This was a fascinating story of a young Russian who leaves his country illegally, after his father is killed by the KGB. They have to choose which boat to hide in to reach freedom.. One is going to Britain and the other America but they don't know this when they make their choice. The story then diverges into two strands, each strand following Alexander and his mother one of the destinations. Very good conclusion where you can work out what needs to happen. Compelling story..

I finished this book wondering what was the point, not to mention feeling more than a little confused in parts.

A literary take on the 'Sliding Doors' question of what would happen if you made a different decision, this was an enjoyable read, even if it was heavily coloured by the author's political leanings. What let it down were a few little touches that had me wondering whether the book was really about twins or if there was something supernatural going on, and the fact that by the end, it really didn't seem to matter anyway.

Archer has a talent for writing entertaining, easy-to-read fiction that does keep you hooked, but I felt this one needed a little more coherence and thought behind it. It's really a 3.5 out of 5 read, but it's rounded up because it did make me want to know what would happen and there were some interesting little plot twists along the way.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

Alexander is clever young man who is thought to be going places until his father is killed and he and his mother have to flee Russia. At the docks they have the choice of the USA or the UK and they decide on the flick of a coin but then we get parallel stories of the two choices.

Another good book by this great storyteller, I did get slightly confused at times but really enjoyed this story with all of the trademark twists and turns and red herrings

I really enjoyed this..classic Jeffrey archer..reminded me of kane and abel. an easy but good story.

I'm usually a fan of Jeffrey Archer books but was left a little disappointed by this one.
The Clifton Chronicles, for example, were brilliant but unfortunately not this time.
After a short period of the story in Russia the main character Alex/Sasha and his mother flee Leningrad and toss a coin to decide whether to jump on a ship bound for Britain or the USA. The story then continues flicking frequently between Alex and Sasha as they grow up in the UK and the USA and follows them through to middle age and the peak of their careers.
It's possible I lost some formatting on the ARC copy or on my early version Kindle but the initial story split had me confused for ages as to what had gone on!
After that the story just follows the two men as they progress in their career and culminates with the two coming into contact with each other briefly at the end. Overall character development is sparse. The sole focus is on Alex and Sasha throughout but even so it feels protracted and then also rushed for the final quarter or so of the book.

I probably shouldn't confess this here - and I don't know if I'm allowed to say - but I dislike intensely everything I've read about Jeffrey Archer as a person. Unfortunately he can tell a blinking good story and her certainly knows how to keep the reader enthralled.

I've read everything he's written since I picked up Kane & Abel as a teenager - and then I've hated myself for how much I've loved them. This is no exception. Just like his other tittles, I found this hard to put down. I would reluctantly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

love Jeffery Archer as a writer and this is no exception political and politically correct as normal wow looking forward to his next book.

Highly recommended

I love a good Jeffrey Archer book and this did not disappoint. A brilliant book from the first page onwards. I enjoyed getting to know the characters from both perspectives and raced through the book. It was very well and cleverly written. 10/10. Can’t wait for Archer’s next book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars

I’ve read many of the author’s books but for me this was a disappointment. The so called twists at the start and end of the book are poorly written and overall lead to confusion.

The never ending good fortune and positive twists of fate require you to suspend so much reality that they are almost comical.

The book overall however is enjoyable just not one of the author’s best.

Sliding doors revisited by Jeffrey archer!
Long term fans will be pleased to find Jeffrey archer back to form in this intriguing saga based on one life’s choice.

Another guaranteed hit from a natural storyteller. I have enjoyed Jeffrey Archers's previous books, notably the Clifton Chronicles, and this was equally engaging. It was a bit complicated at the start and I found the 2 parallel lives format confusing at first but interesting.
The ending elevated it from a solid 3 star read to a 4. I'd like to thank the author, publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

Alexander and his mother Elena live in Leningrad at the height of the cold war. After the death of his father, Alexander and his mother are helped to escape to the west. But which crate? One going to the US and one going to the UK. This book tells two stories running in parallel. In each country, each succeeds. But then there is an opportunity to return to Russia....
Brilliantly written, and found it difficult to put down.

Jeffrey Archer continues to produce stories which are engaging and interesting. Having read some of his previous works the format is similar to some other books in that you follow the main character from a young age to adulthood through all the trials and tribulations that are encountered.
This book differed in the sense that the flip of a coin could of had differing outcomes for the main character.
I liked the way that it was factually accurate with the historical timeline and also tied in his previous Clifton chronicles too.
Just when I had the feeling that we were heading into a second novel to continue the story the killer twist hits.

Alexander and his mother are forced to flee Leningrad after Alexander's father (a union activist) is murdered and Alex's future is ruined. As they arrive at the docks their future destination is determined by the toss of coin, will it be New York or London that they travel too? Over the next thirty years Alex's life is determined by that choice.
I hadn't read a Jeffrey Archer novel of years but as soon as I started this one I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. Archer writes an exciting, cleverly plotted novel which appeals the the masses yet is determinedly old-fashioned. Don't expect overt violence or wild sex, these things are hinted at but never detailed. Do expect a rollicking tale which will thoroughly entertain for a few hours. Much has been said about the twist at the end - I hated it and it spoiled everything for me. This book would rate 5 stars except for the very last word!

What a great plot written expertly (as I expected) by a very talented storyteller. I zoomed through this book at breakneck speed as I not only wanted to find out what happened but also because of Mr Archer’s skill in making his readers want to just read a little bit more .... which ends up burning the midnight oil and he owes me for under eye cover up cream - well worth it though

I feel like I have matured as a reader as this was my first Jeffrey Archer book that I have read!

I'm really in two minds about this book. On one hand I really did enjoy reading it as I hadn't a clue what was going to happen at all reading it, but equally because of how it was written I didn't enjoy it because I couldn't work out why it had been written that way.

Jeffrey Archer is one of the best storytellers there is. I could see the comparisons to Kane & Abel in this book, but an epic tale nonetheless. A little confusing with a strange ending, but definitely worth the effort.

I really struggled with this.
I found it confusing, repetitive and due to this boring.
Jefferey Archer has written far better books than this.
I would only read this if you really have nothing better to do with your time.

Not my usual genre but this book had me gripped throughout. Will be looking out for more of the same!

I have not read anything by Jeffrey Archer before so was quite looking forward to experience his storytelling. Sadly I was disappointed and found this storyline quite heavy going so unfortunately I did not finish it. It was not for me.