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Don't Turn Around
The riveting follow up to Jessica Barry’s debut Freefall—a controversial, of-the-moment thriller about two women fighting for their right to live.
322 miles of road. 6 hours. 2 strangers. 1 killer. Too many secrets.
Midnight. Cait Monaghan and Rebecca McRae are on a desolate road that slices through the New Mexican desert. They've never met before tonight. Both have secrets to protect. Both of their lives are in danger.
When a truck pulls up fast behind them, they assume it's punk teenagers or run-of-the-mill road rage, but it soon becomes clear that whoever is driving the truck is hunting them for sport—and they are out to draw blood.
As the miles unspool and the dangers mount, the pasts they've worked so hard to keep buried have come back to haunt them. Someone wants one of them dead. But which one? And given the lives the two women have been leading, that someone could be almost anyone.
If Cait and Rebecca are going to survive, they'll have to learn to trust one another—and themselves. But trust is a costly business, and they’ve both paid the price before. . . .
322 miles of road. 6 hours. 2 strangers. 1 killer. Too many secrets.
Midnight. Cait Monaghan and Rebecca McRae are on a desolate road that slices through the New Mexican desert. They've never met before tonight. Both have secrets to protect. Both of their lives are in danger.
When a truck pulls up fast behind them, they assume it's punk teenagers or run-of-the-mill road rage, but it soon becomes clear that whoever is driving the truck is hunting them for sport—and they are out to draw blood.
As the miles unspool and the dangers mount, the pasts they've worked so hard to keep buried have come back to haunt them. Someone wants one of them dead. But which one? And given the lives the two women have been leading, that someone could be almost anyone.
If Cait and Rebecca are going to survive, they'll have to learn to trust one another—and themselves. But trust is a costly business, and they’ve both paid the price before. . . .
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2020
548 people are currently reading
10834 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Barry
6 books424 followersJessica Barry is a pseudonym for an American author who grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and was raised on a steady diet of library books and PBS.
She attended Boston University, where she majored in English and Art History, before moving to London in 2004 to pursue an MA from University College London.
She lives with her husband, Simon, and their two cats, Roger Livesey and BoJack Horseman.
See Melissa Pimentel
She attended Boston University, where she majored in English and Art History, before moving to London in 2004 to pursue an MA from University College London.
She lives with her husband, Simon, and their two cats, Roger Livesey and BoJack Horseman.
See Melissa Pimentel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews
May 19, 2021
Note: I received a free copy of Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry. In exchange, here is my honest review.
This was a pretty decent thriller. 👍 Two women on a journey together, both with secrets to hide. As the story unfolded, I thought I knew who was who… but boy, I was wrong. 😜 I had hoped for a bit more closure on a specific issue, that just felt sorta unfinished 🤔 That aside, it’s worth the read (IMO).
Thank you @goodreads and @harpercollins #goodreadsgiveaway
This was a pretty decent thriller. 👍 Two women on a journey together, both with secrets to hide. As the story unfolded, I thought I knew who was who… but boy, I was wrong. 😜 I had hoped for a bit more closure on a specific issue, that just felt sorta unfinished 🤔 That aside, it’s worth the read (IMO).
Thank you @goodreads and @harpercollins #goodreadsgiveaway
July 2, 2020
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
"322 miles of road. 6 hours. 2 strangers. 1 killer. Too many secrets."
Cait Monaghan is driving the same Jeep she’s had since college. She keeps the engine running as she waits for her passenger. Cait is only supposed to wait for twenty minutes. She watches the house…
“Get ready. As soon as she gets in the car, you’ve got to go”
Finally, Rebecca McRae comes out and gets in the car. Cait introduces herself then asks Rebecca to turn off her phone.
While Cait had been waiting outside, Rebecca had been inside hesitating. So many “what ifs” going through her mind. What if someone told? She had been promised total confidentiality but she had a hard time trusting anyone, especially when money was involved.
Cait Monaghan and Rebecca McRae have never met before. But now they are together driving through the Mexican desert headed for Albuquerque. Although Cait and Rebecca don’t know each other, to get through this drive, they are going to have to trust each other.
On the drive, many secrets will be revealed. Cait and Rebecca don’t know it yet, but they are both in danger.
The drive is supposed to take six hours….
Unfortunately, nothing is going to go as planned.
A compelling and entertaining read!!
I enjoyed this novel. The story's engaging plot and well-developed characters had me intrigued right from the start. I REALLY wanted to know what was going to happen in Albuquerque!
The majority of the story is told from Cait and Rebecca’s point of view, but we hear from a few other characters as well. Some chapters count down the miles to Albuquerque, while other chapters both past and present show how Cait and Rebecca got to where they are today. Although I did see a few things coming, the story still held my interest and kept me guessing. I was excited to see how it was going to play out.
A timely and thought-provoking read that touches on many important issues.
I really want to check out this author's previous novel, "Freefall" and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2020
Strap yourself in because this book takes the reader on a journey from Lubbock, Texas and 322 miles to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The journey starts around midnight, the vehicle is an ancient Jeep with journalist Cait(lyn) as the driver and Rebecca as the passenger. The pickup is mysterious, secretive and becomes a very dangerous drive putting both their lives at risk. The book tracks their journey and backtracks and recounts their stories. We learn that Cait has suffered frightening trolling for an account of a night spent with Jake, an aspiring singer. Rebecca is the wife of rising political star Patrick McRae who has a seriously good chance of becoming a senator for Texas. The story is told from a number of perspectives but principally Cait and Rebecca.
The book has many themes but at its heart it’s about judging people and making judgements. Cait life is torn apart by trolls who have no idea what the truth is about Cait’s night with Jake but are swift to judge and condemn. It highlights just how dangerous this has become for those on the receiving end of social media abuse. Rebecca is caught up in the right to life debate which so divides Americans in particular. She is judged without knowledge of medical facts, she’s judged by her husbands potential voters who dislike her reserve, by Patrick’s odious political agent for her Californian background and mode of dress, by the media and in a court of law. She’s a political puppet controlled by aspirational puppeteers which overrides her personal wishes.
I like the premise of the novel and the drama that unfolds along the road. There’s dread, fear and danger and as the two women get to know one another and overcome their judgements and lack of trust as they try to protect each other. There are moments of anger, you feel their despair, devastation, their grief and some shame of their individual situations. Just as their are some twists and turns on the drive so there are in the story too. The pace quickens the deeper we get into the plot and the danger they are in and from whom becomes apparent.
