LOVE BOOK #05: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

The Love Book to be featured today is the first book of one of my favorite series of ever  by one of my favorite authors of all time.

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

(Gallagher Girls #1)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Number of Pages: 284

Date Published: April 25, 2006

Genre: Young Adult Contemporay

Goodreads:

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.

***

My Thoughts:

I read this book in 2010... back when I was a teeny bopper, super fangirl, easy-to-please girly girl myself. The plot, the cute cover, and the catchy title (I am a sucker for long catchy titles e.g. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Catastrophic History of Me and You) sold the book to me. And I really enjoyed it.

I must admit, this book is not the as perfect as I sell it out to be, and it may not be for everybody. But the series, as a whole, is just so daaaaamn amazing. With lovable characters, sassy covert operations you wish you were in on (or not), bad guys who are not afraid to hurt young girls, and an ancient boarding school with a colorful history and secrets of its own, you are sure to have one "helluva" school experience with this series.

The Gallagher Girls series is perfect for transitioning into the YA group from Middle Grade. It starts out cute, a little bit funny, and very suited for youngish readers. But as the story of Cammie and her friends gets told from book to book, and as the characters age, it becomes more serious and a bit more complex (even dangerous), less teeny-boppery and girly,.. it becomes more and more thrilling and worthwhile.

I don't really know how I can fully express my love for the Gallagher Girls books from start to end. When I started the first book, I wasn't really expecting anything big. I continued reading the next books and my love grew from there. Maybe it's because you see (or read) how the characters you've become attached to grow and change. And when the series ended, it was bittersweet. It's just like High School Musical when the gang graduated, but better and more heart-warming.

Aside from the great story, did I mention that the books have gorgeous covers and wonderful titles? I've blogged about it before. If you want to check it out, here's the link.

I have also reviewed the fifth book, Out of Sight, Out of Time. But fair warning, the review may contain a little spoiler (the names mentioned, the blurb etc...) Read at your own risk. Here's the link.

About the Author:

Ally Carter

Ally Carter writes books about spies, thieves, and teenagers. She is the New York Times Best-selling author of the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series. Her books have been published all over the world, in over twenty languages. 

ALL FALL DOWN is the first book in her highly-anticipated new series, Embassy Row. Book 2, SEE HOW THEY RUN will be in stores Dec 22, 2015. 

She encourages you to visit her online at allycarter.com and embassyrowbooks.com.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads