If I Tell

Read it!

Soooooo good! I read the arc in one night. Romance, drama! Love love love! Will be reading I'm Not Her next!

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Emotional Roller Coaster

As someone who is generally wary of contemporary YA reads, simply because it's not a genre that I widely enjoy, I was incredibly intrigued by this story and began rather cautiously. What I discovered: Ms. Gurtler's writing is phenomenal. Her skill with words creates a realistic image of a teenager struggling through a crisis and pulls you along for the ride. I noted early on that this book had the "train wreck" effect--you know that something terrible is going to happen yet you can't make yourself look away. I found myself so incredibly immersed in the story that this was definitely true--I couldn't look away and I had to keep turning the pages.

Jasmine is a more complex character than I expected from the book's description and throughout the course of the story, she is dealing with a lot more than "just" seeing her mom's boyfriend kissing her best friend. She perpetually engaged in a sort-of inner battle about what it really means to be half-black, half-white in a very white school/town. This search for a self-identity really comes to a head throughout the book and is compounded by the event she witnessed because until then Simon, the boyfriend, was there for her, helping her come to terms with her identity.

One of the things that bothered me a little was the way that Jasmine treated her friends, and I'm not talking about the friend who made out with her mom's boyfriend. I'm talking about Ashley and Jackson. Ashley, IMO, is Jaz's REAL best friend. She's a tough chick and I found myself wishing that she would just up and b*tch slap Jaz for me--more than once. Jaz doesn't treat her like the awesome friend that she is, so I was definitely happy to see their friendship take more of a forefront as the story came to a close and Jaz left behind a dysfunctional friendship with Lucie. Jackson is a majorly cute love-interest with a history all his own. I was cheering for him from basically the second that I met him. He goes to such great lengths to really connect with Jaz and he's simply fabulous. Yet here again we have Jaz pushing away a good friend. She goes so far as to completley tear into him at one point and says some incredibly hurtful things. I was so hurt for Jackson.

What really shines in this story, for me, is the emotions that Ms. Gurtler drags you through. You'll experience hurt, hatred, confusion, empathy, sympathy, love--you name it and I bet this story can make you feel it. These intensely real emotions combined with the well-craft, highly engaging story will keep you turning the pages with a real sense of urgency.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This character driven teen drama is a terrific tale due to a strong cast

Westwind High-school senior seventeen years old Jaz believes she is a pariah because she is biracial; thus neither the black nor while students at school welcome her. However, she is also her own worst enemy with an angry temper that comes across like a terrible two tantrum. Her friend Ashley the lesbian insists her only problem is a lack of self esteem that leads to Jaz wearing a sign that says victim available for kicking down. She has other buddies like BFF Lacey who is always there for her even though she is unappreciated. Finally there is grandma who raised her.

Currently she is angry at her single mom for seeing Simon who Jaz saw kissing Lacey. Complicating matters is her mom is carrying Jaz's future half-sibling. The teen wants to tell someone, but is unsure who. At a party, Jaz and new transfer student Jackson meet. They like each other and the kiss they share is heavenly. However, Jaz trusts no one so she keeps the former juvy drug dealing Jackson at a distance. Likewise, using temper tantrums, she does the same with her BFF, Simon, mom and her new baby brother. Only those who love her refuse to back away from Jaz.

This character driven teen drama is a terrific tale due to a strong cast. Besides Jaz on her self destructive path, her support group has fully developed characters who constantly remind the hurting teenager that they are there for her as they patiently encourage her to realize that the grass is green on her side of the fence due to her caring friends and family.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An Enjoyable Read!

Going into If I Tell, I wasn't sure what to expect. The summary made it sound like an interesting and fresh contemporary read, but I had heard a variety of mix thoughts about it. Luckily, I ended up being pleasantly surprised, as not only Jasmine a unique and interesting main character, but her story was one that involved the tears, love, and hope as well as fear that comes with growing up and moving on!

