The Girl I Used to Be
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4.1 • 10 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
The acclaimed author of Gone Without a Trace delivers another twisting novel of psychological suspense in which a woman is backed against a wall--with nothing left to lose...
The morning after real estate agent Gemma Brogan has dinner with a prospective client, she's furious at herself for drinking so much. But there will be more to regret than a nasty hangover.
She starts receiving mementos from that night: A photo of a hallway kiss. A video of her complaining about her husband. And worse...much worse. The problem is she doesn't remember any of it.
As the blackmailing and menace ramp up, Gemma fears for her already shaky marriage. The paranoia, the feeling that her life is spiraling out of control, will take her back to another night--years ago--that changed everything. And Gemma will realize just how far the shadows from her past can reach...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In the prologue to this engrossing psychological thriller from British author Torjussen (Gone Without a Trace), optimistic, confident 18-year-old Gemma attends an end-of-school bash that starts with drinking and laughter but ends with Gemma being raped in the bedroom of a boy who has just been accepted at Oxford. Flash forward 15 years to the present day. Gemma is now married to stay-at-home-dad Joe Brogan and owns her own real estate business in Chester, England. Gemma is overworked and acutely aware of the quality time she's missing with her young son as a result of her long hours. When she becomes the target of an online stalker, the police, while sympathetic, offer no real assurance, since much of the threatening behavior is carried out via email and on social media. Unable to confide in Joe given their shaky marriage, Gemma must face the escalating harassment on her own. How she tracks down her tormentor, who has a link to that long-ago party, and confronts him as well as her own fears will keep readers turning the pages. Paula Hawkins fans will find a lot to like.
Customer Reviews
Outstanding!!
The Girl I Used To Be is a brilliant read, addicting, fast-paced, and unputdownable. I was hooked and transported into the story from the very first page. Once I started reading this book, I hated to have any interruptions. I was completely caught up in the story.
Gemma Brogan worked hard at her real estate business. Her husband, Joe, was a stay at home father for their three-year-old son, Rory. Usually, Gemma didn’t mind being the only one working long hours, but when she noticed that her son, sought out his father, not her, whenever he was sick, or tired; it stung. Gemma didn’t want to say anything to Joe because they had both agreed on the arrangement. Gemma was under the impression, however, that it was only going to be a temporary thing, but Joe showed no interest in ever going back to work.
When David, a distinguished and handsome man stepped into Gemma’s real estate office, Gemma couldn’t help but notice him. Not that she was interested. She wasn’t. Gemma loved Joe, even though she was irritated with his laziness and the fact that she was missing out on caring for her own son. Gemma was jealous of her husband and didn’t know what to do about it.
The evening before her conference, Gemma planned to spend her hotel night, taking a relaxing bath, reading her kindle, and getting some much-needed sleep. Instead, she visited the lounge for a bit. When Gemma ran into David, the man who had captured her attention in the office, she was pleasantly surprised. So when he suggested dinner, Gemma readily agreed. What could an innocent dinner hurt? Gemma’s dinner, however, ended up being anything but innocent. In fact, it was the beginning of a never-ending nightmare. Gemma couldn’t sleep, concentrate or eat. She was in a constant state of anxiety. Gemma was about to lose everything, and she didn’t know how to stop her world from crumbling.
I was completely engrossed in this story. What a talented author Mary Torjussen is! I loved every page. This is the second book that I have read by this author, but it won’t be my last. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing and Edelweiss, for my advanced review copy. I loved it.