Evangeline returns home after serving four years in prison to grieve the death of her father. She also returns home to a family that blames her for her father's death and the hard times they have endured during his decline. All the while Evangeline holds a secret tight in her heart as to who set her up on the night she was arrested. This book was fast paced and the family conflict made it even more interesting. The story was multi-layered with a sting operation, redemption and a love story. I especially enjoyed how the author fleshed out the other family members and Evangeline's love interest as the story moved forward.

I found myself emotionally connected to the characters within the first few pages of the book. and it was hard to. put down. This was the first book I've read by Jennifer Ryan and I look forward to reading more of her work..

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

The Me I Used To Be by Jennifer Ryan is the story of a woman just out of four years of prison after being arrested for transporting stolen goods. She was at her parole hearing when the arresting office came in and spoke to the panel. She was sure it was nothing good. She had been right. Her father had died the night before. She was released immediately. She hated this deputy, Chris. He had arrested her in the first place. Now he wanted to talk to her. He appeared he knew the truth of her silence and her life since then. He was offering her the opportunity to put the people who had instigated this whole mess behind bars in exchange for expunging her record. She didn't trust him, but she was smarter than she had been four years ago. At the reading of the will, one entire life insurance policy for $50,000 came directly to her. She also had the deciding vote on what would happen with the ranch. They were already furious with her, now it was worse. What had her father been thinking?

Evangeline is a seriously tough young woman. She had been kind, caring, and fun loving, but four years being the target of some of the other prisoners had changed all that. Just surviving had changed that. All she wanted was her life back. She could not longer confront her father, but her brothers, her mother, and her grandmother were all still here. If she could have them back, she could be happy. Right off the bat, she starting using the degree she had earned in prison to earn money developing websites. Chris found her her first customer. He was a lot nicer guy than she thought. She liked him, but she needed to avoid him until the bad guys were put away. Could she do it? Could her protect her? This is a very different kind of crime novel/romance. It is stunning in its raw portrayal of the criminals involved and how far they would go to get what they wanted. The characters were compelling and likable (some of them) and I can't say enough good about this book. I loved it. Read it...you will love it, too.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Me I Used to Be by Netgalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own. #netgalley #themeiusedtobe

I really enjoyed this story. I appreciate the chance to read it. The characters were believable and i didn’t see a couple of the twists coming in the storyline.

This is about Evangeline who has spent the last four years in prison for a crime she did not commit. This was done in order to protect someone else. She is able to be released due to a family emergency. Her father had passed. 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. It kept me hooked all the way till the end!

Evangeline has gone to prison for a crime she didn't commit and after six years is released to return home to a failing ranch with two angry brothers and a Mother who can't forgive her mistake. Evangeline tries to rebuild her life and finally does so by bringing justice to the person who set up her father for the crime she took the blame for.