Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Review: If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

Title: If I Lie
Author: Corrine Jackson
Published: August 28th 2012
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

I seldom write reviews right after I have finished a book, but my emotions are so strong that I know, if I don’t write my review now, it won’t be a true painting of my feelings. I can list the things I feel, or rather am, after reading If I Lie on one hand: emotional, broken, hopeful.

“Sometimes a moment defines you, defines how people see you for the rest of your life. You can accept it or fight it. If you're lucky, you'll recognize the moment when it happens.” 

The story. Quinn has done something wrong in the eyes of the people of Sweetheaven. She has the power to stop her former friends and the whole town from bullying her—the girl who cheated on the town hero—but she can't because she will not break her promise. Even her own father blames her. It’s an everending cycle of hurt for Quinn and the only person who can save her from this hell is the guy who left her face it all alone and may not ever return.

My thoughts. I can tell you right off the bat that the real synopsis is quite a bit misleading and it’s not what we think we’re getting ourselves into. I am thoroughly surprised by how raw and painful this read was. I was expecting to be emotional, yes, but I didn’t think it would turn out to be this bad. It... It isn’t an ugly cry book, but it was a never-ending silent cry one. I'm telling you, these tears just didn’t know when to stop. Quinn is so lost due to a secret she once told, because it was about her mom, and when it all came out, her whole world was torn apart. She has learned her lesson and won’t spill the secret that’s killing her inside and outside. I did not see that secret coming at all. This situation was so complicated. The person Quinn supposedly cheated with is close to Carey—Quinn’s boyfriend. If the three of them had talked everything out, none of this would have happened, but it goes to show how critical our society is about these kinds of situations. Quinn should have never gone through that.

In addition to being the town’s most hated inhabitant, her father sees the ghost of her mother in her so he is pretty much ignorant towards her. I hated how he didn’t notice her. Didn’t see her until it was almost too late and in some ways it was. What do you have if your parent doesn’t believe in you and blames you for everything that has gone wrong in one's life? If everyone else has turned their back on you? When a person you love doesn’t stand up for you because they feel betrayed, but you can’t explain because it’s not your secret to tell? If the person who’s basically responsible for all the horrible things that have happened to you by keeping their secret is afraid to tell the truth? It’s amazing how much Quinn grew thanks to these horrible situations. She may have made one mistake, but all she ever did was try to protect the person she loved. I wish she had loved one less. The only person who sees the real her is George—a veteran who Quinn takes care of at a hospital. I found him to be the best part of this book and his words, attitude and friendship with a high school senior was admirable and inspiring.

All in all, I didn’t expect any of this. It’s a novel that will stick with me for quite some time. If you want a book with swoon-worthy romance, beautiful words and a gorgeous love story, then this is not the book for you. Foremost it was raw and sometimes even depressing, but it shows that sometimes things will go from bad to worse before they get better. The ending.. I’m a happily-ever-after kind of girl. This wasn’t one. I didn’t expect it to be, though. I think this ending feels real and it couldn’t have been any other way. I cried during that last scene. I cried after I had shut the cover of my kindle and after crying..? I felt hopeful. Should you read this? Most definitely yes.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Meet the author

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30 comments:

  1. This is more the contemporary I'm interested in. I don't really care for those swoonworthy-romance things. I want raw, pure and beautiful stories that touch me. I think I'll really like this one, especially since there is also some mystery :)

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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    1. I like them both. I need some swoon, but I don't like over the top things. Raw, beautiful, emotional stories are far more better:)

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  2. YES SIIRI!!!! Wasn't this book just amazing? It was a completely unexpected read for me too, and it caught me off guard with how emotional I got reading it. I just hurt for Quinn. People were so extraordinarily cruel, and never even wondered for a moment if there was more to the story than the one picture they saw. And how much did you love George?! I was so glad she had at least one person in her life who never doubted her, she deserved that and so much more. Gorgeous review my friend, I'm so glad you loved this as much as I did!

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    1. It was! It absolutely was:) I know we both adore HEA-s, but once in a while it's great to read something different and not every story needs to have a happy ending. Prejudice and assumptions are cruel, cruel things, I agree.

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  3. Sounds really powerful and awesome. I need to pick this one up

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  4. Oh boy, I had meant to read this a while back, and forgot about it. I am dying to know what the big secret is! Gorgeous review, Siiri!

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    1. I'm glad I got you to remember :) I meant to read this way back, but just as you, I had forgotten. I'm glad I picked it up :) Thanks, hon!

