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The Me I Used to Be
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10 days and 01:12:28
100 copies available
U.S. only
At a high school reunion, old secrets and heartbreaking truths come to light for four estranged friends in a poignant, humorous and bittersweet novel by a
New York Times
bestselling author.
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck—the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one—are called the Core Four. Full of promise, laughter and loyalty, they promise to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.
Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. But for one, the diagnosis of early-onset dementia means this is the last chance to revisit their once-golden friendship.
Over the weekend, they’ll come to terms with that tragic accident, as well as the dreams and realities of their lives. Can they forgive each other and peel away those secrets? Is there anything left of that old friendship? After all these years, it’s time to see if the Core Four can come together once more.
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck—the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one—are called the Core Four. Full of promise, laughter and loyalty, they promise to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.
Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. But for one, the diagnosis of early-onset dementia means this is the last chance to revisit their once-golden friendship.
Over the weekend, they’ll come to terms with that tragic accident, as well as the dreams and realities of their lives. Can they forgive each other and peel away those secrets? Is there anything left of that old friendship? After all these years, it’s time to see if the Core Four can come together once more.
347 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Kristan Higgins
55 books13.3k followersKristan Higgins is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than twenty novels, which have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. If you want to receive a free short story and be notified when Kristan releases a new book, sign up at kristanhiggins.com.
Kristan enjoys gardening, mixology, the National Parks and complimenting strangers on their children. The mother of two entertaining and wonderful humans, and the grandmother of one perfect child, Kristan lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, cuddly dog and indifferent cat.
Kristan enjoys gardening, mixology, the National Parks and complimenting strangers on their children. The mother of two entertaining and wonderful humans, and the grandmother of one perfect child, Kristan lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, cuddly dog and indifferent cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
March 23, 2026
4+ stars...The Me I Used to Be (thanks to NetGalley for the eARC, release date 9/13) immediately caught my attention with its focus on early-onset dementia. That aspect hit especially close to home for me, as it mirrors my mom’s diagnosis—and I’m now approaching the age when her symptoms first began. The author does a beautiful, heartbreaking job portraying the reality of living with this disease, particularly at such a young age.
The story follows four friends who reunite after 25 years when one of them, facing this diagnosis, wants to reconnect and rebuild what they once had. It’s told through dual timelines and multiple POVs, moving between their teenage years—full of hopes and plans for the future—and the present, where life hasn’t quite turned out the way they imagined. A traumatic event shortly after graduation fractured their friendship, and unraveling what happened adds an emotional layer to the story.
This book hit me differently because of its subject matter, but beyond that personal connection, I genuinely enjoyed the story. It’s reflective, emotional, and a thoughtful look at friendship, memory, and the passage of time.
The story follows four friends who reunite after 25 years when one of them, facing this diagnosis, wants to reconnect and rebuild what they once had. It’s told through dual timelines and multiple POVs, moving between their teenage years—full of hopes and plans for the future—and the present, where life hasn’t quite turned out the way they imagined. A traumatic event shortly after graduation fractured their friendship, and unraveling what happened adds an emotional layer to the story.
This book hit me differently because of its subject matter, but beyond that personal connection, I genuinely enjoyed the story. It’s reflective, emotional, and a thoughtful look at friendship, memory, and the passage of time.
March 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Back in senior year, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were the Core Four: the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one. They had color-coded dreams, inside jokes, and a lifelong friendship they thought would last forever. But graduation night ended in a tragic accident, followed by the kind of silence that stretches for decades.
Now, they’ve returned for their reunion, each carrying a life that looks nothing like the glossy future they imagined. There are stalled careers, complicated marriages, outspoken adult children, and secrets that never fit into holiday cards. For one of them, a diagnosis of early-onset dementia turns the weekend into a ticking clock.
Across one unforgettable weekend, the Core Four must decide if their past can still change their future together.
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I have been a huge fan of Kristan Higgins's books since back in the Gideon's Cove and Blue Heron days, and she has long been one of my auto-buy authors. Therefore, when given the chance to read her newest novel months before its publication date, I jumped at the chance and placed my entire TBR list off to the side so I could devour it this afternoon. Higgins was once an author who gave us swoon-worthy men and strong FMCs in her series contemporary romances (always with the important canine sidekick thrown in), and they were always fun to read. However, over the last decade or so, her novels have become fuller and deeper, and while they are still romances at their core (and those canine companions are still a part of every story), they have a complexity that was not evident in those earlier stories.
The tone of Higgins' latest offering reminds me a little bit of her 2021 title PACK UP THE MOON, possibly because I recently reread it in audiobook form, in that it has as a central theme a scary medical diagnosis and revolves around its effects on a family/found family (one of my favorite tropes) group. Told through multiple timelines and multiple viewpoints, it traces the story of four friends as they experience first a tragedy in high school, then it's ramifications throughout their early adulthoods, and finally a resolution that is unlike anything they ever could have expected. This grabbed me from the first chapter, and I read it straight through in a very satisfying binge reading session, which is actually the way I read most of Higgins's books, now that I think of it. I am so thrilled that this author has a new book being launched out into the world, and I hope there will be many more where this one came from.
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Back in senior year, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were the Core Four: the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one. They had color-coded dreams, inside jokes, and a lifelong friendship they thought would last forever. But graduation night ended in a tragic accident, followed by the kind of silence that stretches for decades.
Now, they’ve returned for their reunion, each carrying a life that looks nothing like the glossy future they imagined. There are stalled careers, complicated marriages, outspoken adult children, and secrets that never fit into holiday cards. For one of them, a diagnosis of early-onset dementia turns the weekend into a ticking clock.
Across one unforgettable weekend, the Core Four must decide if their past can still change their future together.
----------
I have been a huge fan of Kristan Higgins's books since back in the Gideon's Cove and Blue Heron days, and she has long been one of my auto-buy authors. Therefore, when given the chance to read her newest novel months before its publication date, I jumped at the chance and placed my entire TBR list off to the side so I could devour it this afternoon. Higgins was once an author who gave us swoon-worthy men and strong FMCs in her series contemporary romances (always with the important canine sidekick thrown in), and they were always fun to read. However, over the last decade or so, her novels have become fuller and deeper, and while they are still romances at their core (and those canine companions are still a part of every story), they have a complexity that was not evident in those earlier stories.
The tone of Higgins' latest offering reminds me a little bit of her 2021 title PACK UP THE MOON, possibly because I recently reread it in audiobook form, in that it has as a central theme a scary medical diagnosis and revolves around its effects on a family/found family (one of my favorite tropes) group. Told through multiple timelines and multiple viewpoints, it traces the story of four friends as they experience first a tragedy in high school, then it's ramifications throughout their early adulthoods, and finally a resolution that is unlike anything they ever could have expected. This grabbed me from the first chapter, and I read it straight through in a very satisfying binge reading session, which is actually the way I read most of Higgins's books, now that I think of it. I am so thrilled that this author has a new book being launched out into the world, and I hope there will be many more where this one came from.
March 18, 2026
The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins is a beautifully layered, character driven story that perfectly captures why she remains such a standout voice in contemporary fiction. Blending her signature humor with deeply poignant themes, this novel explores friendship, family, grief, and the complicated ways the past continues to shape who we become. Through dual timelines that move seamlessly between past and present, Higgins crafts a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, drawing you into the lives of four former best friends whose bond was once unbreakable.
Set against the backdrop of a twenty five year reunion, the story slowly unravels long buried secrets and unresolved heartbreak, revealing how one tragic night altered the course of their lives forever. The shifting timelines are handled with care, making the pacing feel compelling and immersive rather than disjointed. Each character is richly developed, carrying their own regrets, losses, and quiet hopes, and the emotional weight of their shared history builds steadily as the story unfolds. It’s incredibly moving—at times devastating—but balanced with moments of warmth, connection, and even levity that keep it from feeling overwhelmingly heavy.
The ending is both heartbreaking and perfect, the kind that leaves you sitting in your feelings long after you’ve turned the final page. Fans of Pack Up the Moon will find similar emotional depth here, as Higgins once again delivers a story that is as thought provoking as it is tear inducing. This is the kind of novel that begs to be discussed, making it an ideal pick for book clubs, there’s so much to unpack about friendship, forgiveness, and whether the past can ever truly be left behind. A truly beautiful, unforgettable read—even if you’ll likely be sobbing through parts of it.
March 18, 2026
I’ve only ever read one book by KH in the past - Pack Up The Moon - and it had me crying after every chapter so I was definitely prepared incase this one had me feeling similarly.
In The Me I Used To Be we follow four friends, finally reuniting 25 years after a tragedy shattered their teenage lives. Honestly, I really believed the awkwardness and mindless chatter amongst the characters, because how exactly do you greet the people you swore you’d always have in your life? Especially if you haven’t spoken in a quarter of a century! However, the reason for them being together again is not a happy one. I really enjoyed diving deep into each characters life, in both past and present timelines, and understanding the devastation surrounding THAT NIGHT from each new perspective.
The ending was so upsetting in the best way but I’m glad it ended the way it did. Each character getting their own moment to wrap up their own story was so great. There’s not much else I can say without potentially spoiling the plot, but if you like books that make you cry - definitely check this one out!
In The Me I Used To Be we follow four friends, finally reuniting 25 years after a tragedy shattered their teenage lives. Honestly, I really believed the awkwardness and mindless chatter amongst the characters, because how exactly do you greet the people you swore you’d always have in your life? Especially if you haven’t spoken in a quarter of a century! However, the reason for them being together again is not a happy one. I really enjoyed diving deep into each characters life, in both past and present timelines, and understanding the devastation surrounding THAT NIGHT from each new perspective.
The ending was so upsetting in the best way but I’m glad it ended the way it did. Each character getting their own moment to wrap up their own story was so great. There’s not much else I can say without potentially spoiling the plot, but if you like books that make you cry - definitely check this one out!
March 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
I really loved this book. It was the first book I read from this author and after the reading experience I had, definitely not the last.
This book follows a story of four high school friends whose lives were tragically changed after one night. When their 25th year high school reunion brought them back together, it was on them if they can overcome what happened and be in each other's future again.
One of many things that stood out to me were the Audrey chapters that were written in second person, which made the book so much more impactful to me. I was also a really big fan of the mix of present and past timelines.
It was such a beautiful and emotional book about friendship and life over all that made me care about each of the characters so much. And I must say that I loved how the ending was so sad but beautiful at the same time making my eyes tear up.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
I really loved this book. It was the first book I read from this author and after the reading experience I had, definitely not the last.
This book follows a story of four high school friends whose lives were tragically changed after one night. When their 25th year high school reunion brought them back together, it was on them if they can overcome what happened and be in each other's future again.
One of many things that stood out to me were the Audrey chapters that were written in second person, which made the book so much more impactful to me. I was also a really big fan of the mix of present and past timelines.
It was such a beautiful and emotional book about friendship and life over all that made me care about each of the characters so much. And I must say that I loved how the ending was so sad but beautiful at the same time making my eyes tear up.
August 27, 2026
What a beautiful story by Kristan Higgins! Four friends drifted apart after an event in high school changed their lives forever. Now that they are back together for a class reunion, they realize that they miss their old selves and wish they could go back in time to when they were inseparable.
Audrey is the core of the story, and her journey was just heartbreaking. Yet her humor made the emotional subject matter tolerable and poignant. I was impressed that Higgins could develop each character so well, and I felt drawn to each of their stories. There was so much packed into this novel, yet it felt like a great story rather than a whiplash of one event after another. There were several tough moments and emotional topics, yet it made the story feel relatable and I loved how the characters supported one another through the hard times.
I was in tears by the final pages, I loved these characters and the story so much!
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Audrey is the core of the story, and her journey was just heartbreaking. Yet her humor made the emotional subject matter tolerable and poignant. I was impressed that Higgins could develop each character so well, and I felt drawn to each of their stories. There was so much packed into this novel, yet it felt like a great story rather than a whiplash of one event after another. There were several tough moments and emotional topics, yet it made the story feel relatable and I loved how the characters supported one another through the hard times.
I was in tears by the final pages, I loved these characters and the story so much!
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2026
This was Kristan Higgins at her best. Nothing quite like good friendships and those that truly know you and understand you when times are tough.
March 27, 2026
Kristan Higgins’ 2026 novel is a deeply moving exploration of friendship, loss, and the enduring pull of the past. At its heart is “The Core 4”—Audrey, Beck, Jasmine, and Micah—four girls who were inseparable throughout high school, bound by shared secrets, loyalty, and the unshakable belief that nothing could ever come between them. Like so many youthful promises, their vow to remain “thick as thieves” feels invincible—until life, in its unpredictability, intervenes.
What follows graduation is not the bright, shared future they once imagined, but a devastating rupture none of them could have foreseen. A tragic car accident involving the four friends results in the death of Audrey’s mother, an event that fractures their bond beyond repair. In the aftermath, guilt, grief, and unspoken blame scatter them in different directions. The Core 4 ceases to exist—not with a dramatic confrontation, but with silence, distance, and the quiet erosion of connection. For twenty-five years, they build lives apart, each carrying their own version of what happened that night.
As their high school reunion approaches, the past begins to stir. Audrey—once the “princess” of the group, now living a seemingly idyllic life on her farm—reaches out with an unexpected invitation: a weekend together, just the four of them. Beck, Jasmine, and Micah arrive with hesitation, baggage, and unanswered questions. None are prepared for the truth Audrey reveals—a diagnosis of early-onset dementia that reframes everything. Faced with the impending loss of her memories, Audrey is determined to confront the past and mend what was broken before it’s too late.
Higgins masterfully weaves between past and present, giving each woman her own voice and perspective. Through these shifting timelines, the novel reveals not just what happened, but how differently each friend experienced it. The story becomes less about the accident itself and more about the ripple effects of grief, the weight of personal choices, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional honesty. Higgins doesn’t offer easy resolutions or tidy forgiveness; instead, she delves into the messy, complicated reality of long-broken relationships. The women must grapple not only with each other, but with who they’ve become in the absence of the friendship that once defined them.
Ultimately, this is a story about second chances—not just in friendship, but in understanding, in accountability, and in love. It asks a poignant question: how do you reclaim something that was lost not in a single moment, but over decades of silence?
Rich in character, layered in emotion, and grounded in the bittersweet passage of time, this novel is a powerful reminder that while the past cannot be changed, it can still shape the way we choose to move forward.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!
What follows graduation is not the bright, shared future they once imagined, but a devastating rupture none of them could have foreseen. A tragic car accident involving the four friends results in the death of Audrey’s mother, an event that fractures their bond beyond repair. In the aftermath, guilt, grief, and unspoken blame scatter them in different directions. The Core 4 ceases to exist—not with a dramatic confrontation, but with silence, distance, and the quiet erosion of connection. For twenty-five years, they build lives apart, each carrying their own version of what happened that night.
As their high school reunion approaches, the past begins to stir. Audrey—once the “princess” of the group, now living a seemingly idyllic life on her farm—reaches out with an unexpected invitation: a weekend together, just the four of them. Beck, Jasmine, and Micah arrive with hesitation, baggage, and unanswered questions. None are prepared for the truth Audrey reveals—a diagnosis of early-onset dementia that reframes everything. Faced with the impending loss of her memories, Audrey is determined to confront the past and mend what was broken before it’s too late.
Higgins masterfully weaves between past and present, giving each woman her own voice and perspective. Through these shifting timelines, the novel reveals not just what happened, but how differently each friend experienced it. The story becomes less about the accident itself and more about the ripple effects of grief, the weight of personal choices, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional honesty. Higgins doesn’t offer easy resolutions or tidy forgiveness; instead, she delves into the messy, complicated reality of long-broken relationships. The women must grapple not only with each other, but with who they’ve become in the absence of the friendship that once defined them.
Ultimately, this is a story about second chances—not just in friendship, but in understanding, in accountability, and in love. It asks a poignant question: how do you reclaim something that was lost not in a single moment, but over decades of silence?
Rich in character, layered in emotion, and grounded in the bittersweet passage of time, this novel is a powerful reminder that while the past cannot be changed, it can still shape the way we choose to move forward.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026dnf at 40%
I hate to dnf a book, especially an arc. So first, thank you (and sorry) to NetGalley and the publisher! Opinions are my own and related to the first half of the book.
I love female friendships and I love Vermont, so I really thought I was going to love this book. And even though I didn’t, I still can see why so many people are enjoying it.
It’s a very emotional story about four women who used to be inseparable but grew distant after a terrible accident. 25 years later, they reunite as a new devastating event looms upon them.
I appreciate how certain themes were handled but, despite how much I wanted to click with it, I just didn’t.
I especially have an issue with the way the nonbinary kid is talked about, especially in inner monologues. What’s the point of adding a non-binary side character if their identity get passively dismissed and they get dead-named and misgendered a lot only because they’re just a teen and “a lot of kids change their name these days”?
Maybe I’m too woke, but considering the political climate we’re in, especially when it comes to trans people, this is harmful rhetoric. And you can’t insert queer characters only to make them the butt of a very unfunny joke!
At first I hoped it was just because Audrey had dementia and kept forgetting Kylo’s new name (even when it was just that, it still left a bad taste in my mouth). But then, Micah and Beck did it, too. And Audrey even said “I want to call you Mathilda in this letter, not Kylo, because your mother picked out your name the day you were born” …… not how it works.
I even looked it up online and I found out that the author has written some transphobic joke in one of her earlier novels… It was a different decade but it’s still disappointing and not all that surprising judging from these characters.
These women sound like they want to be progressive but actually fail to be. Maybe the author herself was trying to do better this time, and I can see the effort, but it’s still off.
I know it wasn’t the main plot and Kylo wasn’t even one of the main characters, but I think this ruined my reading experience.
This, and the fact that the main characters were painfully boring and annoying. I felt for their hardships but I genuinely couldn’t care less about them nor their friendship.
I hate to dnf a book, especially an arc. So first, thank you (and sorry) to NetGalley and the publisher! Opinions are my own and related to the first half of the book.
I love female friendships and I love Vermont, so I really thought I was going to love this book. And even though I didn’t, I still can see why so many people are enjoying it.
It’s a very emotional story about four women who used to be inseparable but grew distant after a terrible accident. 25 years later, they reunite as a new devastating event looms upon them.
I appreciate how certain themes were handled but, despite how much I wanted to click with it, I just didn’t.
I especially have an issue with the way the nonbinary kid is talked about, especially in inner monologues. What’s the point of adding a non-binary side character if their identity get passively dismissed and they get dead-named and misgendered a lot only because they’re just a teen and “a lot of kids change their name these days”?
Maybe I’m too woke, but considering the political climate we’re in, especially when it comes to trans people, this is harmful rhetoric. And you can’t insert queer characters only to make them the butt of a very unfunny joke!
At first I hoped it was just because Audrey had dementia and kept forgetting Kylo’s new name (even when it was just that, it still left a bad taste in my mouth). But then, Micah and Beck did it, too. And Audrey even said “I want to call you Mathilda in this letter, not Kylo, because your mother picked out your name the day you were born” …… not how it works.
I even looked it up online and I found out that the author has written some transphobic joke in one of her earlier novels… It was a different decade but it’s still disappointing and not all that surprising judging from these characters.
These women sound like they want to be progressive but actually fail to be. Maybe the author herself was trying to do better this time, and I can see the effort, but it’s still off.
I know it wasn’t the main plot and Kylo wasn’t even one of the main characters, but I think this ruined my reading experience.
This, and the fact that the main characters were painfully boring and annoying. I felt for their hardships but I genuinely couldn’t care less about them nor their friendship.
September 5, 2026
“One more sleepover, one more chance to be the person you once were. One more chance to forgive and let go.”
Twenty-five years ago, an accident changed the lives and futures of four inseparable best friends. Now, with none of their lives where they thought they’d be, and one with a devastating diagnosis, the women reunite for their high school reunion. Can they forgive the past and find their way back to each other before it’s too late?
This heartbreaking and beautiful story about friendship, love, family, broken dreams and second chances, is not only one of the best I’ve read this year, but might be one of my favorite books ever. Told through multiple POVs, Kristan Higgins has written characters that are deep, believable incredibly relatable. Fans of Elon Hilderband and specifically The Five Star Weekend, will definitely enjoy this one. Similar in writing style and vibe, but with the delicious nostalgia of the peak into the past and present with those life long friends, shared traumas and future dreams. It made me want to book a girls weekend with my favorite girls that I don’t get to see, or hug, enough. Reminisce about the good ol’ days, and just be “the me I used to be” with the people I will always feel most at home with. It made me long deeply for just another day, another moment, with the mother I lost to a car accident at 21, despite of difficult relationship. It terrified me to think about all the things I don’t know, the possible health issues I can’t prepare for because she died young, but hopeful that I’ll have the community I need if I ever have to face something like the dementia that Aubrey experiences - my literal worst fear after watching my Nana slowly forget all the people she loved. This portrayal of dementia was incredible. It was hard to read, but realistic. It broke my heart into a thousand pieces, but still left me feeling so grateful for all of the incredible people in my life. A life that is nothing like I thought it was going to be when those girls and I dreamed of our futures, but somehow it’s even better.
I laughed out loud, UGLY cried, like uuuugly!😭😂 But also laughed through those tears so many times. I literally couldn’t put it down, pushing aside my to do list and responsibilities to finish it in one day! One of the easiest five stars I’ve given, and I will be highly recommending this one to everyone I know, with the caveat that you might actually need a whole box of tissues!😭 I can’t believe I’ve never read a Kristan Higgins book! I can’t wait to pick up another!
Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Kristan Higgins, for the eARC of The Me I Used to Be!🩷
Twenty-five years ago, an accident changed the lives and futures of four inseparable best friends. Now, with none of their lives where they thought they’d be, and one with a devastating diagnosis, the women reunite for their high school reunion. Can they forgive the past and find their way back to each other before it’s too late?
This heartbreaking and beautiful story about friendship, love, family, broken dreams and second chances, is not only one of the best I’ve read this year, but might be one of my favorite books ever. Told through multiple POVs, Kristan Higgins has written characters that are deep, believable incredibly relatable. Fans of Elon Hilderband and specifically The Five Star Weekend, will definitely enjoy this one. Similar in writing style and vibe, but with the delicious nostalgia of the peak into the past and present with those life long friends, shared traumas and future dreams. It made me want to book a girls weekend with my favorite girls that I don’t get to see, or hug, enough. Reminisce about the good ol’ days, and just be “the me I used to be” with the people I will always feel most at home with. It made me long deeply for just another day, another moment, with the mother I lost to a car accident at 21, despite of difficult relationship. It terrified me to think about all the things I don’t know, the possible health issues I can’t prepare for because she died young, but hopeful that I’ll have the community I need if I ever have to face something like the dementia that Aubrey experiences - my literal worst fear after watching my Nana slowly forget all the people she loved. This portrayal of dementia was incredible. It was hard to read, but realistic. It broke my heart into a thousand pieces, but still left me feeling so grateful for all of the incredible people in my life. A life that is nothing like I thought it was going to be when those girls and I dreamed of our futures, but somehow it’s even better.
I laughed out loud, UGLY cried, like uuuugly!😭😂 But also laughed through those tears so many times. I literally couldn’t put it down, pushing aside my to do list and responsibilities to finish it in one day! One of the easiest five stars I’ve given, and I will be highly recommending this one to everyone I know, with the caveat that you might actually need a whole box of tissues!😭 I can’t believe I’ve never read a Kristan Higgins book! I can’t wait to pick up another!
Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Kristan Higgins, for the eARC of The Me I Used to Be!🩷
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The author is a masterful storyteller whose emotional character development shines in this novel.
Once upon a time, four teenage girls – the Core Four – ruled their high school social scene through their deep bond of friendship, even family. All that changed at graduation with a tragic accident that shattered their connection and left them adrift for a quarter of a century.
As their 25th high school reunion approaches, Audrey (ironically labelled the Lucky One) invites the other three women to spend the weekend at her home. The invitations are met with surprise and some trepidation, yet each one commits to spending time together as an opportunity to heal the rift in their friendship.
The chapters shift skillfully between the past and the present timelines as well as alternate between the perspectives of the women and Audrey’s 16-year-old stepdaughter. The prose is deeply evocative – especially through Audrey’s narrative, which reveals and illuminates the horrific experience of coping with the progressive degeneration of early onset dementia. The women eventually embrace both personal and collective reckonings based on the twists and turns their lives have taken in the face of their once-held youthful dreams.
This impact of this story stayed with me for several days after completing the book. I do not often consider reading a novel a second time, but this one is worthy of an additional future reading. It is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming with a fresh approach to the complexities of friendships, second chances, family relationships, guilt, betrayal, love, misplaced responsibility, and chronic illness.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Once upon a time, four teenage girls – the Core Four – ruled their high school social scene through their deep bond of friendship, even family. All that changed at graduation with a tragic accident that shattered their connection and left them adrift for a quarter of a century.
As their 25th high school reunion approaches, Audrey (ironically labelled the Lucky One) invites the other three women to spend the weekend at her home. The invitations are met with surprise and some trepidation, yet each one commits to spending time together as an opportunity to heal the rift in their friendship.
The chapters shift skillfully between the past and the present timelines as well as alternate between the perspectives of the women and Audrey’s 16-year-old stepdaughter. The prose is deeply evocative – especially through Audrey’s narrative, which reveals and illuminates the horrific experience of coping with the progressive degeneration of early onset dementia. The women eventually embrace both personal and collective reckonings based on the twists and turns their lives have taken in the face of their once-held youthful dreams.
This impact of this story stayed with me for several days after completing the book. I do not often consider reading a novel a second time, but this one is worthy of an additional future reading. It is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming with a fresh approach to the complexities of friendships, second chances, family relationships, guilt, betrayal, love, misplaced responsibility, and chronic illness.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5 Stars
The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins is an emotional and beautifully layered story about friendship, grief, forgiveness, and the ways our past continues to shape who we become.
The story follows Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck, once inseparable childhood friends known as the Core Four. But after a tragic event, their friendship falls apart, and they spend the next 25 years without speaking to one another.
When an incurable illness brings them back together, they are forced to confront not only what happened all those years ago, but also the reality that none of their lives turned out quite the way they imagined they would.
I absolutely loved that this story was told through multiple POVs and a dual timeline. Getting both the past and present chapters allowed the story to slowly unfold while showing how one moment in their lives continued to impact each of them decades later. I loved seeing how their memories, experiences, and unresolved feelings shaped the people they became.
This was definitely an emotional read for me, and I cried several times. Kristan Higgins does such a wonderful job exploring the complexity of friendship, grief and loss, the past shaping the present, forgiveness, and second chances.
I also listened to this one on audio, and the full-cast narration was absolutely excellent! Each narrator brought something different to the characters and made the multiple POVs easy to follow. The performances added even more emotion to an already powerful story, and I truly think the audiobook experience made this one even more impactful for me.
The Me I Used to Be is a heartfelt, emotional story about the people who know us best, the mistakes that can change everything, and whether it's ever truly too late to find your way back to the people, and the person, you used to be.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins is an emotional and beautifully layered story about friendship, grief, forgiveness, and the ways our past continues to shape who we become.
The story follows Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck, once inseparable childhood friends known as the Core Four. But after a tragic event, their friendship falls apart, and they spend the next 25 years without speaking to one another.
When an incurable illness brings them back together, they are forced to confront not only what happened all those years ago, but also the reality that none of their lives turned out quite the way they imagined they would.
I absolutely loved that this story was told through multiple POVs and a dual timeline. Getting both the past and present chapters allowed the story to slowly unfold while showing how one moment in their lives continued to impact each of them decades later. I loved seeing how their memories, experiences, and unresolved feelings shaped the people they became.
This was definitely an emotional read for me, and I cried several times. Kristan Higgins does such a wonderful job exploring the complexity of friendship, grief and loss, the past shaping the present, forgiveness, and second chances.
I also listened to this one on audio, and the full-cast narration was absolutely excellent! Each narrator brought something different to the characters and made the multiple POVs easy to follow. The performances added even more emotion to an already powerful story, and I truly think the audiobook experience made this one even more impactful for me.
The Me I Used to Be is a heartfelt, emotional story about the people who know us best, the mistakes that can change everything, and whether it's ever truly too late to find your way back to the people, and the person, you used to be.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Me I Used to Be is a masterclass in how past and present collide. Higgins takes a simple premise—a high school reunion—and turns it into a sophisticated exploration of friendship, memory, and the unforeseen consequences of time. The Core Four—Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck—aren’t just nostalgic stand-ins for teenage archetypes; they’re fully realized adults navigating careers, families, and secrets that don’t fit neatly into life’s tidy boxes.
