On the Other Side by Teuta Metra follows not only Rita’s physical journey from her home country of Albania to London but also her emotional journey as she learns about love, loss, and betrayal. Driven to illegally enter the UK when her boyfriend’s social media goes dark, Teuta slowly shares the details of Rita’s life, the loss of her mother, a cruel stepmother, and the struggle to finally get to England. We first meet Rita when someone pushes her under a train, and the backstory is told as she recovers in the hospital. Struggling to piece together what has happened to her, Rita looks to her recent past for answers.

This is a beautiful story and Teuta Metra brings her characters to life with her descriptions regarding the difficult relationships Rita has with her family, the trust she places in her boyfriend, and the suspicion she feels towards the new people she meets. On the Other Side also includes descriptions of the life that Rita came from, such as the traditional Albanian petulla that her aunt makes for her, and the difficulties she faces as a young woman in her home country with little money or support. I loved how this story was told on so many different levels, the harshness of Rita’s life, and the courage and ingenuity she shows in the face of adversity. In addition, there is the intrigue of the original plot, who pushed Rita under a train and why? What has happened to her boyfriend? I thoroughly enjoyed this story, particularly the underlying message that Metra is trying to convey by addressing the stereotypes and negative views of Rita’s Albanian heritage. This book is for anyone who not only enjoys a suspenseful plot but also wants to learn something new along the way.

On The Other Side by Teuta Metra is a suspense novel with plenty of romance and mystery to keep you engaged for hours. The story follows Rita, a woman who leaves the security of her country and travels to England to be with the man she loves. Samuel promises their life will change once he settles in the country. Sadly, Rita believes him. When his contact disappears, and there is no way for Rita to connect with Samuel, she packs her bags, grabs a fake visa, and puts herself in jeopardy in the name of love. However, Rita knows she has made the biggest mistake of her life. Finding Andrew on the plane is a stroke of luck. Or is it? Upon landing, secrets are revealed, mistakes happen, and decisions need to be made. Is Rita stuck in a strange land forever? Or is Andrew her saving grace?

On The Other Side by Teuta Metra was not what I was expecting but I was nicely surprised. My emotions ran high from the beginning, and Rita had my sympathy. Considering her situation and the predicament she was in, Rita is incredibly brave. The pace is fast, the plot is well-developed, and the story is incredible. Rita struggles in a strange country, and she is lost mentally and physically. Having Andrew by her side is the small blessing she needs, but of course, there is always a catch. There are plenty of characters, and each of them tells a story that is equally as good as Rita's. It was hard to put it down and I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend it!

A book rich in developments full of surprises, as life itself brings us to face in the real life, with characters that grow inside you by passing through the pages of this book, which, thanks to the unique art of writing by the author, include totally and immerse you in their world, make you cry with them and laugh with them. If you are looking to read a book with strong emotions and lasting taste, I would totally recommend it. Trust me, it's worth it.

Rita brought me into many dimensional emotions of lives. I felt every moment she went through. Fluttering in my stomach were sweet when I met a young and pretty Albanian girl, an ambitious lady, a love chasing bird who dreamed big. The same fluttering was bitter when I touched her immigrant life, losing her mother at a young age and going through pieces of her tragedy fate. Hopping from the past to present, thriller to real life, dream to fantasy, hopping from romance to tragedy got me into reading with no breath. The author again had shown majesty in writing pieces of real Albanian social life, but again with elegance she never forgets to show to us that positivity, love and courage never dies. On the other side life reserves you surprises; you chase them and approach them like Rita does.

The best book I have read recently... amazing...Highly recommended