Editorial Content for The Girl I Used to Be
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
THE GIRL I USED TO BE is a standalone novel by April Henry, who’s written many other mystery YA novels. Her other works include GIRL, STOLEN, THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED and THE BODY IN THE WOODS, which is the first in a series. Her books have a similar feel, and all the ones I’ve read are wonderful.
I was a little worried going into THE GIRL I USED TO BE, as I wasn’t in a mystery mood, but it was definitely worth it. This book both lived up to my standards from her previous books and kept me engaged the whole time. After some staring at the first few pages, I devoured the rest in an afternoon.
“THE GIRL I USED TO BE is a fun, fast read [with] an amazing cast of characters that I would have happily spent another hundred pages getting to know.”
The story follows Olivia --- AKA Ariel --- as she sets out to discover who truly murdered her parents. The book has plenty of suspects and you really can’t figure out who did it until Olivia does. There is a light romance, which is fun for romance lovers (like me) but won’t detract from the story for those that wish to avoid it. It’s a small subplot that just adds a layer to the already high stakes.
THE GIRL I USED TO BE is a fun, fast read. If you have any interest in mysteries, I highly recommend it. I tend to avoid mysteries, as thriller aspects tend to seep in, but this one is safe for anxious readers like myself.
THE GIRL I USED TO BE has an amazing cast of characters that I would have happily spent another hundred pages getting to know. One of my favorites was Olivia’s elderly neighbor, Nora. She is sweet as can be, and looks out for Ariel from page one. Henry does an amazing job going into detail on all the characters, while still keeping it short and sweet. Despite the large cast, you never get bogged down trying to remember who’s who.
I recommend THE GIRL I USED TO BE to all readers. It has a bit of everything, and is really interesting. I don’t know if it’s a book that will stick in my mind forever, but it’s one that, when I look at it, I’ll know that I enjoyed.
Teaser
When Olivia's mother was killed, everyone suspected her father of murder. But his whereabouts remained a mystery. Fast forward 14 years. New evidence now proves Olivia's father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there's a killer still at large. It's up to Olivia to uncover who that may be. But can she do that before the killer tracks her down first?
Promo
When Olivia's mother was killed, everyone suspected her father of murder. But his whereabouts remained a mystery. Fast forward 14 years. New evidence now proves Olivia's father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there's a killer still at large. It's up to Olivia to uncover who that may be. But can she do that before the killer tracks her down first?
About the Book
When Olivia's mother was killed, everyone suspected her father of murder. But his whereabouts remained a mystery. Fast forward 14 years. New evidence now proves Olivia's father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there's a killer still at large. It's up to Olivia to uncover who that may be. But can she do that before the killer tracks her down first?
