I used to love and trust many people in my life. I used to trust my father, my boyfriend and my family. Then I learned a hard life lesson. And then I didn’t trust anyone.
This is the basic lesson learned by the lead character in THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Ryan. The lesson of whom to trust when things go badly. When life treats you unfairly – unjustly. When everyone you know disappoints you – with very few exceptions.
Jennifer Ryan dug deep into the development of Evangeline in THE ME I USED TO BE. Ryan treats her fans and readers to an interesting look into just how life can change the person you believe to be. Evangeline is probably one of Jennifer Ryan’s best characters which is saying quite a lot. Character development is one of Ryan’s strong suits and in THE ME I USED TO BE she flexes her muscles.
Sure there are characters that fall short of our expectations but that is true of people too. And that was the intent. Don’t overthink how a character/person should or would react to a situation. If you do very often you will be grossly disappointed. See art imitating life.
Evangeline’s release from jail for a crime she did not commit didn’t result in a happily ever after event. Her sentence would still follow her unless she made a deal. A sort of deal with the devil Chris. The policeman who arrested her and made sure she paid a price for what she had done. Problem was the whole episode was a set up. Evangeline was the person in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was no way Chris was going to buy that especially given the fact that Evangeline never professed her innocence. She pled guilty. But it just didn’t add up. Not to Chris. Surprisingly Evangeline’s family seemingly judged her actions harshly. They too couldn’t understand her involvement in this crime but accepted her plea. With one notable exception – her father.
After several years of prison with physical and emotional scars Evangeline is once again before the parole board. This time she hoped that her exemplary conduct would sway the board to allow her release. Unforeseeable events helped that along, including the death and funeral of her father.
Evangeline’s world outside the prison had undergone several changes. And this new smarter stronger Evangeline faced many extraordinary challenges. Not the least of them surviving the brash, often nasty comments voiced by the very people she needed to help her adjust to life outside of prison.
Chris offers Evangeline a deal she can’t refuse. Life is going to get even more complicated and perhaps dangerous now that she is no longer in prison. But this new tougher Evangeline is ready to face any challenges. The reward is too important. Her life depends on it. Her happiness depends on it.
Great job by Jennifer Ryan creating a multi-dimensional character like Evangeline in THE ME I USED TO BE. We are all affected by our lives and can only hope that at the end we are still standing. THE ME I USED TO BE is a testament to a person’s rights for a life filled with love, trust and justice.

Overall this was a good story. I was a little skeptical on how Jennifer Ryan would explain how Evangeline ended up in jail. I have to say overall it made sense and didn't feel unrealistic. I felt that Evangeline was actually too nice, especially in the face of her mother's anger and blame. I enjoyed the dynamic of Chris and Evangeline, though I felt he should have groveled a little more. I would have liked to have seen more detailed writing on the development of their relationship. Overall, a good romance.

A solid contemporary romance with a tinge of thriller thrown in for good measure. While the mystery angle isn't as strong as I'd like I did enjoy the evolution of Evangeline's relationships with her family and Chris as they gradually realize how misplaced their anger at her has been. Its something that could very easily descend in melodrama but everything feels justified and real. Solid supporting cast though Evangeline's nefarious ex boyfriend is a bit mustache twirling and if the plot suffers anywhere its with Evangeline's escaped attempting to trap him in his wine counterfeiting schemes (though I will say I didn't know that was a thing and that's a pretty cool crime).

I would definitely suggest this to fans of contemporary romance with a dash of family drama.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Me I Used to Be in exchange for my honest review.

It was a quick, fun and predictable read, but perfect for an afternoon at the pool or beach. I liked the characters, they were relatable and you cared about them.

Four years and twenty-seven days. That's how long Evangeline Austen was in prison for; for a crime she didn't commit. On the day of her second parole hearing, she gets horrible news involving a member of her family. Left with a hard decision of running the family business that was left to her, bringing her family back together, and starting her own business, Evangeline is determined to find a way to do it all. And in the middle of it all, love and happiness finds her when she least expects it. Evangeline never thought she could experience the amount of love and happiness that she is feeling since being released from prison.

I love this thought bubble Evangeline said, "Hope was a fickle friend that could be there for you when you needed it most or turn its back on you and leave you in a deep dark pit that wanted to swallow you whole."

This was a great read and I hope to see more of Evangeline Austen.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41734712-the-me-i-used-to-be#other_reviews

The Me I Used To Be is an interesting light read. Evangeline returns home after serving time for a crime she didn't commit. Her father left her a burdensome inheritance, the family farm. It also comes with a mother and brothers who want nothing to do with her. Enter hero/good cop/love interest. He's decided to prove that Evangeline is innocent. You can probably guess the ending. It's a predictable story but still an enjoyable read. The story is engaging and well written. The characters are relatable, entertaining and some have charm. I liked the fact that I was able to read it quickly. If you are short on time but want a good story with substance, this will work for you. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.