This was an emotional and gripping read. Loved the setting of the small beach town and its occupants. Definitely one I’d recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author.

I have not read this author before and I need to fix that soon. I read this in one sitting, it was quite perfect actually, a perfect combo of troll-y husband, spouse trying to move on but with a bit of a mystery to solve before she can. Throw in a beach setting in the fall (including a close knit small town) and I am all in. This had some depth to it and is a wonderful story about resilience, rebuilding, and reconnecting old friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chicklitcentral, and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy to review. This one is perfect for your beach read list.

The Girl I Used to be is the first book by the author that I have read and I must admit that I am absolutely blown away! At first while reading the book, the first few chapters made me form certain assumptions about how the story would progress. When we reach midway through the book, the author throws out everything with a few twists forcing the reader to rethink their assumptions! This was amazing!

The story follows Jill who we think is happily married to Marc, almost twenty years her senior. She changed her life, her style and everything for him until one day when everything shatters. From there on, we see the strength and resolve Jill has as she deals with a divorce and mortgage on a house she demanded for in a calculated move. However, going to Dewberry Beach is perhaps the best thing she does. With the intention to sell the house as soon as possible, she immerses herself in the town and falls in love with it. Once she hears what people think of the house and she realizes what Marc did to obtain the land, she sets out to try and make things right. In addition, she gets a chance to explore her passion for photography.

This is a story of rebuilding and of finding oneself. It is a story of strength and determination as well as community who come together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the characters and their lives which the author has brought out very well. The description of the beach and it's view from the house, the lives of people there is amazing and will make the reader want to visit the place!

This is a wonderful summer beach read that can be finished in one sitting. It is an emotional rollercoaster with some kind of a happy ending that will ensure the reader falls in love with the book and the places!

Heidi Hostetter writes an emotionally gripping story about fractured families and the power of resilience and starting over.

The Girl I Used to Be is a well written contemporary women's' fiction about Jillian DiFiore whose perfect marriage comes crashing down after discovering her husband Marc's affair. In a whirlwind divorce, she ends up with the property right on the Jersey Shore, where she unearths secrets her husband has been a part of.

In a story that gripped me from the very first chapter, I read this through in a weekend while spending my time by the water over Mother's Day weekend, and it sure was a delight. Hostetter has won my heart for her strong and resilient characters, in the beautiful New Jersey sea side setting.

A fantastic Beach Read that will surely entertain and keep your fingers turning those pages.

I really enjoyed this story. It definitely wasn’t a heart racing thriller but the suspense was great!

Jill receives a text message that turns her whole life around. Starting over is daunting but freeing for Jill. She is able to go after her dreams and be the person she wanted to be. Of course this is not done easily. Jill has a lot of obstacles to overcome but also strength and a support system to do it.

Jill’s character was very relatable and I felt so much for her throughout this book. I also loved the small town of Dewberry Beach. This was so much of a finding oneself novel and I loved every part of that! By the end of the book my heart was full for Jill and the new life she had found.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookuture for a eARC in exchange for my honest review!

To Be True To One's Own Self
This is a great piece of women's fiction. A young woman who marries for money decides that the price is too dear. The plot of this story is excellent. The characters are totally believable. The author paints a word picture that lets the reader even smell the salty sea air. This was a fun book to read that left a smile in my heart and on my face! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I guarantee it won’t be the last. I really liked the author’s writing style and the characters were well developed.

When Jill Goodman’s marriage comes to an abrupt end, she looses everything she has in the divorce except for one thing. Husband Marc, leaves Jill a sprawling beach house on the Jersey coastline. Broken-hearted Jill travels to Jersey to sell the house as quickly as possible. She enjoys her time at the shore and enjoys the town and it’s residents. The pace is exactly what she needed. But then things that Marc was involved in come to light. She wonders how she couldn’t have known of the things that were going on. This story of suspense, lies, deceit, was very well written. This is a story of second chances, new friendships and taking that next step in your life when you need it the most.

I enjoyed this emotional story. It’s a wonderful story of getting back to the person you know yourself to be. I was so engrossed with the story and the characters. Thank you Heidi Hostetter for this fantastic story.

Jillian married Marc and thought she found her prince charming. Until his charm wore off and she learned how much of a snake he really is. The prenup says the divorce must be done in a certain way and Marc jumps right on that before Jillian can process it all. It ends up with Jillian just wanting her freedom, so she agrees to the terms as long as she gets the house that was mortgaged in her name without her knowledge.