One of the main things that I enjoyed about this one was the characters. Jasmine had a variety of characteristics that made her standout from the usual YA protagonist. One was the fact that she was biracial. To be honest, I don't come upon that much in the books I read, so I always found it to be interesting to see how Jasmine went upon dealing with that fact as well as coming to learn and love that she was that way. Another interesting part of Jasmine's character was seeing her interact with her family as well as friends. She never seemed to have the typical relationship with any of them, especially her mother. The only aspect I didn't like much about Jasmine was that she constantly seemed to put herself down and see the worst in people, but as any reader will see, overcoming these struggles were just part of the story, a big and rewarding part honestly.

The wide variety of other characters Janet Gurtler introduced also managed to provide lots of fun, even though some of them could have used a bit more development. I really enjoyed finding out more about Jackson in particular; because just like Jasmine he had more to him than you would think. In addition, I loved seeing his friendship with Jasmine bloom into something sweet, especially when it began to go past that friend stage! I also really enjoyed the additions of Jasmine's grandmother, one tough cookie to say the least, as well as Ashley and Lacey, Jasmine's two friends who were involved in her journey from start to finish!

The overall plot in this one had If I Tell moving at rapid speed- if the pace by which I flipped the pages was any indication! The plot line involving Simon, Lacey, and Jasmine's mother also managed to filled with twists and turns, which had me debating right along with Jasmine about whether or not she should tell or kept it in. However, the main focus in this book, though, was Jasmine's overall journey in filling comfortable in her own skin. From the time she was very little, she had always felt like the odd one out, not fitting in with the white kids nor the black kids, but as the book progressed she began to gather her "people" so to say and see that being white as well as black didn't define the person she was or was going to be. Instead, her actions did. It was an honest and heartwarming journey to say the least, and I felt that Janet truly got the emotions and feelings of Jasmine down pat.

Talking about Gurtler, I really enjoyed her writing in this one! This was the first book of hers I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. Due to real-to-life story lines and interesting and diverse characters, she's truly a great addition to the YA contemporary genre!

In all, if you're looking for an honest and unique look at the life of a biracial teen, or just a good story, If I Tell by Janet Gurtler is the book for you!

Grade: B+

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books I've ever read

This book is full of little secrets that one girl keeps to her self. Until she meets her secret crush Jackson. With Jackson she learns to open her self to the world again. As Jazz opens her self to the world again she reveals secrets of her life to Jackson. She finds that Jackson understands her better than she thougt anyone could.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully written YA contemp

If I Tell is a beautifully written novel about the weight of ones secrets and the longing to be accepted for who we are. Raw emotion and believable characters made this book an absolute joy to read.

When Jasmine witnesses her mom's boyfriend Simon, making out with her best friend Lacey, her entire world begins to fall apart. Since she's never had a lot of friends and isn't very close with he mom, the secret starts to eat away at her fracturing the few good relationships she has.

Jasmine is a prickly character and I really don't know of another way to describe her. She's been so ostracized by her small town community that she willingly keeps people at as distant, even the few friends she has. Her one saving grace is her music which she turns to to help her deal. Even though I couldn't relate to Jasmine's biracial identity issues its not hard to care for someone who just wants to belong.

The connection between Jasmine and Jackson is instant and very sweet. Jackson is someone with his own secret who's also trying to find out where he fits in. Its always nice to read a story where the guy goes out of his way to try and make the girl feel better about herself and that's exactly the kind of guy Jackson is. It also doesn't hurt that he's snarky, mysterious and a really good listener.

The novel is filled with a slew of supporting character who are all just as deep and complicated as our main character. Simon and Lacey, in particular are much more then they seem and have much more to do then just service as the catalysts of the story. The novel's tone is really wonderful, never becoming to dramatic or fake. The ending, although not perfect, still feels just right especially for a novel that feels so real.

I would definitely recommend If I Tell to any YA contemporary fan and I look forward to reading more from Janet Gurtler.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anonymous

To amazing for words!!!

Highly Recommended

Diverse, complicated characters. Prickly and guaranteed to get under your skin.

Recommened

Very very good book! Slow gettin into it, but after that it was great!

Great!

Awesome cant put down!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

This book was amazing from cover to cover

Review from Blkosiner's Book Blog

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.

Great Book!

As I started this book, it gave me nothing but pure happiness. I loved reading this book and watching the characters change as they realize they mistakes that they made.

