Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter
Rating: 3/5
I will forever and always be a fan of Ally Carter even as I grow older and find the writing more childish I don’t even care I love it all! (Once a Gallagher Girl, Always a Gallagher Girl)
So this (standalone) book is about Maddie, the daughter of the head of Secret Service for the President. She’s also best friends with the First Son (Logan). Within the first chapter, crazy stuff happens involving Russians and spies and kidnapping attempts all leading to the main plot: Maddie living in the middle-of-nowhere Alaska. Six years later (with no contact with anyone except her dad, Logan shows up (…and now he’s hot, which really bugs Maddie).
Now let me tell you, Maddie (or “Mad Dog”) is FIERCE. I instantly fell in love with her character. She’s strong, sassy, smart. In other words, she could kick my butt and I would probably thank her. She has spent six years learning to survive on her own in some crazy vicious part of Alaska. Me? I can’t even go to Canada for vacation without crying about cold. She bedazzles her accessories (like her knives) and her opinion on chapstick is universal (chapped lips are the WORST).
When Ally Carter promoted this book she said Logan was better than Zach (from the GG series, the original heartthrob spy boy of every girl’s dreams) and I was skeptical. But I understand now why. Logan was great! It was awesome to see a guy who wasn’t afraid to admit he had no idea what to do. He wasn’t afraid to cry or show some emotion. He was sassy, and funny, and just overall amazing.
The plot was really engaging and I couldn’t put this book down! Without spoiling, that’s honestly all I can tell you. I didn’t expect a lot of things to happen and I was honestly terrified that it really was going to end on a cliffhanger when I got closer to the end, but it was very satisfying. The only reason I’m rating it a 3 is because it was a middle-grade/YA style novel. I didn’t have to think very much (which is great for me and just what I needed) but I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who doesn’t read YA regularly like I do. It’s so strange reading YA with teenagers now because I feel so old now reading about kids (that are so much more accomplished than I am) but it’s still fun. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fun quick read, conspiracies and spies, has read the Gallagher Girls series, and enjoys strong female characters!
Star is All Booked Up 