A well written modern story but for me the two main characters never came alive. Boy meets girl……both have secrets about events in their past. As the relationship develops, should you lie about the past, or not reveal it or tell the whole truth? Interesting dilemmas played out in a plausible way.

This book was an okay read, not one that sticks in your mind after you have read it. I didn't find it very spellbinding, in fact a little boring and long winded.

Rachel and Jack have recently discovered that they are going to have a baby,they have only been together for a few months and don't really know a lot about each other but Rachel is sure that Jack is The One and they love each other so everything is going to be ok.Then one night her happy world is blown apart when she catches a glimpse of a email on Jacks IPad and discovers that Jack has been keeping secrets from her.When Jack refuses to open up to her she begins a obsessive quest to find out what he is hiding from her,after all she is carrying his baby so surely she has every right to know the truth.

As someone who suffers from anxiety and paranoia I could totally understand Rachel's reaction to the email.Once the tiny seed of doubt is planted your brain goes into overdrive and goes all out to convince you that something is going on and no matter what anyone says you are totally convinced that you are being lied to.So I had a lot of sympathy for Rachel but I also felt very frustrated with her because she was constantly going on at Jack about being honest with her while she was keeping a major secret from him.

The story flips back and forth between the present day and a year before,it is in the chapters that are set in the past that you find out about Rachel's life before she met Jack and what her big secret is.I enjoyed the chapters set in the past more than the present day chapters,I felt there was more mystery and intregue to Rachel's story.

It's an engaging character driven story,the characters are realistic and it has a believable ending that doesn't go down the happily ever after route that spoils so many good books.I really enjoyed reading this entertaining thriller and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Rachel and Jack have been together less than a year, but are madly in love and expecting a baby. Albeit fast, it all seems perfect, until Rachel sees an email on Jack's iPad that seems to refer to Jack's past. So begins the slide into doubt, a throwback to a previous relationship that didn't end well thanks to her seemingly unfounded accusations. Are her suspicions justified this time, as Jack's answers never seem to be enough for her. Rachel, it seems has a few secrets of her own. Is she destroying her future with Jack over nothing, or are her instincts right. and is he trying his best to keep the truth hidden?

From the outset, this is a very well crafted, beautifully paced example of a good domestic thriller. Gillian McAllister does a great job of making her reader feel pulled into that spiral of self-doubt that Rachel is going through. You sway between wanting to shout at Rachel to stop before she ruins everything, and telling her to not give up until she gets to the truth. There's tension a-plenty, questions in abundance as to who the reader should believe, and a quality to the writing that will definitely have me looking out for Gillian McAllister's next book.

I found the story a bit slow. The plot was good enough just never really caught my attention.

I read this book on a rainy Sunday in front of the fire, it kept my interest. The main theme is the relationship between Rachel, a Doctor, and Jack, a writer. The relationship moves between meeting and pregnancy too quickly and the result is paranoia and worry: trying to get to know someone quickly is a tricky, tricky business. The suspicion that all is not what it should be arrives alongside a briefly seen email, which indicates that Jack may have a dark and sinister secret. The doubt unfurls, gathering the speed of a downhill snowball and we witness the effect of lies, and secretiveness on a budding relationship. What lengths would you go to, to root out the truth? and once you have the truth what will you do with it?

The rub here is that whilst Rachel is investigating and picking apart Jacks past, she herself is hiding a dark secret of her own. It's clear that the pair are desperate for happiness but the truth is sitting between them, and it's not pretty: neither can escape from the past.

I wouldn't class this as a psychological thriller, in the twisty, threat, fashion, so some may be disappointed, But if you read it as a story, and forget the usual psychological thriller hype that goes with the genre, you will find a well written story of love and consequences. The author seamlessly weaves a number of story lines together and the characters are memorable. I enjoyed the Rachel story more than the Jack story. To be honest I was on Jack's side from the moment he said his first Scottish phrase, he is a sweet character, and I forgave him very early on!

I also really enjoyed the medical aspects in Rachel's story, they were truly believable: I actually felt as if I was stood in the hospital watching events unfurl.

If you enjoy the dissecting of the human psyche and can take a shift from the usual psychological thriller fodder then this one is for you. This is a good debut novel from an author to follow in the future.

I found this a gripping read. We meet a young couple, very much in love, who have a passionate relationship. But right from the start we know Jack has a secret. what is it? Because we are seeing things progress from Rachel's point of view, we can overlook the fact that she too has a secret. Why did she give up medicine? And why is it worse that Jack has a secret. The author keeps us wondering, with snippets of back story. I enjoyed the family backgrounds too. Jack's family seem very aloof, but in reality I think it's because of past events that they are worried about trusting and letting anyone new into the family circle. Rachel's family secret about her mum is so much less than I thought it was going to be from her reaction, I did find myself thinking, big deal, grow up! My views changed from thinking that digging into Jack's story because she'd seen a hint of an email not meant for her was wrong, to thinking that Rachel did need to know what this event in Jack's life was. And it could be a life changer. As much as anything, if they're going to have a healthy family relationship they need to be honest with each other. Until the end, I had no idea how it was all going to work out, and what else was going to be revealed. Intriguing, suspenseful and well written.

Everything but the Truth is a bit like a visit to a theme park. Lots of twists and turns, ups and downs, confusion where you think you are on level ground and have it sussed, only to have something come out of nowhere and for you to realise you've been blindsided.

Rachel lives in Newcastle and used to be a medical doctor. She now works in an office for a medical litigator. She's going out with Jack and expecting his baby. The only issue is she doesn't really know Jack all that well. She became pregnant after only a few months of seeing him, and realisation is now dawning that she actually knows very little about him.

She didn't really think too much about this until in the middle of the night she spots an email on his iPad which rouses her curiosity and starts her thinking. When she eventually meets his friends, why do they call him a nickname that makes no sense, why doesn't he drive anymore, and why is he so protective of his mobile? These plus lots of other little niggling doubts race around her thoughts.

However as the reader, we don't know too much about Rachel's recent past. Why did she really quit her job as a doctor? We know her mother died from cancer and after her death, Rachel's father discovered she had been having an affair with another man for years. She then became suspicion about her then boyfriend Ben of seeing other people. So maybe Rachel is just paranoid because of what's happened in her own past? Although there just seem to be too many coincidences, hidden secrets and odd happenings for that to really be the case.

This is kind of like a British noir. Set in slightly dark and menacing environments - Newcastle with its rain and Oban with its mists and drizzle - the bleak, gloomy and at times oppressive setting is perfect for this type of book. The book purposefully goes between the present day and a year ago - before Rachel met Jack. A clever way of confounding the reader and making you doubt whether Rachel is simply paranoid and irrational or has legitimate concerns.

This pace of the writing really keeps you on the edge of your couch, and up reading until way past when you should be sleeping. If you like psychological mysteries and books that keep your instincts on edge, this is book for you. You may think you have it all worked out, only to be surprised again. It really is fast moving and will keep you guessing right until the end, while you ponder about what you would do if you ever found yourself in a similar situation.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

This book seemed like it was going to be a real mystery tale, but what was it really about?

The story gradually builds up to a really intense situation which seems to have no escape route. Rachel goes about things in such an about turn manner when she suspects her boyfriend, and father of her child, of doing something really out of range following an email that she half catches a glimpse of, in the middle of the night. This is despite her own secret which is eating away at her, following an incident at the hospital where she worked.

Rachel gradually burrows her way into the secrets that Jack has buried deep and drives such a deep wedge between them. How can they ever bring up their unborn child as a loving couple after this? Such a sad, lonely tale !

Shows how lies spin out of control as they lead to another and another. I enjoyed the story and would recommend but found it took longer time to get to the truth.

Wow ,wow ,wow!!! Fantastic read finished this in one sitting just could not put it down. This novel grabbed me from the very first few pages and kept me gripped the whole time. I would highly recommend.

I enjoyed the story of Rachel and Jack.
The story was well thought out. The secrets, which as always, come out. Causing hurt and anger. I found that my emotions were forever changing. Sad for both of them. Cross because secrets are never good.
I was frustrated with Rachel. Her anger towards Jack's situation. I felt she should have been more sympathetic. He was never judgemental with her trust issues. That being said.
It was a brilliant read. Definitely would recommend.

Everything but the Truth by Gillian McAllister

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I started reading it in bed and lost the whole night’s sleep.

An accidental meeting in Newcastle between Rachel and Jack (normally based in Scotland but working temporarily for City Lights) very quickly turns into a very serious relationship and Rachel becomes pregnant. The narrator, Rachel, explains what she loves about Jack and he is certainly portrayed in flattering terms. He is funny, witty, handsome and kind. Then one night Rachel reads an email on his iPad. From this point her curiosity is fuelled. Her former relationship failed because she was so suspicious and paranoid. Is this a repeat performance, or does she really have cause for concern?

