Does the truth really set you free? Paige Hall doubts it, after her boyfriend Justin tells her he’s over it, leaving her with a broken heart and crushed dreams. When Justin disappears, she can’t help but try to find out what happened to him. But when the more she searches, the more problems arise, she can’t help but wonder if it would be better to just accept the lie…
Christian fiction for young adults is quickly becoming a genre I read a lot of. It’s not because it’s my favorite genre. It isn’t. But, my children are getting older and I want to know what they’re reading is good and wholesome and encouraging. My children are growing and learning and I want what they read to not be a stumbling block. We can’t unsee or unread what we’ve allowed to enter our minds.
I’ll Take the Lie brings you a reality where the truth is stranger than the lie and where when you search for the truth you wonder if you should have possibly just left the lie as your truth.
This is a well-written book. I enjoyed reading it. But I’m on the fence on whether I think my 15-year-old daughter should read it. There is a lot of “real life” stuff in the book and lots of relationship issues both with parents and friends. In my personal opinion, this book would be better suited for an older teen or even a college-age person.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
With a family that seems to be experiencing a lot of dysfunctional circumstances and having difficulty communicating with each other, this story caught my attention. Paige, a high school senior, refuses to take the disappearance of her former boyfriend at face value. She decides to investigate on her on to try to find out what actually happened to him.
Told from Paige’s point of view, the author does a great job of building Paige’s backstory. I loved reading about family dynamics, even though tension and more were evident. Reading how Paige planned on investigating the disappearance of Justin, I had a feeling bad things might happen as a result.
I definitely wanted to keep reading to discover how the story was going to turn out. So check this book out for yourself and see what you think.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
As I read Paige Hall’s story, I was reminded once again how blessed I was to grow up in a Christian home. Paige’s parents drink alcohol and they aren’t always faithful to each other so their three children are growing up with negative influences, to say the least. As her story begins, Paige doesn’t know why her boyfriend Justin broke up with her and she doesn’t know why he has suddenly disappeared. As she begins to search for answers, she seems to be the only one really concerned that he is gone. It is as her search continues that we get a glimpse of just how troubling her life truly is!
I’ll Take the Lie offers readers a mystery
and a realistic portrayal of the temptations that today’s teens face. Topics such as teen drinking, use of drugs, and sexual intimacy are mentioned and Paige discovers a shocking secret as her search for Justin continues. When Paige questions if she should have left the truth unsaid, she is reminded by her Christian friend Amy that “The truth is always better, Paige. It might hurt, but it’s the real thing. We can’t live fairytale lives.” Or, as the Bible tells us in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
There isn’t a strong faith message spoken but Paige’s friend Amy is a positive Christian influence and her Christian witness gives Paige a look at forgiveness and redemption. I’ll Take the Lie is a well-written and thought-provoking book by Nancy E. Wood and I recommend it to both teen and adult readers.
I received a copy from the author and Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and these are my own thoughts.