The Girl I Used to Be

Olivia Reinhart's parents disappeared when she was three years old, leaving her to grow up believing her father murdered her mother before vanishing. Now seventeen, Olivia learns that both her parents were killed that day, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about her past. With new evidence emerging after fourteen years, Olivia returns to her hometown in Oregon to search for answers about what really happened to her parents. She works to piece together clues from local residents who remember the case, while navigating complex relationships with her grandmother and others who knew her family. The investigation leads Olivia through the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest as she reconstructs the events of that fateful day. As she gets closer to the truth, she must confront the possibility that someone in the small town knows more than they're telling. This young adult thriller explores themes of identity, memory, and how the stories we're told shape our understanding of ourselves. The novel examines the impact of family trauma and the courage required to face difficult truths.

Readers describe this YA mystery as fast-paced with good character development. Many finished it in one sitting, finding the short chapters and building tension kept them engaged. Readers appreciated: - The realistic portrayal of small-town dynamics - The protagonist's determination and growth - Clean content appropriate for younger teens - The satisfying resolution - Authentic details about police procedure Common criticisms: - Some found the mystery too predictable - Secondary characters needed more depth - A few readers wanted more complexity in the plot - The romance felt underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (230+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) One reader noted: "Perfect for middle schoolers wanting to try mystery without graphic content." Another wrote: "The pacing kept me reading but I guessed the killer halfway through."

Pretty Girl-13 by Elizabeth Coley A teenager with amnesia must uncover what happened during her three years of captivity while confronting the dark truth of her disappearance.

Acceleration by Graham McNamee A teen working in a lost-and-found office discovers a diary belonging to a serial killer and races to stop the next murder.

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry A pizza delivery girl vanishes during a delivery, leading her coworker to piece together clues about her abduction.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney A girl discovers her own face on a missing persons milk carton and uncovers the secrets of her true identity.

All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry A girl returns to her village two years after her abduction with her tongue cut out and must find ways to reveal what happened to her.

📚 Author April Henry has written over 25 thriller and mystery novels, drawing from her fascination with real-life cold cases. 🔍 The novel was inspired by an actual unsolved murder case from Oregon, where the author grew up and still lives. 💫 The book won the Anthony Award in the Young Adult category and was nominated for an Edgar Award. 🌲 Many scenes in the book take place in Oregon's dense forests, which cover nearly half of the state and create the eerie atmosphere crucial to the story. 👥 April Henry consulted with law enforcement professionals and forensic experts while researching for the book to ensure accuracy in the investigation details.