I think though, that there are too many points of view in the storytelling although why there are so many does become clear as the book progresses although some could easily have been told by the main characters. It backtracks a lot as it tells Cait and Rebecca’s stories and sometimes that disrupts the flow. As the Jeep they are travelling in is severely hit along the journey and the women are injured, especially Cait, I’m not sure how she then is able to make such a valiant fight back against an attack so soon afterwards! That being said my enjoyment outweighs the negatives.
Overall, a thought provoking read covering controversial subjects which are handled carefully by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for the Arc.
The book has many themes but at its heart it’s about judging people and making judgements. Cait life is torn apart by trolls who have no idea what the truth is about Cait’s night with Jake but are swift to judge and condemn. It highlights just how dangerous this has become for those on the receiving end of social media abuse. Rebecca is caught up in the right to life debate which so divides Americans in particular. She is judged without knowledge of medical facts, she’s judged by her husbands potential voters who dislike her reserve, by Patrick’s odious political agent for her Californian background and mode of dress, by the media and in a court of law. She’s a political puppet controlled by aspirational puppeteers which overrides her personal wishes.
I like the premise of the novel and the drama that unfolds along the road. There’s dread, fear and danger and as the two women get to know one another and overcome their judgements and lack of trust as they try to protect each other. There are moments of anger, you feel their despair, devastation, their grief and some shame of their individual situations. Just as their are some twists and turns on the drive so there are in the story too. The pace quickens the deeper we get into the plot and the danger they are in and from whom becomes apparent.
I think though, that there are too many points of view in the storytelling although why there are so many does become clear as the book progresses although some could easily have been told by the main characters. It backtracks a lot as it tells Cait and Rebecca’s stories and sometimes that disrupts the flow. As the Jeep they are travelling in is severely hit along the journey and the women are injured, especially Cait, I’m not sure how she then is able to make such a valiant fight back against an attack so soon afterwards! That being said my enjoyment outweighs the negatives.
Overall, a thought provoking read covering controversial subjects which are handled carefully by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for the Arc.
June 19, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Two women riding in an old jeep across 322 miles of road. Nobody in sight. Suddenly they see headlights...getting closer and closer. He is going to stop right? Nope, they feel the impact as he attempts to drive them off the road. Holy flipping crap!!! Like helloo...is this like your worst nightmare or what? It was so atmospheric...I felt like I was in the Jeep with them. Why is this dude so angry? Who is doing this?
So back up...Cait and Rebecca take a road trip- in the middle of the night across the New Mexico desert. Both are terrified even before they meet up with this psycho driver. Weird thing is these two woman have never met before tonight. They both have secrets. They both have enemies, that may want them dead. So who is trying to make it happen? AHHH that is the question.
So this book creeped me out. The author did a fantastic job of making you think you were at the creepy truck stops, the dingy little road side restaurant and traveling down the deserted road late at night. I could see and feel it...can't you? I literally felt chills go down my spine. Then about 100 pages from the end- the entire book changed. We went from creepy thriller to more of a drama. A drama that wrapped up rather quickly and took a turn from thriller street to controversial issues. The ending caught me off guard as I was hoping to keep going down the thriller road. I will leave it at that as not to spoil it for you! I did enjoy this crazy, creepy ride from hell!
Thank you so very much to HarperCollins for this gorgeous finished copy in exchange for an honest review! You guys rock!
Two women riding in an old jeep across 322 miles of road. Nobody in sight. Suddenly they see headlights...getting closer and closer. He is going to stop right? Nope, they feel the impact as he attempts to drive them off the road. Holy flipping crap!!! Like helloo...is this like your worst nightmare or what? It was so atmospheric...I felt like I was in the Jeep with them. Why is this dude so angry? Who is doing this?
So back up...Cait and Rebecca take a road trip- in the middle of the night across the New Mexico desert. Both are terrified even before they meet up with this psycho driver. Weird thing is these two woman have never met before tonight. They both have secrets. They both have enemies, that may want them dead. So who is trying to make it happen? AHHH that is the question.
So this book creeped me out. The author did a fantastic job of making you think you were at the creepy truck stops, the dingy little road side restaurant and traveling down the deserted road late at night. I could see and feel it...can't you? I literally felt chills go down my spine. Then about 100 pages from the end- the entire book changed. We went from creepy thriller to more of a drama. A drama that wrapped up rather quickly and took a turn from thriller street to controversial issues. The ending caught me off guard as I was hoping to keep going down the thriller road. I will leave it at that as not to spoil it for you! I did enjoy this crazy, creepy ride from hell!
Thank you so very much to HarperCollins for this gorgeous finished copy in exchange for an honest review! You guys rock!
June 29, 2020
Imagine you are one of two women, driving through the desert on an isolated highway in the middle of the night...no cars or businesses around...when out of nowhere, piercingly bright headlights in the rearview mirror blind you as a truck gets closer and closer to your bumper.
That terrifying thought is what interested me in this novel. Cait is driving Rebecca from Texas to New Mexico in her Jeep in the middle of the night. It should be a 6 hour drive with no hiccups. Both of them have reasons for the trip, which are explained in chapters leading up to the present.
This is one of those books that are inaccurately labeled as a high octane thriller. It IS that at certain moments, but it’s also a suspenseful drama that delves into the two women and why they are in their present circumstances. This is when the novel peaks. Oddly enough, the biggest weakness is when the book delves into the genre it’s promoted as. I still found it gripping for the most part, and would recommend. 3.5 stars.
P.S. A big FU to the men (and women) who think they have a say in the decisions of a woman regarding her body, her health, and what’s best for herself and mental state.
That terrifying thought is what interested me in this novel. Cait is driving Rebecca from Texas to New Mexico in her Jeep in the middle of the night. It should be a 6 hour drive with no hiccups. Both of them have reasons for the trip, which are explained in chapters leading up to the present.
This is one of those books that are inaccurately labeled as a high octane thriller. It IS that at certain moments, but it’s also a suspenseful drama that delves into the two women and why they are in their present circumstances. This is when the novel peaks. Oddly enough, the biggest weakness is when the book delves into the genre it’s promoted as. I still found it gripping for the most part, and would recommend. 3.5 stars.
P.S. A big FU to the men (and women) who think they have a say in the decisions of a woman regarding her body, her health, and what’s best for herself and mental state.