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  5. Oh wow. This sounds like a perfect read for me. I love it when you're reading a book and you cannot stop silently crying. It wakes up all your emotions. It sounds so powerful so that I must read it. Honestly I have seen it around but after reading the blurb I couldn't imagine that it hid so many emotions. Great review Siiri :)

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    1. It does, doesn't it? I was so not expecting what I got from this book and I hope that once you pick this pretty up, you'll enjoy it just as I did :)

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  6. I'm a happily-ever-after kind of girl too, but I think sometimes the more raw and real endings can be the most effective. Though I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to pick this up anytime soon! It sounds like a powerful read, but I think I'll need to prepare myself for the emotional aspect of it. Lovely review, Siiri. :)

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    1. YES! My thoughts exactly, Sam! Ha. Some preparation is definitely needed ;)

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  7. WOW. I can tell how much this book affected you! That says something strong about this story. I also prefer the HEAs but I've been drawn more to stories that feel honest and true, and it sounds like what you get with this ending. However, stories like this one where characters are incredibly isolated without any sort of support system, are so hard for me to take, especially when someone is just doing what they believe is right. I already ache for this girl, but I know that situations like this do happen. Maybe not this specific story, but people feeling completely alienated and misunderstood. Sounds like this one also tackles a lot of hot button issues, especially with the war themes. Not sure if I'm ready to tackle a book like this one, but I'm glad that it was such a powerful read for you.

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    1. It was honest and true. It couldn't have been a HEA in any way. It was.. it held a promise to a HEA for Sophie. Someday she will have one, just not in this book. I still ache for her. She didn't deserve it in any way. I hope that when you do decide to pick it up, you'll enjoy it thoroughly!

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  8. Yeah, don't think I could read this. I hate misunderstandings and pain caused by withholding information. Things could be sorted if people would just talk. Me no like! Plus, I don't pick up books so I can cry the entire time. Totally defeats my purpose of reading which is to put a happy smile on my face. Wonderful review, Siiri! Glad you enjoyed this emotional read. :)

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    1. LOL. Well, I usually prefer makes-me-smile books all the way, but sometimes I need something raw and powerful to change things up ;) Thanks, Rachel!

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    2. So very true, Siiri! I guess I must amend my statement a little bit, because I just got through reading Fighting Fate by Lisa Kage and I was weepy throughout, but loved it! But it was both happy and sad tears. My eyes are still puffy! :)

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  9. Oh yay! I'm so glad to hear that you reviewed this.
    I personally don't think I can read this because it sounds too depressing and you know what I feel about non-HEAs. Like Rachel, I read to be happy after a stressful day, so I don't think wanting to cry throughout the entire day.
    Lovely review, Siiri!

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    1. I do know how you feel about them. I still enjoyed it though, even if it didn't have a HEA. It was a perfect ending and I'm surprised I loved a not HEA ending :)

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  10. This sounds like a very interesting read. That last paragraph of your review has me so intrigued that I think I might have to check this out! Great review :D

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  11. Siiri I absolutely loved this book too, I actually appreciated just how misleading the premise was too, because it ended up adding that extra shock factor that I so wasn't ready for. I read this book last year when I was going through a phase of reading heartbreaking reads, Jackson definitely knew how to rip my heart in shreds. And wasn't George just the best, I liked how Quinn was able to find a friend who wouldn't judge her in the place she least expected too. I also read this book when I was in a phase where I was tired of books which gave us neatly tied up endings, so even though the ending wasn't the way I expected, it was like you mentioned the most realistic one we could expect! Gorgeous review Siiri! :)

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    1. Oh yes! I wasn't expecting all of THAT. I was pleasently surprised and I guess it made the novel even more powerful. George was the heart of the story for me :) I just loved his sassy character ;) Thanks, sweetie!

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  12. Oh boy, I think I definitely need this book in my life! I think you know that I am a big an of the emotional books and it sounds like this one really resonated with you. Fabulous review, Siiri!

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    1. You know, I thought about you when I was reading this one. It seems right up your alley, though you never know with books. I hope that when you pick this up, you'll love the heck out of it :)

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  13. I'm a glutton for sad books, and I LOVE LOVE books that remain with you long after you read. This one sounds perfect for me. Oh, and I also love Corrine Jackson. So maybe it's a match made it heaven <3 I'm so glad you liked it, Siiri! Fab review.

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    1. I agree, Krista. I really liked this book and it will most definitely stay with me forever. Thanks, girl!

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  14. I read it and just like you loved every single page. Such a perfect book. And yes, book summary is misleading, I thought I'd get light romance, but I wasn't expecting... well, this.
    Great review, Siiri.
    Glass @ Way Too Hot Books

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    1. AH YES!!!! I found the blurb to be misleading for sure since I thought it'd be some sort of a cute yet emotional and sexy contemporary read, but it was everything but cute and sexy. Emotional? Most definitely. Thanks, Glass!!

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  15. LOL. She had. In some ways. It's just that.. This secret is HUGE HUGE HUGE HUUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE. It's like.. agh. I can't tell you since it totally defeats the purpose of reading it, but I had absolutely no idea and it came to me as a total shock. It was such a great read. I hope you enjoy it if you decide to pick it up:)

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