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Trip & Fall
Odessa thought the worst thing about her life was the distance she felt every night. The silence, and all the words left unsaid.
She was wrong.
When her husband, Sterling, whisks her away for a secluded trip, the days blur together. She returns with a suitcase full of souvenirs she doesn’t remember buying- and hauntingly familiar faces she’s sure she’s never met. Or has she?
But nothing about that trip was accidental, and nothing about what comes next is, either. Because monsters don’t make mistakes. They make plans.
And once you see the pattern, you realize it was never over.
It was only the beginning.
Trip & Fall is a dark psychological thriller about the horrors that slip beneath the covers, even in the marital bed.
You think you know the rules, until someone rewrites your life in blood.
Some trips you’re nudged into. Others, you’re shoved
She was wrong.
When her husband, Sterling, whisks her away for a secluded trip, the days blur together. She returns with a suitcase full of souvenirs she doesn’t remember buying- and hauntingly familiar faces she’s sure she’s never met. Or has she?
But nothing about that trip was accidental, and nothing about what comes next is, either. Because monsters don’t make mistakes. They make plans.
And once you see the pattern, you realize it was never over.
It was only the beginning.
Trip & Fall is a dark psychological thriller about the horrors that slip beneath the covers, even in the marital bed.
You think you know the rules, until someone rewrites your life in blood.
Some trips you’re nudged into. Others, you’re shoved
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
About the author
Annalise VanGallows
7 books33 followersI write fucked-up people.
Annalise VanGallows is an independent author of psychological thrillers and romantic suspense, writing about complicated relationships, obsession, betrayal, survival, bad decisions, and the uncomfortable things people are capable of behind otherwise ordinary doors.
She has been writing for most of her life. Her first book was written when she was still a child herself, and the habit apparently stuck. Since then, her writing has taken many forms, earned recognition along the way, and grown into four self-published novels and counting.
She is endlessly fascinated by human behavior—especially the places where love and obsession overlap, where loyalty becomes dangerous, where people lie to themselves before they ever lie to anyone else, and where one seemingly reasonable choice can wreck absolutely everything.
Away from the keyboard, Annalise is a reader, wood burner, chronic maker of things, and enthusiastic collector of animals. She shares her home with her husband, dogs, cat, bird, and whatever other creature happens to arrive at the doorstep looking sufficiently hungry.
Her favorite writing spot is in front of the fireplace with tea nearby, although the stories themselves have a habit of showing up wherever they please.
Already read one of the books? Come talk to me. Questions, theories, “what the hell was THAT?” moments, and respectfully raised eyebrows are always welcome. You can find Annalise around the Manor, follow her on social media, join the ARC list or VanGallows Gems, or head to the Library to choose your next bad decision.
Annalise VanGallows is an independent author of psychological thrillers and romantic suspense, writing about complicated relationships, obsession, betrayal, survival, bad decisions, and the uncomfortable things people are capable of behind otherwise ordinary doors.
She has been writing for most of her life. Her first book was written when she was still a child herself, and the habit apparently stuck. Since then, her writing has taken many forms, earned recognition along the way, and grown into four self-published novels and counting.
She is endlessly fascinated by human behavior—especially the places where love and obsession overlap, where loyalty becomes dangerous, where people lie to themselves before they ever lie to anyone else, and where one seemingly reasonable choice can wreck absolutely everything.
Away from the keyboard, Annalise is a reader, wood burner, chronic maker of things, and enthusiastic collector of animals. She shares her home with her husband, dogs, cat, bird, and whatever other creature happens to arrive at the doorstep looking sufficiently hungry.
Her favorite writing spot is in front of the fireplace with tea nearby, although the stories themselves have a habit of showing up wherever they please.
Already read one of the books? Come talk to me. Questions, theories, “what the hell was THAT?” moments, and respectfully raised eyebrows are always welcome. You can find Annalise around the Manor, follow her on social media, join the ARC list or VanGallows Gems, or head to the Library to choose your next bad decision.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 13, 2026
Out of all the shenanigans that I thought were going on here, this was not it. Often times in thrillers we try to guess what is happening and I can’t remember a time that I was so wrong. I fell in love with Odessa’s character from the beginning, and definitely side eyed Sterling’s motives and intentions. I loved the alternating timelines and points of view. Hearing the story I past and present tense showed us how the characters got to where they are today. My favorite character, Brontë hands down. This dog was truly what I call a “man’s best friend” but in this case “a woman’s best friend.” This story really blew my mind and I am looking forward to reading more by Annalise!