I love the relationship with Jill and Ellie. Even with Marc pushing them apart, Ellie never gives up on Jill. When things are rough, they come together, figure out where Jill should be heading, and how she can get there. Their friendship is strong, true, and real.

The Girl I Used to Be is a story of friendship and finding yourself. There are wonderful characters, some you will like some you will hate. This is a fun and quick read.

Jillian genuinely loves her husband, Marc, and is genuinely shocked to discover he's having an affair. But in the quickie divorce proceedings he initiates, she learns exactly how controlling and vindictive he is.

What seems like a predictable story about a young, naive woman married to a much older, wealthier takes an unusual turn when Jill summons the South Jersey girl she'd manage to subdue to suit Marc and goes on the offensive. Gaining ownership of the beach house he's been unable to sell seems like a victory, until she sees the mortgage payment and taxes she's responsible for. What she doesn't expect when she visits the house to put it on the market is that she will become part of the community where it's located.

Part of a new series, THE GIRL I USED TO BE has plenty of New Jersey attitude with some mystery and a little romance. This is a feel-good story and if some of the story line seems unlikely, it's easier to suspend disbelief and just go along on the fun ride. #TheGirlIUsedToBe #NetGalley

As I started reading this I knew it would be a great book. Although I had some thought of ‘ where is this story going ‘ I loved the way it panned out and the sentiment behind it. Gill had to find her feet, navigate what was right and wrong and set up a life for herself all over again. The themes of friendship and community were what held this story together and made it such a good read. The setting sounded so idilic and made me want to pack a bag straight away.

By all appearances, Jill Goodman has the perfect marriage. Growing up poor, she now has designer clothes still with their price tags. Has she gone too far, trading belongings for a sense of security and morphing herself into the perfect wife?

When her world comes crashing around her, Jill is forced to examine the truth. All that glitters is not golden and behind the façade reveals a troubled marriage.

A skilled photographer, she views life through the lens of her camera. As she brings the picture back into focus, she realizes that she no longer recognizes herself. What happened to that feisty Jersey girl? She used to have friends, fun and believe in herself. Poverty wasn’t a crime but losing herself was.

Picking up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Jill finds the strength to piece together a new life. Taking back control, she’s stronger than when under her husband’s direction.

Happy publication day to @Bookouture and Heidi Hostetter! I was swept away by the story from the first chapter. Uncork your favorite beverage and settle in for a trip to the Jersey shore. You’ll ‘shore’ be inspired as Jill becomes the woman she’s meant to be.

Once again I was given the opportunity to write a review thanks to Chick Lit Central and Bookouture. The book that I will be writing my review on is called The Girl I used to be by Heidi Hostetter. Off the bat, I have to say that I loved this book. It was so much better than I expected it to be

We meet Jill at the beginning of the book who is trying to pursue her photography and the language used made it so much easier for me to visualise what the write was describing in the book. The story progresses where we meet Jill's horrible husband and we see their marriage break down.

Following this Jill, tries to make it on her own and is also left with some issues from her divorce which she tries to settle quickly leading her to meet a new community which she instantly loves.

I couldn't stop reading and I am trying hard not to spoil the story of the book with what I write. However, I cannot stress this enough. Make sure to get a copy of this book because it will be one of the best books you will read this year.

Reading books like these make me happy that I found Netgalley where I have a lot more opportunities for book reviews even though in the past I used to find it difficult to read e-books. Who knows? Maybe I might get a Kindle soon to be able to access my e-books in a better way.

The Girl I used to be is out today so make sure to go check it out when you can.

The Girl I Used to Be by Heidi Hostetter is the perfect beach or pool read.

What I Loved

I loved the mystery and suspense. It is why I finished this novel in one sitting. I desperately wanted to know if the bad guy was going to get what he had coming. That is how well the characters are developed. You just want justice to prevail for all of those that were wronged. Jill, the main character, is a Jersey girl from South Jersey. Only three years after she married the man of her dreams, Jill realizes that all the changes he insists she makes for him mean she is not his dream girl. And then she is slapped with a reality that she can’t ignore, and it makes her open her eyes to the fact that she hasn’t recognized it. This just begins a string of unearthed secrets and despicable deeds that rock her to the core.

I love how Jill picks herself up and opens her eyes to what she had become and what she wants to be. The strength she shows as the story unfolds is so admirable I couldn’t help but be in her corner from beginning to end. She is well-developed with intricate layers that tell her personal story in a relatable and genuine way.

The setting is the Jersey shore, and I always love a beach setting. I wanted a house on the beach for Jill almost as much as I want one for myself. This also kept those pages quickly turning as I tried to see if she figured out a way to make her dream happen.

