Title: If I Die Tonight
Expected
publication: 6 March 2018
My
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟1/2
Book Description:
Late one night in the quiet Hudson Valley town of Havenkill,
a distraught woman stumbles into the police station—and lives are changed
forever.
Aimee En, once a darling of the ’80s pop music scene, claims that a teenage boy stole her car, then ran over another young man who’d rushed to help.
As Liam Miller’s life hangs in the balance, the events of that fateful night begin to come into focus. But is everything as it seems?
The case quickly consumes social media, transforming Liam, a local high school football star, into a folk hero, and the suspect, a high school outcast named Wade Reed, into a depraved would-be killer. But is Wade really guilty? And if he isn’t, why won’t he talk?
Told from a kaleidoscope of viewpoints—Wade’s mother Jackie, his younger brother Connor, Aimee En and Pearl Maze, a young police officer with a tragic past, If I Die Tonight is a story of family ties and dark secrets—and the lengths we’ll go to protect ourselves.
Aimee En, once a darling of the ’80s pop music scene, claims that a teenage boy stole her car, then ran over another young man who’d rushed to help.
As Liam Miller’s life hangs in the balance, the events of that fateful night begin to come into focus. But is everything as it seems?
The case quickly consumes social media, transforming Liam, a local high school football star, into a folk hero, and the suspect, a high school outcast named Wade Reed, into a depraved would-be killer. But is Wade really guilty? And if he isn’t, why won’t he talk?
Told from a kaleidoscope of viewpoints—Wade’s mother Jackie, his younger brother Connor, Aimee En and Pearl Maze, a young police officer with a tragic past, If I Die Tonight is a story of family ties and dark secrets—and the lengths we’ll go to protect ourselves.
My musings:
I once read this quote in a book, and it has stayed with me:
“You’re only ever as happy as your unhappiest child.” (unfortunately I have
forgotten where I read it, or I would give due credit to the author). How true!
This is the situation Jackie finds herself in, a single mother trying her best
to raise her two teenage sons. Her older son Wade has been distant and
secretive lately, estranged from his peers, a loner who rarely smiles. What has
happened to the happy little boy who used to laugh and play, her precious first
born? Ever since her husband left her for another woman and cut off all contact
with his sons, Wade has been angry and distant. Then one night a car is stolen
and a teenager killed in a hit-and-run. Straight away suspicion falls on the
weird kid, the outsider – where was Wade that night? And why won’t he do
anything to defend himself? Caught up in the most horrible of situations,
Jackie can only do one thing – believe in her child.
If I Die Tonight is a heartbreaking book in so many ways. As
a mother who has seen her children through the turbulent years of teenagehood I could relate to Jackie’s confusion and pain,
and the feeling of powerlessness and failure to not be able to “fix” things for
her unhappy child. My heart bled for her as things start to go wrong and her
child stands accused of a crime. As Jackie goes through a range of emotions –
sorrow, pain, frustration, anger and guilt – I reflected on how difficult it is
to raise children in a world where conformity rules, where society makes
scapegoats of people who dare to be different from the norm. This was such an
emotional rollercoaster ride! And once social media gets involved, things turn
really ugly. Gaylin has done a brilliant job in portraying the judgment imposed
by people on social media, the media frenzy and the ensuing witch-hunt. It was
scary, and had my heart racing in utter horror as I tried to put myself in
Jackie’s shoes. Whether guilty or not, this teenager was being tried and
convicted by people’s opinions without any evidence, let alone a fair trial.
Told from several viewpoints, including excerpts of social
media feeds, Gaylin tells a compelling story that will tug on every parent’s
heartstrings. Each and every character is believable and well rounded, giving a
different perspective to the situation., right up until its surprising finale. I
especially liked Pearl, who made a most intriguing character, and her side
story was fascinating – I would love to see her back in another mystery. The
ending certainly packs a punch, and I did not see that one coming at all!
Summary:
If I Die Tonight is a slow burning, character driven family
drama with an intriguing mystery at its very heart that will tug on every parent’s
heartstrings. Tackling contemporary issues such as single parenthood, peer
pressure, mental health, mob mentality and the impact of social media on our
lives, it would make for interesting bookclub discussions or personal
reflection. I really enjoyed Gaylin’s writing style and look forward to reading
more from this author!
Thank
you to Edelweiss and William Morrow Paperbacks for the free electronic copy of this novel and
for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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