girl's dream becomes a nightmare.
Claire Wagner is on the brink of an exciting new life; fleeing the Chicago tenements with a prestigious graduate scholarship in California, she dreams of a bright future.
Then she meets Greg- a rich, handsome, sophisticated doctor who seems to be prince charming with a Capital C.
Affluent, polished and generous, he immerses Claire in a movie like world of boundless luxury and refinement.
But is Greg as perfect as he seems?
Reminds me a bit of Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
But the frequent German phrases and foods were a bit confusing for a reader that doesn't understand German .
Fabulous writing, with an amazingly eye-catching synopsis by Alice Rene.
Alice Rene is a spectacular storyteller.
Her writing is so vivid and powerful- the words translate so easily into image and sound scenes.
The Other Side of Him fits so many genres- thriller, contemporary women's fiction, historical, romance, New Adult.
This book would make a fabulous movie.
April 11, 2019
Claire has grown up without her father (and is better off for that considering he was a Nazi) raised by her mother in the Chicago projects. When she graduates school it is expected by her mother that she will immediately go to work and help with bills until she finds a husband, which her mother considers to be a top priority. Claire has other plans for herself more important than finding a man, and after landing a scholarship she sets off to pursue her dream. When she first meets Greg she is overwhelmed with the world he shows her. He is certainly everything her mother seems to want for her. It isn't long before Claire discovers that Greg has a far darker and more dangerous side than he presents to the public.
4 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
4 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
December 28, 2017
The Other Side of Him by Alice Rene takes place shortly after WWII. The story takes place in Chicago and San Francisco. Claire's mother remains in Chicago while Claire and her brother take off to San Francisco. Claire is a grad student and working on her internship with roommate. Claire's brother Tom sets up Claire on a blind date, as a favor, with Greg. Greg is an older man and a thoracic surgeon. They have plenty of dates unlike anything Claire has seen. Good food, wine, dancing, etc. He becomes controlling and Claire sees him as being someone else than who he was before. She breaks it off with him and then it becomes a problem.
I enjoyed The Other Side of Him because even today there are people like that out there. Depending on where you live the law is either on your side or not on your side. It was a relatable book and I know it relates to many others out there. I think Alice Rene did a wonderful job of writing the book. It was detailed and moved smoothly from scene to scene. I was able to depict a lot of the scenes in my head and of course I know San Francisco quite well.
Alice Rene delved into Claire's character. I was able to understand Claire's passions and social lifestyle. Her lifestyle is not too far off from many people, today. She is career driven, she is independent, she makes her life as she wishes. We get an understanding of Claire's family life and what they mean to her. All these pieces help us gain a clear picture as everything unfolds.
I definitely recommend reading The Other Side of Him just to see how things were before women's rights movement came along. The movement has not progressed as much as we would like but there is a definite difference in how women were expected to be versus today. It may seem that Greg is over the top but it is a reality that is not entirely impossible. In the end, what is a piece of paper that is supposed to keep you safe?
I gave The Other Side of Him 4 out of 5 stars because I was expecting more detail on Greg. If this book deals with how women were viewed and treated in mid-Twentieth century then an insight on men would have been helpful. All I perceived was Tom is one type of man and Greg is another type of man. A little psychology behind that would have been awesome.
I enjoyed The Other Side of Him because even today there are people like that out there. Depending on where you live the law is either on your side or not on your side. It was a relatable book and I know it relates to many others out there. I think Alice Rene did a wonderful job of writing the book. It was detailed and moved smoothly from scene to scene. I was able to depict a lot of the scenes in my head and of course I know San Francisco quite well.
Alice Rene delved into Claire's character. I was able to understand Claire's passions and social lifestyle. Her lifestyle is not too far off from many people, today. She is career driven, she is independent, she makes her life as she wishes. We get an understanding of Claire's family life and what they mean to her. All these pieces help us gain a clear picture as everything unfolds.
I definitely recommend reading The Other Side of Him just to see how things were before women's rights movement came along. The movement has not progressed as much as we would like but there is a definite difference in how women were expected to be versus today. It may seem that Greg is over the top but it is a reality that is not entirely impossible. In the end, what is a piece of paper that is supposed to keep you safe?