March 5, 2026
Some stories grab you by the collar and drag you into the dark whether you’re ready or not – Trip and Fall does exactly that. When this book landed in my mailbox, I didn’t know I was about to tumble headfirst into one of Annalise VanGallows’s most haunting and emotionally charged worlds yet. This isn’t just a story you read – it’s one you survive. I wanted to crawl into the pages, pull her out, hug her, and tell her I was both wrecked and amazed by what she’d done.
Odessa’s story is not one told in soft tones or safe spaces. Raised in a home where instability was the only constant, she learns early how to navigate chaos. Enter Sterling – man who brings her the kind of precision and order she’s never known. At first, it feels like safety. But when patterns shift, and the man she thought she knew begins to unravel, Odessa’s foundation cracks. What follows is a slow, disturbing descent into a truth so twisted it makes you question every memory, every conversation, every smile. VanGallows doesn’t hand you breadcrumbs – she throws you into the maze blindfolded and makes you find your own way out.
It’s impossible to talk about VanGallows’s characters without feeling like you know them. They’re not just names on a page – they’re living, breathing people who bleed authenticity. Odessa’s fragility and stubborn strength feel like reflections of the reader, and Sterling… well, let’s just say he’s the kind of character who leaves fingerprints on your thoughts. Every one of Annalise’s stories pulses with emotional realism, but Trip and Fall digs deeper. Each flawed, scarred person is written with precision, forcing you to see their humanity even as their choices make your stomach churn. VanGallows writes emotion like it is muscle memory – instinctive, raw, unforgettable.
The atmosphere is thick and unsettling, the pacing deliberate but never sluggish – a heartbeat that builds, breaks, and rebuilds with terrifying rhythm. The story moves between timelines, threading past and present until they fuse into a single moment of reckoning. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, VanGallows yanks the floor out from under you. The transitions are smooth, but the tension never eases; you live inside Odessa’s disorientation right alongside her. The writing is cinematic yet claustrophobic, each scene lit just enough to see what’s coming before the lights go out again.
Trip and Fall is the kind of dark psychological thriller that doesn’t just rattle your nerves – it sears into your chest and lingers there. It’s heavy, unflinching, and unforgettable. If you loved Mad Honey (it’s set for re-release **hint, she is turning it into a whole series**jumps for joy – you can find the original Mad Honey here), brace yourself – this one cuts even deeper. But please, read the trigger warnings first, check her website if you need details, and take care of yourself – because Annalise VanGallows doesn’t write for comfort, she writes for catharsis.
Trip and Fall releases March 1, 2026, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page stops turning.
I would like to thank Annalise VanGallows for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Trip and Fall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Some stories grab you by the collar and drag you into the dark whether you’re ready or not – Trip and Fall does exactly that. When this book landed in my mailbox, I didn’t know I was about to tumble headfirst into one of Annalise VanGallows’s most haunting and emotionally charged worlds yet. This isn’t just a story you read – it’s one you survive. I wanted to crawl into the pages, pull her out, hug her, and tell her I was both wrecked and amazed by what she’d done.
Odessa’s story is not one told in soft tones or safe spaces. Raised in a home where instability was the only constant, she learns early how to navigate chaos. Enter Sterling – man who brings her the kind of precision and order she’s never known. At first, it feels like safety. But when patterns shift, and the man she thought she knew begins to unravel, Odessa’s foundation cracks. What follows is a slow, disturbing descent into a truth so twisted it makes you question every memory, every conversation, every smile. VanGallows doesn’t hand you breadcrumbs – she throws you into the maze blindfolded and makes you find your own way out.
It’s impossible to talk about VanGallows’s characters without feeling like you know them. They’re not just names on a page – they’re living, breathing people who bleed authenticity. Odessa’s fragility and stubborn strength feel like reflections of the reader, and Sterling… well, let’s just say he’s the kind of character who leaves fingerprints on your thoughts. Every one of Annalise’s stories pulses with emotional realism, but Trip and Fall digs deeper. Each flawed, scarred person is written with precision, forcing you to see their humanity even as their choices make your stomach churn. VanGallows writes emotion like it is muscle memory – instinctive, raw, unforgettable.
The atmosphere is thick and unsettling, the pacing deliberate but never sluggish – a heartbeat that builds, breaks, and rebuilds with terrifying rhythm. The story moves between timelines, threading past and present until they fuse into a single moment of reckoning. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, VanGallows yanks the floor out from under you. The transitions are smooth, but the tension never eases; you live inside Odessa’s disorientation right alongside her. The writing is cinematic yet claustrophobic, each scene lit just enough to see what’s coming before the lights go out again.
Trip and Fall is the kind of dark psychological thriller that doesn’t just rattle your nerves – it sears into your chest and lingers there. It’s heavy, unflinching, and unforgettable. If you loved Mad Honey (it’s set for re-release **hint, she is turning it into a whole series**jumps for joy – you can find the original Mad Honey here), brace yourself – this one cuts even deeper. But please, read the trigger warnings first, check her website if you need details, and take care of yourself – because Annalise VanGallows doesn’t write for comfort, she writes for catharsis.
Trip and Fall releases March 1, 2026, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page stops turning.
I would like to thank Annalise VanGallows for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Trip and Fall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Odessa’s story is not one told in soft tones or safe spaces. Raised in a home where instability was the only constant, she learns early how to navigate chaos. Enter Sterling – man who brings her the kind of precision and order she’s never known. At first, it feels like safety. But when patterns shift, and the man she thought she knew begins to unravel, Odessa’s foundation cracks. What follows is a slow, disturbing descent into a truth so twisted it makes you question every memory, every conversation, every smile. VanGallows doesn’t hand you breadcrumbs – she throws you into the maze blindfolded and makes you find your own way out.
It’s impossible to talk about VanGallows’s characters without feeling like you know them. They’re not just names on a page – they’re living, breathing people who bleed authenticity. Odessa’s fragility and stubborn strength feel like reflections of the reader, and Sterling… well, let’s just say he’s the kind of character who leaves fingerprints on your thoughts. Every one of Annalise’s stories pulses with emotional realism, but Trip and Fall digs deeper. Each flawed, scarred person is written with precision, forcing you to see their humanity even as their choices make your stomach churn. VanGallows writes emotion like it is muscle memory – instinctive, raw, unforgettable.
The atmosphere is thick and unsettling, the pacing deliberate but never sluggish – a heartbeat that builds, breaks, and rebuilds with terrifying rhythm. The story moves between timelines, threading past and present until they fuse into a single moment of reckoning. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, VanGallows yanks the floor out from under you. The transitions are smooth, but the tension never eases; you live inside Odessa’s disorientation right alongside her. The writing is cinematic yet claustrophobic, each scene lit just enough to see what’s coming before the lights go out again.
Trip and Fall is the kind of dark psychological thriller that doesn’t just rattle your nerves – it sears into your chest and lingers there. It’s heavy, unflinching, and unforgettable. If you loved Mad Honey (it’s set for re-release **hint, she is turning it into a whole series**jumps for joy – you can find the original Mad Honey here), brace yourself – this one cuts even deeper. But please, read the trigger warnings first, check her website if you need details, and take care of yourself – because Annalise VanGallows doesn’t write for comfort, she writes for catharsis.
Trip and Fall releases March 1, 2026, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page stops turning.
I would like to thank Annalise VanGallows for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Trip and Fall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Some stories grab you by the collar and drag you into the dark whether you’re ready or not – Trip and Fall does exactly that. When this book landed in my mailbox, I didn’t know I was about to tumble headfirst into one of Annalise VanGallows’s most haunting and emotionally charged worlds yet. This isn’t just a story you read – it’s one you survive. I wanted to crawl into the pages, pull her out, hug her, and tell her I was both wrecked and amazed by what she’d done.
