Book Review: If I Tell You by Alicia Tuckerman

You know you are reading an epic book when you just can’t put it down until you are finished! “If I tell you” by Alicia Tuckerman is THAT epic.
 
“If I Tell You” is full of teenage drama, secrets, fears, hate crimes, drinking, drugs, swearing and very real life issues that many teenagers face as well as one of the sweetest, most adorable love stories you’ll ever read. I love how relatable and empowering this story is, it’s full of dark and scary themes but is just gorgeous.
 
“If I Tell You” is about a girl named Alex who has a secret that she has been trying to keep because in a small town with small minded  people, she felt as if she would not be accepted. It all changed when a girl named phoenix and her family moved into Two Creeks. I also love hoe this story takes place in a beautifully described Aussie landscape as Alex and Phoenix embrace who they are and take a jump, literally and metaphorically.
 
I could really relate to “If I tell You” as I wanted to be accepted and it took me a long time feel comfortable enough to embrace the fact that I am Bisexual. So I absolutely believe that this book is perfect for all young adults and teens who are struggling with or questioning their own sexuality, but I would never limit it to just that audience either, I think books like this should be completely mainstream and available in high school libraries across the country too!
 
I absolutely fell in love with the main characters (especially phoenix) because they are so relatable and so human to me as I read more and more about them I just thought “are these real people”? They are portrayed so beautifully in this book; I am in awe of how well Tuckerman has portrayed them in this amazing book! When I was lucky enough to meet Alicia Tuckerman she mentioned that some people loved the ending but others hated it…  and I’m torn in between, without giving too much away, I found the end to be completely devastating but also poetically beautiful and peaceful, I couldn’t imagine it finishing in another way so I feel like the ending was perfect, even though I would have preferred the happily ever after we unrealistically crave.
 
This is definitely not a book for kids, it for young adults and teens, there is swearing, violence and very adult themes, it mentions sex, drinking and drugs but they are not vividly described all, it just cuts to the next scene, so no censorship required! I think it’s perfect for ages 13+ with parental permission for the younger ones.
 
I love the fabulous representation of the LGBTQ+ community and the fact that the two main charters are lesbians! It was incredible! So raw, honest and relatable! Alicia Tuckerman did an incredible job and I can’t wait for her next book to be released!
 
I challenge you to read this book without falling in love with Alex and phoenix… I bet you can’t do it!