I gave The Other Side of Him 4 out of 5 stars because I was expecting more detail on Greg. If this book deals with how women were viewed and treated in mid-Twentieth century then an insight on men would have been helpful. All I perceived was Tom is one type of man and Greg is another type of man. A little psychology behind that would have been awesome.
February 6, 2018
THE OTHER SIDE OF HIM by Alice Rene is a compelling historical romance.
Claire, the main character, is a young woman determined to leave the low-income projects of Chicago in order to get an education. She successfully avoids the familiar trap of women living in the forties and fifties, a time when women often believed marriage was their ultimate destination.
Claire expresses the unique conflict of living a life true to herself throughout the book, at the same time her roommate, brother, and mother encourage her to stay in a relationship with a well-dressed, handsome, successful doctor, a doctor Claire experiences a growing discomfort with. Claire has intuition, the same trait that will make her a good social worker after college, allowing her to pick up hidden signs about the doctor others cannot see.
The author develops the doctor’s character by using techniques of foreshadowing and revealing his characteristics through subtle actions rather than telling the reader who he is. This causes the mystery and intrigue to heighten, making this book a “must return to read.”
However, the pacing of the book slows at times when the author shifts to Claire’s internship experiences. Although the author reveals the interesting world of social work, she does not use the same literary devices to introduce Claire’s clients, thereby rendering them less intriguing, although she returns to them throughout the story.
Overall, this book is well-written with tight editing, good descriptions, and action culminating into a dramatic climax that is riveting and unexpected. This is a good read and an amazing first novel.
Claire, the main character, is a young woman determined to leave the low-income projects of Chicago in order to get an education. She successfully avoids the familiar trap of women living in the forties and fifties, a time when women often believed marriage was their ultimate destination.
Claire expresses the unique conflict of living a life true to herself throughout the book, at the same time her roommate, brother, and mother encourage her to stay in a relationship with a well-dressed, handsome, successful doctor, a doctor Claire experiences a growing discomfort with. Claire has intuition, the same trait that will make her a good social worker after college, allowing her to pick up hidden signs about the doctor others cannot see.
The author develops the doctor’s character by using techniques of foreshadowing and revealing his characteristics through subtle actions rather than telling the reader who he is. This causes the mystery and intrigue to heighten, making this book a “must return to read.”
However, the pacing of the book slows at times when the author shifts to Claire’s internship experiences. Although the author reveals the interesting world of social work, she does not use the same literary devices to introduce Claire’s clients, thereby rendering them less intriguing, although she returns to them throughout the story.
Overall, this book is well-written with tight editing, good descriptions, and action culminating into a dramatic climax that is riveting and unexpected. This is a good read and an amazing first novel.
September 16, 2017
After one of my novels won a 2017 CIPA Evvy award, I thought it might be fun to read the other winners in the historical fiction category. The Other Side of Him by Alice Rene won one of the two first place awards. I loved the book!
In the beginning Rene's writing felt a little rushed, as it jumped among short glimpses of Claire's younger life, living with her brother and her poor, single, immigrant mother in a Chicago housing project. But after Claire moved to San Francisco, the novel settled into a careful study of her life, a young woman working first on a bachelor's degree then a master's degree in social welfare.
The novel is set in the 1950's, a time that presented a number of problems for women trying to establish careers and dealing with limiting expectations from society. Claire also faces family issues common to second generation Americans.
Claire's brother, Tom, moved to the San Francisco area before she did. After she had lived on the west coast for some time, Tom set her up with Greg, a man he met at a gym. Greg had many wonderful qualities, but also, as the title states, another side. The slow, careful way Greg's personality is revealed through Claire's point of view is the greatest strength of this wonderful, intense story. I couldn't put it down.
Steve Lindahl – author of Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul
In the beginning Rene's writing felt a little rushed, as it jumped among short glimpses of Claire's younger life, living with her brother and her poor, single, immigrant mother in a Chicago housing project. But after Claire moved to San Francisco, the novel settled into a careful study of her life, a young woman working first on a bachelor's degree then a master's degree in social welfare.
