THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Ryan is an emotionally gripping story about a young woman who has basically lost all hope when her life is shattered to pieces. Imagine spending time in prison for a crime you didn't commit. While in prison she was attacked several times and almost died. This is a wonderful story that shows how this young woman had the courage to fight against the odds and come out triumphant. She has every reason to be negative, feel resentful, and to want revenge, but she takes a whole different route. She takes the chance to rebuild her life and become the woman she was meant to be.

When she was twenty years old, Evangeline Austen went to prison for a crime she didn't commit, refusing to name anyone else. While serving her sentence, she refused to see her father or any family members. She was attacked several times and nearly died. Chris Chambers is the cop who arrested her that lead to her prison sentence. Now Chris shows up at the prison to tell Evangeline that her father has died and that she is being released. Chris gives her the opportunity to clear her record by helping to prove who was behind the crime she went to prison for. Evangeline receives a cold reception when she comes home. Her father has left her the sole responsibility for the family's failing ranch. Her mother blames her for her father's death and her brothers are resentful of her being responsible for making decisions regarding the ranch. The family will have an eye-opening experience when they learn everything that lead to Evangeline going to prison. Even though Evangeline was treated horribly, she showed so much grace in seeing to everyone else's needs.

Chris feels so much guilt about everything that Evangeline suffered. Working together to expose the truth will draw them closer together — a great story about triumphing over tragedy.

Book Summary

In New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s exciting new novel, a young woman has the chance to rebuild her life and become the woman she was always meant to be…

An inheritance she never expected…

After serving time for a crime she didn’t commit, Evangeline returns home to discover her father left her solely responsible for the family’s failing ranch, her mother blames her for her father’s death, and her brothers want her out of their way. With her family’s future squarely on her shoulders, she desperately searches for ways to save their home—before they lose everything.

A chance to right past mistakes…

Her only ally, Chris Chambers. The cop who sent her away is positive she took the fall for someone else. And if she helps him track down the real criminals, he’ll clear her record. But the closer Evangeline and Chris get to exposing the truth—and to each other—the deeper Evangeline is drawn into a dangerous sting that will finally bring her justice and pave the way for a bright future.