The Other Side of Together by Emily Cox and Nicole Allen – Review by M Policicchio

The Other Side of Together by Emily Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I shoulda given it a 4 for making me have all the feels and leaving me hanging the way you did but …I guess that’s why you deserve the 5. Just so you know I am mad about all the feelings that you made me have while reading this book. I was happy, I remember that just falling in love feeling, the hormones racing making out with my then boyfriend, the anger I felt at Nick (the stupid jerkface!), and the shock at Mei Li’s mom. Oh, almost forgot to mention the love for and humor from Guo Mama. She was almost my favorite character.

Mei Li moved to the United States when she was 8 years old with her parents. She lives in Chinatown, San Francisco. Her parents own and run a local Chinese/Taiwanese restaurant. She has friends in the neighborhood, goes to the Chinese speaking neighborhood school, works at the family restaurant, and has a crush on the boy around the corner. Mei Li was a typical senior in high school. Except her family expected her to marry a family friend that was 7 years older than her.

Marcus Miller (or as Guo Mama called him “Marcus Miller”) was not a typical high school senior. Marcus was a straight A student, star soccer player, but did not date. He made a deal with his father freshman year of highschool to avoid girls, girlfriends and mess that his father said came with girls. If Marcus accomplished this feat, his father would buy him a motorcycle. One day while visiting Guo Mama, Marcus met Mei Li. Marcus was smitten. They started exchanging notes until Marcus finally got brave enough to give Mei Li his phone number. They both fell so fast.

The relationship should not be a problem for either one except for the secrets each is keeping. As Mei and Marcus spend more time together, the closer they become. The more dangerous their relationship becomes. When the secrets start to boilover, Mei Li must make some difficult choices. The biggest and hardest involves Marcus. When the choices are made, it may surprise you.

I was shocked at the ending. I can’t believe that was how it ended. I have so many questions. Is it too much to hope for a sequel?? I want to know what happened to Mei Li’s father. What does Mei Li do with all the info from the envelope? And so many other things. This was a beautifully written story. The teenage angst dripped from every page. Not my usual but tremendously enjoyed!!!

View all my reviews