The novel is set in the 1950's, a time that presented a number of problems for women trying to establish careers and dealing with limiting expectations from society. Claire also faces family issues common to second generation Americans.
Claire's brother, Tom, moved to the San Francisco area before she did. After she had lived on the west coast for some time, Tom set her up with Greg, a man he met at a gym. Greg had many wonderful qualities, but also, as the title states, another side. The slow, careful way Greg's personality is revealed through Claire's point of view is the greatest strength of this wonderful, intense story. I couldn't put it down.
Steve Lindahl – author of Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul
January 3, 2018
The Other Side of Him is part thriller and part general fiction and is a standalone novel.
Claire comes from a family that doesn’t shirk from working hard to get where you need to go. Her mom wants her to find a “ladies” job and a good husband to settle down with. Claire wants to go to college and become a social worker to help others. Her brother Tim introduces her to a doctor named Greg who seems absolutely idyllic. Perhaps a little too idyllic. As Claire goes forward in her relationship with him and finds things are not as they seemed, can she change its course, or is she bound by the constraints of an era that certainly didn’t afford its women enough protection?
I was ambivalent about this novel as the thriller part is gripping, but all of a sudden it becomes a general life story. With all the twists and turns that recent books have, I found the direction that the book took to be flat! I kept hoping for something exciting to happen and then all of a sudden it was over.
The editing and style of writing is good, but I don’t think the story will still be with me tomorrow. If you feel like an afternoon read where you can just go with the flow of a book then this one’s for you.
Claire comes from a family that doesn’t shirk from working hard to get where you need to go. Her mom wants her to find a “ladies” job and a good husband to settle down with. Claire wants to go to college and become a social worker to help others. Her brother Tim introduces her to a doctor named Greg who seems absolutely idyllic. Perhaps a little too idyllic. As Claire goes forward in her relationship with him and finds things are not as they seemed, can she change its course, or is she bound by the constraints of an era that certainly didn’t afford its women enough protection?
I was ambivalent about this novel as the thriller part is gripping, but all of a sudden it becomes a general life story. With all the twists and turns that recent books have, I found the direction that the book took to be flat! I kept hoping for something exciting to happen and then all of a sudden it was over.
The editing and style of writing is good, but I don’t think the story will still be with me tomorrow. If you feel like an afternoon read where you can just go with the flow of a book then this one’s for you.
April 13, 2019
This is a story that packs a punch! Claire is a young woman starting a new career in California as a caseworker, and she meets an older, well-to-do doctor that sweeps her off her feet. Greg shows her all the flashy life that she never had growing up in poverty in New York. Taking her sailing, to charity dinners and operas, giving her expensive gifts. She and her roommate are both looking for love, and soon Claire and Barb can compare notes about dates and such. When Greg and Claire are out to a fancy dinner, she is a bit shocked when he orders for her, ignoring her wishes. She's annoyed but figures he just got eager to order for her, to show her a good meal. When things like this keep happening, she soon realizes he's got a temper, and it puts her off. She tries to end things with him, and tells him she doesn't want to see him anymore. He doesn't leave her alone. The whole situation soon becomes a nightmare. This book is a clear show of a relationship gone wrong, when a man becomes a stalker and what happens. It's a suspenseful, emotional story. I highly recommend it! It's hard to put down.
April 17, 2019
The Other Side of Him, a historical suspense novel, is set in the 1950's. When the story opens, readers learn that the protagonist, Claire, carries a switchblade. With good reason. She lives in the Chicago projects with her brother and her mother. She sought higher education as a means to escape the projects and eventually moves to California. A blind date, set up by her brother, ends up changing her life in a way she never could have imagined. Unwittingly placed in a dangerous relationship, she struggles to extract herself. Can she do it?
The author brings to readers an excellently crafted captivating story. The characters are well defined. Claire is a fascinating character as she is intuitive, principled and strong. As the story unfolds, tension and suspense build rapidly. There are moments that reveal terror Packed with emotion and drama, this book is a fantastic read. Highly recommended.
The author brings to readers an excellently crafted captivating story. The characters are well defined. Claire is a fascinating character as she is intuitive, principled and strong. As the story unfolds, tension and suspense build rapidly. There are moments that reveal terror Packed with emotion and drama, this book is a fantastic read. Highly recommended.
April 20, 2019
This is a new author for me, and she has produced and amazing book that deals with a subject that even today is often times difficult to prove and discuss, that of the stalker. A young woman finds herself in the crosshairs of a stalker and what he manages to do to her emotionally and to her life is both chilling and intense. This is set in the 1950s and women were viewed differently then, and this book takes that in to account. The date doesn’t diminish the relevance and importance of this story in today’s society as human nature is pretty much the same now as it was then. I found this story compelling and was unable to put it down until I had finished the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2019
Received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one was closer to a 4.5 for me. Alice Rene did a masterful job in pulling the reader into The Other Side of Him. The sense of foreboding with every interaction between Claire and Greg was clear, but the suspense of what it would all amount to made this an alluring read. Historical setting, psychological thrills, murder, and a strong female lead all culminating into an unexpected love story— what’s not to like?
This one was closer to a 4.5 for me. Alice Rene did a masterful job in pulling the reader into The Other Side of Him. The sense of foreboding with every interaction between Claire and Greg was clear, but the suspense of what it would all amount to made this an alluring read. Historical setting, psychological thrills, murder, and a strong female lead all culminating into an unexpected love story— what’s not to like?
May 7, 2017
I agree with this author there are at least two sides to most people. I think this was a well written book and I enjoyed it. Claire Wagner is a very smart character! Most of the time things if something seems to good to be true, it usually is in my experiences. * I received this book from the author ---this is my honest review*
April 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this book a lot! I read it in once sitting.
The characters were interesting, the story was also. I was glad to see that Claire saw the warning signs and made good decisions. I also liked how she was her own person. It was fast paced which was good!
I would recommend this book to others.
The characters were interesting, the story was also. I was glad to see that Claire saw the warning signs and made good decisions. I also liked how she was her own person. It was fast paced which was good!
I would recommend this book to others.
June 19, 2019
“The best romantic thriller I’ve read all year, If you’re thinking about snagging a different, dark romantic thriller for the summer, consider The Other Side Of Him Based on actual events. It has that darker tinge showing how little help there was for women not all that long ago all while it mixes in thriller and psychological elements.
“A must-read "
“A must-read "
July 16, 2019
The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!
February 15, 2017
In the 1950s girls didn't have a lot of options, especially a young girl in the tenants of Chicago, being raised by a single immigrant mother. But with her brother's support and her mother's reluctant agreement, she studies hard and earns a scholarship to college. She's still in college when her older brother begs her to go on a blind date with one of his customers. On paper Greg seems like a dream come true. He's a wealthy, handsome heart surgeon who clearly adores Claire. There are a few things that worry her, but they are quickly pushed to the back of her mind. Her friends think she's landed in heaven. But as the relationship progresses, Claire decides to end it. Greg has a much darker side and Claire isn't interested. And thus begins some of the worst months of her life as Greg proceeds to stalk her, threaten her, and ruin her career.
This is a darker subject and plot than I would normally read. But I think it's good to step out of my comfort zone occasionally. The writing style has a YA feel to it and feels like the subject is geared towards college age people. The author handled the delicate topic and ensuing emotions well and left the reader with a more positive reading experience when finished. I'm hoping that people who read this book will gain a better understanding of the darker side of relationships.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
This is a darker subject and plot than I would normally read. But I think it's good to step out of my comfort zone occasionally. The writing style has a YA feel to it and feels like the subject is geared towards college age people. The author handled the delicate topic and ensuing emotions well and left the reader with a more positive reading experience when finished. I'm hoping that people who read this book will gain a better understanding of the darker side of relationships.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
July 28, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Which woman in the world wouldn´t like to be in a relationship with a successful, elegant, polite and charming man? Who took you to sophisticated places, opened the car door for you, presented you to his family? I suppose most women would love to be in this position. But what if all this behavior was a mask on his real self?
