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evawillis's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much! Such a what if / sliding doors moment. I couldn’t stop reading this and kept thinking about it after I read it.
naizzz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
litwithleigh's review against another edition
I didn't pay attention enough but the concept is cool. Bloop.
sandiet's review against another edition
No rating for this one, I had initially given it one star, but as I sat to write the review I realized even that was too much.
A night of drinking, a groping, an assault and questionable decisions lead to a situation in which Joanna has to make a choice. Written in alternating chapters we are shown what happens based on the choice she made. Had this been written by a more experienced author the book might have been better but this was only the author's second book and in my opinion she was not ready to tackle this dual storyline. It's repetitive and boring. It also reminded me too much of Post Birthday World which I also didn't like. I did something I rarely, if ever do. I read the first 100 pages and then skipped to last 4 chapters which didn't make any difference to my opinion. I would have abandoned it altogether had it not been a bookclub selection. I can not recommend, and it wasn't well received by anyone else in bookclub.
A night of drinking, a groping, an assault and questionable decisions lead to a situation in which Joanna has to make a choice. Written in alternating chapters we are shown what happens based on the choice she made. Had this been written by a more experienced author the book might have been better but this was only the author's second book and in my opinion she was not ready to tackle this dual storyline. It's repetitive and boring. It also reminded me too much of Post Birthday World which I also didn't like. I did something I rarely, if ever do. I read the first 100 pages and then skipped to last 4 chapters which didn't make any difference to my opinion. I would have abandoned it altogether had it not been a bookclub selection. I can not recommend, and it wasn't well received by anyone else in bookclub.
leasa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Would you? Wouldn't you? Moral brain-scratching and a chance to see what would happen both ways...
4.5 stars
I loved Sliding Doors, and love the sort of novels that allow you to see different paths resulting from the same action (also see 'The Versions of You'). The premise here is simple - a woman, harassed at a nightclub, walks home and is followed. She pushes the man and he falls down some steps, obviously badly injured, possibly fatally. Does she stay, call the police and face the consequences or walk away and home, away from responsibility but laden down with guilt?
McAllister's book takes us down both paths at the same time, switching from one scenario 'reveal' to the other 'conceal'. We watch both scenarios affect her relationship with her husband, her peace of mind, her way of life.
Consequences is the heart of the story - what would happen IF... Both ways, I thought Joanna took decisions I wouldn't have done, and her character is a hard one to warm too, she's a procrastinator, someone who starts things but never finishes, takes up a habit then drops it, never fulfilling her potential or finding her passion. We get to see what a life might be like either charged with a crime or charged with guilt and regrets.
The structure worked well, and it was easy to keep apace with both storylines. The husband, perfect as he is for most of the book, annoyed me with his overwhelming love and adoration, though he does get an emotional scene to show his humanity, thank goodness.
Loved watching the plots unravel, making my own moral judgements from a distance - it's always easy to, isn't it? You can see though, how it would so easily happen to anybody and each of us would also be stuck in the same position, wondering if we do right by someone else or save our own skin.
A wonderful choice for a book group, and a fast-moving thought-provoking read for anyone who likes something a little different.
I enjoyed the development of Joanna in both scenarios, they both felt realistic in the ways she is forced to change and view herself honestly for once. It's the sort of story you are glad isn't your own, just as she feels another character is happy about in the book. Who knows when it might be, though....
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
4.5 stars
I loved Sliding Doors, and love the sort of novels that allow you to see different paths resulting from the same action (also see 'The Versions of You'). The premise here is simple - a woman, harassed at a nightclub, walks home and is followed. She pushes the man and he falls down some steps, obviously badly injured, possibly fatally. Does she stay, call the police and face the consequences or walk away and home, away from responsibility but laden down with guilt?
McAllister's book takes us down both paths at the same time, switching from one scenario 'reveal' to the other 'conceal'. We watch both scenarios affect her relationship with her husband, her peace of mind, her way of life.
Consequences is the heart of the story - what would happen IF... Both ways, I thought Joanna took decisions I wouldn't have done, and her character is a hard one to warm too, she's a procrastinator, someone who starts things but never finishes, takes up a habit then drops it, never fulfilling her potential or finding her passion. We get to see what a life might be like either charged with a crime or charged with guilt and regrets.
The structure worked well, and it was easy to keep apace with both storylines. The husband, perfect as he is for most of the book, annoyed me with his overwhelming love and adoration, though he does get an emotional scene to show his humanity, thank goodness.
Loved watching the plots unravel, making my own moral judgements from a distance - it's always easy to, isn't it? You can see though, how it would so easily happen to anybody and each of us would also be stuck in the same position, wondering if we do right by someone else or save our own skin.
A wonderful choice for a book group, and a fast-moving thought-provoking read for anyone who likes something a little different.
I enjoyed the development of Joanna in both scenarios, they both felt realistic in the ways she is forced to change and view herself honestly for once. It's the sort of story you are glad isn't your own, just as she feels another character is happy about in the book. Who knows when it might be, though....
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
sab_1961's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
carolyn0613's review against another edition
4.0
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.