Reviews

To Get to the Other Side by Kelly Ohlert

sonamreads's review

3.0

It is a sweet story. The plot is really intriguing. It involves a chicken running around a very busy road. That actually caught my attention and went for this book. Two strangers, and love at first sight. They become roommates after Bear's sisters start interfering in his love life.

But it took me a while to get into the book. I struggled to read at a point and had to drag through. But I am glad that I did not DNF it, It was definitely worth a try. I wish there was more banter and drama in the story.

mamas_gotta_read's review

3.0

This was sweet and kind of silly, but I struggled to connect. With the characters, with the story, with any of it. I think the main issue for me is that we’re not exactly sure where the focus of the story is. Is it on Bear and Trixie’s budding relationship? Is it on the chicken they’re trying to raise in a major city? Is it on their relationships with their families? Or is it on their difficulties being honest with each other and true to themselves? The story struggles to pick a lane. While I do love that Bear and Trixie seem absolutely suited for each other, and they help each other navigate through some challenges while eventually finding their way back to one another, their relationship is chaotic, and once again, I struggled to connect with it. The main characters give off major Nick and Jess from New Girl vibes, and while I love a quirky main character, I couldn’t seem to get on board with Trixie’s brand of quirky. Despite my inability to connect with the story it was a fairly easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

thatfrenchislandgirl's review

5.0

Happy tears are currently streaming down my face as I set the book down. This book was one of the sweetest, most heart warming books I’ve read in a while. The plot was cute and quirky, a girl who saves a chicken and meets the man of her dreams in the process, but it was also so much deeper. Trixie’s emotional trauma from her parents was so relatable, she hid her emotions from people in fear of being disliked or judged. And Bear hiding his true passion because of a macho, bully of a father, it all was so deep and moving and I loved watching them overcome their childhood traumas together. I’ll admit the whole chicken as a house pet thing had me scratching my head at first, but man did that Chick Chick sound cute. If you need a make you cry, but in a good way and make you laugh in the best way kind of book then this is it!

Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for this ARC!

jenstef's review

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

4.0

This made me laugh and smile and sometimes books don't have to be too deep and meaningful to be enjoyed. 

Sometimes the vibes are just enough to have a good time. 

And Chick-Chick was the best character, of course. 

rainkatzanddogs's review

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

3.75

chantalsbookstuff's review

3.0

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this arc.

It all starts with a chicken running around a very busy road. Two strangers, and love at first sight. They become roommates after Bear's sisters intervene in his love life.

A really fun and easy read. I liked how Bear figured out were his life is going once Trixie started opening his eyes. The chicken was a good add to this story, something totally unexpected but which was a good add in. I loved how Bear's family was dominant in his life and really showed love and concern towards him. The ending was obviously predictable but still a delightful end.

I did wish for a bit more drama or topics in this story, it felt like it only revolved around 2 or 3 major topics. It needed a "big bang". Still an enjoyable and fun read!

annie1will's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hheartbooks's review

2.0

I almost abandoned this audiobook several times. I had a hard time connecting the male narrator to his character- the voice didn't suit, in my opinion. I also had a really hard time with both of the main characters. For a good portion of the book, the MCs felt unlikable and unrelatable. Spending thousands of dollars on a chicken was just mind boggling to me, and I'm a chicken owner! Overall, I just didn't buy the characters or the plot for 90% of the book.

**I listened to a complimentary audiobook through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

2sweet2kahill's review

4.0

An instalove between a ray of sunshine and a guarded grump in this fun read. Trixie is not entirely sure why she stopped her car in the Chicago street to rescue a chicken, but there's no turning back now. especially when her Landlord turns her out into the street for one too many pet-smuggling attempts. Enter Bear, our hero who has worked hard for his solitude. Unlikely roommate's and Trixie tells herself to keep her heart under wraps But, who can say no to a sexy pancake-flipping, grey's anatomy-watching, flower-arranging smoke show with a secret heart of gold?

magnoliapigeonbookblurbs's review

3.0

I really enjoyed this book until about 75-80% into it. The story was really cute and is loved the animal rescue plot line but felt that additional character backstory/development would really help understanding the FMC especially. There were many unresolved trauma responses that didn’t really make since because we didn’t have her entire backstory.
Overall it was a super cute read - but I may have enjoyed Chick-Chick’s story the most.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.