Claire, a young woman who worked real hard to finish her education and pursue her dream career despite all her circumstances, sees herself dazzled by Greg, a successful doctor that treats her like a princess - his own princess. However, as time went by, she began to see the other side of this man, and what she saw was more than terrifying.
The Other Side Of Him, from Alice Rene, is, in my opinion, a masterpiece: it talks about abusive relationships in a very direct way, and if this is shocking from some standpoint, on the other hand you can find comfort from the other book characters. I finished this book exhausted; I lived every moment with Claire as if I was there, and felt compassion towards her, I felt bad for all the times I heard people misjudging any woman that has ever been through an abusive relationship - these types of relationships can damage you psychologically much more than physically, and it can take a longer time to heal.
Frankly, I am out of words to thank Alice Rene for sharing her book, and I do recommend it with no doubts.
Please check my personal blog for more reviews and opinions (mypapertrips.wordpress.com) as well as my "Bookstagram" @mypapertrips.
Kind regards,
Denise
Which woman in the world wouldn´t like to be in a relationship with a successful, elegant, polite and charming man? Who took you to sophisticated places, opened the car door for you, presented you to his family? I suppose most women would love to be in this position. But what if all this behavior was a mask on his real self?
Claire, a young woman who worked real hard to finish her education and pursue her dream career despite all her circumstances, sees herself dazzled by Greg, a successful doctor that treats her like a princess - his own princess. However, as time went by, she began to see the other side of this man, and what she saw was more than terrifying.
The Other Side Of Him, from Alice Rene, is, in my opinion, a masterpiece: it talks about abusive relationships in a very direct way, and if this is shocking from some standpoint, on the other hand you can find comfort from the other book characters. I finished this book exhausted; I lived every moment with Claire as if I was there, and felt compassion towards her, I felt bad for all the times I heard people misjudging any woman that has ever been through an abusive relationship - these types of relationships can damage you psychologically much more than physically, and it can take a longer time to heal.
Frankly, I am out of words to thank Alice Rene for sharing her book, and I do recommend it with no doubts.
Please check my personal blog for more reviews and opinions (mypapertrips.wordpress.com) as well as my "Bookstagram" @mypapertrips.
Kind regards,
Denise
February 7, 2017
Set in the 1950s, this book is the story of an ambitious young woman, Claire, who aims to carve her own career and be an independent woman. She dates a man during college only to learn later that he is not what he appears to be. Much to her dismay, he continues to stalk her even after her refusal to see him anymore. How did she protect herself from him? How did she find help? Did she ever find love in her life? What did she do with her career? You have to get hold of this book to find out.
I received a review copy from the author and I finally found this week to read it and write a genuine review. The book is in first person narrative and gives you only one point of view, that of the protagonist. We don't know the motives/ thoughts of others. Writing is simple and the story flows well except for a few abrupt change of scenes. I, however, wasn't quite impressed with the way 'falling in love' part was handled. I mean the romance. With the strong woman character being ascribed to Claire, it felt that she falls in love too easily, after going out once or twice with a man. Besides that, I personally feel the book is too short for its story. It felt like a story told in brief.
I received a review copy from the author and I finally found this week to read it and write a genuine review. The book is in first person narrative and gives you only one point of view, that of the protagonist. We don't know the motives/ thoughts of others. Writing is simple and the story flows well except for a few abrupt change of scenes. I, however, wasn't quite impressed with the way 'falling in love' part was handled. I mean the romance. With the strong woman character being ascribed to Claire, it felt that she falls in love too easily, after going out once or twice with a man. Besides that, I personally feel the book is too short for its story. It felt like a story told in brief.
