I don't know why I requested this one as I don't normally enjoy small town romance vibes. Not enough danger, action, or passion for me.

Author Lisa Renee Jones is returning to her Inside Out series with this book, If I Were You. I really liked the cover and the blurb I found very appealing. There was just something about the story that didn’t appeal to me.

I liked Chris, and the mystery aspect of the story. If I had to put my finger on it, I think it was the main character Sara. I’m not exactly keen on her fascination of Rebecca, it not exactly a healthy thing. Hmmm… Seems to me we have a term for that. And now I have in my head that Sara resembles Jennifer Jason Leigh. O.o

And of course there is a cliff hanger. *Sighs* I’m undecided if I’m going to continue on with the series. Normally LRJ’s books are an insta-click for me. Maybe I need to read Rebecca’s Lost Journals myself before I decide to fish or cut bait.


Stars: 2.5
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did not have a chance to read this book, but it is effecting my feedback rating. I am giving books 5 stars that I haven't read to improve my feedback rating. I am not recommending the book for my classroom or students since I have not read the book. There needs to be a better system of leaving feedback for books not read.

Damn, this book is /GOOD/.

I've had this book on my read to review list for what seems like forever. I received an ARC through NetGalley, but for whatever reason have never come around to read it, for which I apologize profusely. Knowing what I do now, I wish I had read it sooner, because, holy moly, this book is pulling me in and making me forget everything except the words on the pages. It is making me turn pages like nothing else matters. I'm hanging on every word, reading with a thrill going through me. And let me tell you, I've missed this feeling. As much as I wish I had read this book sooner, I'm glad I didn't, because I'm quite certain I would not have appreciated the complexity of the book as much as I do now. Its dark intensity, haunting suspense and arousing mysteriousness... It keeps you guessing, that's for sure.

This one really had an interesting premise. Sara “inherits” a storage locker from a friend of hers. She begins reading the owner’s journals and fears for her safety. Sara quickly finds herself emerged in Rebecca’s life. I enjoyed the book but overall it was a bit slow going for my taste. I do want to see how Sara and Chris’s relationship will work out now that she knows his big “secret”. Strong start to the series and I am very curious about what is going to happen in the next book.
(3.5 stars)

I was unable to finish the book, but thank you for the opportunity.

I had every intention of reading this book and writing an honest review but it expired before I had the chance. My apologies, If you like to resend it to me I would be happy to get it reviewed,

I truly enjoy this book, it kept me reading till the end. I would certainly be reading more of this amazing author. I suggest you read it, you will certainly won’t be disappointed. I read the summary and got very interested. Thank you for the opportunity I will look forward for more from this author.

Part romance, part mystery, 'If I Were You' tells the story of a schoolteacher turned investigator by chance. When Sara's best friend, Ella, gifts her the contents of a storage unit that she purchased at an auction, Sara becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to the original owner of the belongings.

Amongst the belongings, are the personal journals of a woman named Rebecca. She pours her heart out in her journals, revealing her most private desires and chronicling her sexual interactions with an unnamed man she referred to as her master. It is clear that Rebecca came to dread the sexual games she shared with this man and decided to leave him. Then, the trail goes cold.

When Sara decides to try and track Rebecca down to return her belongings, she soon finds herself stepping into her shoes. Sara is hired by the domineering Mark to fill in for Rebecca at the art gallery where she worked. While trying to navigate this new and intimidating world of the wealthy elite, Sara begins to question whether or not Rebecca has fallen into harms way and who might be involved.

Sara also begins a sexual relationship with the famous artist, Chris Merit. From the start, he makes it clear that he isn't the "happily ever after" type of guy. However, the two grow inexplicably closer and soon boundaries are crossed. Despite the fact that they're both keeping secrets, they cannot seem to stay away from each other.

I really enjoyed this book. My kind of book. 😁

I read this quite some time ago (before I was active with my Net Galley account). It's probably a decent book for its genre, but at the time it felt very much like a clone of three or four other popular books I'd read.