The Other Half of Me

by Jennifer Sivec

Maggie Whitaker had always dreamed about the same boy even though she'd never met him.

A loner, with an overly critical mother and a head full of self-doubt, she has spent most of her life isolated. That is, until she meets Trip. He becomes her only friend until he cruelly betrays her, making her feel even more alone.

Sam has endured far more than anyone has ever realized. When he meets Maggie, he feels as though he knows her immediately. They fall for each other hard and fast and Maggie feels as though she's been waiting for him her entire life.

Their life together is beautiful as they make plans for a future together, until Sam is in a horrible accident and suddenly everything changes.

When Maggie finds herself alone with no explanation, she does her best to move on with her life. She realizes that erasing Sam from her heart is close to impossible, until Dylan.

As she's finally about to have her chance at love, the unexpected happens and Maggie must decide if love is ever just enough, or if she needs more to be complete.

Caution: This story contains themes of sexual assault, addiction, and mild sexual situations.

Genres: Romance

Paperback

First published October 17, 2017

About the author

Jennifer Sivec writes beautifully broken stories with heart.

She is attracted to and writes stories with characters that are complicated, flawed and completely imperfect. Her books are often a reflection of life, encompassing difficult subjects such as cancer, addiction, abandonment, and abuse.

She writes with a raw, complex, yet hopeful approach often weaving tragic stories with honesty and grace, creating unforgettable characters.

Jennifer’s passion for reading and sharing stories is her therapy, which gives her perspective and peace of mind.

She lives in Ohio with her husband, two boys, and herd of dogs who create balance and levity for her. She loves her crazy life and wonderful readers, and is grateful for all of it, every day.

You can follow her on BookBub, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Wordpress, Patreon, TikTok, or Amazon. She would love to hear from you at jennifersivec@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Cynthia Hilston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am the first to admit that I am a sucker for a good romance and a big fan of damaged characters who are trying to rebuild their lives. Being an author myself, I write about these themes, so as I opened this book and knew that it was highly rated, I was looking forward to a great story.

What I came away with was a good story, not a great one. I didn’t feel the ground move beneath me the way I was expecting when going into this.

Maggie lacks self-confidence because of her critical mother. Her mother is passive-aggressive. I often wanted to smack her for the rude tone and underlying jabs in what she says to her own daughter, even if her words hold some good stuff. So when unpopular Maggie, at age 15, finally attracts the attention of a boy at school, she is completely taken in. Poor Maggie is ruined by Trip, a boy who wanted one thing and one thing only from her.

That type of encounter leaves a scar on a girl’s heart, making it hard to open up to another guy. I felt badly for her and wanted her to find real love.

A few years pass and she goes to college, where she meets Sam. Sam is a jock who doesn’t think he’s smart and asks her to tutor him. He is popular with the girls, so Maggie is cautious when she agrees to help him. Their relationship quickly grows deeper, and they express that they feel they have always known each other. Next thing you know, Sam and Maggie are engaged and a few more years have passed.

This is the point where I felt disappointed. I would have loved to have read more about their relationship over those years. As this is a novella and therefore not a long story, it would have benefited from being developed more and made into a novel. I just didn’t believe their feelings and claims of having always felt a connection. That was too cliche, cheapening the bond that could have been expanded through more storytelling. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, making the pacing off during this part of the book.

Then Sam is in a terrible car accident and is laid up in bed, unconscious. Maggie is left wondering if he will ever wake up. This tragedy pulled at my heartstrings. Then Maggie goes through a dreamlike sequence of visiting different parts of Sam’s childhood and seeing how his father walked out on them when he was young and how is mother had drug problems. Sam never felt like he deserved Maggie.

I don’t want to spoil too much, but more years pass. Maggie loves again, but as before, the pacing was off. The author seems to rush to get to the part of the story she wants to tell the most and skips over years of Maggie’s life where she could have shown the reader how her heart healed (although not completely) and how she managed to fall in love again. I feel cheated by not being given these details.

