The Me I Used to Be audiobook

This one started off very strongly. Plenty of mystery and a gutsy, don't-mess-with me heroine.I couldn't wait for the mother to have to eat humble pie. That ending was worth waiting for, for that alone.Things got a bit hackneyed after about 50%, but I would still give this one a 3.8 out of 5, just for the intelligent writing style and the entertainment value. (I've never watched Orange is the New Black, but it almost tempted me to give it a go. I rarely watch TV, though, so I doubt that I will! I'm not into watching violent series.)

I really enjoyed this book!!! I read this in one sitting because I could not put this down. There are a couple storylines woven into this story and it fits nicely. The story begins with Evangeline facing a parole board after serving 4 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. She is released but is escorted out by the officer who arrested her, Chris. Chris makes her a deal to expunge her prison record and she agrees. He escorts her home to her family ranch where she faces her family who is so bitter and angry at her because they blame her for her fauther's death who recently passed away. She is filled with guilt and because she has no place to go, she is forced to stay with her family. Chris's deal involves the reason for Evangeline's time in prison........he believes she is innocent and wants to solve this crime. He believes she also went to prison to protect someone that she cares for. Evangeline wants to move on with her life and will agree to Chris's risky plan to catch the real criminals. While she is managing this plan, she is also trying to reconnect with her mother, who is so angry at her, and her two brothers who have distanced themselves from their sister while she was gone. This changes as her father's will requires her to be the decision maker of how the family ranch must be managed. One brother wants to sell, while the other wants to keep the ranch. Her father trusted her to use her to make the best decision and the pressure to find the best choice is weighing heavily with her.This author adds a love story that is not forced and feels like someting that the main character deserves. I really liked the layers of storytelling as you felt ineganged immediately. Alot of healing, forgiveness and feels, many feels. Evangeline's character is very strong and you are cheering her on as she embraces her independence and elevating the "me she used to be".

Captivating ~ Enjoyable ~ Satisfyingtl;dr: Post-conviction daugther returns to family farm to fix things. This book is like a Romance writer scripted the afterlife for the character from Orange is the New Black. The story has so many expected tropes: jealous siblings, insta-tropes, heart-of-gold lawman. Yet, Ryan seems to turn the expected into something surprising. This fast read is incredibly satisfying. The main characters are appealing, certainly, but Ryan's strength might be her pacing. The mystery at the center of the main characters convinction unfolds in an enjoyable pace. I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. Great summer read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|

