by Prerna Pickett
Published on February 11, 2020 by Swoon Reads
Format: ARC
Pages: 304
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Corey has just been released from jail, and all he wants is a new beginning. But when his former gang comes knocking, Corey agrees to vandalize the home of Kent Hopper, the prosecutor who put him away.
To erase the guilt she carries from getting away with a crime, Tessa spends most of her nights riding her motorcycle. When she catches Corey destroying her father’s car, she doesn’t see a criminal: She sees a way to finally right her own wrongs. So instead of turning Corey over to the police, she convinces her father to give Corey a second chance.
As Tessa and Corey spend more time with each other, it becomes difficult to ignore the pull between them. But they’re both keeping secrets, and when those secrets come to light, they’ll each have to face their demons in order to have a future together.
Good girl falls for troubled bad boy. I’ve read this same story so many times, and I’m honestly so bored with it. Going into If You Only Knew, I didn’t have high hopes. It turns out I was right. I think it’s a book that would be perfect for someone wanting a quick little formulaic YA romance. It needed to really be outstanding for me to enjoy it and it just wasn’t. Sorry book, it’s not you, it’s me.
Like I said, this story has been done. If You Only Knew might be a little more on the gritty side than most, but it still boiled down to “bad boy isn’t actually bad, he’s just mixed up with the wrong people so good girl falls for him.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with that premise, but I was so bored reading it. Everything that happened was so predictable in the first half, and I gave up when I realized I could probably guess at everything in the second half too.
The characters were just as predictable and bland. I honestly can’t even remember their names at this point. They fell flat for me, simple cookie cutter versions of the same characters I’ve read before in better books. The instant attraction between the two leads didn’t ring true. I mean, the guy literally had just broken into the girl’s house. Doesn’t matter how cute he is, maybe don’t immediately trust him the next day?
The pacing was good though. The story moved quickly, always forward, with a good balance between slow moments and action-y bits. And the writing itself wasn’t actually bad. But those things weren’t enough to redeem this one for me.
Overall, I think that If You Only Knew is a good read for less picky readers. I didn’t like it, but others definitely will. I wanted a fresh take on an overdone story and didn’t get that, which ultimately left me bored. But someone who maybe hasn’t read that same story fifty times could really end up enjoying this book. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Also: again, what is up with these ugly covers?? I think I just don’t like the art style on this one because it is extremely off-putting to look at. It might be the eyebrows. *shudders*
About Katie
I'm a twenty-something aspiring writer who really, really needs to get back to revisions. I've been reviewing books since 2014, and am determined to somehow make stories my day job. I truly think that every book out there contains something good and is meant for somebody.
I’m so tired of YA books where the female character can overlook anything because she’s so caught up in how good-looking the guy is.