However, the end does save a lot of my criticisms. There is some lovely dialogue between Maggie and Sam, some downright gut-wrenching, raw emotion. The story delivered in the end. This was a short, easy read, but I wanted more of a good thing. I wanted this love story to be something that tore my heart to pieces and then mended it back together again. What I got was some damage to my heart and an easy fix.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Half of Me was such an emotional read and really took me through the wringer. A story of life’s ups and down and second chances that come at such high costs.

Maggie Whitaker has led a lonely and isolated life. But through it all she has dreamt of the boy who was the other half of her. When Sam and Maggie meet it was like it was destined. Their hearts already knew each other. They begin to fall hard and make plans. But then everything changes and Maggie finds herself alone and starting over.

Sometimes in life we are meant to meet people and fall in love. But what do you do when you fall in love and are left in pieces? Maggie tried to move on after Sam, but found it very hard. Until Dylan entered her life. He filled her with hope, until the day Sam returns. Dylan helped put Maggie back together again when she needed it most. But Sam is the other half of her.

This story was emotional and heartbreaking. Maggie’s journey was not an easy one. Finding love not once, but twice is hard for anyone, but making the right choices is even harder. Jennifer Sivec gave us a powerful story of loss, love, addiction, heartbreak and second chances. I loved all the characters and the story flowed well, even as my heart broke.

Happy reading!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review

This is a story of two people who always dreamed of each other during their childhood but never met until college.

Maggie Whitaker is a loner who mother criticizes her as she isolated herself. Then she met a guy in high school Trip who ultimately hurts her as he was only after one thing.

She meets Sam in college who she starts to trust. Things were looking good as they graduated college and moved in together and getting engaged. But things quickly changed when he tells her that he does not love her anymore.

Sam has secrets that he has never told her and he feels she deserve someone better as he leaves her. As he refused to see her, he disappears before he can tell him her news.

Years has passed as she finally moves on but Sam shows up on her wedding day. What will happen between them as the whole truth comes to light? Will they be able to move past the lies? The road to love is not always smooth.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Other Half of You" is book one in Jennifer Sivec's newest series. This is thr story of Maggie and Sam that will definitely take reader on an emotional ride, grabbing you from page 1. Maggie and Sam feel they know eachother, but its only because they meet in their dreams.
This was a beautifully written story that I just could not put down. Jennifer Sivec created such beautiful characters that readers will truly fall in love with, as I did. I highly recommend this book. And I can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes us.

[Crystal Wilke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Half of Me is a realistic stroy. Addiction and abuse can be a touchy subject for some. I know I can relate to Maggie. To love someone so deeply you don't see the flaws, you hold on to that pain and blame yourself. To watch Sam and Maggie over come made my heart happy. Their story will hold a special place in my heart. I enjoy reading Jennifer's books and can't wait to see what she writes next.

[Elizabeth Shuey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast read for me, and one that kept my interest from page one. Maggie's story is a roller coaster ride of emotions, it's been a while since a book gave me numerous WTF moments and I loved every minute of it. I loved the story line and the characters, and hope to read more about them in the future.

[Heidi Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book! Both Maggie and Sam dreamed of each other throughout their lives. Having never met, these dreams seem to be what they are-just dreams. Sam and Maggie have both endured so much before they even started college. Maggie’s trust towards men had been completely obliterated, and Sam knows he is in no place to be able to have a relationship. Somehow these two become friends...but they have so many obstacles to overcome is there really any way they can become more? This was such an intense book-there was no way I could stop reading until I finished the last page.

[Mona williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing ! heart breaking too. its about two people that have never met in person but both dreamed of the other. she made a friend in high school who turned out to be her worst night mare. than she meets the boy in her her dreams only hes not a boy but a man. things are going great until the accident. he changes so its time for her to move on. she meets a man that she wants to marry but things dont go as planned. read this amazing story of pain love and lies.

