This was a heavy read with a main character who’ll test your patience.

The story follows Avery, a s*xual assault survivor, as she tries to cope in the year after it happened. Her coping mechanisms are messy—drinking, getting high, hooking up to numb the pain—and it was frustrating to watch her sabotage big moments, like her best friend’s wedding plans. She keeps everyone at arm’s length, avoiding the truth for as long as possible, and when she finally opens up, some people show exactly how little they deserve the “friend” title. Morgan and Charlie, though, were standouts for how they supported her.

Pete was the bright spot in this book for me. He’s patient and funny, makes an effort to get to know Avery, and even when she pushes him away, you can tell he cares. I understood his frustration when he hit his limit, and I really liked how things came full circle in the end.

This book handles tough subject matter—triggers are everywhere—so it’s not for every reader. But it’s an unfiltered look at how survival isn’t always pretty or quick, and how finding your way back to yourself can take time, mistakes, and the right people in your corner.

Avery’s story is raw, messy, and painfully real as she navigates trauma, friendship, and the fallout of silence. The writing is intimate, the emotional stakes are high, and the tension builds toward a wedding that could break her or set her free

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of She Used to Be Nice by Alexia Lafata.

This emotional, character driven novel explores the messy, complicated nature of friendship, self-discovery, and what happens when the person you’ve always been no longer fits who you’re becoming. Lafata writes with raw honesty, capturing the sting of growing pains and the bittersweet moments of realizing some relationships are meant to change or even end.

The main character felt incredibly real, with flaws and vulnerabilities that made her journey relatable. I appreciated the unfiltered look at female friendship, from its highs filled with laughter and connection to the lows where resentment and distance start to creep in. The dialogue felt natural and intimate, drawing you deeper into the characters’ inner worlds.

While there were moments that lingered a bit too long in introspection, the emotional payoff was worth it. The ending left me thoughtful, reflecting on how we outgrow certain chapters in life and the courage it takes to turn the page.

A heartfelt and resonant read for anyone who’s navigated shifting friendships and personal reinvention.

I went into this book unsure of what I would find, but it quickly proved itself to be an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking read—one I would highly recommend to every young woman. LaFata crafts a story that is not only unique in its perspective but also deeply layered in detail, pulling the reader into Avery’s world with striking authenticity. The prose captures the lingering weight of past pain and anxiety in a way that feels both raw and intimate, showing how old wounds can resurface and quietly shape a person’s present.

Avery’s inner voice is compelling and heartbreakingly honest, allowing us to witness the unfiltered complexity of her emotions—moments of vulnerability, flashes of strength, and the uneasy coexistence of both. The pacing allows space to fully absorb her experiences, making it impossible not to connect with her struggles. This is more than just a story; it’s a mirror for the complicated realities of navigating identity, relationships, and self-worth in the shadow of past hurt. With its emotional depth and immersive storytelling, She Used to Be Nice stands out as a powerful, necessary read that lingers long after the final page.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I am giving a generous two stars as the author attempted to tackle an extremely difficult subject. However, the execution and the writing were both a big miss for me. The writing skewed incredibly juvenile despite the subject matter. The characters were all one-dimensional, and so much of the book was repetitive. This should have been an 80-page short story at best.

I found all of the characters unlike for a variety of reasons, making me find it difficult to care about what happened to any of them and how their relationships played out.

2.5 stars. This was an ARC from NetGalley. I applaud this author for tackling the topic of SA and the silent struggle the majority of victims experience and continued doubt even after sharing their stories. Regarding the plot, I had trouble connecting with the MFC. Her voice came off very junior, like she was in high school vs. a recent college graduate, and the self sabotage was continuous. Additionally, this story felt longer than it needed to be and the cycles of self destruction got repetitive. This story didn't leave me feeling impacted from hearing a survivor's story of finding her voice. #netgalley #sheusedtobenice #sa#metoo

This is a hard book to review and to read. A woman is the maid of honor for her best friend's wedding and learns that the man who raped her in college will be the best man. I had to take a few pauses and read something more lighthearted. But I returned, reminding myself that this is the kind of novel that builds empathy.

SHE USED TO BE NICE is an examination of the lasting damage to a victim/survivor of sexual assault, the feelings of guilt and shame over an incident that wasn’t the victim’s fault, and how denying such trauma may bleed into a person’s relationships and sense of self. Throughout most of the book, Avery is a trainwreck: sleeping around with men on dating apps and keeping her distance from them, drinking herself into oblivion, forgetting her responsibilities to her friend, and a tendency for avoidance. It’s understandable, given all that happened to her, and her refusal to voice the truth—mostly because to speak the truth is to confirm that what happened to her was real—but this can make the book hard to read at times. When you think Avery is finally learning to let people in, to trust again, she regresses and brings herself back several steps. This pattern of baby steps forward, followed by several steps back, makes sense, because healing isn’t linear, but it does at times make the book feel tedious. I had mixed feelings about Morgan throughout most of the book, mostly because her pacificist tendencies had her trying to maintain her friendships with both Avery and the group that ostracised her—I had almost dismissed her as a spineless people pleaser until she and fiancé finally pulled through on their adamant support for Avery, although this was only possible after Avery finally let herself be honest with both herself and with everyone around her.

Avery's life was upended one night when she was in college and she's never really healed. She's done a lot of other things but she hasn't had support from anyone, or even from herself. And now she's got to confront it because her friend Morgan is getting married and her abuser in in the wedding party. This isn't neat, it isn't easy, and Audrey may frustrate you. That said, it's a thought provoking look at the impact of assault. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

While the subject matter is compelling, I found this book hard to get into. It does feel visceral and emotional, but the dialogue is stilted and feels more juvenile than the characters are meant to be. It feels like YA.