McAllister has given us a love story with Rachel as the narrator and it is clear from the outset that she is smitten with Jack. The dialogue is superb, the characterisation endearing and funny. I loved the fact that Jack spoke to the cat as though it was a person; I loved that they called the baby bump Wally; I loved the way Jack and Rachel made up ridiculous stories about themselves and their past. I was thoroughly enchanted.

The plot development was equally enthralling with the reader questioning whether Rachel was just repeating the suspicion and paranoia she encountered with Ben. I was intrigued and I was worried and at the end of the book I felt completely satisfied (if not somewhat tired). What a fantastic debut novel – how clever!

Thank you to NetGalley who provided this book via Kindle in return for an honest review.

Rachel and Jack seem like the ideal romantic couple. Despite only having known each other a few months their lives are about to be changed forever with the arrival of Wally, their unborn child. This is the story of uncovering truths and finding out that in any relationship things are not always what you think they are, and definitely not always what they seem.

Gillian McAllister has a lovely writing style, and creates beautiful and rich characters that are relatable and engaging. I think what I particularly liked about this book is how everyone is flawed. A true representation of real life. It's impossible to know what is going on in someone else's life, in someone else's head even. I'm not sure I would describe this book as a psychological thriller, although I'm also not sure what else I would call it. I really enjoyed this book and liked the way all the mysteries unfolded until you really did just get to the truth.

Compelling!
A really good, easy to read suspense novel.
This book had me hooked from the moment Rachel opens that email.
It is very cleverly written as you begin to create your own ideas but Gillian keeps us guessing all the way through to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyed!
Recommended!

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the characters and I did not guess any of the twists. It is told through the eyes of Rachel, she has broken up with her long term boyfriend and she meets Jack a lovely Scot, from a well to do family. Rachel finds herself pregnant very early on in the relationship. Jacks family are warm and welcome Rachel, but not everything is as she first thinks it is. One day Jack's brother Davey, a man with his own problems, says something that starts Rachel wondering. Rachel is a doctor,but no longer practicing, why? The story unfolds from here.

This book has been described as a psychological thriller but for me it is more about how a relationship built on well meaning lies can become fractured and twisted. As for Googling the name of a new lover, well we've all done it but this makes us think about what we would do if we find more than we ever expected..

I really enjoyed it!

Everything But The Truth was a curious read for me because I struggled to understand the motivation of its characters as events unfolded. The book starts on a strong note, establishing a sort of millenial mystery based around a sneakily peeped email. Our pregnant protagonist, Rachel, has suspicions about her funny, attentive, attractive and also extremely rich man Jack but struggles with them because frankly she fancies the pants off him. The back and forth nature of this struggle at times becomes tedious, especially when we get a little bit more information about Jack's past.

For me Rachel, a licensed GP, is written in such a naïve way that it's hard to sympathise or support her decisions, which become more erratic and weird as the story unfolds. The conceit is that she is burdened with a great deal, having lost a long term boyfriend and a parent, then gained a baby bump in a very short time. Her new mommy madness drives her to obsession, including stealing her boyfriend's phone, Facebook stalking, consulting the Wayback Machine, accessing the dark web and even amateur email hacking. Sometimes, you kind of feel for poor old Jack, who takes all this and more in stride.

As much as I disagreed with Rachel and her odd choices, I did enjoy the pacing and slow burn reveals of this book. I was invested in the motley crew of characters, the glimpses into their lives and relationships, and the underlying problems that we all can relate to. As a debut novel it shows real promise from a new author, who skillfully pulled me in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The moment you're sure you know where things are heading, off you go in another direction and more is revealed. I found the ending to be satisfying, not in a neatly tied bow kind of way, but in a life happens and you just have to move forward and deal with it way. The book isn't perfect, nor are any of the people in it. Their complexities and imperfections though, are what make it compelling.

Interesting premise. To what lengths would a person go to when pushed to the limit. I liked the way the back story unfolded,but found the storyline rather two dimensional and drawn out.

I found this a compelling read. Rachel has a whirlwind relationship with Jack and within a few months she discovers she is pregnant. Although a quick development they are happy as they feel they love one another. Rachel's' previous romance had ended not long before due to trust issues. The first thing to spark Rachel's doubts about Jack start when she spots an email arrive on Jack's iPad and reads it.

What occurs from then is a story of doubt, paranoia, fear and inquisitiveness. Is Jack all he seems? Rachel also has secrets which made me feel that her paranoia stemmed from them. This book is written in fairly short chapters and in a very tense style. I had to read 'yet another chapter' often as I was so intrigued to find out more.

This is Gillian McAllister's first book and I am looking forward to reading more from her..