[Lynn Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Jennifer I absolutely loved this book! I am so sure when you read it you are going to love it too! There are so many emotions and feelings going on in this story! I couldn’t put it down! This is one of my favorites! Thanks Jennifer!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is different than any I've read. I'm not sure what genre it would be labeled under; Romance? Mystical?
Sam and Maggie have such a deep connection, but their individual pasts threaten their future. Not all is dreamy.
I thought I had the storyline figured out but I was thrown more than a couple of curves. The story flowed and I flipped the pages to see where it was going. There's a lot of hurt, but there's a lot of love, too. Author Sivec is quite a story teller!
*I volunteered to give an honest review after I was offered an advanced reader copy of The Other Half of Me*

[Amanda Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Half of me is truly amazing. Itll keep you on a roller coaster, wanting more and wanting to slap Sam. Maggie had found everything she ever wanted in Sam. He was the other half of her heart. They could read each other, finish each other's sentences and all. They were what true love and dreams are made of. You'll love this book, hate it, cry all at the same time. Because it's like true life.

[Coleen Devlin Leszczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fast read! Maggie and Sam are everything...they love each other so much but will secrets from their past ruin their love?? I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting.

[Diane Runyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Official book review: The Other Half of Me.

I received a free book in exchange for this review, but it did not affect my perception of the story.

As a child Maggie feels like she is missing a piece of herself. She has a dream about a boy that always goes away. The other main character, Sam, has a dream about a girl that always goes away.

In high school, she dates Trip. He is not like the other boys. He says she understands him.. One day they are together and he tries to touch her. She is angry and tells him to stop. She leaves, and for several weeks refuses to see him. He apologizes and says it won’t happen again. They get back together, and after some time, he invites her to his home. She thinks it is unusual that his family members are all gone for the weekend. She has a feeling in the pit of her stomach when he talks about the last time they were together; maybe she thought he was going to rape her. He starts touching her again, and she loses consciousness. He rapes her, and threatens her. He tells her that he will say it is all her fault. She blames herself and feels dirty and violated. She becomes suspicious of everyone.

Sam meets Maggie in their college classes. Sam watches her all semester. She is shy, dresses conservatively, and is “possibly damaged.” He asks her to tutor him. He feels stupid, and she thinks he is smarter than he says. She is attracted to him, but remains cautious until she is clear on the fact that he isn’t pursuing her, trying to her get into bed.

After she moves in with him, they make love. She feels like she opened her soul to him.

Sam is involved in a car accident. Maggie finds stuff out about Sam through her dreams. He hasn’t told her all his secrets. she learns that Sam’s dad left him and his mom, when Sam was 2. In her dream, she sees that Sam was verbally and physically abused by his mom’s boyfriend. He is afraid he will be like his dad, and is afraid to marry her. Maggie also learns that Sam’s mother used drugs and attempted suicide when he was 12. In one of her dreams, Sam tells Maggie that he can’t be with her anymore.

When he wakes up from his coma, Sam doesn’t even recognize Maggie and doesn’t want her around. She goes home and waits for him to come back to her, When he finally comes home, he tells her that it will never work . So she packs up her stuff and leaves, moving back to her parents’ home. She finds out she is pregnant and doesn’t tell Sam it is his child.

Although she is going to get married to Dylan, Maggie has a dream about Sam on her wedding day. After the ceremony is over, she sees that Sam is there, and she faints.

Is Sam back to stay? Is their relationship over?

I liked this book, and read it from beginning to end in one sitting. There is a violent scene in the book, but the rest of it seems to have a soft, tender touch.

The author did a fine job of developing the characters. I especially liked the character of Diane, Maggie’s mom. The beginning of the book portrays her as judgmental and harsh and over time, and the introduction of the grandchild Moira, she mellows out. She is depicted in the end as a supportive mom to Maggie and tells Maggie some things that help Maggie understand why her mother is the way she is.

This book was well edited. I only found two small errors (Location 370, needs the word “got” in the phrase “until she hit by a car, sending me into a tailspin.” Location 587: “discovering each other in every possible away”.

I rate this as a 5 out of 5. The storyline was plausible, and Maggie’s reaction to her old lover showing up at a wedding is unusual. I liked the fact that Maggie’s choice of who to be with in the end was a surprise.

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book, it was a tale of soulmates finding their way back to each other. I loved the paranormal and spiritual aspect of this book.

Maggie has went through a horrible childhood, with an overbearing and sometimes cruel mother and father that doesn't seem to want to stand up to her mother, it made her very insecure and a bit of a shy quiet girl. She goes through a horrible experience, to Sam putting her back together and making her whole.

I really wished the beginning would have explained the sci-fi aspect like have they shared many lifetimes together and why are they always children in the dream?

Sam seems to be the perfect man for Maggie but is Maggie seeing all of Sam or only what he wants her to see, things come to light in the book. In order to avoid spoiling the book, all I can say is you have to read this book! It will have you on an emotional roller coaster.


Book Blurb:
Maggie Whitaker had always dreamed about the same boy even though she'd never met him.

A loner, with an overly critical mother and a head full of self-doubt, she has spent most of her life isolated. That is, until she meets Trip. He becomes her only friend until he cruelly betrays her, making her feel even more alone.

Sam has endured far more than anyone has ever realized. When he meets Maggie, he feels as though he knows her immediately. They fall for each other hard and fast and Maggie feels as though she's been waiting for him her entire life.

Their life together is beautiful as they make plans for a future together, until Sam is in a horrible accident and suddenly everything changes.

When Maggie finds herself alone with no explanation, she does her best to move on with her life. She realizes that erasing Sam from her heart is close to impossible, until Dylan.

As she's finally about to have her chance at love, the unexpected happens and Maggie must decide if love is ever just enough, or if she needs more to be complete.

Caution: This story contains themes of sexual assault, addiction, and mild sexual situations.

[Stephenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received an ebook, but that in no way affected my honest review or opinion. *

I have read all of author Jennifer Sivec's books and each one gets better and better! I would be hard pressed to try to choose a favorite out of all of them. It is hard to believe that she can continue to write such amazing books that leave the reader crying, yelling, shocked and yet still satisfied in the end. The reader becomes a part of the books and they never want to leave the world that the author has created for them.

If you don't fall in love with the Maggie and Sam then this is not the genre that you should be reading! This book has all of the feels that you need and all of the feels that you didn't know that you needed. This story will take the reader on a roller coaster of a ride that includes all of the loops, curves, twists and turns that you expect and some that you would never expect! There is no way to predict where the author is going with this one - but be prepared to go on a ride you will not forget!! Just when you think you have it figured out - BAM - the author throws one more 90mile per hour twist your way.

If you haven't read anything by this author, you MUST! She is amazing and each book she writes shows the reader why they love her and her writing style. This book grabs you from the very start and never lets you go! Be ready to spend the day, night and maybe the next day with this read because there is no good place to stop once you start!

**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng **

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really well written book and the characters are well described and believable, but I struggled with the story at times; I think fundamentally it was because there seemed to be too many ‘other halves’ for the main characters.

Maggie has a life changing encounter while at high school with the boy of her dreams, but heartache follows and this colours all her future relationships and decisions. I truly felt the emotions she experienced, but I also felt that so much of her subsequent life was rushed over. I never had the chance to keep up with her character development, and she seemed to fall in and out of her relationships too easily and too often. Sam is quite a complex passionate character, but I felt frustrated by his reticence when it came to sharing his demons.

Overall this was a good story, but I sometimes think that less is more. I would have preferred there to have been a more definitive ‘other half’ for Sam and Maggie. They both deserved so much more...I received a copy of this book from the author via the Quirky Blind Date with a Book.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie was raised feeling she was unloved so while in high school when a boy showed her attention she leapt with her whole heart only to find out that once again she was unlovable. She is now in college and guards her heart and emotion more closely or at least she did until Sam.

Sam has secrets however he Maggie become close and she begins to believe her heart again as they plan their future together. Her dreams are destroyed when he ends things by telling her that he doesn’t love her anymore when the truth is much different. Sometimes life has its own plan in its own time but will these two lost souls ever find their way back to each other?

