I loved the suspense in this book. It makes the book so enjoyable to read.

Terri Blackstock’s books used to be high on my to-be-read list for years; however I had not read any of her newer works in recent years. So I decided it was time to pick up her latest book and rediscover what I liked about this author’s writing.

The first thing I noticed was that this book is told in the first person, second that it is written in the present tense. To tell you the truth, it took some time for me to get used to this writing style – but when I got into it, I was spellbound and did not want to stop reading.

Being accused of murder, Casey is running from the real killers. She’s smart and knows how to stay out of the hands of the cops. Hired to track down Casey, Dylan is slowly convinced that this girl can’t be a murderer. What will he do when he finds her – IF he finds her?

This book comes with unexpected twists and turns, great suspense, and will make you anticipate the sequel.

Terri Blackstock hit this one out of the park. I was drawn into Casey's character and her story. The plot was fast paced and engaging. I do wish that this book did not end in such a huge cliff hanger. I was totally into the story when it abruptly stopped. I will be waiting for the next in the series.

Terri Blackstock has done it again! I loved this book! This one kept me up until 2am so that I could finish it and guess what.....I can't wait for the next one! I enjoyed the mystery and liked the characters. I will highly recommend this book to our library patrons. I received a galley copy from Net Galley and was able to read it before publication.

Another exceptional mystery novel by Terri Blackstock with Christian emphasis. Anxious for a sequel.

If I Run is fascinating, fast-paced suspense. It is written in first-person, present tense, alternating between Casey's and Dylan's point of view. While this perspective took a bit to get used to, once I did, I felt like I was right there with Casey and Dylan, experiencing the action as they did.

Casey's journey is particularly compelling, as she runs for her life and tries to stay out of anyone's notice but can't help caring for those she meets who are in need. Her quest to set things right—both in her own life and in a missing persons case she finds herself mixed up in—puts her in grave danger, yet she simply cannot walk away.

When the novel ends, some things are wrapped up, but Casey's story isn't resolved, giving me hope for another book in the future. I've never before read a book quite like If I Run, which is suspenseful without being grisly. I highly recommend it! 4-1/2 stars.

Wow!( I've been a fan of Terri Blackstock's for a long time!) This book is amazing! I was immediately engrossed in the story and I was up all night because I had to find out what happened next.

Casey is a complicated character. In the very beginning, all that's disclosed is that she might have murdered her best friend. She's intelligent, persistent and committed. As she searches for the real killer she discovers many secrets that have been hidden for a long time. Dylan is also complicated. He has dealt with many losses in his life. As he struggles to comprehend his friends death, he too realizes that everything is not as it seems. Miss Lucy is my favorite! She's friendly and someone you can trust. She'd give you the shirt off her back and smile while doing it.

The really great thing that I like about Casey is that she selflessly puts herself out there to help others. Even when she's running for her life, she takes the time to rescue a kidnapped woman and her baby. I like also the fact that she starts out questioning God but as she faces more trials and meets Dylan, she starts to realize that God is real and has a plan for her life.

The ending of this book is a cliffhanger.... I can't wait to find out what happens next!

I received a complimentary copy of the book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If I Run is the first book in the If I Run series by Terri Blackstock. This well written Christian suspense story starts out with action, suspense and mystery that never ends. This story has so many twist and turns, it kept me reading just to find out what would happen next.

Casey finds her friend Brent murdered. Fearing she’ll be blamed for his death and sent to prison, she flees. Casey is a very intelligent person who thinks things through. She is very detailed with trying to out smart the police with buying tickets under different names, getting off before her scheduled stop. Yet she has a conscience that she struggles with when she buys another person’s name.

Dylan has been hired by Brent’s parents to find Casey. Being apast Criminal Investigator for the Army, he is very skilled in what he needs to do to find her. Yet he finds resistance from the police force to supply him with the information he feels he need.

I enjoyed reading this story. I always struggle with why the innocent run away instead of calling law enforcement when the find a crime. Yet this story points out reasons Casey would fear for her safety. I appreciate the background information the author provides on what happened years earlier in Casey’s family and why that has affected her actions now. I like how determined Dylan is to find Casey as fast as possible. I found it interesting that he would also try to solve the crime, even when it was not his place. It was enjoyable to see how the two interacted and how Dylan was drawn to Casey to keep her safe and find the real killer. It was interesting to see how this crime was connected to Casey’s father’s death.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

If I Run
By Terri Blackstock
Publisher: Zondervan Fiction
Series: Book 1 of If I Run Series
Rated: 5
Back of the Book: “Casey didn't kill her friend Brent. She discovered his body, but she'd never try to hurt him. He's the only person she's ever trusted enough to tell the truth about what happened to her father . . . and there's no doubt in her mind that Brent was killed trying to help her prove it. She has to run before they get to her too.
Dylan Roberts was hired to find Casey and bring her back so that justice can be served. As a former Criminal Investigator for the Army, he can't imagine that tracking down one girl will be that difficult.
But the more elusive Casey turns out to be, the more Dylan digs into her past to try to determine what she might be thinking. What he finds there doesn't fit the profile of a killer at all. She's unlike any other fugitive he's ever seen.
The police refuse to discuss any other possibilities. There's something more going on here. Something more to this fugitive who has captured his attention. Now he just has to figure out what it is . . . and Casey just has to stay one step ahead of everyone who's after her.”
Impressions: This is really a review of the whole series as this is not stand alone novel and you’re not going to want to miss the rest of the story. This was written in first person which was a change up for me. I enjoyed the suspense and characters of this story. This was a page turner with a wild chase. Finishing this book had me rushing to get into the next until there were no more pages to turn. This is one of those series that you get invested in and when it’s over it is bittersweet. I loved it though.

Quotes: “You can’t just check out and think it will all be over. It won’t be over for anyone who loves you.”

“The Lord sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to deepen us,’ Miss Lucy says. ‘This is one of those times.’ ‘Why do we have to be deep?’ I wondered aloud. Miss Lucy looks at me as if she’s never considered that question. ‘Because what good are we if we’re shallow? He (God)can use us when we have some depth. He had sorrows, so why shouldn’t we?”

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

This was a very good book. It was well-written. I would highly recommend this book. It's very easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Y’all, If I Run starts at a sprint and never slows down. Casey Cox is on the run—not because she’s guilty, but because the system’s failed her. Her DNA’s at the scene, and her past is full of shadows.

Enter Dylan, a war-torn vet hired to bring her in. But the more he digs, the less the pieces fit. Is Casey a killer—or the only honest person in the mess?

This one smells like danger, tastes like motel coffee, and reads like a prayer whispered on the run. With dual POVs, breakneck twists, and a steady beat of heart and faith, this story grabs you and doesn’t let go.

⭐ Verdict: If you like thrillers with brains and soul—run, don’t walk.