Odessa’s story is not one told in soft tones or safe spaces. Raised in a home where instability was the only constant, she learns early how to navigate chaos. Enter Sterling – man who brings her the kind of precision and order she’s never known. At first, it feels like safety. But when patterns shift, and the man she thought she knew begins to unravel, Odessa’s foundation cracks. What follows is a slow, disturbing descent into a truth so twisted it makes you question every memory, every conversation, every smile. VanGallows doesn’t hand you breadcrumbs – she throws you into the maze blindfolded and makes you find your own way out.
It’s impossible to talk about VanGallows’s characters without feeling like you know them. They’re not just names on a page – they’re living, breathing people who bleed authenticity. Odessa’s fragility and stubborn strength feel like reflections of the reader, and Sterling… well, let’s just say he’s the kind of character who leaves fingerprints on your thoughts. Every one of Annalise’s stories pulses with emotional realism, but Trip and Fall digs deeper. Each flawed, scarred person is written with precision, forcing you to see their humanity even as their choices make your stomach churn. VanGallows writes emotion like it is muscle memory – instinctive, raw, unforgettable.
The atmosphere is thick and unsettling, the pacing deliberate but never sluggish – a heartbeat that builds, breaks, and rebuilds with terrifying rhythm. The story moves between timelines, threading past and present until they fuse into a single moment of reckoning. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, VanGallows yanks the floor out from under you. The transitions are smooth, but the tension never eases; you live inside Odessa’s disorientation right alongside her. The writing is cinematic yet claustrophobic, each scene lit just enough to see what’s coming before the lights go out again.
Trip and Fall is the kind of dark psychological thriller that doesn’t just rattle your nerves – it sears into your chest and lingers there. It’s heavy, unflinching, and unforgettable. If you loved Mad Honey (it’s set for re-release **hint, she is turning it into a whole series**jumps for joy – you can find the original Mad Honey here), brace yourself – this one cuts even deeper. But please, read the trigger warnings first, check her website if you need details, and take care of yourself – because Annalise VanGallows doesn’t write for comfort, she writes for catharsis.
Trip and Fall releases March 1, 2026, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page stops turning.
I would like to thank Annalise VanGallows for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Trip and Fall. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Though this took me a few days to really get into I was absolutely blown away by how each twist made me question everything! I was 75% of the way through the book before I was decently sure who the big bad was and even then I felt like it could have gone a different way. Reading this really makes you think about how just falling into the motions and surviving is not the same as living and enjoying life.
The characters are very well written, Odessa and Troy are very relatable. She has normal fears and reactions, nothing feels overdramatic or as though she wasn't reacting enough. Troy feels like a man who has waited almost too long to get the girl. Sterling is also written well, you can feel the tension in his character.
Truly I feel as though if I were to go back and reread this next week I would find some new detail that I missed or some clue that was just subtle enough. This was an overall amazing read that kept me guessing until almost the last page!
The characters are very well written, Odessa and Troy are very relatable. She has normal fears and reactions, nothing feels overdramatic or as though she wasn't reacting enough. Troy feels like a man who has waited almost too long to get the girl. Sterling is also written well, you can feel the tension in his character.
Truly I feel as though if I were to go back and reread this next week I would find some new detail that I missed or some clue that was just subtle enough. This was an overall amazing read that kept me guessing until almost the last page!
March 9, 2026
Just wow. This book is unlike anything I have read. It is written in third person and is really good. Please be sure to read the triggers and be mindful of what you can handle.
Odessa meets Sterling and is drawn to him but after a few years of marriage things do not seem so right with him. There are blank spots that she can't seem to place what happened and he is cold and controlling.
As a middle school teacher, she meets Troy who has some animals he is showing to her school. When he sees Odessa, he is intrigued and just wants to talk to her. He is charming and so attentive to her.
There is a few years if the two of them texting and meeting and Odessa doesn't know what to do because of her marriage. But there are too many things that don't add up with strange men that act like they know her and a surprise that just doesn't add up with the timing.
This book will grip you and you will want to know what happens next. Bronte is such a great dog, love her and Cecily is that friend you just want in your life. Great book!
Odessa meets Sterling and is drawn to him but after a few years of marriage things do not seem so right with him. There are blank spots that she can't seem to place what happened and he is cold and controlling.
As a middle school teacher, she meets Troy who has some animals he is showing to her school. When he sees Odessa, he is intrigued and just wants to talk to her. He is charming and so attentive to her.
There is a few years if the two of them texting and meeting and Odessa doesn't know what to do because of her marriage. But there are too many things that don't add up with strange men that act like they know her and a surprise that just doesn't add up with the timing.
This book will grip you and you will want to know what happens next. Bronte is such a great dog, love her and Cecily is that friend you just want in your life. Great book!
July 31, 2026
Book Review
Personal Copy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trip and Fall by Annalise VanGallows
I need a minute.
Brönte made me forget how to breathe for a while, but my lungs eventually filed a complaint and started working again.
First of all, thank you, Annalise, for trusting me with this story… and for making me question the intentions of basically every human being I encountered afterward. Much appreciated.
You all know I usually have the patience of an over-caffeinated toddler. Slow burns and I aren’t exactly friends. It took me a little while to settle into this one, but I’ve read Annalise’s work before. I know better than to let my own impatience make me miss something that will eventually punch me square in the soul.
Holy cannoli…
I’m so glad I stayed.
I won’t spoil a single thing because this deserves to hit you the way it hit me.
This story grabbed me by the throat and squeezed. Not because it’s drenched in gore or trying to shock you with graphic scenes, but because of what it does to your head and your heart. I actually caught myself wondering, How many times did this man have to fall out of his crib before he convinced himself this was acceptable? Because my brain desperately wanted a reason for someone capable of becoming… this.
This isn’t domestic abuse the way most people recognize it.
This is about being violated where no one is looking. About your body belonging to people you don’t even know exist. About having your choices stolen before you even realize they were never yours to begin with. It’s the kind of horror that doesn’t rely on monsters. It relies on people. And somehow… that’s so much worse.
Five stars without hesitation.
If a book has me blurting out “oh…”, “no…”, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” and several words that would make my mother raise an eyebrow, then it has earned every single one of those stars.
So grab your emotional support guinea pig, wrap yourself in a blanket, and prepare to question humanity just a little more than you did yesterday.
And remember…
Loyalty isn’t always found in the people who promise it.
Sometimes, a Brönte saves you instead.
Personal Copy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trip and Fall by Annalise VanGallows
I need a minute.
Brönte made me forget how to breathe for a while, but my lungs eventually filed a complaint and started working again.
First of all, thank you, Annalise, for trusting me with this story… and for making me question the intentions of basically every human being I encountered afterward. Much appreciated.
You all know I usually have the patience of an over-caffeinated toddler. Slow burns and I aren’t exactly friends. It took me a little while to settle into this one, but I’ve read Annalise’s work before. I know better than to let my own impatience make me miss something that will eventually punch me square in the soul.
Holy cannoli…
I’m so glad I stayed.
I won’t spoil a single thing because this deserves to hit you the way it hit me.
This story grabbed me by the throat and squeezed. Not because it’s drenched in gore or trying to shock you with graphic scenes, but because of what it does to your head and your heart. I actually caught myself wondering, How many times did this man have to fall out of his crib before he convinced himself this was acceptable? Because my brain desperately wanted a reason for someone capable of becoming… this.
This isn’t domestic abuse the way most people recognize it.
This is about being violated where no one is looking. About your body belonging to people you don’t even know exist. About having your choices stolen before you even realize they were never yours to begin with. It’s the kind of horror that doesn’t rely on monsters. It relies on people. And somehow… that’s so much worse.
Five stars without hesitation.
If a book has me blurting out “oh…”, “no…”, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” and several words that would make my mother raise an eyebrow, then it has earned every single one of those stars.
So grab your emotional support guinea pig, wrap yourself in a blanket, and prepare to question humanity just a little more than you did yesterday.
And remember…
Loyalty isn’t always found in the people who promise it.
Sometimes, a Brönte saves you instead.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Things I liked about this book:
-FMC who eventually chooses herself.
-HEA
-Bronte the dog (the real hero of this story)
Things I disliked about the book, that I just couldn't look past:
-FMC took way too long to realize what was going on. It made it difficult for me to like her and find her relateable.
-Book needs a lot of editing (from spelling errors to missing punctuation to repeated sentences/words and everything in between)
-Predictable twists.
If my dislikes don't tend to bother you and you enjoy psychological thriller, you will likely enjoy this book!
-FMC who eventually chooses herself.
-HEA
-Bronte the dog (the real hero of this story)
Things I disliked about the book, that I just couldn't look past:
-FMC took way too long to realize what was going on. It made it difficult for me to like her and find her relateable.
-Book needs a lot of editing (from spelling errors to missing punctuation to repeated sentences/words and everything in between)
-Predictable twists.
If my dislikes don't tend to bother you and you enjoy psychological thriller, you will likely enjoy this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 27, 2026I received this as an arc and i've read quite a few books from this author as one and I have never been disappointed
I'm not usually mood reader, but for some reason.Lately, I have been so I kind of been putting off this book.Not really wanting to read it, I'd almost decided not to read it as an arc, and then I decided to go ahead.And try it and I am so happy.I did.I finished it all in one setting.I absolutely loved it
This author always delivers on the thriller and the mystery.Aspect of it, I love that they named a couple of thier other books in this one that I had also already read
I knew from the beginning that I did not care for Sterling, and it just got worse and worse and worse. The more it meant, although I wasn't expecting him to be that terrible. But I am very happy with the ending of the book
If you enjoy psychological thrillers questioning what's gonna happen in the book or where the storyline is going.This is the book and the author for you
I'm not usually mood reader, but for some reason.Lately, I have been so I kind of been putting off this book.Not really wanting to read it, I'd almost decided not to read it as an arc, and then I decided to go ahead.And try it and I am so happy.I did.I finished it all in one setting.I absolutely loved it
This author always delivers on the thriller and the mystery.Aspect of it, I love that they named a couple of thier other books in this one that I had also already read
I knew from the beginning that I did not care for Sterling, and it just got worse and worse and worse. The more it meant, although I wasn't expecting him to be that terrible. But I am very happy with the ending of the book
If you enjoy psychological thrillers questioning what's gonna happen in the book or where the storyline is going.This is the book and the author for you
March 6, 2026
I enjoyed this book it had many unforseen twist that took me on a dark ride that I was not expecting.
April 6, 2026
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, drugging, adultery/cheating, miscarriage, domestic violence, forced pregnancy, stalking, murder, manipulating & gaslighting, threats to animals, verbal & emotional abuse, graphic physical violence, explicit sexual content, coercion and power imbalance, mental health themes
Trip and Fall by Annalise VanGallows is an engaging, emotionally layered story that pulled me in from the very first chapter. The pacing is spot on. Quick enough to keep the tension high, yet measured enough to let the characters breathe and grow. The setup for the ending is especially well done, with subtle threads laid throughout that come together in a satisfying, well‑earned conclusion.
One of the strongest elements of the book is how thoughtfully the author explores trauma—both conscious and unconscious—and the way it shapes a person’s choices, relationships, and sense of self. It’s handled with nuance and empathy, adding depth without ever overwhelming the story.
The dynamic between Odessa (our FMC) and Cecily was another highlight for me. Their interactions are charged, complex, and compelling, and watching their relationship evolve added so much richness to the narrative.
There were a few minor grammar issues sprinkled throughout. Nothing major, but occasionally I had to pause, reread a sentence, and mentally correct a word before continuing. Even so, it never detracted from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, Trip and Fall is a great read—thoughtful, well‑paced, emotionally resonant, and full of memorable character moments. I’m excited to see what Annalise VanGallows writes next.
#bookloungereviewteam
Trip and Fall by Annalise VanGallows is an engaging, emotionally layered story that pulled me in from the very first chapter. The pacing is spot on. Quick enough to keep the tension high, yet measured enough to let the characters breathe and grow. The setup for the ending is especially well done, with subtle threads laid throughout that come together in a satisfying, well‑earned conclusion.
One of the strongest elements of the book is how thoughtfully the author explores trauma—both conscious and unconscious—and the way it shapes a person’s choices, relationships, and sense of self. It’s handled with nuance and empathy, adding depth without ever overwhelming the story.