I went into this book completely blind. I legit liked the cover and applied for it and was accepted. Wow was it powerful. It is definitely a book that if you have any triggers (which I do not) surrounded sexual abuse, misconduct and most of all rape, you want to be mindful going in.

It did take me a little bit to get engaged as the FMC is unlikable from the jump however she as the narrator literally tells you how difficult she is and you know that it stems from
Her background so you want to hang on.

Watching a person have to get smacked in the face with her rapist and trying to be a good friend and her putting up with socializing with him is hard to read. But it’s ultimately healing as you see the strength that she has throughout the book. That strength comes in many different way and changes throughout it the book.

Ultimately this was a fascinating and surprising read that so highly recommend. It was also smartly and well written. I look forward to more from this author.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Alcove Press through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

Avery Russo is a twenty something college grad in NYC, we come to learn that an event that took place during her senior year of college had a lasting & damaging effect causing her to act out sexually giving her the false feeling of being in control of her life. I struggled with Avery’s character, often while reading I wished I could reach into the book & shake her while congruently wishing I could give her a hug. This book touches on the real life consequences of choices you make, but also the ones you don’t you get a say in. I think this book provides an excellent example as to why it’s important to stay true to yourself & to remember to give yourself grace even when you don’t think you deserve it.

Enjoyed this, especially the voice. I think I would have liked to spend a little more time seeing Avery heal, but otherwise, I felt it was well paced.

I am a big fan of books that address sexual violence realistically. And this did. However I just didn’t like the main character at all. She felt a bit like the people I mostly avoid in real life. Sort of a pretentious millennial New Yorker stereotype.

While this was was well written I got SO irritated by the narrators lack of action- this may be very realistic to real life experience and trauma but I found myself yelling at her internally through the whole book! Gripping read, check the trigger warning!

An emotional, deeply wrought book about a woman figuring herself out after tragedy. I sipped, rather than binged, this one because the topics inside could be rough. LaFata handles them deftly, and I really enjoyed the journey.

A visceral and emotional read however the dialogue was elementary and therefore felt like a young adult novel.
She Used to Be Nice was about a young girl, Avery, who was sexualy assaulted on campus. She hid the truth for a long time and came to find herself forced to stand opposite of her rapist in her best friend’s wedding party. From there she had to decide whether to protect the fragile life she’s pieced together or to finally reclaim her story.

This was Alexia LaFata’s debut novel and a harrowing one. Since this was drawn upon her real life experience with sexual violence, I imagine this was cathartic to her.

The themes were important, but the execution lacked nuance. On top of that, I found Avery’s character hard to connect to. I did find her flawed personality relatable because she was a complex character-guarded and self destructive- and therefore made this story more raw and authentic. In addition to the unlikable main character, the pacing lagged in the middle followed by a rushed culmination. As a result, I was
left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.

Despite me wanting to love this debut by Alexia LaFata, this unfortunately was not as gripping as I had hoped for. I wish this was one I could recommend but this one missed the mark for me.

Thanks to Net Galley and Alcove Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 ⭐️

This was .. quite a difficult book for me to rate. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and everything but ...the whiplash with Pete ...that was tough to read about. I felt that the story was rushed at certain points? I think a lot of the plot and story was revealed at 90% into the book and i would have preferred to read more about the aftermath? It felt really incomplete about Blair etc.

It was well written in the sense that it did have me frustrated and wanting to throttle some of the characters. It was infuriating and mortifying how absolutely no one believed her and also didn't give her the time of day to hear her out - Even Blair?? Women not supporting women is vile. Very heavy topics written about in this book and i do think a lot of it was handled with grace and care.

Overall, a heavy read but extremely important topics covered which makes it quite worthwhile.

She Used to Be Nice by Alexia LaFata is a raw and deeply emotional novel that doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable.

Centred on Avery, a woman navigating the aftermath of trauma through emotional avoidance and sexual promiscuity, the story begins when she meets a man she truly likes, Pete, and simultaneously agrees to be the maid of honour at her best friend’s wedding — only to discover that the best man is the man who assaulted her.

What follows is not a traditional thriller, but something more intimate and emotionally resonant: a reckoning.

This novel doesn’t aim to entertain in a conventional sense; it aims to connect. LaFata crafts Avery’s internal world with aching clarity. The writing immerses you in Avery’s emotional landscape, often making you feel like you're walking beside her through every moment of dread, confusion, and resilience. It’s not always easy to read — and that’s the point. Healing isn’t linear, and LaFata doesn’t sanitise Avery’s journey to make it more palatable. That honesty is what gives the novel its emotional weight.
Avery is a compelling and courageous protagonist — not because she always knows what to do, but because she faces impossible situations with grit and vulnerability. She’s someone whose pain feels personal, whose silence feels suffocating, and whose quiet strength is impossible to ignore. The fact that her trauma is invisible to those around her, especially in such a socially charged setting like a wedding, underscores the pervasive nature of unacknowledged suffering.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is how it challenges the idea of perception versus reality. The title itself — She Used to Be Nice — echoes the reductive ways people try to define women without understanding their stories. Through Avery, LaFata invites readers to reconsider what it means to move forward after something unspeakable.

This is not a tidy story. There are no easy answers, no neatly wrapped resolutions. And that’s what makes it feel so genuine. It's an important read, especially in a world that still struggles to talk about sexual violence with the clarity and empathy it demands.

If you’re looking for a book that’s not just emotionally gripping but also thought-provoking, She Used to Be Nice delivers. It’s a tough but essential read — poignant, painful, and ultimately, empowering.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.