Review of If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Title: If I Tell
Author: Janet Gurtler
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 256
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Format: ARC ebook
Rating: ★★★

Summary From Goodreads: 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?

If I Tell is the kind of book that captivates you from the first page on.  The opening scene is Jaz finding her best friend kissing her mother's boyfriend, and then the next scene is her mother telling Jaz that she is pregnant.  Talk about drama. 

Though I do appreciate the drama at times, I had trouble with the moral issues behind keeping such a big secret.  I can't imagine what Jaz was going through emotionally, because I as a reader was stressing over what I'd do in that situation.  I had to really think about what was right.  Everyone always says truth is the best option, but is that always right...even if it ruins people's lives?

One of the interesting things about this novel is that there is not just one secret going around.  There are many and as each person gets more entangled their lives alter just a little.  I guess that is the thing about secrets...they are a web and at times they may trap you. 

I often felt caught in the web of lies and I was trying to figure out how I would handle each situation.  This book really made me think about my own actions even after I was finished reading it.  The only thing I hope is that I'm never in a situation like Jaz's.  She had to grow up far before her time and deal with issues that I don't even want to think about dealing with.  She's one tough lady and I admire her for that.