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!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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

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.

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.

If I Run by Terri Blackstock is a gripping, faith-anchored suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. Each chapter ends with just enough tension to make it impossible to stop reading, and while there’s a general sense of the direction things might go, the twists and emotional depth kept the story feeling fresh and urgent.

Blackstock does a masterful job of pulling readers into the mind and moral dilemmas of the main character, making it easy to wonder, “What would I do in her shoes?” The pacing is fast, the stakes are high, and the writing is sharp without being overwhelming.

One thing to note: the book touches on themes that may be triggering for some readers, including trauma and references to sexual assault. While not graphic, these moments are emotionally charged and worth being aware of.

I’d highly recommend this book to mature young adults and adult readers who enjoy suspenseful stories with clean language, emotional complexity, and just enough faith-based grounding to bring hope into even the darkest circumstances.

If I Run #1
If I Run
Terri Blackstone
When Casey Cox discovers the body of her best friend, Brent, in his home; he has been stabbed and left for dead. She tries to revive him to no avail. She knows she is in trouble; she is covered in blood. Her fingerprints and blood are throughout the house. She knows she will be the prime suspect; she has no choice but to run.
Private Detective Dylan Roberts is hired to find Casey; he is a former Criminal Investigator in the Army. He was discharged from the service for PTSD. He does his due diligence, and it just doesn’t add up. He doesn’t think there is enough evidence to support her guilt. The more he finds out about her the more strongly he feels she is innocent.
Author Terri Blackstone is a talented writer. She is a Christian author, and it shines through her books. Her main characters are fantastic. Casey is smart, strong and quick on her feet. It was fascinating watching her stay one step ahead of those searching for her. She placed others before herself no matter what. This tale is told from alternating viewpoints, Casey’s and Dylan’s. The twists and turns kept me eagerly turning pages. This book ends with a cliffhanger. I really don’t like cliffhangers! The trouble with cliffhangers is I have to wait for the next book to find out what is going to happen.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Just brilliant. I listened to the audio. Was not very smart and started it after night shift 🫣, I have not slept, finished in one go. Highly recommend the audio. Listened in 1.5 speed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this audio copy of this book. I enjoyed this story a lot. I already have the next two in the series ready to read. Dylan is definitely going to help Casey in a way that we did not expect in the beginning of this story. This story did end in a cliffhanger.

I binged this series in 2 days. I don't know how people waited for the next book when this series originally came out. Its been on my TBR for a few years so it was nice to finally get to it.

This was SO GOOD! If you've ever had a struggle with your father and questioned God in a time of struggle you can absolutely relate with the characters in this book. Not to mention, it kept you on your toes the entire book. There's a mystery along with a found family aspect and a beautiful story of faith and finding faith and it ends in quite the cliffhanger. I enjoyed it immensely and will absolutely be continuing the series.

I bought a physical copy of this book a while ago wanting to read it 📕 so I thought this was the perfect chance to start the series 📚 And oh my gosh 😮 I am HOOKED! I’ve already got the next audio from the library and am a couple chapters in 🤭

Casey. After finding her friend brutally murdered and knowing all evidence points back to her 😶‍🌫️ Casey runs. I absolutely adore Casey 💗She’s such a strong and kind FMC 🫶🏼 and she’s SMART 👏🏻 I can’t wait to watch her find Jesus 💛

Dylan. When his childhood best friend is brutally murdered 💔 Dylan is hired to track Casey down and bring her to justice 🚔 But as he learns more and more about Casey, he realizes not everything is as it seems 🔍

This book had me SHOOK 😱 From page one I was so invested and when it ended I didn’t know what to do with myself 😂 Seriously one of the best suspense books I’ve read 🤯The audio was fantastic and I can’t wait to continue listening to this series!

⚠️ CW: descriptions of d3ad bodies, violence, talk of su!cide, k!dnapping, implied r*pe victim, PSTD (on page episodes) ⚠️

If I Run pulled me in from the first page and never let go. Casey is a compelling character you can’t help but root for, and the suspense had me guessing the whole way through. Terri Blackstock perfectly blends action, emotion, and mystery. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read the next in the series!

Exhilarating!! I couldn't put it down and I went on a binge and listened to book 2 and 3, equally thrilling! If you like The Chemist by Stephanie Myers you'd love this Christian version of someone running for their lives from corrupt authorities! So funny that this book and the Chemist were published in the same year too. But this one is clean with the same suspense! The narrator was amazing!