Book Review: If I Run by Terri Blackstock

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What is this book about?

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My review:

This is book one in a three book series and it ends in a cliffhanger so you are warned not to read this one until you have the entire set available.

Great story. Wow. I’m asking myself why I waited to read this series until now. It is sooo good. It is page turning. Heart wrenching. Suspenseful. Even hopeful. This story is truly so well done.

I wasn’t sure about reading a story in first person present point of view. I usually read third person past tense stories. But this type of POV worked really well for Casey’s story. What would you do if you were being hunted for a murder you didn’t commit? The reader steps right into Casey’s shoes as she copes with that. I got to know her wonderful personality, deep scars and all. I want her to find justice and be vindicated. While this story is not the end of hers, it did leave me feeling hopeful.

And Dylan, the man who is tasked with finding her, was such a good character. In order to find Casey, he goes above and beyond to get to know her. I believe that his emotional wounds are in the process of healing as he gathers information and gets closer to a truth that is so different than what we are first led to believe.

Speaking of truth, the suspense is outstanding. I’ve come to expect that from this author, but I am still excited to find that I just could not put the book down until I got to the end. Even now I am itching to jump right into book two.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

So much! But if I had to pick a favorite thing, it would be Casey’s personality.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Nothing. It was just so good.

Would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely. The POV, the great characters, the page turning suspense… this was a great read. This is the first book in the series. It is not the end of Casey’s story so I recommend having the other two books in the series on hand so you are not left hanging. That’s what I’m doing.  🙂

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Terri Blackstock, author website

-Loraine Nunley

If I Run by Terri Blackstock (5 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview Share on X

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