Friday, September 12, 2014

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You - Review

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls, # 1)

By: Ally Carter

Published: May 1st 2006 by Disney-Hyperion (first published April 1st 2006)

284 pages

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery

Source: Audiobook Sync Free Download

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

I love when I go into an audiobook not expecting a lot. I find that low expectations really help me enjoy a book more. And that’s exactly what happened with I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You. I ended up starting this book when I did because of the length. It was a fairly short book and I wanted something I could finish quickly. As it turns out, this book was really enjoyable and even kind of funny at times. I don’t know that I’ll have much to say about it though.

Cammie was a decent heroine. She’s like royalty at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women (aka spy school for girls). Everyone knows who she is both because her mother is head mistress and because everyone knows how her father died on a mission. She’s a great student and as far as spy stuff goes, she’s called “the Chameleon” because she blends into the background when she wants. She’s developed this skill over the years and she’s become used to being looked over, around, and through even if she is notorious. But when Josh, a local teen boy, actually sees Cammie she can’t get him out of her mind. Thus Cammie and her friends set out to investigate Josh to ensure he’s who he says he is.

Cammie’s cluelessness about boys and regular teenage life is exactly what pulled me in for this book. This is where the humor came in and was the best thing I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You had going for it. At one part I literally laughed out loud. I just wasn’t expecting to laugh out loud which made it all the more funny to me. I wish that humor was just a bit more present throughout though. That probably would have bumped it up another notch for me because I do love a book that can make me laugh out loud.

Josh was endearing. I loved the fact that where so many others passed Cammie by, Josh zeroed in on her. He saw her. And he was everything a first crush needs to be. At the same time, I really liked Cammie’s friends too, Liz and Bex. They rounded out the story nicely.

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You was an easy, lighthearted, and fun read listen for me. It wasn’t earth-shattering in any way. But if you’re looking for something light and fun that might even cause you to laugh out loud, then check this one out. It kind of reminded me of Carter Finally Gets It, but Carter was a bit more laugh-out-loud for me. I’m interested in checking out the other books in this series, but not to the point of hunting them down or “I have to read the next book immediately.” So we’ll just have to see what happens.

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You gets 3 Stars from me. Have you read I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You? What did you think? Let me know!

9 comments:

  1. I remember reading this series a couple years ago. I agree, this book (and the later ones) were a really fun read! I normally don't like romance at all (even as a subplot), but this one I kinda liked. The whole spy-school thing wasn't cliche or part of the background setting; it became fresh and as much a part of the story as the characters. And Liz and Bex are awesome characters, too -- I almost liked Bex more than Cammie.

    Anyways, glad you enjoyed the book! It's always great to pick up an awesome book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh wow. I guess I had no idea that there was a deeper story arc runs throughout the whole series. I love when authors are able to do that so you might have just convinced me to check the other books out. :) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting Esty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Between you and Esty, I'm kind of being convinced to check out the other books and continue the series. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love love love Ally Carter's Heist Society books, so I've wondered if I should try these! This sounds like a really great, light read, and I always love those! I knew it was about teenage spies, but not exactly this. I love the idea of Cammie having to figure out regular people. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love that there is humor in this mystery. I think my oldest would love these mysteries.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, light and quick and fun is exactly how I would describe this series. Cammie definitely has a lot to learn about typical teenage behavior. I think I'll read the other books, but I'm not sure when. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Rachel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh yes, I love when a book can make me laugh out loud. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Kimba!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This series is fantastic on audio! And, these series gets better and better with each book.
    I would definitely recommend that you finish this series. It's one of my favorites on audio!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh good to know! Often I get annoyed because my library doesn't always offer all the books in a particular series in the same format. So I'll have to try to make sure I get these on audio. I definitely think the audio version contributed to how much I liked this one. Thanks Jennifer!

    ReplyDelete