August 26, 2016
Loving someone too much
The book seems slow at times but keeps you interested. In our society we tend to forget that weirdos, crazy people, and murders aren't just a thing of the 21st century. Why just didn't have names to certain crimes and illnesses. Stalking and murder has no type, color or creed. Or should I say social standing. I did appreciate how Claire noticed warning signs and wasn't blinded by money, status or luxury. Not getting total support from friends and family can really change how you feel and handle situations. No means NO and it doesn't matter who its said to. People who have bad issues such as relationship issues, had a great way of hiding who they are. Claire's ex doesn't get the picture that it's over. In the end fear can cause one to protect themselves to the fullest extent. Anyone who thinks stalking, murder, and acting foolish only occurs now, should check this book out. Warning signs aren't to be ignored for any reason. Never sell yourself short thinking you can't get better. Great book, a page turner.
The book seems slow at times but keeps you interested. In our society we tend to forget that weirdos, crazy people, and murders aren't just a thing of the 21st century. Why just didn't have names to certain crimes and illnesses. Stalking and murder has no type, color or creed. Or should I say social standing. I did appreciate how Claire noticed warning signs and wasn't blinded by money, status or luxury. Not getting total support from friends and family can really change how you feel and handle situations. No means NO and it doesn't matter who its said to. People who have bad issues such as relationship issues, had a great way of hiding who they are. Claire's ex doesn't get the picture that it's over. In the end fear can cause one to protect themselves to the fullest extent. Anyone who thinks stalking, murder, and acting foolish only occurs now, should check this book out. Warning signs aren't to be ignored for any reason. Never sell yourself short thinking you can't get better. Great book, a page turner.
October 8, 2016
A suspense filled masterpiece!
Very powerful read, exploring the dark side of the Cinderella fairytale in 1950's America.
What happens when's the handsome, high society prince turns out to be not so charming?
In The Other Side Of Him, a thrilling sequence of events- as a girl's dazzling dream romance undergoes a swift metamorphosis into the ultimate nightmare of epic proportions.
The synopsis perfectly articulates the central premise of the novel- The Other Side of Him is indeed a provocative look at how darkness can lie under the most polished of exteriors.
A spine chilling tale of lust, thwarted domination, revenge and hope.
Vivid portrayal of one woman's struggle to extricate herself from the grip of a suffocating ex-boyfriend and the fatal aftermath of a romance gone wrong.
Alice Rene's skillful writing perfectly encapsulates strong characterization, perfect pacing, fabulous narrative, great dialogue and a perfect plot.
Very powerful read, exploring the dark side of the Cinderella fairytale in 1950's America.
What happens when's the handsome, high society prince turns out to be not so charming?
In The Other Side Of Him, a thrilling sequence of events- as a girl's dazzling dream romance undergoes a swift metamorphosis into the ultimate nightmare of epic proportions.
The synopsis perfectly articulates the central premise of the novel- The Other Side of Him is indeed a provocative look at how darkness can lie under the most polished of exteriors.
A spine chilling tale of lust, thwarted domination, revenge and hope.
Vivid portrayal of one woman's struggle to extricate herself from the grip of a suffocating ex-boyfriend and the fatal aftermath of a romance gone wrong.
Alice Rene's skillful writing perfectly encapsulates strong characterization, perfect pacing, fabulous narrative, great dialogue and a perfect plot.
October 20, 2016
This story is about a young strong-minded woman who knows what she wants and doesn't want. She wants a career so she doesn't have to depend on anyone else for money. She works hard, gets a scholarship to become a social worker. Before she graduates, her brother sets her up on a blind date with one of his friends....and he is a doctor! At first everything is going well, except she doesn't really care for his over bearing attitude. He orders food and drinks for her, tells her what to wear, etc.etc. Then he becomes obsessive and jealous. She tries to break things off with him, then he stalks her from California to New York. She gets a restraining order against him and that pushes him even farther over the edge. He finds out where she is living and gets the landlord to let him in her new apartment. He waits for her and has a gun. How does everything turn out? Not like you would think. Read the book to find out. I reviewed a copy of this book voluntarily. All thoughts here are my own.
September 11, 2016
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'The Other Side of Him' was such an easy read, I loved following Claire through her journey, wondering if Gregg would leave her alone, if she'd find her dream job and if she'd be ok.