What I liked most about this book, are the characters. I loved that we see a characters deal with a secret and a unforgiveness towards the person. I loved reading about the betrayal but also about the aftermath of it. Holding a secret of that multitude, seeing the stress of it made way for a perfect plot line that held me up till the wee hours of the night reading this book.

The plot line of this book gave me an experience that I once dealt with myself. When holding a secret like that, I tend to throw myself in work. And get angry. I loved that the characters held her anger but also showed it. I loved how I was able to predict her actions based on her anger. I know, cause well I've been through something similar too.

I enjoyed the love interest in this book cause it gave way for a chance for the Jasmine to let it go. After enduring the hurt and pain from it, she needed someone to help her. To guide to place of freedom where she can longer bare the hold of the secret. I liked how both characters were a compliment to each other, but also gave each other there space. There was no "be with each other all the time" but a help each other out when they needed it with out pushing it to far. For me, the relationship is a good touch in the book.

If I Tell, is a great story of enduring a secret that can hurt others. Should you tell? And if you do, what will happen? Read this book for a more better understanding of what Jasmine goes through. It's not what you think. She will surprise you.

Wonderfully Frustrating

If I Tell is a frustrating story to say the least. The characters, the plot, the setting is all so believable that it becomes irksome. There's something about If I Tell that makes me like it though. That makes me somewhat feel for the characters. I don't know what word to use to describe this feeling of teetering between liking it and not. I do like it, I really do, but it leaves me feeling a little.meh (cue meh hand gesture).

Well, I guess we could start off with the thing(s) I really liked. Jackson. I LOVE HIM. I emphasize the word love. He is now one of my fictional crushes. In my head, he is my definition of hot. HOT. All capitals. He does not sparkle (as far as I can tell), he is not moody and troubled (currently), but he is indeed a bad-boy type. Jackson is the bad boy most girls want - he's got a past, he's a little a-hole-y, but he's also soft and squishy inside. He's got this charm, and laid-back feel to him that I really love. He's also incredibly forgiving and open-minded. I was mirroring Jaz's reactions to him every time he popped up in the novel. I literally grinned like an idiot whenever he was mentioned. Like Jaz said, he's beautiful inside, where it counts.

Another thing I liked was how realistically the story was portrayed. The characters are authentic and heartfelt, and so that means they are also extremely frustrating. Jaz irritated me to no end. When her close friend Ashley (whom I love and need to find a twin of in real life) told her to snap out of it, I practically screamed out "YES! YOU TELL HER!" This does not mean I dislike Jaz, though. It only means she irritated me with her selfishness. However, I also like how she develops near the end - the small step she takes to growing up.

As for the writing, it's alright. I felt like there were many mistakes, but I could ignore them. I think I have the eARC so it makes sense. Another thing I don't like though, was how sometimes the book didn't hold my attention like I wanted it to. I was pulled in at some parts, and then let go off at others. This is pretty much the reason why this novel took me so long to read.

Another thing I particularly disliked was the ending. I am not a fan of how my copy ended because It seemed so cut off and unfinished. It gave me a bland, and hardly memorable impression. Everything before the ending was great, the resolution. It was going somewhere, but then it just ended abruptly. Maybe it was the words chosen, but I felt so unsatisfied with the ending. I think that's what gave me the "meh" feeling.the ending. But I guess, like any other book, If I Tell has its highs and lows. I may dislike certain descriptions/situations, but I enjoyed the easy flow of the dialogue. However much I may or may not like something about this novel, I'm glad it was a story that was put to paper. It just shows that there are still people who feel the effects of discrimination and stigma.

Janet Gurtler is no doubt a talented author. Although I may not have loved this novel, I am still interested in reading other books by her. I can't really say if this is a light and fluffy read or not because the topics dealt with are far from light. At the same time, the way the story is executed is not heavy enough to weigh down the average reader. I guess I would recommend this to anyone who likes a dose of reality in their diet, something a little angst-y but also incredibly cute.

Th

What is the right thing to do?

Ever been privy to information you didn't want to know and you had to decide if you should be the one to tell? Jasmine our main character is put into that position on the first page when she sees her best friend and her mother's boyfriend kissing.

Jasmine has to decide if she should tell her mother. Her and her best friend fall-out from each other as well as her mother's boyfriend. Jasmine turns to her only friend at school and a new guy at work/school. She's very slow at opening up to the both of them since she's always kept her thoughts and feelings inside.

Jasmine is biracial and has been pretty much a loner since an incident in the fourth grade. She lives in a mostly white town where races seem to stick together. How she feels about herself made me hurt for her at times, but I'm happy at the growth and how her feelings change from the beginning to the end.

If I Tell didn't end on a 100% happy note. Surprisingly, I'm alright with this. We aren't sure of the outlook of one particular character and I'm okay with that. Usually I would throw my book down and scream, but I think with this particular book the wrap-up and ending work.

4/5 on Books to the Sky.

(We received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.)

When I first started this book I couldn't believe how big of a brat Jaz (Jasmine's nickname) was being. Yes, I understand that she witnessed something huge, but she didn't have to take it out on everyone around her.

She wasn't very nice to her mother, which made me actually feel really bad for her. But Jaz and her mother never had a real mother/daughter relationship since she was raised by her Grandma. Her mother was only 17 years old when she was born.

Once Jaz shares her secrets from her childhood I started to understand why she acts the way she does. And why she doesn't have very many friends or people she can trust or rely on.

I couldn't imagine being the only biracial student in my entire school. She's picked on from a young age about her skin color and children aren't allow to hang around with girls "like her".

This book hit on some really sensitive subjects, which I thought was great, since they're not something I've read in a YA novel before. There was the fact that Jaz was biracial and her mother developing postpartum depression after the birth of her baby.

I really enjoyed this book even after all of Jaz's brattiness in the beginning. :)

Worth the read!

If I Tell had me hooked from the beginning. Janet Gurtler lets out just enough information at a time to keep you pushing forward in the book to find out the 'why's' or so you'll find out what happens next. To me, this was more of a story of coming into one's self than it is about keeping a deep dark secret, but this thing looming over Jaz's head is what causes her life to go spiraling off path in the first place.

Jaz is half black, was born to a teenage mom, her dad skipped town, and she was raised by her grandparents. Already, she has a lot to deal with. Throw in the fact that all the kids in school look down on her for being so different - not black, and not white, there is not a crowd that she belongs to. Now throw in the fact that you've witness your mom's boyfriend kissing your best friend, and you've got a mess. The thing is, Jaz, behaved as if she was younger than her seventeen years. While she was dealing with a lot of issues, instead of behaving like a mature young-adult, she would fly off the handle, yell out biting words to hurt her target and storm off. Sometimes she had the decency to cry and feel bad about what she had done, but not enough to try and make efforts not to do it again. Her biggest problem, as her friend Ashley points out, is self-esteem. She does not think very highly of herself. If you think you are the victim, often times you will find yourself the victim. Point in case, the high school snob, Tina.

Here's the kicker, with all these things going wrong for Jaz; she's got a huge secret, and she feels like the world is out to get her because of her skin color, what she does not see is that she's got this huge support system all around her. She is blessed with more friends than some people have, granted it's a group of misfits, but together they form a crowd all their own, one in which they all belong. Despite the big fat huge mistake that any normal person probably would have trouble getting over, she's got Lacey, who has been her best friend for a while. She's got Ashley, the lesbian who moved to her school to get away from her own bullying. She's got Jackson, who has his own secrets, and also was in juvy for dealing drugs. She's got Simon, who once again made a really big mistake, but who loves her and has helped her understand a part of herself no one else could. She's got her grandma, who for all intents and purposes was her mother. Even her own mother is there, even if her role is more of an older sister than that of a mother. So reading it from my end, seeing all that she did have and was missing out on proved to be a bit of a frustrating for me. While Jaz was sinking in self-pity and throwing self-destructive tantrums, these people are sticking by her through thick and thin.

I loved her support system. I loved all of her friends. Ashley was earnest and kind. Jackson was sexy and understanding and unbelievably patient. These characters have started to help Jaz see that life isn't as bad as she makes it out to be. I can't say everything she felt was all in her head, it absolutely was not, but thankfully, at the end of the book I think she realized that it was time to heal and move on from past hurts and begin to look forward, making this book more than worth the read!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.