June 16, 2021
2.5 stars
The premise of the book had a lot of promise: two women, who have never met before, take a roadtrip to escape from their mysterious pasts. When I read the synopsis, I pictured a high-speed, Texas-style Bronco chase--minus The Juice and the cops, plus a killer (oh wait...)--that would keep me on the edge of my seat, heart racing a million miles a minute, while I stayed up late into the night, frantically flipping pages, desperate to know how it would end. The reality was a much different story, however. It started off slow, stayed slow in the middle, and became slightly less slow at the end. Don't get me wrong, there was some action, but not enough to break up the long, boring, monotonous roadtrip. I was tempted to DNF the book, but there was just enough suspense to keep me on board and along for the ride (no pun intended).
Honestly though, my biggest gripe with the book wasn't even the lack of suspense and action; it was the pandering to a specific brand of feminism that relies on exaggerations and paints men as the enemy. It started right on the cover, where the slogan, "It has never been more dangerous to be a woman," is written. Maybe saying this makes me a bad feminist, but that statement is just patently false. Yes, women still have a ways to go before bridging the gap in treatment between men and women, but alleging that women are worse off today than ever before just shows a complete lack of understanding of history and how women were treated in the past. Additionally, the author made just about every man that Cait and Rebecca encountered along their journey out to be either bad or scary or creepy or all of the above. It would have been way more powerful--not to mention, grinded my gears a helluva lot less (again, no pun intended)--if the characters (specifically, the men) were more nuanced, more gray, instead of being so morally black and white.
Some people will like this book for exactly the same reasons that I did not. If this review pissed you off and made you think that I give feminists everywhere a bad name, then this book is probably for you--assuming you also like slow, suspense-less thrillers.
The premise of the book had a lot of promise: two women, who have never met before, take a roadtrip to escape from their mysterious pasts. When I read the synopsis, I pictured a high-speed, Texas-style Bronco chase--minus The Juice and the cops, plus a killer (oh wait...)--that would keep me on the edge of my seat, heart racing a million miles a minute, while I stayed up late into the night, frantically flipping pages, desperate to know how it would end. The reality was a much different story, however. It started off slow, stayed slow in the middle, and became slightly less slow at the end. Don't get me wrong, there was some action, but not enough to break up the long, boring, monotonous roadtrip. I was tempted to DNF the book, but there was just enough suspense to keep me on board and along for the ride (no pun intended).
Honestly though, my biggest gripe with the book wasn't even the lack of suspense and action; it was the pandering to a specific brand of feminism that relies on exaggerations and paints men as the enemy. It started right on the cover, where the slogan, "It has never been more dangerous to be a woman," is written. Maybe saying this makes me a bad feminist, but that statement is just patently false. Yes, women still have a ways to go before bridging the gap in treatment between men and women, but alleging that women are worse off today than ever before just shows a complete lack of understanding of history and how women were treated in the past. Additionally, the author made just about every man that Cait and Rebecca encountered along their journey out to be either bad or scary or creepy or all of the above. It would have been way more powerful--not to mention, grinded my gears a helluva lot less (again, no pun intended)--if the characters (specifically, the men) were more nuanced, more gray, instead of being so morally black and white.
Some people will like this book for exactly the same reasons that I did not. If this review pissed you off and made you think that I give feminists everywhere a bad name, then this book is probably for you--assuming you also like slow, suspense-less thrillers.
June 20, 2020
Did read Jessica Barry’s Freefall last year? I did, and it was a compelling survival story. Don’t Turn Around captivated me just as much.
It’s the middle of the night and Cait and Rebecca are on a dark road in the desert of New Mexico. They don’t know each other... until that night, and both are in danger. There are people in a truck “hunting” and tormenting. Who is after them and why?
Don’t Turn Around has a solid creepy vibe, and I loved how Jessica Barry added so much atmosphere to the story, just as she did with Freefall. Basically, this book is your own worst nightmare if you’ve ever found yourself alone (or possibly with a stranger) in the middle of nowhere. The ending comes together in rather dramatic fashion, so hold on tight!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
It’s the middle of the night and Cait and Rebecca are on a dark road in the desert of New Mexico. They don’t know each other... until that night, and both are in danger. There are people in a truck “hunting” and tormenting. Who is after them and why?
Don’t Turn Around has a solid creepy vibe, and I loved how Jessica Barry added so much atmosphere to the story, just as she did with Freefall. Basically, this book is your own worst nightmare if you’ve ever found yourself alone (or possibly with a stranger) in the middle of nowhere. The ending comes together in rather dramatic fashion, so hold on tight!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 18, 2020
3.5 Stars, rounded down. Gotta love them Goodreads Giveaways!! I was incredibly stoked when I found out I won this giveaway and couldn't wait to start this one, as I really enjoyed Freefall from Barry. Unfortunately, overall I definitely felt like this could have been a better read if it had just a couple extra 'thriller' scenes. Additionally, I felt like the ending was a little unfinished, and because of that, I was completely underwhelmed upon finishing this ARC. This was definitely fast-paced and enjoyable pretty much throughout, however it just felt like there was a lot of build-up only for little reward, IMO. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but I will say that 3 stars isn't a bad rating from me, it just means this was a solid book, but not great. After thinking about it a bit, I can honestly say I did enjoy Free Fall better than this one, yet I'm still a fan of this author and enjoy her writing style. I might got so far as to say that this really wasn't that much of a thriller and moreso it's a story about women and their rights, and a novel of empowerment for women, which I fully support. I'm still a big fan of Barry, and will still go out and get her next publication upon release!
May 25, 2021
3.5 stars
This wasn't for me just couldn't get into it the characters were one dimensional & was a bit slow going for me
This wasn't for me just couldn't get into it the characters were one dimensional & was a bit slow going for me
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June 27, 2020Dnf at 70%.
Unfortunately this novel just didn’t work for me. The drive from Lubbock to Albuquerque was the longest ride ever and it should only take about 5 hours. I kept wishing Cait would put the petal to the metal and get it over with!
I had my suspicions throughout and am perfectly ok not knowing. I loved this authors prior novel and am sad that this one left much to be desired. I think this is the case of my being the wrong reader for this novel.
Unfortunately this novel just didn’t work for me. The drive from Lubbock to Albuquerque was the longest ride ever and it should only take about 5 hours. I kept wishing Cait would put the petal to the metal and get it over with!
I had my suspicions throughout and am perfectly ok not knowing. I loved this authors prior novel and am sad that this one left much to be desired. I think this is the case of my being the wrong reader for this novel.
June 25, 2020
4 stars!
Cait and Rebecca are driving all through the night and they need to get through 322 miles of road before the sun comes up. They are both strangers with so many secrets but also each other to protect. They are both in danger, in different ways and are just trying to focus on the goal ahead. The secrets that they've tried to keep quiet end up coming to haunt them on this road trip and it seems like all the odds are truly against them in their goal. They find out quickly that the only chance they have to survive is if they protect each other with ANY obstacle that comes in their way.
This book is a slow burn but a really good slow burn. You have no idea why these two women are together and what their goal is - you may assume but believe you, you probably don't know the reason until closer to the end. This book has really short chapters (big plus in my book!) and kept me guessing the entire time. I loved that both characters had secrets, albeit different, still put them in a similar situation where strangers had to become friends who trusted each other. I wasn't sure if I would like both Cait and Rebecca at the beginning of the story but as it went on and you get to know their characters more you really start to root for them.
Thank you to Harper Collins for my copy of this book. This one is out now!
So she wasn't a talker. That was fine. There was plenty of time for that.
Cait and Rebecca are driving all through the night and they need to get through 322 miles of road before the sun comes up. They are both strangers with so many secrets but also each other to protect. They are both in danger, in different ways and are just trying to focus on the goal ahead. The secrets that they've tried to keep quiet end up coming to haunt them on this road trip and it seems like all the odds are truly against them in their goal. They find out quickly that the only chance they have to survive is if they protect each other with ANY obstacle that comes in their way.
This book is a slow burn but a really good slow burn. You have no idea why these two women are together and what their goal is - you may assume but believe you, you probably don't know the reason until closer to the end. This book has really short chapters (big plus in my book!) and kept me guessing the entire time. I loved that both characters had secrets, albeit different, still put them in a similar situation where strangers had to become friends who trusted each other. I wasn't sure if I would like both Cait and Rebecca at the beginning of the story but as it went on and you get to know their characters more you really start to root for them.
Thank you to Harper Collins for my copy of this book. This one is out now!
July 28, 2020
Cait works for the Sisters of Mercy. They are an organisation that help women who are in difficult situations. Her new task is to drive to New Mexico to help a woman who is in a difficult situation. But a truck is following Cait and Rebecca. It's quickly catching up with them, trying to drive them off the road. Rebecca is running from her powerful husband who is a politician. Both women have more in common than they think. They are both keeping secrets.
The story covers some sensitive topics : rape, abortion and murder. The story slowly unfolds as we find out about the women's lives. The timeline flips back and forth from the past to the present day. It's told from Cait and Rebecca's perspectives. I couldn't read the book quick enough. My heart was beating out my chest during the car chase. This is a well written and twist filled read. A thought provoking read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author Jessica Barry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story covers some sensitive topics : rape, abortion and murder. The story slowly unfolds as we find out about the women's lives. The timeline flips back and forth from the past to the present day. It's told from Cait and Rebecca's perspectives. I couldn't read the book quick enough. My heart was beating out my chest during the car chase. This is a well written and twist filled read. A thought provoking read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author Jessica Barry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2020
This was another book that I could have read in one sitting had I started it earlier in the evening. As it was I woke up early this morning to finish it. This was a quick read, full of action and suspense that it very hard to put down, I loved Freefall and was excited to read Don’t Turn Around. It did not disappoint.
Without giving too much away, it is the story of 2 strangers on a journey from Texas to New Mexico. Cait is the driver, working for a women’s organisation that helps get women to safety, no questions asked. Bec is the wife of a politician desperate to cross state lines for an appointment. It soon becomes clear that both women have their secrets and they are being followed. Will they make it to New Mexico in one piece?
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
Without giving too much away, it is the story of 2 strangers on a journey from Texas to New Mexico. Cait is the driver, working for a women’s organisation that helps get women to safety, no questions asked. Bec is the wife of a politician desperate to cross state lines for an appointment. It soon becomes clear that both women have their secrets and they are being followed. Will they make it to New Mexico in one piece?
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
May 29, 2020
I don't want to give too much away when it comes to Jessica Barry's upcoming novel,
Don't Turn Around
because it really is "full of hooks" (thanks fraud AJ Finn for that weird quote on the cover, but true). Deemed as a Themla and Louise type of thriller, we meet Cait Monaghan and her companion Rebecca McRae. As the two venture out of Texas and travel to New Mexico, we see the two of them could not be anymore different. One being notorious, while one being a wealthy housewife. What starts out as a sort of vague escape, the duo have a mission and they won't stop until it's completed. With a killer on their tail, the duo know they must get to their location safely. I refuse to divulge ANYTHING else besides that, so go in without reading the synopsis.
Don't Turn Around has many twists and turns, and even some red herrings, but all is welcomed when it comes to this story. It's quite powerful and meaningful, and you'll know why when you get to that part of the story. I really loved how the author was able to play on the reader's emotions and getting everything to come full circle. The best part of the story is the mystery on this dynamic between Cait and Rebecca and when you see why they are fleeing, you'll be shook. While a thriller, Don't Turn Around really shows great character studies for not only Cait and Rebecca, but the amass supporting characters that circle their lives. If Don't Turn Around isn't on your reading list this summer, you're missing out!
Don't Turn Around has many twists and turns, and even some red herrings, but all is welcomed when it comes to this story. It's quite powerful and meaningful, and you'll know why when you get to that part of the story. I really loved how the author was able to play on the reader's emotions and getting everything to come full circle. The best part of the story is the mystery on this dynamic between Cait and Rebecca and when you see why they are fleeing, you'll be shook. While a thriller, Don't Turn Around really shows great character studies for not only Cait and Rebecca, but the amass supporting characters that circle their lives. If Don't Turn Around isn't on your reading list this summer, you're missing out!
June 22, 2020
Don't Turn Around by Jessica Barry is going to be one of those books you either like or you don't. The author manages to take an extremely controversial subject and turn it into this nail-biter of a novel that is about even more.
Now unfortunately I can't actually say what the controversial subject is, or I would give the whole book away, but it is definitely something that gets people talking and usually evokes very strong opinions. I wasn't expecting the book to be quite so heavy in this way, but I still ended up really enjoying it. Don't Turn Around focuses on Cait and Rebecca's drive from Texas to New Mexico, but also so much more! There are a lot of different skips to other times prior to them being on the road and for me it made the book fly by even faster. I would consider this a slow burn with a quick pace if that makes sense.
Between the quick pacing, short chapters, and time jumps this book really flew by for me and it is easy to read in a day. There are a couple parts that get a little violent/gory so maybe beware of that, but overall the book isn't like that the entire time. There are also a few different viewpoints, most of which were probably not necessary, but I enjoyed them just the same. Don't Turn Around will make you think, feel, and despise certain characters but it was a wild ride indeed. I love Barry's writing style and I can't wait to see what she thinks up next.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Now unfortunately I can't actually say what the controversial subject is, or I would give the whole book away, but it is definitely something that gets people talking and usually evokes very strong opinions. I wasn't expecting the book to be quite so heavy in this way, but I still ended up really enjoying it. Don't Turn Around focuses on Cait and Rebecca's drive from Texas to New Mexico, but also so much more! There are a lot of different skips to other times prior to them being on the road and for me it made the book fly by even faster. I would consider this a slow burn with a quick pace if that makes sense.
Between the quick pacing, short chapters, and time jumps this book really flew by for me and it is easy to read in a day. There are a couple parts that get a little violent/gory so maybe beware of that, but overall the book isn't like that the entire time. There are also a few different viewpoints, most of which were probably not necessary, but I enjoyed them just the same. Don't Turn Around will make you think, feel, and despise certain characters but it was a wild ride indeed. I love Barry's writing style and I can't wait to see what she thinks up next.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
July 27, 2020
Cait works for the Sisters of Mercy. They are an organisation that help women who are in difficult situations. Her new task is to drive to New Mexico to help a woman who is in a difficult situation. But a truck is following Cait and Rebecca. It's quickly catching up with them, trying to drive them off the road. Rebecca is running from her powerful husband who is a politician. Both women have more in common than they think. They are both keeping secrets.
The story covers some sensitive topics: rape, abortion and murder. The story slowly unfolds as we find out more about the women's lives. The timeline flips back and forth from the past to the present day. It's told from Cait and Rebecca's perspectives. I couldn't read the book quick enough. My heart was beating out my chest during the car chase. This is a well written and twist filled read. A thought provoking read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story covers some sensitive topics: rape, abortion and murder. The story slowly unfolds as we find out more about the women's lives. The timeline flips back and forth from the past to the present day. It's told from Cait and Rebecca's perspectives. I couldn't read the book quick enough. My heart was beating out my chest during the car chase. This is a well written and twist filled read. A thought provoking read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2020
Cait and Rebecca are diving across America, from Lubbock, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico. But their trip is not a smooth one. The pick up itself was very mysterious and we come to know that each woman is running away from something. Then, there are a series of incidents that leave them both feeling like their past has caught up with them.
Through the story we come to know more about each of their past, their circumstances that have led them to being here, traveling across the country and the dangers they may face.
I can't say more without spoilers and I DO suggest you go in not reading more or knowing. What I will say is I really enjoyed it. Barry's writing style is so unique and I can see both of her books being made into films, as they are action packed and fast moving. The story was suspenseful and I was completely drawn in.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Harvill Secker and Vintage Books for this review copy.
Through the story we come to know more about each of their past, their circumstances that have led them to being here, traveling across the country and the dangers they may face.
I can't say more without spoilers and I DO suggest you go in not reading more or knowing. What I will say is I really enjoyed it. Barry's writing style is so unique and I can see both of her books being made into films, as they are action packed and fast moving. The story was suspenseful and I was completely drawn in.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Harvill Secker and Vintage Books for this review copy.
June 24, 2020
4 STARS.
Thank you so much to Harper Books for the gifted copy! 💛 This was such a fun and entertaining thriller 🙌🏼 It was a lot different than what I was expecting it to be, but in the best way possible! Don’t Turn Around is out NOW so make sure to grab a copy ✨
This book did a fantastic job at hooking me right from the beginning and I found it very intriguing. I have never seen a plot like this before and I LOVED how unique it was 🙌🏼 This book definitely had a slower build, but one of my favorite things about it was that the chapters were SO short making it super easy to fly through 👌🏼 I thought this book was extremely well-executed and I loved how suspenseful it was throughout. I also really enjoyed how this book was a lot deeper than I thought it was going to be (more thoughts on that down below) and I definitely wasn’t expecting that.
While I did love the deeper aspect to this book, I found it overly political at times. This book touched on a lot of things (anti-abortion, policing women’s bodies, etc.) and even though it was done so appropriately + respectfully, I personally didn’t enjoy reading about it as much. Because of this, I felt the story dragged a bit in the middle and I just wasn’t as interested in the story at times. I was also hoping for a more climactic ending, but I do appreciate what the author did and I’m happy with where the characters ended up ☺️ I definitely think this is a thriller you guys will want to pick up, especially if you’re looking for one that’s super fun and unique 🙌🏼
{TW: Animal Death, Assault, Loss of a Loved One, Miscarriage, Abortion, Cancer}
Thank you so much to Harper Books for the gifted copy! 💛 This was such a fun and entertaining thriller 🙌🏼 It was a lot different than what I was expecting it to be, but in the best way possible! Don’t Turn Around is out NOW so make sure to grab a copy ✨
This book did a fantastic job at hooking me right from the beginning and I found it very intriguing. I have never seen a plot like this before and I LOVED how unique it was 🙌🏼 This book definitely had a slower build, but one of my favorite things about it was that the chapters were SO short making it super easy to fly through 👌🏼 I thought this book was extremely well-executed and I loved how suspenseful it was throughout. I also really enjoyed how this book was a lot deeper than I thought it was going to be (more thoughts on that down below) and I definitely wasn’t expecting that.
While I did love the deeper aspect to this book, I found it overly political at times. This book touched on a lot of things (anti-abortion, policing women’s bodies, etc.) and even though it was done so appropriately + respectfully, I personally didn’t enjoy reading about it as much. Because of this, I felt the story dragged a bit in the middle and I just wasn’t as interested in the story at times. I was also hoping for a more climactic ending, but I do appreciate what the author did and I’m happy with where the characters ended up ☺️ I definitely think this is a thriller you guys will want to pick up, especially if you’re looking for one that’s super fun and unique 🙌🏼
{TW: Animal Death, Assault, Loss of a Loved One, Miscarriage, Abortion, Cancer}
October 3, 2020
Cait and Rebecca are strangers on a road trip. Their shared purpose is slowly revealed as they realize they’re being followed down a lonely road in the middle of the night.
At first, I loved this book. For one thing, I’ve traveled those exact desert highways many times. From Lubbock where I attended Texas Tech, past Canon Air Force Base where my college boyfriend’s father was a Colonel stationed as an F-16 pilot (I sat at many a fancy dinner table in the Officer’s Club feeling important by association), then out west towards Albuquerque as the land becomes strangely beautiful.
Those roads are desolate, but I was never frightened even when I drove alone. There’s a certain kind of peaceful joy in that vast space and endless sky. I always felt embraced by the land, like God was showing off for me with the thunderstorms and dust devils.
It’s hypnotic. As long as you have a full tank of gas, that is. There’s none of that awe in this book; only tension and dread. I enjoyed the first hundred pages as I tried to put the puzzle together. What were these women doing together and why were they being followed? And how could they possibly escape in the middle of nowhere with no place to hide, the earth itself stubbornly flat and unwilling to offer up a nook or cranny?
But then.
Then the story came together ... and it was an insult. (My mind as I saw where the author was going - Oh no. Don’t do this, lady.)
But she did do it. Jessica Barry (pseudonym) is from Massachusetts, and the plot is dripping with her disdain for a place and a people that are clearly foreign to her.
Aside from being stereotypical and disrespectful of an entire region, I don’t care for fiction with a non-fiction agenda. This is more of a dystopian scare tactic than anything else. It was written from that place of political righteousness that’s immune to facts, statistics, science, reason, and healthy debate. It’s the other side of the fundamentally religious coin. Personally, I try to avoid both kinds of stifling thought.
Jessica. Woman. Just write an editorial for Cosmo and call it a day.
Sincerely,
a real live native west Texan
(we’re allowed to talk trash about ourselves and do ... but you don’t even know us)
At first, I loved this book. For one thing, I’ve traveled those exact desert highways many times. From Lubbock where I attended Texas Tech, past Canon Air Force Base where my college boyfriend’s father was a Colonel stationed as an F-16 pilot (I sat at many a fancy dinner table in the Officer’s Club feeling important by association), then out west towards Albuquerque as the land becomes strangely beautiful.
Those roads are desolate, but I was never frightened even when I drove alone. There’s a certain kind of peaceful joy in that vast space and endless sky. I always felt embraced by the land, like God was showing off for me with the thunderstorms and dust devils.
It’s hypnotic. As long as you have a full tank of gas, that is. There’s none of that awe in this book; only tension and dread. I enjoyed the first hundred pages as I tried to put the puzzle together. What were these women doing together and why were they being followed? And how could they possibly escape in the middle of nowhere with no place to hide, the earth itself stubbornly flat and unwilling to offer up a nook or cranny?
But then.
Then the story came together ... and it was an insult. (My mind as I saw where the author was going - Oh no. Don’t do this, lady.)
But she did do it. Jessica Barry (pseudonym) is from Massachusetts, and the plot is dripping with her disdain for a place and a people that are clearly foreign to her.
Aside from being stereotypical and disrespectful of an entire region, I don’t care for fiction with a non-fiction agenda. This is more of a dystopian scare tactic than anything else. It was written from that place of political righteousness that’s immune to facts, statistics, science, reason, and healthy debate. It’s the other side of the fundamentally religious coin. Personally, I try to avoid both kinds of stifling thought.
Jessica. Woman. Just write an editorial for Cosmo and call it a day.
Sincerely,
a real live native west Texan
(we’re allowed to talk trash about ourselves and do ... but you don’t even know us)
June 16, 2020
This one was not what I was expecting at all, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There were lots of red herrings and misdirections and when you first start, you’re already patting yourself on the back because you can see exactly where it’s going. Except it doesn’t and you’re wrong haha.
What I liked most about this one is that it felt really unique and different. It also helped that the chapters were short and it flips between past and present and also randomly throws in a new character occasionally making you go who tf is that and how do they fit in here? When everything does come together I was definitely surprised and appreciated the subject matter the author chose to explore. I know that’s vague and probably annoying, just trust me you’ll want to be surprised. It’s also worth noting that @scaredstraightreads and I totally agreed on this even down to the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating. This never happens.
What I liked most about this one is that it felt really unique and different. It also helped that the chapters were short and it flips between past and present and also randomly throws in a new character occasionally making you go who tf is that and how do they fit in here? When everything does come together I was definitely surprised and appreciated the subject matter the author chose to explore. I know that’s vague and probably annoying, just trust me you’ll want to be surprised. It’s also worth noting that @scaredstraightreads and I totally agreed on this even down to the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating. This never happens.
May 13, 2020
“She could see the edge of town up ahead. Just one last building, and then a return to the cold emptiness of the desert.”
Two strangers Cait and Rebecca, are on a midnight trip across Texas to New Mexico. They both have secrets and as the ride progresses, they’ll both feel as if their past is catching up with them. Cait, the driver is a journalist who’s doing her best to escape the judgement of the online community judging her for a night with a popular singer while Rebecca, the wife of a powerful politician getting ready to run for the senate, struggles with a deeply personal issue and the constant scrutiny of the public. Both women have more in common than they know. If I say too much more, I’ll risk spoilers and I don’t want to do this! It's best to go into this story as blind as possible.
The plot is tight and twisty, thrilling and suspenseful with alternating points of view, mostly between Cait and Rebecca but there’s a few more key players. It also goes from past to present, which works beautifully in the telling of the story. The characters are emotive and sharp, beautifully well-developed, and the relationship that grows between the women is empowering and powerful.
Don’t Turn Around is a story that is so much more than a thriller or suspense, Ms. Barry addresses delicate often divisive subjects with great poise and elegance. I really enjoyed every aspect of this story and Ms. Barry is an author that will be on my auto-read from now on.
Thank you to Harper Books and Jessica Barry for gifting me with a copy in exchange for my review.
Two strangers Cait and Rebecca, are on a midnight trip across Texas to New Mexico. They both have secrets and as the ride progresses, they’ll both feel as if their past is catching up with them. Cait, the driver is a journalist who’s doing her best to escape the judgement of the online community judging her for a night with a popular singer while Rebecca, the wife of a powerful politician getting ready to run for the senate, struggles with a deeply personal issue and the constant scrutiny of the public. Both women have more in common than they know. If I say too much more, I’ll risk spoilers and I don’t want to do this! It's best to go into this story as blind as possible.
The plot is tight and twisty, thrilling and suspenseful with alternating points of view, mostly between Cait and Rebecca but there’s a few more key players. It also goes from past to present, which works beautifully in the telling of the story. The characters are emotive and sharp, beautifully well-developed, and the relationship that grows between the women is empowering and powerful.
Don’t Turn Around is a story that is so much more than a thriller or suspense, Ms. Barry addresses delicate often divisive subjects with great poise and elegance. I really enjoyed every aspect of this story and Ms. Barry is an author that will be on my auto-read from now on.
Thank you to Harper Books and Jessica Barry for gifting me with a copy in exchange for my review.
Read
May 24, 2020
July 5, 2020
3.75 stars
This was the first novel I've read in a while and I think it was the perfect book for me to get back into world of thrillers after reading a bunch of American Literature novels for my English courses.
Two women, many miles to go and a killer trying to run them off the road. Who wouldn't want to read that? Also they each have secrets of their own, so it can;t get any more exciting than that.
I think that this novel successfully delivers according to the "thrill level." There were so many instances in the story where I was on the edge of my seat, feeling either stressed or anxious for the characters and what would happen next. That's really the best things about thriller novels, it's the unexpected parts of the story that make a thriller what it is. Barry does not hold back or disappoint and although the pacing of the story is a little slow, once you get into it, it's really smooth sailing from there (at least for the readers).
On of my favourite things about thriller novels is that it's really not all they are. There is so much the author can do with a story to make it much more than a just a story about two women driving away from a killer. Although this is what this novel might seem like, it's not that at all. It's much much more. I would categorize it as a women's fiction thriller.
Each one of these women is dealing with her own problems (whether it is in the workplace or in the domestic sphere) and these issues that they are facing are ones because of their gender. Dealing with topics such as abortion, agency and consent, it's definitely one that I recommend for everyone to read. As these two women are driving, we learn about each and every single one of them through their own voices and why exactly they are driving so many miles in the middle of the night.
The story starts off a little vague, but in a good way because it gives readers a chance to figure out what they think is happening and it's not hard to figure it out once the story progresses. The parts of the novel I enjoyed most in the story were not the thrilling parts (although those are lovely as always), but it was really the relationship between these two women who do not know each other at all. This is also a story of female friendship and it's actually quite an empowering one. But let's not forget that these women have secrets, so can they really trust each other?
There are quite a few twists in the story that I didn't see coming wrapping up the novel in a wonderful and satisfying conclusion. There was one major unanswered question left for readers to figure out on their own, but I personally I think it was a smart choice. After all, it is a thriller and there has to be a cliff-hanger-like ending making readers asking "Why?" Overall, this was an amazing pulse-pounding women fiction/thriller story that will make you think again about the big red truck you see driving beside you at night.
If you're a fan of books about female agency and consent, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading My Dark Vanessa. This is the most wonderful and heartbreaking novel I've ever read and it is a must read for people who can handle it. A true masterpiece.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with a finished copy of this novel in exchange for my hoist review.
This was the first novel I've read in a while and I think it was the perfect book for me to get back into world of thrillers after reading a bunch of American Literature novels for my English courses.
Two women, many miles to go and a killer trying to run them off the road. Who wouldn't want to read that? Also they each have secrets of their own, so it can;t get any more exciting than that.
I think that this novel successfully delivers according to the "thrill level." There were so many instances in the story where I was on the edge of my seat, feeling either stressed or anxious for the characters and what would happen next. That's really the best things about thriller novels, it's the unexpected parts of the story that make a thriller what it is. Barry does not hold back or disappoint and although the pacing of the story is a little slow, once you get into it, it's really smooth sailing from there (at least for the readers).
On of my favourite things about thriller novels is that it's really not all they are. There is so much the author can do with a story to make it much more than a just a story about two women driving away from a killer. Although this is what this novel might seem like, it's not that at all. It's much much more. I would categorize it as a women's fiction thriller.
Each one of these women is dealing with her own problems (whether it is in the workplace or in the domestic sphere) and these issues that they are facing are ones because of their gender. Dealing with topics such as abortion, agency and consent, it's definitely one that I recommend for everyone to read. As these two women are driving, we learn about each and every single one of them through their own voices and why exactly they are driving so many miles in the middle of the night.
The story starts off a little vague, but in a good way because it gives readers a chance to figure out what they think is happening and it's not hard to figure it out once the story progresses. The parts of the novel I enjoyed most in the story were not the thrilling parts (although those are lovely as always), but it was really the relationship between these two women who do not know each other at all. This is also a story of female friendship and it's actually quite an empowering one. But let's not forget that these women have secrets, so can they really trust each other?
There are quite a few twists in the story that I didn't see coming wrapping up the novel in a wonderful and satisfying conclusion. There was one major unanswered question left for readers to figure out on their own, but I personally I think it was a smart choice. After all, it is a thriller and there has to be a cliff-hanger-like ending making readers asking "Why?" Overall, this was an amazing pulse-pounding women fiction/thriller story that will make you think again about the big red truck you see driving beside you at night.
If you're a fan of books about female agency and consent, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading My Dark Vanessa. This is the most wonderful and heartbreaking novel I've ever read and it is a must read for people who can handle it. A true masterpiece.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with a finished copy of this novel in exchange for my hoist review.
May 29, 2020
3.5 stars!
This started as a faster paced read for me, but somehow along the way it turned from a suspenseful book and took a turn down the #metoo movement. I felt like the protagonist was a likeable character and I connected with her, but I just wanted to stop going into the past of the story, and get on with the present and if someone was coming or not.
*thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own
This started as a faster paced read for me, but somehow along the way it turned from a suspenseful book and took a turn down the #metoo movement. I felt like the protagonist was a likeable character and I connected with her, but I just wanted to stop going into the past of the story, and get on with the present and if someone was coming or not.
*thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own
April 22, 2021
Don’t Turn Around was a classically excellent page turner that just happened to have a really relevant social issue sat at the heart of it, around exploring that through the eyes of her characters, Jessica Barry offers us a thrill ride of a novel that is genuinely hard to put down.
Set between what is unfolding on a dangerous road trip and the events that lead up to it, Don’t Turn Around is a tense, edge of the seat thriller with two vividly real and very different female protagonists, thrown together by fate and facing down danger at every turn. I devoured it in short order,brilliantly plotted and emotionally charged.
Overall very good indeed. Recommended.
Set between what is unfolding on a dangerous road trip and the events that lead up to it, Don’t Turn Around is a tense, edge of the seat thriller with two vividly real and very different female protagonists, thrown together by fate and facing down danger at every turn. I devoured it in short order,brilliantly plotted and emotionally charged.
Overall very good indeed. Recommended.
May 30, 2020
3.5. A very quick read with short chapters that had a great premise. I loved the back and forth from the present to the past as the reader was unsure of the rush to drive to New Mexico by a complete stranger. Had a Joyride feel with the creepy thrown in. The climax for me felt a bit overdone, hence the drop in rating. The message was strong, the characters were feisty, and the puzzle was intriguing. If you pick this up, I urge you to go in blind and avoid plot lines or spoilers. It will make the read more surprising.
My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
June 15, 2020
3.5 stars
Thank you Harper Collins for my copy of Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry in exchange for my honest review. This title publishes June 16, 2020.
