Book Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Title: If I Tell
Author: Janet Gurtler
Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

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?

Janet Gurtler is a phenomenal writer of Young Adult contemporary fiction.  Her book I'm Not Her was a very realistic portrayal of life with cancer.  If I Tell delves into so many topics it almost sounds like a soap opera: teen pregnancy, homosexuality, biracial issues, depression, betrayal, teen drinking & drugs, romance, secrets... However the novel is not soap opera like at all, it has a very realistic feel to it.

The characters are quirky, likable and easy to relate to in this coming of age story. Valuable lessons about trust, choices and rising above difficulties are taught. The subjects dealt with in this book are not light and fluffy but I didn't find anything to be over descriptive.

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: a little bit of just about everything but not enough of anything to make me quit reading.