The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan | Review

Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: July 2, 2019
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: standalone
My rating:

Synopsis
In New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s bold new novel, Evangeline Austen returns to her family’s sprawling Napa Valley ranch, determined to rebuild her life and expose the shocking truth about the past.

She’s not the naïve girl she used to be…

After serving time for a crime she didn’t commit, Evangeline returns home to a cold welcome. Her mother blames her for her father’s death, and her brothers want her out of their way. When Evangeline learns she’s solely responsible for their failing ranch—putting her family’s future squarely on her shoulders—she’ll have to find a creative way to save their home before they lose it all.

She’ll have her reckoning...

Her only ally: the cop who sent her away. Chris Chambers is positive she went to prison to protect someone else. He strikes a deal: help him track down the real criminals in exchange for clearing her name. But the closer Evangeline and Chris get to exposing the truth—and to each other—the deeper Evangeline is drawn into a dangerous sting that could finally bring her justice…or put her dreams on hold permanently.

She’ll fight for the life she always wanted…

Everyone’s lives moved on while Evangeline’s stood still. Now she has a chance to rebuild her family ranch, her life, and expose the people who put her away, so she can become the woman she was always meant to be.

I was very eager to pick up this book because I don't remember ever reading about an ex-convict heroine--it's usually the heroes who serve a stint in prison. I was very curious how it will play out in the story and I have to say, it did not disappoint! Actually, The Me I Used to Be has a very interesting premise altogether...

We have a young woman, Evangeline Austen, who had served four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, but she's not talking. She's clearly protecting someone, but who? Then, we have the arresting officer, Chris Chambers, who had every complicated feelings for Evangeline. But, when the chance to clear her record comes up, Chris and Evangeline must work together to expose the truth. On the flip side, we also have some intense family drama because while Evangeline was in prison the only person who had tried to visit her was her father, who she had refused to see. When she got out, her entire family (especially her mother) blames her for putting her father in an early grave and wants nothing to do with her. BUT, in her father's will states that Evangeline gets the final decision on the future of her family's failing ranch, which got her whole family in an uproar.

I was seriously hooked during the first half of the book--I was dying to know who was Evangeline covering for and why. It was frustrating how tight-lipped Evangeline was, especially with her mom verbally attacking and condemning her at every opportunity. I was screaming JUST TELL THE TRUTH ALREADY!!!! while throwing my book across the room [well, pantomiming because I didn't want to damage my book]. Oh man, did my roiling feelings made me turn the pages faster though. When the truth finally came out, I became much more calm but still highly invested in the story as Evangeline kind of had to work undercover to get the evidence Chris needed to put the actual baddies in prison.

I did not always agree with the decisions Evangeline made, but I rooted for her to finally get her well-deserved happily ever after. I love that she just didn't jump into dangerous situations willy-nilly, but instead carefully thought about covering herself and getting backup. Hooray for smart heroines! And also hooray for awesome female friendships, because I love Evangeline and her best friend Jill's relationship. I did want to throat-punch her family though, but I get it. Still, Evangeline was a saint because I personally would've just given them a big FU and let them rot in their crummy ranch.

As for Chris, he was okay. I didn't dislike him, but I have lukewarm feelings toward him in terms of the romance. It kind of bordered on insta-love in my opinion. Fortunately, the romance took a backseat in this one, which I appreciated since I was way more interested in the family drama and getting the bad guys.

Overall, The Me I Used to Be was an entertaining read with a heroine to root for, interesting secondary characters, engrossing family drama, just enough mystery and thrill to keep the tension up, and enough romance to satisfy. I highly recommend this book!

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