If You Only Knew by Prerna Pickett

If You Only Knew

by Prerna Pickett

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 vandalise 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.

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

4 of 5 stars

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Corey had just finished serving his time for a crime he didn't commit, but he quickly fell back into old patterns. After vandalizing the home of the lawyer, who prosecuted his case, he found himself back in trouble. The prosecutor's daughter suggested giving Corey a second chance, an opportunity to redeem himself, as she herself was seeking redemption. Sparks inevitably flew, but would these two be able to overcome their past and forge a future together?

• Pro: I had so much sympathy for Corey and his situation. He felt stuck in this life of gang violence, drugs, and Mr. X. He did what he had to, in order to protect his family. He deserved better, and I wanted better for him, because I could see there was so much more to him than the gang banger he was assumed to be.

• Pro: Corey and Tessa had great chemistry, but they also connected on a much deeper level. Both had pasts they needed to reconcile, and they needed to believe they could move forward despite their previous indiscretions. It wasn't easy, given their ties to certain people, but they stood a better chance together than apart.

• Pro: Both Corey and Tessa were being raised in single parent homes, and each was blessed with a wonderful parent. The love and support was there, and some of my favorite moments in this book featured Tessa's dad or Corey's mom.

• Pro: There were so many challenges, so many roadblocks, and a few surprise twists in this story. I have to say, well played Ms. Pickett. There were some things I saw coming, but there were also a few things that caught me off guard.

• Pro: This was a pretty gritty story, but it had these beautiful "soft" parts and some humor too, which put a stupid grin on my face. And, hooray for a very satisfying ending, as well.

• Pro: I loved the overall theme of family and second chances. Sometimes people are victims of their circumstances, and are not presented with many options, like Corey, but he had people who believed in him, and were willing to go that extra mile. It was beautiful to see.

Overall: This was a gritty, but touching story of second chances and redemption, which was that much better with the addition of a romance between two characters, who I couldn't stop rooting for.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 January, 2020: Finished reading
  • 17 January, 2020: Reviewed