Synopsis:
In her years of acting the perfect wife to Marc, Jill had built walls around herself so high that nobody could reach her. Now she has no money, nowhere to live and a future as uncertain as it was the day Marc first asked her—the shy, trusting new assistant—to lunch. Jill hadn’t known then what sort of man he really was…
When Jill Goodman’s picture-perfect marriage implodes, she’s heartbroken. Still reeling from the shock, the only thing she receives in the hasty divorce settlement is the deed to her husband’s sprawling beach house on the New Jersey shore. Overpriced, with a dark history and a crippling mortgage far outside her means to pay—the house is a symbol of everything Jill’s lost. She hates the sight of it, but knows she must face it if she’s to move on.
With no other choice, Jill travels to Dewberry Beach intending to sell the house quickly—but the task is not as easy as she expects. Still, she can’t help but be charmed by the little town’s leafy streets, sweetly old-fashioned ways and even the unexpected attentions of a handsome local with dark eyes and a teasing smile. For the first time, she can see a path back to the girl she was before she met her husband…
Then Jill dives deeper into the house’s dark past and Marc’s part in it, and she stumbles across a terrible secret that changes everything. Torn between the right choice and the easy one, Jill realizes the key lies with her ex-husband. But he would do anything to keep the truth from coming to light…
An emotionally gripping read that will keep you turning the pages late into the night, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse, Elin Hilderbrand and Diane Chamberlain.
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
@HeidiHostetter @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author bio:
Heidi Hostetter is a proud Jersey Girl, born and raised. Growing up, she spent summers at her grandparents' house on the shore, in a town much like the one she writes about in her novels, and it was idyllic. The New Jersey shore has a culture all its own, where every magical thing can be found: sparklers on the beach, fireflies at night, and whole days swimming in the ocean.
She went to college in South Carolina and found inspiration for her Lowcountry Novels. After graduation, she moved to the Pacific Northwest where she developed an appreciate the rain. Trips to the Oregon coast inspired her award-winning Inlet Beach novels. She and her family have recently moved back across the country, to the DC-area, where history is everywhere. They live in a one-hundred-year-old house that's definitely haunted and feels like inspiration for a really good story.
When she's not writing, you can probably find her digging in her garden or poking around old houses for inspiration. She loves the beach, a good podcast, and is always up for a trip to a bookstore, no matter how far away.
Heidi is currently at work on her new novel. She shares office space with a labradoodle named Emmett who keeps are careful watch for errant squirrels foolish enough to wander into his yard. She loves to hear from readers and answers all her own mail. You can find her here:
Author Links:
Facebook Reading Group: facebook.com/groups/636728933179573
Goodreads: Goodreads.com/HeidiHostetter
Instagram @LoveTheShore_
Twitter: @HeidiHostetter
Website: HeidiHostetter.com
Purchase links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3aWKrUe Apple: http://apple.co/2NbAdqV Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZjYuy1 Google: http://bit.ly/3b9TSjx
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