If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
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. – Goodreads
Review:
I have to admit that I struggled with parts of Corrine Jackson’s If I Lie. No, it wasn’t because it was dull or badly written in any way, but it was very hard to not feel an overwhelming sadness for the main character, Quinn. She’s stuck in a difficult situation, caught between loyalty and the truth, and I am not exaggerating when I say that this book HURT.
When If I Lie opens up, Quinn has already been ostracized and horribly bullied by her school peers for cheating on her boyfriend, Carey. Her friends have turned their backs on her and then Carey goes MIA, which only makes things harder for her. If this had been any other book I would have expected Quinn to go crying into some guy’s shoulder and for the book’s pages to be filled with their love story, blah blah blah. It goes to show that I always expect the worst from a lot of contemporary reads, but Corrine Jackson pleasantly surprised me by not losing sight of Quinn’s individual journey. Quinn’s home life isn’t very easy, either. Her mother walked out on her family several years before and her father is closed off, almost seeming to hate Quinn for her mother’s mistakes. Between her family and friends, Quinn is very much alone and I cried for all that she had to endure. I don’t know if I could have withheld the truth like Quinn did, but I definitely admired her selflessness.
If I Lie doesn’t have a happily ever after ending, but it does have an honest conclusion. The pain doesn’t magically go away, there’s a loss of trust, and all ties aren’t mended, but there’s growth and the opportunity to find the strength to move on. Corrine Jackson’s If I Lie is raw and often painful, but it will get under your skin and have you thinking about it for days after.
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About Stephanie
I’ve been thinking about reading this one for a while. I think I’m going to pick it up the next time I want a really sad book.
I’m not a huge contemporary fan so I think I originally overlooked this. But it sounds really good! Adding to my TBR!
Um. This sounds exactly like my kind of contemporary novel. I had heard about it before, but didn’t make the initiative to read it. Now, because of your review, I shall.
I just checked this out from the library a few days ago. You do make it sound awfully good, and I’m even more eager to read it now. Thanks for the heads up that it’s a heavy read.
Your review makes this book sounds better than I expected. I’m not a huge fan of contemporary because they (most of the time) end like you said: crying with another boy, love story blablabla. I sometimes like to read such intense, sad books with realistic endings. I will put this on the list when I am in such a mood, thanks for the review! :)
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
I LOVED everything about this book. I describe it as beautifully heart breaking. You are correct in saying that it hurt… a lot.. In fact I am not ashamed to admit that I cried. I don’t know if I would have been able to withhold the truth either and I felt the same admiration toward Quinn. I was also very happy with the ending for things working out as best they realistically could have. I will definitely read Corinne Jackson’s next book. What an amazing debut this was!
Nicole @ The Quiet Concert
I think you’ve hit on exactly why I want to read this book in your review. I also tend to have low expectations for contemporary YA, so when I start reading reviews about books that are raw and emotional and realistic and at the same time unique and thought-provoking, I’m likely to add the book to my TBR list. I am so curious to find out for myself what Quinn is hiding, as well as experience the emotional journey she undergoes.
Even though it was very difficult for me to read If I Lie, I really liked it. I love the way that it came across as authentic and honest, and I also love that it was really Quinn’s journey and that it revolved mostly around that.