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From Goodreads: “Joanna is an avoider. So far she has spent her adult life hiding bank statements and changing career aspirations weekly.
But then one night Joanna hears footsteps on the way home. Is she being followed? She is sure it’s him; the man from the bar who wouldn’t leave her alone. Hearing the steps speed up Joanna turns and pushes with all of her might, sending her pursuer tumbling down the steps and lying motionless on the floor.
Now Joanna has to do the thing she hates most – make a decision. Fight or flight? Truth or lie? Right or wrong?”

My Review

This was such an intense read and yet another book I’ve had languishing on my kindle app. Gillian McAllister is another author that I pre-order whenever I know she’s got a new book out. I loved her debut Everything But The Truth and know I’ll enjoy her next books even if I don’t get to them straight away.

This book is a ‘sliding doors’ psychological thriller, with Joanna the main character either staying or fleeing from the her pursuer who lays motionless on the floor. The story is told in alternate chapters called ‘Reveal’ for the Joanna who stays with her pursuer and ‘Conceal’ for the Joanna who flees the scene.

I wasn’t too sure how this was going to work, but it hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading about what was going to happen to the two Joannas. Gillian McAllister certainly knows how to get inside the head of her characters and her readers, as I was constantly thinking how I’d react if I was in this situation, would I stay or would I go?

I was so shocked by the consequences Joanna Reveal faced for staying with her peruser! I was bewildered by Joanna Conceal’s actions, especially to do with her coat and shoes! If you’ve read this book you’ll know what I mean. At times I was tutting and shaking me head at the way she was behaving and felt very sorry for her husband Reuben.

I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this book, and will make sure I read the  author’s other books, No Further Questions and The Evidence Against You, sooner rather than later.

I definitely recommend this if you enjoy psychological thriller that’ll really make you think how you’d behave in the same situation.