Terri Blackstock’s If I Run kicks off like a shot and doesn’t let up. When Casey Cox finds her best friend murdered—and her own DNA at the scene—she bolts. Not because she’s guilty, but because she knows the police won’t believe her. With a traumatic past and deep distrust of law enforcement, Casey is on the run with only her instincts.
Enter Dylan Roberts, a war vet with PTSD, hired to bring her in. At first, he believes she’s guilty. But as he digs deeper, the story doesn’t add up—and neither does Casey.
Told in alternating points of view, the book builds tension and empathy as the stakes climb. Both characters are compelling. Casey is smart and resourceful without feeling superhuman, and Dylan is flawed but principled.
This isn’t just a chase story. Blackstock weaves in themes of justice, trauma, and trust. Some moments stretch believability, but the emotional weight keeps it grounded. With fast pacing, clean writing, and a plot that grabs hold, If I Run earns 4½ stars.
This is book one in a trilogy—and after that cliffhanger, I’ll be grabbing book two ASAP.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for a cop of the eBook and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.