Review & Giveaway: If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town.

But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and waits for Carey to come home.

Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

My Thoughts:

Quote: "Sometimes a moment defines you, defines how people see you for the rest of your life."

What an emotional journey! If I Lie by Corrine Jackson has been on my wishlist for quite a while because the premise hooked me pretty fierce. Now after finishing this novel, I’m happy to say I was definitely NOT disappointed. It was worth every minute of the wait and every emotional punch delivered throughout the book.

This book is packed to the brim with relevant themes such as friendship, sacrifice, loss, integrity and self discovery.  These are all powerful concepts wrapped around a story that takes place in the here and now as a battle is being fought in Afghanistan, where troops, families and friends are forced to piece their lives together during this time of war. If this is the new trend in YA Contemporary then sign me up. It’s a subject I hold near and dear, and I applaud Jackson for her masterful approach delivered with integrity and truth.

Sophie Quinn, the main protag in this novel, has sacrificed her reputation, happiness and hope of having a memorable senior year. See she lives in the small military town of Sweethaven, where sons, daughters, and even parents are deployed to fight the war against terrorism. The novel kicks off with an emotional news break that one of their own is missing in action. It happens to be Quinn’s boyfriend Carey, which she was caught cheating on ultimately leaving her to face the town’s hatred because of her betrayal. As the story progresses and the players in this novel make their appearances, we begin to discover that Quinn’s betrayal holds a whole new layer of truth and secrets which she’s committed to keep hidden. However, to what length is she willing to sacrifice her integrity to protect another?

Quinn captured my heart from the get go. There were moments in the story when I felt an overwhelming frustration for her situation simply because I became vested in this character. At times Quinn’s was the only side of the story important to me, but she forced us to consider the other side of the coin despite wanting to feel dislike and disappointment for both Carey and Blake once their truths were revealed.

Blake makes a few appearances throughout the novel, but one thing I must say about him was I still don't understand how he let Quinn take the fall and face the firing squad on her own. Despite Carey's role being played from the sidelines as he's missing in action, we get glimpse of his side through flashbacks.  It wasn’t until the very end, did I finally feel compassion for him.

As far as the pacing of the novel goes, it’s timed to perfection. So much happens, yet as a reader you never feel rushed. At the end of the journey I felt I got to know all of the main players and their multiple layers of complexity. I became acquainted with Quinn, Carey, Blake and George to such an in-depth level without feeling neither short-changed nor overwhelmed. Great balance and pacing throughout.

Overall, Corrine Jackson has penned a worthy novel full of emotion and hope, and she's made an impression on me. Definitely enough of it to have me now keep my eye out for anything else she plans to publish. Enjoyed it much!

5 Snowflakes

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