The Me I Used To Be (Harlequin Next Tall) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Archer (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373230443
• ISBN-13: 978-0373230440
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,567,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

At the age of ten, Jennifer Archer made up her mind to become a writer. Then she grew up, became "sensible" and earned a business degree with a minor in accounting instead. After years of trying to find her way through a confusing maze of debits and credits she realized that, for her, accounting was no more sensible than becoming a World Federation wrestler. So in 1993, she enrolled in a creative writing class, and five years later, sold her first novel. Since then, Jennifer has written many novels and novellas, as well as numerous non-fiction works.

She has twice been a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart award, and in 2006 was a finalist for the prestigious Rita Award and a nominee for a Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award. Her debut novel for teens, Through Her Eyes, will be published by Harper Teen in April, 2011.

Jennifer has taught creative writing and has presented numerous talks and workshops for educators, students, writers' organizations and bookstores. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, travel and hanging out with family, friends and her dogs, Marge and Harry. She lives in Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, witty and poignant, October 15, 2005

By 

Karen Templeton (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Me I Used To Be (Harlequin Next) (Mass Market Paperback)

At sixteen, Allyson Cole was forced to give up her baby daughter for adoption, an excruciating situation made even more so by her not knowing, or understanding, why Sonny McGraw, the baby's father and her first love, had simply taken off without a word of explanation before he knew Allyson was pregnant. Yes, he was only eighteen himself, but in the six months they'd been together, they'd been each others' worlds, and Allyson had trusted Sonny more than she'd ever trusted another human being.

Now Allyson's in her early fifties, a successful restaurateur in Portland, in a solid, long-term relationship with a terrific guy who very much wants to marry her. But Allyson - who sees the baby she gave up in every redheaded woman who crosses her path - is still saddled with too much guilt, and haunted by too many unanswered questions from her past, to fully embrace her future.

Then, her previously-unknown sixteen-year-old grandson shows up on her doorstep, with the shattering news that his mother, Allyson's daughter, has died three weeks previously. With that, Allyson's tenuous hold on the present is shaken as well, leading her to the decision to embark on an extended roadtrip to Texas with the equally shattered, and wary, teenager to meet his grandfather. . .and possibly find the answers to at least some of the questions that have plagued her for more than three decades.

THE ME I USED TO BE is a warm, witty and poignant exploration of some of the most realistically complex, and appealing, characters I've encountered in a long time. Jennifer Archer's prose is lovely without a hint of pretension, never getting in the way of Allyson's narration of her own story. Characters are vulnerable, screwed up and courageous all at the same time, and I loved them for it. Fans of both women's fiction and romance will find a lot to make them happy here. I see a very bright future for this extremely talented new author.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep the Kleenex handy!, December 27, 2005

By 

Patricia Kay "author and avid reader" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Me I Used To Be (Harlequin Next) (Mass Market Paperback)

I predicted stardom for Jennifer Archer after reading her first book, and I haven't changed my mind. I read THE ME I USED TO BE in two sittings and hated to put it down. Every emotion rang true, and even though the novel is told only through the eyes of Ally, the main character, Archer does such a masterful job of showing the emotions of the other characters, you don't realize you're not inside their heads, because you absolutely know what they're thinking and feeling. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, November 19, 2005

By 

K. Walkowiak (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Me I Used To Be (Harlequin Next) (Mass Market Paperback)

I couldn't put this book down. It's not easy to find books that can capture a reader like this. Not only does it explore real life issues and questions, but it does so in a way that is realistic and will touch readers. The Me I Used To Be is a great read for women of all ages.