I enjoyed the journey of Maggie and Sam which was filled with twists, drama but mostly a connection and chemistry too strong to be denied. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Becky Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. Seriously wiping the tears from my eyes. This book wow. The Other Half of Me is an amazing emotional read. It's raw and real. It's beautiful and heart breaking all at the same time. broken souls searching and then finding each other through the years. You can feel the soulful love Sam and Maggie share. You what to scream and cry at times at them and with them. But that is okay because it means Jennifer Sivec just gave you one heck of an emotional roller coaster. She has this knack that draws you in and holds on squeezing your heart just so from the very beginning until the very end of her books. The Other Half of Me is a multiple tissue book and is so amazing. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't and didn't want to put this one down. Maggie and Sam need to be read.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional book at times, but every tear was worth it. Maggie and Sam have been in each other’s dreams for years, but they don’t meet until college. Maggie had a traumatic event at the hands of her only friend, when she was fifteen and doesn’t have any friends. When she meets Sam, they connect right away. They’ve had very different childhoods, but neither of them had a good one. Just when things are looking up for Maggie with Sam, he has an accident. When he regains consciousness, he sends her away. Will they ever see each other again or is Maggie not meant to have anyone? I don’t want to leave spoilers because I think everyone should read this emotional book. Grab your copy and see what secrets Sam was keeping from Maggie, that made him send her away and find out how Dylan fits into the picture.

[Sue Ouellet-Cofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Jennifer Sivec but I'd definitely read her again. To say I disliked Sam is an understatement....I'm not sure i could understand his need to be so cruel to Maggie. I know they each felt like they knew each other in another life maybe, that they dreamed of each other....I wasn't really pulling for them to be together. I did however love the growth of the characters...Maggie into the woman with a backbone I knew she could be...her mom into a loving person who SHOULD have been all along, and Sam into the man he should have been but was too weak to allow until it was almost too late.

[Alicia Harrietha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Half of Me by Jennifer Sivec is a truly powerful and emotional story of tragic circumstances, of love found, love lost and of how the heart can withstand so much. I was completely lost in the story of Maggie and Sam. Two souls destined to find each and save each other. They knew the moment they saw each other that they were suppose to meet. They both knew that life could be cruel and senseless yet through it all they found a way to survive it and find a happiness that truly is great!!! Highly recommend this book!!

[Paige Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Half of Me is the first book in The Coming Home Series by Jennifer Sivec, and let me tell you that it is unlike any book I have ever read. Maggie and Sam's story is a roller coaster of emotions that will leave you crying, angry, and smiling throughout the time you're reading it. A beautifully written book that is definitely worth taking the chance to one-click.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Abby J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book last night. I could NOT stop. I read the entire book! I cannot tell you how many times I cried reading The Other Half Of Me. I absolutely LOVED it. Very well written with the emotions. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I have already recommended it to family, friends and coworkers!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story although I don't feel it reached its full potential. The characters were relatable and likable and they felt very real. The story line was interesting and sweet but could have benefited from a little more detail and depth. Overall, I would recommend the book because it was a good story and I feel like most people who read this genre would agree.

[Christine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was romantic and sexy. I couldn't get enough of them. I loved how he tries to make sure she is taken care of the ending is awesome

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. The ending was the best part

[Barbara Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I felt as if I was right there with them. Such love and loss. I love how I find myself wanting to know them more.

[Karen Schwandt Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in right from the first chapter. I didn’t want to put it down! I ugly cried and my heart was broken. It was an emotional roller coaster! (Make sure you have plenty of tissues) I’m so happy with the way this book ended. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about love, all aspects of love ..... some I have never considered... but I am looking at things different now... I will admit I didn’t connect with one of the character, but the story was original and entertaining... I can’t wait to read mor from Jennifer Sivec!!!

[Patty Vowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I've chosen to leave a review for it.
This was another amazing book written by Jennifer Sivec that had my undivided attention from start to finish. With each page I read, I was easily drawn in to this story as if I were witnessing it happen first hand rather than reading the words out of a book. This was a beautifully written story that worked its way deep into my heart and soul.