The dynamic between Odessa (our FMC) and Cecily was another highlight for me. Their interactions are charged, complex, and compelling, and watching their relationship evolve added so much richness to the narrative.
There were a few minor grammar issues sprinkled throughout. Nothing major, but occasionally I had to pause, reread a sentence, and mentally correct a word before continuing. Even so, it never detracted from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, Trip and Fall is a great read—thoughtful, well‑paced, emotionally resonant, and full of memorable character moments. I’m excited to see what Annalise VanGallows writes next.
#bookloungereviewteam
Review of advance copy received from Author
I recieved this as an ARC book and this is my honest opinion after finishing Trip & Fall
Overall I really liked this book, the premise was very interesting and the way the story unfolded, especially later in the book felt incredibly well thought out. I reached a point reading this where it was hard to put it down. I was so worried about Bronte who is the goodest girl ever, she is the best character and even has her own POV chapter which was such a great addition.
Early on in the book some of the character introduction feels forced and random, although it does become more clear later on in the book. This makes some of the earlier chapters hard to engage in because it feels like "why should I even care about this person".
I do hope some of the confusing and contradictory grammar is addressed, there are times where the tense changes mid sentence, parts of sentences are repeated, or words just feel like the wrong words for the sentence or message. These things did take away from the flow and the immersion at times and is a big part of why I was stuck between 3 and 4 stars.
Overall I really liked this book, the premise was very interesting and the way the story unfolded, especially later in the book felt incredibly well thought out. I reached a point reading this where it was hard to put it down. I was so worried about Bronte who is the goodest girl ever, she is the best character and even has her own POV chapter which was such a great addition.
Early on in the book some of the character introduction feels forced and random, although it does become more clear later on in the book. This makes some of the earlier chapters hard to engage in because it feels like "why should I even care about this person".
I do hope some of the confusing and contradictory grammar is addressed, there are times where the tense changes mid sentence, parts of sentences are repeated, or words just feel like the wrong words for the sentence or message. These things did take away from the flow and the immersion at times and is a big part of why I was stuck between 3 and 4 stars.
March 20, 2026
This book was wild. I was immediately pulled in. Especially when she couldn’t remember so many things. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. What an absolutely amazing psychological thriller.
April 1, 2026
Holy shit!!! this book drug me head first into a mind blown story of twist and turns. ive read every book by Annalise n this one is by far has craziest plot twist
May 9, 2026
this book isn't just a story you read it's one you survive. I was completely unprepared for the emotional ouchy that was trip & fall.
Odessa thinks her life is just quiet and distant. The kind of marriage where the silence is louder than any argument. Thennn her husband Sterling whisks her away on a trip. sShe comes back with a suitcase full of souvenirs she doesn't remember buying and a head full of holes. it's sooo unsettling and makes you question every single memory.
The author throws you into the maze blindfolded. The tension is this creeping dread that builds under your skin. I was 75% of the way through before i was even decently sure who the big bad was and even then i was second guessing myself. It's really well done how it moves between past and present, fusing everything into one moment of pure reckoning.
the characters feel so real it's unsettling. Odessa's fragility and stubborn strength, sterling's unsettling control and troy, who feels like the light she's been missing. even the side characters, like her friend Cecily and the dog Bronte add soooo much depth.
I will say, it took me a few days to get into the rhythm of it. the pacing is deliberate, which works for the story, but if you're looking for a fast paced thriller, this isn't it. but tbh that's what makes it so good. It trusts you to pay attention.
this is a heavy, unflinching psychological thriller that will sear into your chest and linger there. check the tw like for real and then dive in. it's worth it.
🧠 psychological thriller
🕵️♀️ unreliable narrator
🫠 gaslighting
⏳ slow burn tension
🤫 secrets & lies
📖 non linear timeline
🎭 complex characters
😱 mind bending twists
Odessa thinks her life is just quiet and distant. The kind of marriage where the silence is louder than any argument. Thennn her husband Sterling whisks her away on a trip. sShe comes back with a suitcase full of souvenirs she doesn't remember buying and a head full of holes. it's sooo unsettling and makes you question every single memory.
