A brilliant way of approaching a narrative. Following a frightening incident the chapters alternate between the possible outcomes of Jo's actions. What would have happened if she had reported the incident straight away as opposed to what would have happened if she ran away and told no-one.
This technique provides a thrilling read because, of course, we don't know which course she takes and so race through to the end, which is a very satisfying ending too.
Highly recommended

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting the way in which the author has decided to present the facts and how it is left to you to determine what the character does. A good book for a book club.

I loved the film sliding doors and this book takes that theme, something happens and there are two alternate stories as a result, it's less complicated then it sounds!!!! It makes you realise every decision has a choice and you never know where that will lead! I loved the story, it was so uniquely written and easy to follow! Excellent book!

An exceptional, thought provokingread, one of the best books I've read this year.
It's difficult to write a review without giving too much away, the dilemma faced by Joanna was one that could happen to anyone and I am sure for someone somewhere a very similar situation has occurred. I've tried to ask myself, how would I react in this situation? I'd like to say I would do the right thing but who knows until you're faced with such a dilemma I couldn't say for certain. Very well written and one to beat.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a good book in that an event happened, and the main character Jo has 2 choices to make...stay and help or leave and conceal.

The chapters are divided into the impact both his decisions have on Jo and those around her.

You read it thinking 'what would I do?!' And 'how would I feel or react?!'

Let down slightly by an annoying Jo at times and the conceal storyline which I felt was a bit extreme in her response (although who can actually know how it would impact on u??)

Also Reuben and Jo's best friend Laura were a bit unlikeable.

But overall a good and different concept, hooks u in, enjoyable.

And for the record...I can't be sure unless it actually happened...but I think I'd choose conceal 😮

The author uses the device of two stories running parallel to each other, based on the main character, Joanne, making different decisions when faced with the outcome of an accident (or was it?). The outcome, depending on which course of action she takes, is totally different and the subsequent effect on the others in her life becomes tortuous. It does take a while to get used to the time shifts in the narrative. Sometimes it can be a little irritating as the sections are often short. Joanne's character can also be a bit frustrating as she seems unusually naive. However, the plot of both stories unfolds with skill and the moral arguments pose interesting questions for the reader. A good read after a slow start.

The originality of this book is what first made me want to read this book.
Honestly it did take me a while to get used to the two storylines alongside each other.
I love that this book makes you think about what you would do if you were placed in that situation. You know what you would like to see yourself doing, however when it came down to it would you actually make the right choice?

I enjoyed this book and thought that the plot with its two alternative strands was an interesting device, but I was put off by the wishy-washy nature of Joanne. The middle third of the book annoyed me so much that I considered giving up. But I persisted and it does get better towards the end. The ending was quite satisfying.

This psychological thriller by Gillian McAllister is like the film Sliding Doors where the story moves between two possible scenarios / outcomes and makes the reader question what they would do in the same situation. The main character Joanna faces a life changing decision when she pushes an unknown assailant down a concrete flight of stairs. Should she call for an ambulance and explain what has happened or should she leave the scene to avoid the consequences of her actions. The book alternates between the two options 'reveal' and 'conceal' and tells of Joanna's fate having made her decision in each case.
This book is thought provoking and beggars the question which option would we take in the same position under the same circumstances. This book is different to a lot of other psychological thrillers and will keep you gripped to the end. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Penguin UK and Net Galley for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am really not sure about this one. I think I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, but I could not cope with this one. The constant changing from conceal to reveal left me irritated by her and the constant reference to her husband. I could not relate to her at all so I did not enjoy it I am afraid.

oanna 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?

Very much like the film Sliding Doors this book gives 2 different versions of events. I found this book confusing at first, but ended up enjoying it. 4*

A story of consequences and what ifs. The story grabbed me at the start, but when the conceal/reveal started I found that I didn't like any of the characters and didn't really care what happened to them! The story is very well written. Just not my type of read.

I always find it really difficult to write a review for a book that I consider to be exceptional, to put together the right words and phrases to convey just how good it is, to try and do it justice. This is one such book.

Joanna (Jo) and Laura are on a girls night out - a few drinks, a chance to catch up on work, partners, just life in general. All's going well until a guy pesters Jo for a selfie, she agrees but then he won't leave her alone, so Jo and Laura decide to leave early and head for home.

They part company outside the club, going in opposite directions. Jo hears footsteps following her so she picks up her pace, but so does whoever is following. She believes it's the guy from the club. As she heads for the bridge leading to the canal towpath, her pursuer catches up, and in her panic Jo pushes him down the steps and he lands heavily with a thud, face down in a puddle. He's not moving, is he even breathing? Jo, who has hated having to make decisions all her life, now has to make the biggest decision she's ever faced, does she call 999 to get him help or does she walk away, pretend it never happened, get on with her life?

