What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other Side of Us: A Contemporary Young Adult Romance
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Marcus 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.
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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
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
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
Read
February 9, 2026The 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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
February 5, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
♾️🎱🥠✨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.
♾️🌟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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews