I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
If I Run is the first book in a new series following two POV.
Casey Cox is on the run after discovering her close friends dead body. With her DNA all over the crime scene, she knows she's being set up, and she decides to make a run for it.
Dylan Roberts is an ex-war veteran who was also friends with the deceased. He's been hired as a PI to find Casey and bring her in. But as Dylan examines the crime scene and he learns more about Casey, things just don't add up for him. But if she's innocent, why did she run?
This was such a thrilling, twisty-turner of a listen and kept me hooked from chapter to chapter. The narrator was a perfect fit for this type of story and did a fantastic job of narrating the story. I'll definitely be getting book two on audio ASAP as I'm desperate to know more about both main characters and unravel the core of the story. I loved the authors note at the end of the book and found it very humbling and relatable and was a lovely addition to the end of this audio.

Casey stumbles onto her friend’s murder scene and immediately decides to run because trusting the police isn’t an option. Her dad was a cop, and he ended up dead under suspicious circumstances. Everyone called it a suicide, but Casey never believed that.
Meanwhile, Dylan, an ex-military guy dealing with PTSD, is hired by the victim’s family to track Casey down and get justice for their son. As the story unfolds, secrets start to surface, and nothing is as simple as it seems. Casey doesn’t seem like the ‘murder and run’ type. It all leads to a cliffhanger that sets up the next two books in the series.
I enjoyed this one enough to keep going and see where the story leads.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Honestly, I wish there were more to this book. It started out at a pretty fast pace with a murder. The person believed to have committed the murder is running as she fears she will be framed. As the story progresses, the listener discovers why she believes that she is being set up. Although this novel had some exciting parts, it was tidied up too well in the end making this story too unbelievable.

In "If I Run," Casey Cox finds herself on the run, accused of her friend Brent's murder, with her DNA discovered at the crime scene. Although she knows she is innocent, her previous disillusionment with law enforcement leaves her feeling despondent. As she evades capture, Casey grapples with the harsh truth that her claims of innocence may go unacknowledged, and she fears that the truth will never liberate her.

Dylan Roberts, a war veteran grappling with PTSD, is commissioned by Brent's family to locate Casey. As he investigates, Dylan begins to question her culpability; Casey does not align with the typical profile of a murderer. Despite the incriminating evidence, discrepancies in the case prompt Dylan's instincts to suggest that Casey may not be the ruthless killer she appears to be. This investigation challenges his perceptions and compels him to confront his own internal struggles, as he contemplates the possibility that Casey could be more of a victim than a perpetrator.

The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives of Casey and Dylan, establishing a heightened sense of urgency as both characters navigate their intricate realities. The suspense is intricately woven into the plot and it certainly kept me engaged as I listened to the story. Themes of redemption, innocence, and the quest for truth comes through. It is unresolved at the end which leaves on ready for the next installment.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audiobook recording in exchange for my review.

Blackstock gives us a relatable character in Casey, whose father is a police officer who was murdered by dirty cops. They stage his death as a suicide, and will go to great llengths to prevent the truth from coming out.

When Casey's friend Brent is killed whilst investigating the murder some years later, she is forced to go on the run after being framed for the murder.

There is also an interesting subplot about a young girl named Laura, who inexplicably disappears from her hometown, where Casey has taken shelter after meeting Laura's grandmother during her escape.

Overall, the story was interesting enough, but it can be preachy at times and its underlying belief system means that it is best read by Christian conservatives.

Terri Blackstock delivers a tense and emotionally driven suspense story in If I Run, the first book in a trilogy that blends mystery, danger, and faith.

If I Run is an absorbing start to a suspenseful series, perfect for readers who enjoy clean thrillers with emotional depth and a touch of faith. Blackstock delivers a compelling narrative that keeps you turning pages—and wanting more.

Terri Blackstock's If I Run (audiobook) thrusts listeners into a breathless chase where the line between guilt and innocence is dangerously blurred. Casey Cox knows a truth, but it's not the one that will set her free. With her DNA plastered across a crime scene and a past filled with abysmal failures by the police, Casey has no choice but to flee before she's arrested—or something far worse happens.

The question of what the real truth is haunts Dylan Roberts, a war-weary veteran hired to find her. Grappling with PTSD, Dylan sees bringing Casey back as his chance for redemption. Yet, despite the seemingly open-and-shut case, details of the murder just aren't adding up.

Casey Cox doesn't fit the mold of a killer. But are Dylan's own skewed perceptions preventing him from seeing clearly? And if she's truly innocent, why did she run? As Dylan delves into Casey's past and the damning evidence against her, he finds himself on a relentless clock. Their damaged souls intertwine, forcing Dylan to confront two stark possibilities: the woman consuming his thoughts is either a psychopathic killer or a selfless hero. In this high-stakes game, the truth itself becomes the deadliest weapon of all. Blackstock delivers a taut, suspenseful thriller that will keep listeners guessing until the very end.

Stop whatever you are doing, and go read this book!

I was SHOCKED with how much I enjoyed this book! The story follows a woman being framed for murder by dirty cops. Casey is guided by her extreme moral compass and bravery. She is constantly out-witting the cops. The author did a great job in creating an on the run story like I had not read or seen before.

And the ending... 🤯

It was so good! I immediately went and checked out the sequel through my library.

The other POV you get in the story is equally compelling. A ex-military cop with PTSD, nightmares, and knack for sniffing out the truth. Dylan is all about finding the truth, no matter the cost. He is very likable, and it was fun getting to read his perspective because he was often in the dark about the very things Casey's timeline was focused on revealing to the reader. He also was a great avenue for the author to probe at questions we the readers were having as well.

My only complaint is about the audio file itself. The audiobook provided by NetGalley abruptly stopped at chapter 30. I ended up checking out the rest of the audiobook via Libby. I'm not sure what changes the publisher is currently testing out, but I will say the audio file sent to me through NetGalley had a much clearer, less grainy audio than the one I checked out through the library.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts/review.

I have enjoyed Terri Blackstock’s books before and have even bought her books for the church library before, but this one just did not do it for me. Just the premise of running off though you are innocent of the murder turned me off completely. There might be a twist further down the road but I was not interested enough to find out. Especially since the story doesn’t end with this volume.

The narration was good. It’s the story that did not grab me.

If I Run by Terri Blackstock is a Christian suspense novel that starts a trilogy. Wrongly accused of her friend's murder, Casey Cox flees a corrupt system in Terri Blackstock's gripping Christian suspense novel, If I Run, the first book in a thrilling trilogy. Casey Cox is accused of killing her friend and flees, with her DNA found at the scene. Dylan Roberts, a PTSD-affected investigator, chases her. The story alternates between their perspectives, creating tension. Blackstock's story is engaging and features relatable characters. The ending is a cliffhanger, urging the next book. Subtle faith-based themes add depth. A strong 4.5/5 for suspense fans who appreciate a moral element. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this audio ARC.

This story is about Casey, a girl who finds her best friend’s body at a crime scene. She’s then on the run because of things we find out later in the story contributing to it. We also get a POV of Dylan, someone who is working on the case to find Casey. But even he sees that the details of the case aren’t adding up.

I loved the story, loved the characters, and loved the pacing of it all. I also loved that the author included her faith into the story. I definitely want to continue the rest of the series!

Would like to make a note here that the full audiobook is not included in NetGalley. So I had to finish the book elsewhere. I enjoyed the narrator but wished the whole book could’ve been included.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, clean, Christian thriller, look no further!

Casey Cox finds herself on the run after finding her good friend, Brent, dead. Not just dead - murdered. Casey knows she didn't do it - but she also knows her DNA is all over his place and body now and who will believe her? Her history with and hesitance to trust her local law enforcement started a long time ago with her father's suicide.

As Casey runs, Dylan Roberts chases. He is hired as a PI by Brent's family to locate Casey as she is the main suspect. Dylan unturns a lot of deep secrets that unravel the truth little by little.

Terri Blackstock writes with such elegance that captivated me from the beginning to the end. It was easy to read (listen to - I did the audiobook) but not juvenile writing by any means. I loved the unfolding of events with the Christian perspective blended throughout. The characters were relatable and easy to root for (or against). I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

I did listen to the audiobook and the narrator was good. 3/5 stars for narration. While she had a good pace, pronunciation, and was easy to listen to - she did not change her voice much at all between the 2 narrators so I had a difficult time distinguishing which perspective I was listening to at times. I prefer more distinction for ease of listening.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and Terri Blackstock for the ALC and chance to give my honest opinion!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Small town America
Genre: Christian Suspense; Mystery

If I Run by Terri Blackstock had me hooked from page one! This isn’t just a fast-paced suspense novel—it’s a deep dive into truth, justice, and what it really means to do the right thing when everything is against you.

Casey Cox is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a while. Her voice is raw and real, and her decision to run pulls you right into her world of danger and desperation. The stakes are sky-high, and yet her heart and integrity shine through every twist and turn.

And then there’s Dylan—flawed, honorable, and searching not only for Casey but also for his own redemption. Watching their stories collide and unravel was absolutely gripping.

The plot moves like a thriller, but the characters carry the weight of something deeper—faith, trauma, justice, and resilience. This book made me think, feel, and fly through the pages. I couldn’t put it down.

Highly recommend to anyone who loves a suspenseful story layered with purpose and heart. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series!
#netgalley #ifirun #booked_this_weekend

Casey Cox is running for her life. Her friend, Brent, has been murdered and she found the body. Her DNA is all over the place and she knows the police will never believe her. Brent was investigating her father's supposed suicide and found proof that he was actually murdered. Dylan is quite the complex character as well. A criminal investigator for the Army forced to leave his job because of PTSD issues. He's hired by his murdered friend's family to find Casey and bring her to justice. A faith-filled man, honest and compassionate, he struggles with the investigation as he learns more about Casey and her family. A compelling subplot chock-full of it's own suspense and an uplifting faith thread make this book over-the-top stupendous. As Dylan is looking for clues to find Casey his instinct tells him she is being framed and that she is in danger. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Publishers

Alright, I'll start by saying that the story held my interest from the beginning until the very last word. I also finished this in just 3 days, which has become a rare achievement for me due to my busy schedule. So, yeah!

Idk what exact box to place it in when it comes to genres, but I'd say it is a thriller. It isn't exactly a 'whodunnit', but rather, you'll be questioning what happened, and what is going to happen. We get the perspective of the main character, and the detective's mind process, their dilemmas, what they do and the reasons behind their actions. And for me, all of it was interesting. I don't remember feeling bored for even a single part of the story!

Here's what you can expect to find in the book:
❄️A fast-paced thriller
❄️Faith in God [Christianity, to be specific] (even if you're an atheist, don't worry. At least in my opinion, it's woven in the story in a sweet way, the beliefs don't seem too pushy to me.)
❄️A main character who loves people and making friends (it was so refreshing ngl!)
❄️Corrupt cops, and good ones
❄️Dual POVs
❄️PTSD
❄️No romance. Though, there are some issues mentioned which would be suitable for an audience older than 12 or 13, in my opinion

Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast-paced thriller/crime novel where you can expect yourself to be invested in the story throughout, and form a bond with the characters!

P.S.: Kudos to the narrator! I loved the narrating style with just the perfect tone, volume and everything!

I got the opportunity to listen to this book. It was narrated by Nan Gurley. She did a great job of brining the characters forward.

Sometimes even knowing the truth will not set you free… sometimes the truth doesn’t matter.

Casey’s DNA is all over the crime scene 🧬 She knows she needs to run!

Dylan Robert’s is hired to find Casey after details of the murder just isn’t adding up.

If I Run is book 1 in the trilogy. There seemed to be an error with the ALC, it abruptly ended on chapter 30 and I finished the remaining chapters by reading book 1. Hopefully the error will be cleared up by the release. Book 1 ends in a cliff hanger and I’ll be back to find out what happens next!

Thank you to author, Terri Blackstock, Publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Excitement from start to finish, Blackstock captivated you and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is my second time reading through this book, first time via audiobook. Love this series!

If I Run is the first book in the If I Run trilogy by Terri Blackstock. This is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I enjoyed it.

I thought the characters were interesting and I was intrigued by the story.

My biggest hangup with the book is that it lacked closure. Upon reaching the end of the book, I realized that I would have to read the other two books to see how things would be resolved. Even the things that were resolved felt underdeveloped.

I enjoyed the narration by Nan Gurley. I thought she did a great job bringing the book to life. (I think the narration was the best part of the book.)

Even though this ended with a giant cliffhanger, I haven’t decided if I’ll read the other two books yet. The story just didn’t grab me enough that I have to know how things end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If I Run (If I Run #1) by Terri Blackstock
Narrated by Nan Gurley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, Zondervan Fiction
Genre: Christian, Mystery & Thrillers
Published: February 16, 2016

"If I Run" is a dual-POV story in which Casey Cox discovers her best friend Brent, brutally murdered. Due to extenuating circumstances, she believes wholeheartedly that she will be framed for his murder, so rather than calling the authorities, she runs.

Dylan Roberts is a recently discharged veteran, suffering from PTSD. He's hired as a PI to track down Casey and bring her back to face charges for the murder of his best childhood friend, Brent. The problem is, as Dylan investigates Casey, he begins to believe she may not be as guilty as everyone else seems to think she is. And he finds proof that Brent has uncovered a dark secret that's likely what got him killed.

The interplay of these two characters, each dealing with their own traumatic past is engaging and made me look forward to the time when they finally meet. However, the ARC I was given abruptly ended. (No closing credits. No tantalizing hint at what comes next. Just a dead stop...) I'm still not convinced there isn't something defective with the ARC because it wasn't really a natural stopping point. It seemed to just end mid-scene...

I was invested enough in the story to get the next book in the series, but it picks up a few days after where the first book left off, and it's very confusing to discern what took place during that time, although it appears to have been significant. (For instance, we learn that Dylan and Casey did meet during that time, but we have no idea how Dylan found her or what their encounter was like.)

So I decided to do a little digging... According to Amazon, the Audible version of this book is 6 hours and 41 minutes long. However, the NetGalley ARL is 4 hours and 35 minutes. So, we're missing over 2 hours of content!

I have reported that to the publisher, and I hope they'll correct the ARL for us. But in the meantime, it's hard to rate to offer a higher rating for the book than I have since it's missing almost a third of its content.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy, though.

If I Run is an interesting story about a young woman, Casey, who runs after finding her best friend murdered. Is she running because she’s guilty, or is she running from the actual murderer?

Dylan, a veteran with PTSD has been hired to find Casey. The more he looks into Casey’s background, the more questions he has.

I enjoyed If I Run and look forward to reading the rest of this series. The narrator has a pleasant voice and was easy to listen to.

With thanks to NetGalley & Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audio extract in return for an honest review.