The Girl She Used To Be: Beachy Women's Fiction

by Maggie Miller

A New Standalone Novel from Maggie Miller

At 55, retired professional surfer Emma Cross feels like a shadow of her former self. Once fearless, she now spends her days quietly in the cozy Florida beach town of New Hope. She watches the waves she used to ride and wonders if her best years are behind her.

But when siblings Sara and Ben move in next door—Sara with her infectious energy and Ben with his calm, steady presence—they slowly pull Emma out of her shell, reminding her of the woman she used to be and nudging her toward the life she still has ahead of her.

Just as Emma begins to rediscover herself, her carefully balanced world is thrown into chaos by the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband. After years of silence, he brings a flood of old wounds, regrets, and unanswered questions—and a shocking revelation about why he’s here.

As Emma struggles to navigate her emotions and protect her two grown sons from being hurt again, she begins to realize that her own healing might mean letting go of the past once and for all.

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

About the author

Time off is time best spent at the beach, don't you agree?

The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.

When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.

I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 3 out of 5]

2-1/2* rounded ups to 3*. First half was pretty good. Second half was awful.

[Peggy Gruber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other Maggie Miller books and really enjoyed them. I was a little disappointed with this one. The story itself was fine, I enjoyed it. However, there were many things that bothered me.
First it was way too short and ended abruptly. This is supposed to be a standalone novel but now I am wondering if it will become a series.
I didn’t like that her surfing career ended so many years ago and she never felt the need to get a job after that. She sits at home and stares at the ocean every day not doing much of anything. How does she support herself? She has a beach house! I can’t believe she made that much from surfing competitions to support herself for life.
And the relationship with Ben seemed to be heading somewhere but it just never happened. Nothing was wrapped up in the end. It just left you wanting more.

[Lisa Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Maggie Miller books—almost always. This one didn’t hit the mark for me. The premise was great, but I felt as if I was only provided the story’s outline. It was underdeveloped and unsatisfying with so many missed opportunities to really spin a good story. It feels as though it was maybe rushed to print. It was not indicative of Miller’s usual work, IMO. Will I read her next book? Absolutely. But this one didn’t do it at all for me.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl She Used To Be

Maggie Miller is an auto read author to me. She doesn’t disappoint with her heartfelt, seasoned characters.
My boy complaint is wishing the book was a tad longer.

[David Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Really liked getting to know Emma's story. This talented author knows how to present Emma in such a way that you get a solid feel for her character and history. I very much recommend this book.

[Linda Traynor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely not up to Maggie Miller standards. I got really tired of reading the same lines over and over. It started out good and that changed pretty fast. I gave it 3 stars, but that's being generous.

[Mary Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl She Used to Be

I enjoyed all the drama of the new neighbors moving and finding how much they all get along. Ben helping to convince the ex surfer that she could it again. John the ex showing up after 20 years. I am looking forward to see how that all turns out.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Debbi Lannon-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story
Loved the main character and how she was introspective and how her journey was never done just a new path.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regret, I can't believe it ended this away.

Good book and loved story line. But I'm little upset that it ended this away.
Please tell me me there a book coming behind this.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

horrible ending

Without giving anything away, many loose ends. No completion. Just a long diatribe of the same subject over and over and over

[Anna E. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanknyou

Thank you for writing this wonderful book. I laughed and cried. I'm totally Team Emma. Thanks again and onlookers forward to more of your books

[Karen Austin · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was just boring and it talks about her cat way too much

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Used To be

Another great story to go with all the others in this series. I know how I want it to end and am excited to see if I’m right.

[Joy Hunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a story. I found it to be very repetitive and not really very interesting.