I loved the themes of friendship and community that hold this story together and give it a heartwarming feel. Ellie is the friend that we all should have and hopefully, do. A friend who is there by your side through thick and thin and helps you realize your dreams before you even admit that it is indeed a dream. She is someone that makes things happen without barreling over anyone in the process. And, the community of Dewberry Beach is one I wanted to join and never look back. They are slightly quirky and welcoming in all-natural ways.

If you are looking for the perfect weekend or vacation read, The Girl I Used to Be is all that and more.

Jill Goodman was married to an older, powerful man, but she thinks she is living the best life she could have ever hoped for, with all the clothes, jewelry and things at her fingertips. But is she really living. When her marriage dissolves she is left with a beach house that was to her knowledge unable to be sold in a small beach town and this house will change her life!

I don't typically read books where a marriage is or does dissolve within the story, but when reading the synopsis, this one felt as though it was more about the woman's after story than the marriage itself and while that was mostly true, it took a bit for the ___ to hit the fan and he didn't quite exit the scene, but her redemption story was worth him not leaving the book.

This is my second Heidi Hostetter book and while I liked the other one more, I believe it is totally due to the subject matter and in no way the writing. I hope she keeps writing great stories with women at the center doing life.

This book had a great hook, and it was even better that the author carried through on the promise of the blurb.
I’ve mentioned before how that doesn’t always happen, or that the blurb gives too much away. In this case, it was the perfect amount of information to pique my interest but not so much detail that I already knew what was going to happen.
I could recommend this book on that alone. But there was way more to make it a great beach read.
I really liked Jill from the very beginning. It was obvious that she was out of her element and uncomfortable, and we’ve all been in that position at one time or another. Problem was that it was pretty much Jill’s entire life. It was unsustainable.
And when it went sideways, boy did it really go sideways.
I was actually glad to see it happen, because Marc rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. I mean, I know he was meant to, but he was really, REALLY awful.
One of the things that I appreciated most about the book was that the author didn’t try to hide any twists or big revelations. It was a simple story that progressed naturally, so all of the surprises occurred organically.
That’s a fancy way to say that the story was told well and had me engrossed in Jill’s progress.
In fact, I enjoyed just how simple everything was. Nobody was a caricature or stereotype, nobody seemed fake. Everyone was genuine (even Marc and Cush in their ugliness).
I especially liked that the townspeople of Dewberry Beach were authentic. That’s a location I would love to visit.
When retribution comes, and it does in the most wonderful way, I couldn’t help but cheer for Jill. She truly stood strong, embraced the person she was always meant to be, took a leap of faith (backed by some street smarts) and came out better for it.
Oh, and once again, I love the image of Kintsugi art as a symbol of the character’s re-creating themselves. Very clever.

This book hooked me from page one. It was an emotional read, but also a pretty quick one. I really enjoyed the story and the beautiful setting I was able to create in my head from the author’s description.
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Girl I Used To Be' by Heidi Hostetter.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Heidi Hostetter, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous.

Publication date 11th May 2021.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is the second book in the 'Dewberry Beach' series.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse, Elin Hilderbrand and Diane Chamberlain'. I am a huge fan of Diane Chamberlain so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 28 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in New Jersey, USA 🇺🇸.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Jill Goodman. The benefits of third person perspective especially with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions that make you feel the sand on your feet while smelling the smell of the sea. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.

The storyline itself is a very easy read filled with friendship, secrets, deceit, sun and sand. It is the perfect book to read on the beach on holidays and if not on the beach then this book will be sure to take you there. It is a heartwarming story of how life can change in the blink of an eye and how to find the rainbow in the storm. It is compelling and addictive and I loved how it ended!!! A lovely page turner that whisked me away to a gorgeous beach resort. I didn't actually realise it was part of a series until I looked at the list of Heidi's other books at the end. 'The Shore House' is the first book and I'm looking forward to going back and reading that book as well as any more in this series.

I loved watching how Jill's character grew from a shadow to the strong woman she was by the end. I couldn't stand Marc or Cush from the moment I met them and I'm so glad Jill had Ellie to help her out. I also enjoyed getting to know the residents of Dewberry Beach namely Danny, Brenda and Mrs Ivey in particular. They all had their own unique personalities which are realistic. The residents of Dewberry Beach portrayed a close knit community perfectly and I'm looking forward to meeting them again.


Overall a beautifully written summer read that will sweep you away to the beach.

Genres covered in this book include Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Diane Chamberlain and anyone looking for a heartwarming beach read.


275 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#TheGirlIUsedToBe #Bookouture #HeidiHostetter #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@HeidiHostetter @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86

https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

Jillian DiFiore Goodman has everything she wants, or so she thinks. She has the house, her husband Marco and life is good. Until one day when subtle clues tell her Marco may not be as faithful as he seems....

Can Jillian trust Marco, or is she better off alone?

Will she be able to make it or will past memories haunt her too much?

The Girl I Used to Be is the first novel by Heidi Hostetter that I have had the pleasure of reviewing, and what an amazing book it is!

I was immediately drawn into the book and just could not get through it quick enough. Secrets, lies love....and a quest to see who is really faithful to who.

And what will happen to the house on Dewberry Beach that is in Marco's name?

Jillian is unsure what is really hers because so much is steeped in the wealth Marco has. The affluent area where they live as well as the beach were very vividly created. I loved the name Dewberry Beach, very original and it reminded me of a dewberry-scented perfume I had as a teen.

The pace is excellent and I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen. A quick but immersive novel that will win your heart. It did mine, and I have added all Heidi Hostetter's novels to my to read shelf on Goodreads.

I cannot describe how much I loved The Girl I used to Be. It has suspense, deceit love lies and through it all is the undercurrent of wealth and whether things are really too good to be true in Jillian's life at the beginning.

I just knew something was going to happen, there's a great atmosphere of unease but that made me love this book more, and I HAD to know what was going to happen.

I didn't want the novel to end.

5 sparkling stars (although it deserves more).

A very lovely read, I love a book where the truly horrible character gets bitten by karma and the lovely underdog comes good! I really enjoyed this read, it is positive and very uplifting, I loved the characters (most of them!)
Overall a light, warm and sunny read, very enjoyable.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

Remember last year I read and told you about The Shore House, written by Heidi Hostetter? It's now time for another journey to the shore! The Girl I Used to Be is Hostetter's latest novel. The story is not a sequel per se, but is set in the same village: Dewberry Beach. And the best thing about it is that we get to meet the lovely Bennett family from The Shore House again, although they're not the main characters in this novel.
Then who is? Meet Mr and Mrs Goodman. Or perhaps you should forget about Mr Goodman immediately. Mrs Goodman, Jill, is who this story is all about. A couple of years ago Jill started working for Marc Goodman and soon afterwards they begin dating. They get married quickly and Jill experiences wealth she has never known before. But there seems to be something missing from their marriage. Jill is not allowed to be herself: she has to wear the clothes Marc wants her to wear, she is not allowed to work, and above all, Marc doesn't like it when she talks like a Jersey girl. Actually, Marc doesn't like her at all it seems.
When Jill finds out that Marc's having an affair, she starts her journey back to the Jersey girl she used to be. During the divorce meeting with the judge, Jill learns that Marc has taken a mortgage out in her name on a big holiday home in Dewberry Beach. It's a large property he built there, but never managed to sell. Suddenly Jill is a home owner with an enormous mortgage she is never going to be able to pay. She heads over to Dewberry Beach to see if she can sell the house as quickly as possible.
But upon arriving, Jill immediately falls in love with the village. Furthermore, she learns about the things Marc did to build the house there, taking advantage of people who had just lost everything in a hurricane. Feeling more and more like herself again, Jill is determined to get some justice for Dewberry Beach.

I devoured The Girl I Used to Be. I was looking forward to returning to the shore and reading another story by Heidi Hostetter. And I enjoyed this book even more than The Shore House! I love the fact that even though they're part of a series, the novels can be read on their own. They do share characters, so it's been a lot of fun getting reacquainted with the Bennett family and realising that Marc and Jill were actually in The Shore House as well. Or at least, the party Marc threw in an attempt to sell his property is mentioned. Kaye and Chase Bennett actually attended that party!

I'd particularly like to highlight the power of friendship Hostetter manages to put into her books. There are two clear examples in this novel. The first takes the form of Ellie, who immediately drops everything when she learns that her best friend Jill is in trouble. She's a comfort and an extra conscience at the same time, keeping Jill sane during insane times.
The second example is among the villagers of Dewberry Beach. They all stick together and stand up for each other; nobody is left behind. If one person is hurt, the whole village is affected. It's just lovely and heartwarming. It kept me smiling and hopeful throughout the book, even when things seemed to be especially bad.

There's also a great lesson to be learned from The Girl I Used to Be. Don't let anyone ever try to change you. If people don't want to take you as you are, they're not worth your energy!