Rated 4.5 - THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Ryan is a breath of fresh air for romance readers in need of the unusual mixed with the unexpected.Anyone who follows my reviews understands I’m an eclectic reader, but do you know that my core prefers romance? Not the same-old-same-old we’ve come to expect. There is a formula romance authors follow to give us what we want. Romance readers don’t always like it when an author meanders away from that formula. I do – I want the unusual and unexpected.THE ME I USED TO BE is the perfect example of an author who takes a risk that pays off in an excellent story.Read the review in full color at my blog, TheZestQuest.com.This novel begins on the day Evangeline Austen is released from prison. The first lines in this story set the stage for an emotional, and sometimes shocking, story. We know Evangeline is covering for someone, but who? And who is this cop who thinks he’ll bribe her with her freedom to tell him the truth? Surely, Lieutenant Chris Chambers is NOT the hero of this possible love story?Evangeline is a sympathetic heroine but she’s not a wimp. Prison taught her to trust no one except herself. She’s scarred on the outside, as much as the inside, from her experience. But she made good use of her four years behind bars by earning a college degree she can use to turn her life around.Evangeline returns home amidst turmoil. Her father died. The remaining family feels that her imprisonment, and refusal to see her father, is the cause. The family business is in trouble. This is where she has to live until parole allows something else. Can she make it on the outside?THE ME I USED TO BE is very addictive. One shocking thing after another happens to make Evangeline’s world impossible for most people. But that’s where her strength proves to be essential. If they’re going to get out of this mess as a loving family, Evangeline needs to use her gifts to their best advantage.It was hard for me to imagine that Chris would ever turn out to be a believable hero. He is tough, but he has a soft spot for Evangeline. I couldn’t figure out why, at first, but once I did, then I understood how this was meant to be.That doesn’t mean this story is easy. Far from it. What it does mean is that author Jennifer Ryan is a gifted storyteller. She made me believe what I never thought possible.Did I love everything and the way it was done in this book? Of course, not – I’m a Romantic Suspense (RS) critic who is always looking for that perfect style I crave. I didn’t love everything about the RS portion. Some of you will absolutely love it. I also didn’t like how some of the bad guy stuff caused more bad things to happen to more good people. But it had to be that way for this plot to work.The part I disliked the most was the quick-fall-into-love section, while fighting the bad guys with the man who put the girl in jail. That’s a bit tough to swallow. Oh, I get it that Chris is one gorgeous, sexy, hard-to-resist cop. I melted into a puddle, too. He came off as a bit of a bad-ass as well. I felt their romance needed more backstory. Or maybe more time alone to simmer. It seemed to come about too quickly. And, then there were a couple TSTL moments from our heroine while in the danger-zone. Those always annoy me, but that’s part of that cranky RS reader again.But – I forgave all that because I loved how the plot concluded. I really enjoyed how Evangeline used her empowerment as a smart, educated woman to resolve her family’s business issues. I was thrilled that she didn’t wallow in self-pity, which she had every right to do.This woman went through four years in jail – fighting, literally, to survive something she didn’t deserve. As a young woman, she earned mental and physical scars most of us will never experience in a lifetime. That survival empowered her to become the “me” she needed to be. This is her journey and the bulk of the book is dedicated to her story.That means that the romance takes a back seat until the last quarter of the book. Then it’s fast and furious, so much so that I wasn’t sure I’d believe it. But by the end, I was completely convinced and cheering her on.The novel got too wordy about feelings and thoughts toward the end. I was ready for the conclusion, so I did speed read through some of that.This is me as a cranky Romantic Suspense reader. I love them and hate them. It’s a tug of war most authors don’t win with me. Jennifer Ryan is a winner! I expected a lot from what I’d heard about her books, so I’m thrilled I chose this standalone title as my sample.It’s really hard to categorize this book into a sub-genre of fiction because it’s so unusual. It does have some RS techniques, but it’s not typical. It leans heavily in the contemporary women’s fiction direction without the small-town connotations, with a good crime subplot. I can’t say much more than that because to appreciate this book, you really need to experience it for yourself.THE ME I USED TO BE is full of surprises, including the very sweet ending. If you want different, and LOVE heartbreaking stories that make you smile in the end, give THE ME I USED TO BE a few hours of your time. I hope you’ll appreciate all its nuances like I did. With an almost 5 rating, I can’t wait for Jennifer Ryan’s next foray into the unusual.Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media. For more eclectic reading, check out my book section for more reviews.

A story of total giving by the lead character. I was touched by the way the author handled the delicacy of the plotline. Great characters. Fast paced. Lots of twists and we turns. Finally, a great ending after a major plot change 1/2 way through. Loved the book and I highly recommend b

This is not a happy book because it is about Evangeline who has spent the last four years in prison for a crime she did not commit. She said she did it to protect someone else. At her parole hearing, she is released because of a family emergency. Her father has died. The arresting officer, Chris is there to drive her home. She has been put in charge of determining the fate of the family farm. Everyone is at odds about the future of the land. Everyone is disappointed and angry at Evangeline. I really enjoyed this book and was glad to read the happy ending.

From start to finish, The Me I Used to Be drew me in and kept me riveted until the last word. This is a story of deception, fractured family issues, forgiveness, and embracing the future. The Me I Used to Be is a quick read with a compelling storyline and characters you’ll fall in love with. You’ll find yourself at the edge of your seat as Evangeline works through the secrets and lies that put her in prison in the first place. You’ll find yourself wanting to step into your kindle to help Evangeline confront her family and her past. You’ll find yourself smiling like crazy when good defeats evil. You’ll find yourself cheering Evangeline on as she re-establishes her life and finds love with Chris. A wonderful book with a terrific ending! ~ Missy, 5 stars

Chris and Evangeline's story is like no other. I really did enjoy this sweet romance. I highly recommend this sweet getaway. I hope that you will enjoy it to.

This book was so amazing! How refreshing to read about such a smart selfless heroine! I want to read 20 more just like it! I also loved the Pride&Prejudice/Darcy-esque quality to the romance. She thinks he hates her, she kinda hates him but not really. And actually he kinda wanted her from the very beginning. I loved that Chris was both a rescuer and a rock upon which Evangeline could depend but also became independent. Evangeline’s pain at the beginning of the book was so palpable and I felt it so much but it was accomplished without going into detail about violence etc. so this book is actually pretty safe from any triggers in spite of the prison sentence. The detailed pain is the emotional kind from friends and family E should have been able to trust and depend on. The revenge/justice plot was so satisfying and how E was able to resolve their issues was very neat and tidy (some may say too tidy and too quick but it worked within the bounds of this stand alone book). And I can’t say enough about Chris’s and Evangeline’s relationship- loved the evolution and I believe in their HEA so much in spite of all the contradictions (ex con and cop). The narrator did a great job with the various voices and multiple perspectives (all third person but from different characters’ POV at times).

When I first picked up this book I thought wow, this is such a tearjerker not sure I can take much more of this!But, it ended up being a really engrossing story about how a girl takes a very horrible situation and turns it around.Evangeline spends 4 years in jail for a crime she didn't commit. She comes home to her family ranch in financial problems and her whole family hates her guts. They blame her for her father's death and all the other ranch difficulties. She gets home in time for her father's funeral. He has left her with the deciding vote on how to handle the ranch and the failing finances. She has to find a way out for everyone before its too late.She has an ally with the cop that arrested her. He knows now that she isn't guilty and needs help to catch the people responsible for sending her to jail, with the deal that he will clear her name completely as if the arrest never happened.The thing that the explanation doesn't tell you is that Evanglene is such a strong character and it is fascinating to see a strong character like her and how she thinks and looks for the solutions. Solutions which are going to help everyone. Well written and a complex story about family and loyalties and making your own future.Really enjoyed it!

As soon as I read the summary of this book, I knew it would be special and that I needed to read it. I was so right, very special and a pleasure to read! Evangeline Austen is being released from prison, due to the death of her father, after serving four years for a crime she did not commit. While in prison, she was attacked several times and is now a very different Evangeline, tougher, smarter and determined to get justice. Lt. Chris Chambers, the cop who arrested her, is the only one trying to make the return to her former life easier. He has always been attracted to her and knows that there was more to her arrest, but she would not talk. He will have her record expunged if she helps him catch the guilty parties. Her families ranch is in financial trouble, her brothers do not agree on how to save the ranch and her mother blames her for her father’s death. Evangeline does everything that you want the heroine of a story to do…make smart decisions and attack the problem head on. I so thoroughly enjoyed this story, the characters, the emotion, the suspense, the beautiful love scenes and justice served. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

This was my first time reading a book by Jennifer Ryan and I absolutely loved it!! It was mainly a Contemporary with a lil bit of YA and Romance thrown into to. I felt bad for Evangeline through the whole book. What she endured was horrible but I see her dad did it for all the right reasons even tho it cost his daughter 4 years of her life that she can't get back. I will definitely be reading more book by Jennifer in the future!!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with Jennifer Ryan’s latest—it appeared to be skewed more toward women’s fiction than romance, had the air of angst about it, and its cover was cowboy-and-abs free. But I should’ve known I’d love it. After all, I have all of Ms. Ryan’s other books. (Side note: I’m not that invested in abs on covers, but it’s noticeably different from the usual style of this author’s titles.) The Me I Used to Be isn’t overly angsty—though there are emotional and tense moments—and it is romance. At least, in part. The budding relationship between Evangeline and Chris make take a bit of a backseat to the suspense/mystery surrounding the whys of Evangeline’s time in prison, and her adjustment to post-prison life, but it’s a sweet one regardless. Needless to say, there’s a lot happening in this book, and all of it was kinda captivating for me, which explains why I read it so fast. I usually do with this author—I’m just a fangirl at heart, you see—but that doesn’t change the fact that there’s some pretty intense stuff going on. It’s tightly woven, well-written, and more than enough to leave your blood pumping. Basically, if you’re into a fast-paced, edge of your seat style of read, you’ll be at home here, as I was. Likable lead characters softened some of the speed of events in this book—and some of the less sweet moments with Evangeline’s family—and the neat ending was rewarding for a reader (me) who adores a tight HEA. Add to that the at-times heartbreaking emotional gamut that Evangeline traverses—somehow both foreign and relatable—and you have a book that hits high note after high note. All in all, The Me I Used to Be was another highly enjoyable novel from one of my favorite authors—and will definitely be on my re-read pile.

This was the best book I have read in a long time. Evangeline was convicted of a crime she didn't commit and spent four years and is up for parole when the officer who sent her to jail comes into her parole hearing with a request she gets released due to a death in the family. The grief that Evangeline felt, the way she was treated was so real, this author did an amazing job conveying that. I wasn't a fan of Chris but this book still was fabulous.

Never read this author before, but really enjoy her style. Reminds me a lot of Barbara Delinsky - good strong characters, interesting plotline and of course some romance. Will definitely read more by her.

Ive read " the me i used to be " ,, i hoped the romance would be better but the story was nice i enjoyed the spy thing ,,i gave it 3.75 out of 5

Evangeline has so much too overcome. I don't know that I would be as forgiving to those around me as she seems to be to survive. Sometimes we need to dig deep inside ourselves and be stronger than we imagine we could ever be.

An intriguing story with amazing characters. Great narration made this a very enjoyable listen. Definitely a recommended read.