Title: The Other Side
Author: Shawn Lane
Publisher: JMS Books (2nd Edition)
Length: 81 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: I’m impressed with how much the author covered and the ways she covered the issues and the feelings of both these characters. This was a good read that offered me a lot of things to think about.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Dr. Ray Carmichael is a wealthy African-American doctor and political activist running for office on the platform that the brutality and corruption of the local police force is out of control. Nick Sorenson is a white cop who grew up poor and almost lost his life in gangs and crime before turning his life around by joining the police force.
When Ray’s brother is beaten by a couple of police officers after a traffic stop, Nick is the Internal Affairs detective put in charge of investigating the incident. Dr. Carmichael’s obvious distrust of the police force rubs Nick the wrong way, and the man becomes a pain in his neck. Too bad, because neither of them can deny their attraction to each other.
Ray has Nick removed from the case when he decides he’d rather date the man than fight with him. In spite of their differences, they begin an affair and grow closer. Until an explosive incident at a family gathering puts nagging doubts in Nick’s head — he’s not sure if they can overcome the differences that separate them.
When Nick is about to lose everything important to him, will he realize his budding relationship with Ray is worth trying to see the other side?
Review: Dr. Ray Carmichael comes from a middle-class, African American family that gave him the structure and guidance to work hard and become a respected neurologist. He also has political aspirations to clean up the corruption and bigotry in the LAPD—his brother, Devon, was stopped and assaulted by police. Ray has taken it upon himself to pursue answers from, what he perceives, is a corrupt police force.
Nick Sorenson is an Internal Affairs detective with the LAPD. When he has the time, he loves participating in the Big Brother Program and the mission. His home life was very different than Ray’s. He still helps support his sister and brother, and a mother whose lifestyle is questionable.
After meeting with Nick on his brother’s case, Ray, for personal reasons, pulls a fast one on Nick, having him removed from the investigation. He calls Nick, and they decide to meet at Ray’s home, but when things start to move a little too fast, Nick is apologetic and calls a halt to things. Ray is still intrigued by Nick and decides to give dating a chance. But, Nick and Ray don’t see eye to eye on a lot of issues, especially when Ray continues to berate the police force.
The Other Side is a short novella; it’s a quick read but covers a lot of social issues. It actually caught me off guard as I thought it was going to get into the assault case of Ray’s brother as well as the corruption in the LAPD, but it took a different turn. It’s really about Ray and Nick and being from two different worlds, and the different ways they look at issues. They both have to face bigotry and corruption as well as issues from family to co-workers, from poor to wealthy, and whether they will be able to exist together. I liked the plot and was really impressed by how much the author covered and the ways she covered the issues and the feelings of both these characters. This was a good read that offered me a lot of things to think about.
You can buy The Other Side here:
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