The Other Side

By: Kim Holden

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Natasha Soudek, Bahni Turpin, Kirby Heyborne, Adenrele Ojo, Graydon Long, Erin Spencer, Vikas Adam, Kim Holden

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of the Bright Side series comes a thought-provoking, eye-opening story about the complexity of family, the devastation of loss, the destruction of depression, and the unequivocal power of kindness and perspective. An Amazon Top 50 best seller, The Other Side is a stand-alone novel.

There are two sides to every story. The surface reality that’s presented to the world. And then, there’s the other side. The real one. The one that matters.

Seventeen-year-old self-proclaimed asshole Toby Page is alone. No friends. No family. He trades maintenance work in exchange for room and board.

Every day, he fights demons no one else can see. Every day, he wants to give up. But he can’t. Not yet. When Alice Eliot moves in downstairs, she offers Toby some light in his dark world.

At a crossroads and barely hanging on, it’s hard to have perspective. It’s difficult to see your own worth when you’re the villain in your story. Luckily for Toby, Alice brings things out in him that no one else ever has.

As the two sides of Toby’s story are revealed, and the full reality comes into view, truth is gained, unlikely heroes emerge, and improbable alliances prove that kindness is fundamentally human.

The question is: Will it all be enough to save him?

The audiobook is produced by One Night Stand Studios.

Praise for the book:

"With grace, care, honest words, and a hopeful message, Holden has woven a story that will sit in your soul and has the power to make so many of us feel less alone. A must-read for young and old alike.” (Ginger Scott, best-selling author)

©2019 Kim Holden (P)2020 Kim Holden

so freaking good!

ok, so this review is not easy to write and to be honest I finished the book the days before writing this.... I listened to the audio and read along on kindle and am so happy I did. This story broke me, destroyed me; and then healed me. I was able to relate to this story in more ways than one so at times it got difficult but it was also comforting; reassuring me that I'm not alone in the struggle I live everyday.

Intense!

This was my first Kim Holden's book. The Other Side is such an emotional, heartbreaking, realistic, and intense story. So much that I had to listen to it little by little. Maybe this wasn't the right time to listen to it for me. No doubt this wasn't an easy subject to write about it, and the author did it with respect, empathy, and understanding. The audio cast did an outstanding job with the narration.

What a Way to Break A Heart-and Build It Up Again

(I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest and voluntary review)

Where do I even start? This is my first Kim Holden book but it won't be my last (though if all of them yank at my heart like this one, I'll definitely need to pace myself). From the author's breathtaking, real, and honest exploration of mental health, to the FANTASTIC multi-narrator rendition - I was positively riveted for the majority of the book. I say the majority because honestly it took a bit for me to truly get in and invested but once I was keyed in to Toby and his story, I was in for the long haul. I shed a copious amount of tears and for multiple reasons, making this one of the most cathartic books I've read in a long time. While it was deeply emotional a lot of the time, the overarching feeling I got is one of hope in people and the power we have when we SEE each other and make the choice to stand with one another. I think that's a message that we need more than ever right about now. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

Beautiful, captivating and heavy read but worth the listen!

The way in which this story was told was unique and offered various insights into Toby's life. This was a heavy subject, but one so many people don't talk about. Depression is prevalent, but not the only thing that made up Toby. Despite his persona, Toby was a genuinely good person. Those closest to him saw that. He was caring and worried about others. He had a rough childhood and didn't let people in easily. This was a deep story but also so very sweet and you can feel the kindness of people in this book. This book took me on a journey that I wasn't expecting and made me feel for Toby. I swear, Kim Holden is the best human alive and the reader feels that through this story. I'm glad she told Toby's story and if you find yourself struggling, she offers a way to help. Don't let this story pass you by!

❤

As soon as i found out this audiobook was releasing I could not contain my excitement! Having picked up this book up last year I couldn't wait to listen to it and experience it again in this new way. I loved it so much!

These narrators were amazing!
I felt absolutely everything under the sun with this story! The realness of it all truly got to me.

The Other Side audiobook is a must listen! Ms.Holden has once again touched my life with this book and her words. I will never forget this story. ❤

Kim Holden: Beautiful; Masterful

Brilliant penmanship that confronts and challenges the gift of life. Do epic, be amazing

Gripping story

Even though this book is about depression and the struggles it causes, I found it to be uplifting and have a theme of hope. The resources section at the end is great and even reminded me that there is always someone out there struggling with much harder things than me. The story was engaging and I enjoyed the characters and how all the pieces fit together.

Such a great story!!

Amazing audio cast!!!
This book wasn't what I thought it would be. I had the one side and I thought I knew it all, but I didn't until I read the other side. This book deals with so many intense issues that are prevalent in society that it really is a must read for any and everyone. Toby suffers from a depression so deep, but is great at hiding it. Even when it's clear he is on a downward spiral, people are caught up in their own lives and don't notice. Be nice to everyone. I needed this reminder today. Grin and bear it because you don't know the other side.

The Other Side

I don’t know if I have the words to adequately review this book. This story is so relevant to everyone. It can show you your side, someone else side and the truth. It is one of those books that will have you seeing yourself in it whether that be as Toby, as the other side or as reality.

For me it was all three, I have been Toby in my teens, I have seen the other side, and the reality. This story is more than a story it gives a voice to so many in all the different ways.

Kim’s words at the end shows us just how real and important stories like these are. But also lets us know that you are NOT alone, there is something out there we just have to be brave enough to ask for it.

My favorite quote, (for me this is TRUTH) - “Volume doesn’t change minds, it closes them.”

Audiobooks like this are what make listing so enjoyable even with the subject matter is hard/heavy. Each narrator gives themselves over to that character. You feel the story you see the story. I wish we could thank each and every one of the narrators because they did a phenomenal job one this book.

To Kim for writing it, I thank you, you always seem to write the stories that will be with me for years to come. What a gift you have, thank you for sharing it with us all.

get ready to feel

it's dark issues but so so necessary to be touched on and said outloud. I figured out most of Toby's stories before it was revealed but still it hit hard. it's too often people just dont see their worth and worse when hurt people drag the vulnerable even further in their darkness. kindness goes such a long way and it's really not that hard to do. I love this book and would recommend to anyone but especially those who are suicidal. this book could change their whole perspective. ❤ best purchase ever.

I am.❤