I was so excited to hear about Jessica’s release of Don’t Turn Around, after LOVING her debut Freefall.
This story follows two woman who appear to be on the run (from something or someone) and the initial suspense of it all grabbed my attention immediately. I initially got total Thelma and Louise vibes from this character duo. They are headed to New Mexico and once you find our why and how they came together to venture on this trip you will gasp.
I didn’t feel this was a true thriller but more of a suspenseful woman’s fiction as it focuses on women’s rights, which steps into controversial territory. These two women come together to escape some awful people in their lives and their relationship while on this road trip flourishes as they each start to open up and let down their guards. There were some twists and turns a long the way – I mean, running away from a killer will do that!
The characters were well-developed but I thought the story wrapped up too quickly once pertains pieces were revealed. All in all, this was an entertaining popcorn read and I recommend it if you are looking for something lighter on the suspense scale but caution there is a heavy topic that may cause some discomfort to some readers abortion.
Although this wasn’t as fast paced as I was hoping, I am still very much a fan of Jessica Barry’s writing and cannot wait to read what she comes out with next.
Thank you Harper Collins for my copy of Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry in exchange for my honest review. This title publishes June 16, 2020.
I was so excited to hear about Jessica’s release of Don’t Turn Around, after LOVING her debut Freefall.
This story follows two woman who appear to be on the run (from something or someone) and the initial suspense of it all grabbed my attention immediately. I initially got total Thelma and Louise vibes from this character duo. They are headed to New Mexico and once you find our why and how they came together to venture on this trip you will gasp.
I didn’t feel this was a true thriller but more of a suspenseful woman’s fiction as it focuses on women’s rights, which steps into controversial territory. These two women come together to escape some awful people in their lives and their relationship while on this road trip flourishes as they each start to open up and let down their guards. There were some twists and turns a long the way – I mean, running away from a killer will do that!
The characters were well-developed but I thought the story wrapped up too quickly once pertains pieces were revealed. All in all, this was an entertaining popcorn read and I recommend it if you are looking for something lighter on the suspense scale but caution there is a heavy topic that may cause some discomfort to some readers abortion.
Although this wasn’t as fast paced as I was hoping, I am still very much a fan of Jessica Barry’s writing and cannot wait to read what she comes out with next.
July 16, 2020
The thing about a second book from a new to you author after the first one was such a hit, is the comparisons that come afterwards. And yes, Don't Turn Around is much different than Freefall, Barry's debut. And while I absolutely loved Freefall, I love that this was different and, for me, just as fast paced and compelling.
The way this book starts out gives absolutely NO indication as to how it's going to end. I was not expecting this to go in this direction AT ALL. The author touches on some VERY sensitive subjects - cyber bullying, incels, women's right to their own bodies... phew - there were some TOUGH moments for me within this read. Personally I thought Barry did a fantastic job weaving this all in through flashbacks amid the very tenuous road trip between two strangers who inevitably learn a LOT from each other.
It really makes you think on what decisions you would make if you were put in these hard situations. What is actually the best course of action? These ladies both learn some very hard lessons. Now there's some parts I kind of side eyed in terms of how the action played out but I don't even care because I loved the journey these women went on. This isn't a fun read in terms of any levity. I think the direction the book takes may turn off some readers. So I would put this into a contemporary thriller genre - a book with some creepy moments, but that really touches on life's hard moments.
The way this book starts out gives absolutely NO indication as to how it's going to end. I was not expecting this to go in this direction AT ALL. The author touches on some VERY sensitive subjects - cyber bullying, incels, women's right to their own bodies... phew - there were some TOUGH moments for me within this read. Personally I thought Barry did a fantastic job weaving this all in through flashbacks amid the very tenuous road trip between two strangers who inevitably learn a LOT from each other.
It really makes you think on what decisions you would make if you were put in these hard situations. What is actually the best course of action? These ladies both learn some very hard lessons. Now there's some parts I kind of side eyed in terms of how the action played out but I don't even care because I loved the journey these women went on. This isn't a fun read in terms of any levity. I think the direction the book takes may turn off some readers. So I would put this into a contemporary thriller genre - a book with some creepy moments, but that really touches on life's hard moments.
June 24, 2020
Two strangers, Cait and Rebecca, are driving across America. Cait’s job is to transport women to safety. Out of respect, she never asks any questions. Like most of the women, Rebecca is trying to escape something.
But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them both in danger? There’s a reason Cait chooses to keep on the road, helping strangers. She has a past of her own, and knows what it’s like to be followed. And there is someone right behind them, watching their every move...
What a road trip! I was immediately attracted to this book when I read the premise and I totally enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down and this was a quick read for me.
This is amazingly written book that covers almost all the problems that women face through the lives of the two main characters, Cait and Rebecca. Some parts of the book are a bit unbelievable. But what I loved the most in this book is the way the two women formed a bond despite not having anything in common and how they worked as a team to encounter the dangers they faced in their trip.
Even though it is not a usual faced paced thriller, it is still enjoyable and does have a bit of suspense!
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for this ARC!!
But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them both in danger? There’s a reason Cait chooses to keep on the road, helping strangers. She has a past of her own, and knows what it’s like to be followed. And there is someone right behind them, watching their every move...
What a road trip! I was immediately attracted to this book when I read the premise and I totally enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down and this was a quick read for me.
This is amazingly written book that covers almost all the problems that women face through the lives of the two main characters, Cait and Rebecca. Some parts of the book are a bit unbelievable. But what I loved the most in this book is the way the two women formed a bond despite not having anything in common and how they worked as a team to encounter the dangers they faced in their trip.
Even though it is not a usual faced paced thriller, it is still enjoyable and does have a bit of suspense!
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for this ARC!!
April 14, 2021
This was an interesting thriller with a cool concept.
I really liked the concept of this book. It covered some really important themes including womens safety, which is very relevant right now.
The writing was good. I was engaged throughout.
I liked how the book went back and forth between the present day and to the past so we could find about the characters back stories.
This book didn't wow me at any point. Its probably not a thriller I'm going to remember but it was still an enjoyable read with a decent amount of action and had an important message.
TW: murder, violence, miscarriage and abortion
I really liked the concept of this book. It covered some really important themes including womens safety, which is very relevant right now.
The writing was good. I was engaged throughout.
I liked how the book went back and forth between the present day and to the past so we could find about the characters back stories.
This book didn't wow me at any point. Its probably not a thriller I'm going to remember but it was still an enjoyable read with a decent amount of action and had an important message.
TW: murder, violence, miscarriage and abortion
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