The author throws you into the maze blindfolded. The tension is this creeping dread that builds under your skin. I was 75% of the way through before i was even decently sure who the big bad was and even then i was second guessing myself. It's really well done how it moves between past and present, fusing everything into one moment of pure reckoning.
the characters feel so real it's unsettling. Odessa's fragility and stubborn strength, sterling's unsettling control and troy, who feels like the light she's been missing. even the side characters, like her friend Cecily and the dog Bronte add soooo much depth.
I will say, it took me a few days to get into the rhythm of it. the pacing is deliberate, which works for the story, but if you're looking for a fast paced thriller, this isn't it. but tbh that's what makes it so good. It trusts you to pay attention.
this is a heavy, unflinching psychological thriller that will sear into your chest and linger there. check the tw like for real and then dive in. it's worth it.
🧠 psychological thriller
🕵️♀️ unreliable narrator
🫠 gaslighting
⏳ slow burn tension
🤫 secrets & lies
📖 non linear timeline
🎭 complex characters
😱 mind bending twists
Read
June 11, 2026Trip and Fall is a must read. It is amazing the length people would go to manipulate and control someone else. It is equally amazing to see the amount of lattitude such people give themselves in the process as they justify their actions. In Trip and Fall Annalise Vangallows treats this subject so well with her usual excellent writing technique. She explores this theme in depth with subtlety matching the subtley with which the perpetrators commit their evil acts. It took me a while to put my finger on the evil acts being to the victim in the book, just as it took her a while to realize what was being done to her. Annalise should be commended for.this. She gave nothing away in the entire plot, but let readers discover it all in the sickness in the minds and hearts of the villains, their nonchalant attitudes in committing atrocities to the victim as if they had the right to do that. It was as if the victim was a toy or play thing to them. Well done Annalise. Another fantastic story that explores the individual's psyche to expose concepts that we never really think about, bringing out so aptly the length to which individuals could go to justify evil acts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy of this book, and I’m grateful I did.
This isn’t normally the genre I gravitate toward, I tend to live in sci-fi worlds and technical manuals, but this book completely pulled me in.
What stands out most is the psychological depth. The tension isn’t loud or flashy; it’s layered, deliberate, and quietly unsettling in all the right ways. There were moments that genuinely made me pause and think, not because of shock value, but because of how real and human everything felt.
The author has a strong grasp of emotional nuance. The characters aren’t just moving through a plot, they’re navigating internal battles that feel authentic and thoughtfully crafted. It’s the kind of story that lingers after you close the final page.
If you enjoy psychological complexity, slow-burn tension, and stories that trust the reader to pay attention, this is absolutely worth your time.
This isn’t normally the genre I gravitate toward, I tend to live in sci-fi worlds and technical manuals, but this book completely pulled me in.
What stands out most is the psychological depth. The tension isn’t loud or flashy; it’s layered, deliberate, and quietly unsettling in all the right ways. There were moments that genuinely made me pause and think, not because of shock value, but because of how real and human everything felt.
The author has a strong grasp of emotional nuance. The characters aren’t just moving through a plot, they’re navigating internal battles that feel authentic and thoughtfully crafted. It’s the kind of story that lingers after you close the final page.
If you enjoy psychological complexity, slow-burn tension, and stories that trust the reader to pay attention, this is absolutely worth your time.
February 22, 2026
Received this as a Arc copy-
I was excited about this book but it left me wanting more- and not in a good way.
I feel like I was sold on her not remembering her vacation - and feel like this got totally sidelined for many chapters about an affair. The twist wasn’t shocking to me. I didn’t really love this, it fell flat for me.
I was excited about this book but it left me wanting more- and not in a good way.
I feel like I was sold on her not remembering her vacation - and feel like this got totally sidelined for many chapters about an affair. The twist wasn’t shocking to me. I didn’t really love this, it fell flat for me.
October 20, 2026
slow burn
It took halfway through for the story to pick up but story was interesting. But worth the time to read.
It took halfway through for the story to pick up but story was interesting. But worth the time to read.
March 20, 2026
Meet Odessa. She’s had it rough, she has strength and grit. As she navigates her way through life and the experiences she has. Lots of twists. Sterling is super controlling. Troy isn’t. The story is well written. New author for me. Spice is 🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟
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