The author writes about stalking and domestic violence in way that leaves the reader in no doubt of how much danger Clare is in, but at the same time in a way that doesn't make the story depressing and heavy to read.
I must admit I had no clue what the German sentences were but I still understood the book, I personally didn't understand why the first sentences of several paragraphs were in capital letters but the content was quality.
I highly recommend this book for long car journeys, plane rides etc
'The Other Side of Him' was such an easy read, I loved following Claire through her journey, wondering if Gregg would leave her alone, if she'd find her dream job and if she'd be ok.
The author writes about stalking and domestic violence in way that leaves the reader in no doubt of how much danger Clare is in, but at the same time in a way that doesn't make the story depressing and heavy to read.
I must admit I had no clue what the German sentences were but I still understood the book, I personally didn't understand why the first sentences of several paragraphs were in capital letters but the content was quality.
I highly recommend this book for long car journeys, plane rides etc
November 7, 2016
Claire and her brother, Tom were raised by a no nonsense, single mom. Hard work earned her a scholarship to a college in California, far away from her hometown, the Chicago projects. Introduced to a debonair, older, well to do man, while finishing her masters degree, she was impressed by a lifestyle she'd never known: fancy restaurants, boats, gifts, opening doors for her. And he was a doctor! Her family and friend thought he was the one. Claire wasn’t convinced about that; especially when she started noticing disturbing behaviors...
Suspenseful, thrilling women's fiction mystery! Slow beginning leads to engaging action and dilemmas. Good read!
I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book.
Suspenseful, thrilling women's fiction mystery! Slow beginning leads to engaging action and dilemmas. Good read!
I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book.
December 29, 2016
Claire is a young woman with a dream. A dream to go to college and get a job of her very own. Growing up in Chicago with her older brother and her German mother in the 1950's have been hard and she wants more. When she hears her brother Tom will be moving to California, she uses her scholarship and goes to university in San Francisco. She enjoys her studies at the hospital and enjoys her time with Greg, a handsome surgeon and friend of her brother, until Greg starts to change and things start to happen.
I appreciate seeing such a strong character in Claire and how Ms. Rene was determined to keep Claire's strength throughout the story even though the time and setting would not necessarily have required it. The story is fast-paced, engaging and refreshing with little violence and no sex.
I appreciate seeing such a strong character in Claire and how Ms. Rene was determined to keep Claire's strength throughout the story even though the time and setting would not necessarily have required it. The story is fast-paced, engaging and refreshing with little violence and no sex.
January 8, 2017
Alice Rene's The Other Side of Him is a realistic fiction romance which considers themes of finding oneself, coming of age, and portrays the complexity of life's challenges and human darkness.
It is clear that Rene is a talented author. The beginning of the novel offers a vivid depictions of poverty. The struggles are contrasted by a beautiful ending. Realistic Fiction fans will enjoy this book.
However, the gap of time between scenes left me wanting to know more about the main character's perspective, which focused on her experience of relationships with men for three quarters of the work. This, and the repetitive nature of the main character's experiences and observations made it difficult to care about her. I also found the work predictable and somewhat cliche.
It is clear that Rene is a talented author. The beginning of the novel offers a vivid depictions of poverty. The struggles are contrasted by a beautiful ending. Realistic Fiction fans will enjoy this book.
However, the gap of time between scenes left me wanting to know more about the main character's perspective, which focused on her experience of relationships with men for three quarters of the work. This, and the repetitive nature of the main character's experiences and observations made it difficult to care about her. I also found the work predictable and somewhat cliche.
August 16, 2016
Usually the 7-8 period of sitting by as my mother takes her chemo treatment seems to drag on, but this time was quite different. I was so wrapped up in reading this beautiful book that I completely lost track of time and almost did not realize that the treatment was over! Alice Rene has so much voice and style and writes such a compelling story that it completely pulls you into the world of Clair and Greg. I loved this book and am so grateful that I had the chance to read and review. This book willl definitely be a permanent staple on my book shelf. Amzing read!
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