IF I’D KNOWN (Cursed #1) by REBECCA DONOVAN

Complete Spoiler-free Review

‘I wonder if I’m the only one who sees it – the weakness within us. I don’t know if we’re born cursed or if it’s bestowed upon us at some pivotal moment in our lives, but it defines us and ultimately leads to our demise. So we can either accept it or live in denial. Most live in denial, holing out hope for their “Happily ever after.”’

Rebecca Donovan has always had a special place in our reading hearts, her words first stole our breaths over six years ago and she’s never failed to wow us with her stories. They’re always compelling, brilliantly written and have such depth and detail. Along the pages, she passes on messages of life and wisdom through her wonderful characters. We’ve been waiting patiently for her next book as we knew we’d be guaranteed that within those pages we’d find her heart and soul intricately woven into her words. We were not wrong. Rebecca Donovan is unique in the way she writes, you’d recognise her words anywhere but you’d only find them in her stories.

‘I’ve come to accept that, regardless of how honest and silent I am, the truth is fated to destroy my life.’

Lana is a very clued up fifteen year old. Hard exterior and a no-nonsense attitude that doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She is older than her years in so many ways, yet underneath all that lies a dormant vulnerable teenager. Whilst she seldom makes an appearance we saw glimpses of her. Lana is honesty personified; a sweet and caring daughter to her single Mum whose life is changed dramatically when one fateful night puts her in the company of someone whose actions will have dire repercussions. Secrets, lies, and omissions will suddenly turn this honest girl’s life upside down…

“If I can tell you one thing…it’s don’t think that anyone’s ever going to give you anything in this life. If you want it, you have to fight for it, even if that means drawing blood.”

We loved If I’d Known so much we wish we had the next book in this series already. It felt like a step back in time to the books we used to read and love. Old school YA angst if you will. What a fabulous start to a series we just know will be everything we love. Dark, hard hitting, cold and sombre with an innocence that’s been provoked by life.

“Lying is the worst kind of betrayal. Don’t ever lie to protect someone from the truth. Untrue words hurt as much as a knife to the heart.”