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michaudr34's review
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I was mainly in it for the chicken... I didn't vibe with the name given though.
hgoravec's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a cotton candy book. Started off really cute, a grumpy/sunshine trope that usually isn’t my favorite, but of course grumpy isn’t really grumpy, and sunshine isn’t all that sunny.
Trixie is a Jess Day caricature, which I don’t think is a bad thing. Girl has got capital T trauma, and I don’t think she’s really dealt with it. Watching her constantly walk herself off from everyone is painful, and I hope she got some therapy offscreen. But ultimately she is sweet and fun, and I don’t think that should be reduced to “manic pixie dream girl” without thought.
Bear is awkward as hell, and also carrying around a lot of trauma! It’s not as obvious as Trixie’s, but his relationship with his father, and the ideas of masculinity he still carries are absolutely trauma, and could use some more pushback in the narrative. He and trixie are maybe not a perfect match, but I just keep going back to the fact that they really don’t know each other all that well.
Bear’s family are a constant presence, but they are never really flushed out. At times it seems like the younger sister is being set up for a sequel, but there’s really not enough hook to it.
Overall, cute and forgettable, so good thing it’s got a punny title and pastel cover.
Trixie is a Jess Day caricature, which I don’t think is a bad thing. Girl has got capital T trauma, and I don’t think she’s really dealt with it. Watching her constantly walk herself off from everyone is painful, and I hope she got some therapy offscreen. But ultimately she is sweet and fun, and I don’t think that should be reduced to “manic pixie dream girl” without thought.
Bear is awkward as hell, and also carrying around a lot of trauma! It’s not as obvious as Trixie’s, but his relationship with his father, and the ideas of masculinity he still carries are absolutely trauma, and could use some more pushback in the narrative. He and trixie are maybe not a perfect match, but I just keep going back to the fact that they really don’t know each other all that well.
Bear’s family are a constant presence, but they are never really flushed out. At times it seems like the younger sister is being set up for a sequel, but there’s really not enough hook to it.
Overall, cute and forgettable, so good thing it’s got a punny title and pastel cover.
sstansell's review against another edition
2.0
I did not like this. I thought we were past quirky manic pixie dream girls? Not a fan.
gailalison's review
3.0
This books was fine. It took me a while to get into it, it just started off so silly. The main characters were both likeable, although they both (especially Trixie) really needed therapy that wasn’t discussed at all. The shared trauma over difficult parent/parents was interesting an although it was a little extreme, it wasn’t unrealistic. I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters and even though it may technically slow-burn, it didn’t feel as anticipatory as a good romance should. The best thing about the story was the relationship between Bear’s mom and stepdad. Also, I hate the name Trixie! Considering how her parents are described, it doesn’t make sense that they’d name her that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!
scribe391's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Set in Chicago and narrated by Trixie and Bear.
While on her way to work, Trixie sees a chicken run into a busy street
While on her way to work, Trixie sees a chicken run into a busy street
t_c0le's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tearp83's review
4.0
To Get to the Other Side was such a fun loving book. From the character names of Trixie and Bear, to a pet chicken, to funny swear words, this book had me smiling through out. But don’t let it fool you, there is definitely some hard hitting moments. Both Trixie and Bear had some pretty rough past trauma that kept them from letting others in past their walls and needing to learn the lesson "you can't let the past keep you from enjoying your future".
I can’t wait to read more books by this author!
I can’t wait to read more books by this author!
cerahutch's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marissas_reads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5