Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

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.


  

Character interview with Nick from I'm Not Her

Character interview with Nick from I'm Not Her

You can check out my review of I'm Not Her here

Thanks for being here Nick!
If you could draw one body part for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

I know some might expect me to pick something obvious and sexist, but honestly I’d choose eyes. There are so many subtle emotions artists can convey through eyes.  Drawing eyes would keep me interested.

How did you get the nickname of man-whore? And what's the DEAL with Bree?

My nickname is Man Whore? From Tess?  She’s sweet, so obviously she doesn’t mean it. If it’s coming from other people, I think maybe the origin of the nickname might be kind of obvious.

And Bree? She’s fun. She’s a nice girl who doesn’t want anything serious from me, and doesn’t make me work hard to be with her.  While I might not call her my girlfriend, we hang out. It’s cool.  

What's your favorite song? What memories come to mind when you hear it?

I Hope You Dance.  My mom used to sing it to me.

At the first party were you interested in Tess at all or was it all about Kristina?

Man, I was pretty out of it that night.  I guess I must have felt a little sorry for Tess. She looked kind of scared and out of place. Sort of like my sister.  Kristina looked hot. I remember that.

Is age the only factor holding you back from Tess?

Tess is the kind of girl who requires work. She gets under my skin.  She’s real. I don’t know that I’m that I’m ready for that kind of thing at this point in my life.  I don’t want to hurt her. 

If you know that you aren't good enough for her, why don't you change?'

Sounds pretty easy in theory but how many leopards do you see running around with new spots?

Do you see yourself immune to the effects of alcohol? How do you think that others see you when you're drinking?

I’m a chip off the old block, right? Definitely not immune.  I never thought much about how others see me. They probably think I’m an asshole.  They’re probably right. 

What's your favorite book?

Waiting to Score by JE MacLeod.   I like the author. 

Review: I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

Brainy Tess Smith is the younger sibling of the beautiful, popular, volleyball-scholarship-bound Kristina. When Kristina is diagnosed with bone cancer, it drastically changes both sisters' lives. Sometimes the things that annoy us the most about our siblings are the ones we'd miss the most if we lost them.

Publishes in US: May 2011
Standalone novel
Source: Teen Book Scene

My Review:

  This was a really powerful and emotional story, about love, family and discovering who you are.
  I'm not her addresses popularity and letting who you are shine. Tess breaks my heart, and I'm able to relate with how she feels and what she battles with.  It's hard watching her learn about her friend, who her sister is to her, and discovering new things about what she once mocked.
  It's really eye-opening to see how cancer really effects the community and to see how even little things can make an impact.
  The family dynamics are well written and very believable. It's hard to read, but at the same time, I can see pieces of my family, my behaviors in each and it's hard to look down at all when you know where they are coming from.
  If you like emotional reads, contemporary, then I'd definitely recommend giving this a read.
I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.
Here's my video review: