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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

If I Tell
Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler
Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever? 
Publishes in US: Oct 1 2011
Source: Early Reviewers

My Review:

   If I Tell is a mesmerizing read with character that make you care and be involved with them. Even though I've never been in a situation like Jaz's I felt for her, and agonized over the right choice to make, and the implications of telling or keeping a secret.
   There was so much more to this book than I expected, issues of friendship, bullying, biracial identity, sexual identification, and different family dynamics.
    Ms. Gurtler fleshed out wonderfully Jaz's fears and emotions--dealing with her mom's pregnancy, her mom's boyfriend's (who she'd previously had a good relationship with) betrayal, and a changing friendship. But I also loved how everything ended up working out. Not in some fairy tale manner, but in something that could be real. There are beautiful moments of overcoming and of healing.
   The romance was kind of surprising and fun to read all at the same time. Jackson was truly mysterious, but I loved how he opened up Jaz.
I'd love to hear what you think of this book and/or my review.


  

2 comments:

  1. It does sound like a great read. Thanks for reviewing I'm adding it to my tbr pile.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I saw this on netgalley, but debated if I should request it. It definitely looks like a good read though. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete

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