The author has been extremely clever in producing two stories in one here. Chapters alternate between 'Conceal' and 'Reveal' and follows Jo as it shows what happens depending on which decision she made that night.

It's impossible not to put yourself in Jo's situation - the fear and anxiety is palpable. The fact that a split second decision can alter the rest of your life. The attention to detail is amazing, particularly regarding the Criminal Justice System. The characters were really well thought out, and played their parts to perfection, and it was easy to believe you actually knew them personally.

I read a book earlier this year ( I won't say which one in this review) and it was so good that it's become the standard by which I rate every other book. Gillian McAllister has definitely reached that standard for me. An incredible read! Do yourself a favour and don't miss out on this one.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin UK Michael Joseph for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*

A very cleverly written book that gives you two scenarios to one action, almost two book's in one that move seamlessly giving you a fantastic read.

This book had its moments where the indecision of the main character was real and emotions raw. You also could see how this event could have occurred. However, I found the main character was a bit cliche and the options predictable. I would like to read other books by this author but this story was not for me. I do thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Anything You Do Say has an unusual premise in that the story is told from two perspectives in a 'Sliding Doors' manner. So the question is what would you do if in the same situation as Joanna, who after being assaulted in a nightclub, finds herself being followed home. In the space of a moment, her life is changed irrevocably.

A dual narrative follows: in the first case Joanna owns up to the crime she has inadvertently committed and in the second she hides the event from everyone. The way her character is drawn and reacts is very well drawn and the marital trauma which happens as a result of her dilemma feels realistic. Gillian McAllister's writing goes from strength to strength and she is bound to pick up new fans with Anything You Do Say. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read and review it.

We are introduced to a crime scene in which we can at least understand the sequence of events which led up to the moment and why the protagonist did what she did. Then we are introduced to her thought processes, which again make sense to the reader to some degree, even if you don't agree with her decisions. In fact, I thought this was the best part of the novel. Because after this it started to drag a little. I really liked the idea and did want to find out what happened in the end, but wasn't all that engaged with what was happening. I think the author had already decided which version of events was the right one and it played out this way in the resulting consequences. And, I've said it before, if I don't like the characters I generally don't like the novel as much and I didn't really warm to any of the characters.apart from the narrator they were all a bit flat and underdeveloped. I am glad I read to the end but wish it hadn't taken quite so long to get there.

This is very much a sliding doors scenario. One night changes Joanna'so life whichever decision she takes. Should she walk away or stay and call the police? We see what happens if she does both! ! It took me a while to get properly hooked but I really enjoyed it. I really liked her husband'so character and felt for him more than her!! Worth a read.

This book starts with an event which causes a butterfly effect from which decision is made. You see both decisions and the fallout of them. It is a brilliant book from beginning to end and it will keep you gripped until the last sentence!

When I started this book I had no idea on how much the story would affect my thoughts and wider feelings on the issue. The initial harassment Jo is faced with most women have lived through at one time or another and the feelings described are exactly on point. It is also easy to see how this could lead to the event that changes her life completely, with such a knee jerk reaction. The decision that she is left with leaves her concealing or revealing her actions through the remainder of the book. As a reader you see Jo live both of her decisions concurrently. It breaks down any preconceptions you have on what is self defense? And can you be punished for a genuine mistake?
You also see the changes she experiences with her husband, friends and family, how their lives become impacted with her actions and how they deal with the fallout of it.
This book left me questioning my own moral beliefs and also questionning my reaction to what she did-was is justified?
I cannot wait to read more of Gillian McAllister's work and thank Penguin for the ARC. I will be talking about this book a lot when it is published and believe this book has been one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. If you have the opportunity to read it - please do.

This is the first book I've read by this author and won't be the last.

The story centres on a night out with 2 friends, Joanna and Laura. A stranger in a bar sexually harasses Joanna to the point that the women end their night out. On her walk home, Joanna mistakenly believes she's being followed by the stranger from the bar and lashes out in fear and a sense of self-protection. A crime is committed. This is where the story takes a clever twist, does she stay and admit her crime to the police or leave and cover it up. The story takes on a "sliding doors" moment exploring both decisions and their outcomes, effects on people in her life and Joanna's fight for self-preservation.

I loved how this book played out and felt sorry for all the characters involved. I would certainly recommend this book to others. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.