Structurally, Higgins’s use of multiple timelines and perspectives is both elegant and purposeful. It allows the narrative to balance reflection with immediacy, showing how choices and trauma ripple decades later. The pacing is impressive; what could have easily become a meandering introspection instead unfolds with momentum and tension, keeping the reader engaged while letting character depth breathe.
Thematically, the novel doesn’t shy away from the messy intersections of aging, illness, and unresolved conflict. Yet Higgins also keeps the prose lively, injecting moments of humor, irony, and genuine insight that prevent the story from feeling weighed down. There’s an intellectual pleasure in noticing how carefully she maps the characters’ emotional arcs alongside their social and familial landscapes—it’s a reminder that friendship is as complex as it is enduring.
In short, The Me I Used to Be delivers more than nostalgia and drama. It’s a nuanced, intelligent examination of what it means to grow up, grow apart, and possibly grow back together. For readers who appreciate character-driven fiction with real-world resonance—and a dash of wit—this is a book that sticks.
Structurally, Higgins’s use of multiple timelines and perspectives is both elegant and purposeful. It allows the narrative to balance reflection with immediacy, showing how choices and trauma ripple decades later. The pacing is impressive; what could have easily become a meandering introspection instead unfolds with momentum and tension, keeping the reader engaged while letting character depth breathe.
Thematically, the novel doesn’t shy away from the messy intersections of aging, illness, and unresolved conflict. Yet Higgins also keeps the prose lively, injecting moments of humor, irony, and genuine insight that prevent the story from feeling weighed down. There’s an intellectual pleasure in noticing how carefully she maps the characters’ emotional arcs alongside their social and familial landscapes—it’s a reminder that friendship is as complex as it is enduring.
In short, The Me I Used to Be delivers more than nostalgia and drama. It’s a nuanced, intelligent examination of what it means to grow up, grow apart, and possibly grow back together. For readers who appreciate character-driven fiction with real-world resonance—and a dash of wit—this is a book that sticks.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kristan Higgins has been a go to writer for me for many years now. I love her wit, her strong characterisation, the emotional intensity of her writing, her New England settings, that there is always a dog in the picture somewhere - basically I love her books. The Me I Used to Be is no exception.
Four friends, those girls in High School only they are not mean, just popular and so close there is no room for anyone else. Audrey is the lucky one, with the perfect home and family, her life gilded and easy. Micah is the beautiful one who dreams of getting out their small Vermont town. Beck is the sporty one of whom big things are expected. And Jasmine is the smart one, driven to rise above her neglected poverty-stricken background. The summer after High School graduation is their golden time before they head off in different directions - only for a car accident to have devastating consequences and drive them apart. Now, twenty five years later their school reunion is on the horizon and Audrey asks them all to stay. It's time to reconcile, with the past, with each other, with the mistakes they have made. But Audrey has a reason for inviting them now, and dealing with that will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins moves the narrative from present day, back to their childhoods and through each of the women's lives with seemingly effortless ease, creating a compelling read. I raced through this book through to the inevitable bitter sweet end. There were so many beautiful touches, from the unexpected romance at the High School dance to the unfolding of Micah's love story with her husband, James. Warning: you will need tissues.
Four friends, those girls in High School only they are not mean, just popular and so close there is no room for anyone else. Audrey is the lucky one, with the perfect home and family, her life gilded and easy. Micah is the beautiful one who dreams of getting out their small Vermont town. Beck is the sporty one of whom big things are expected. And Jasmine is the smart one, driven to rise above her neglected poverty-stricken background. The summer after High School graduation is their golden time before they head off in different directions - only for a car accident to have devastating consequences and drive them apart. Now, twenty five years later their school reunion is on the horizon and Audrey asks them all to stay. It's time to reconcile, with the past, with each other, with the mistakes they have made. But Audrey has a reason for inviting them now, and dealing with that will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins moves the narrative from present day, back to their childhoods and through each of the women's lives with seemingly effortless ease, creating a compelling read. I raced through this book through to the inevitable bitter sweet end. There were so many beautiful touches, from the unexpected romance at the High School dance to the unfolding of Micah's love story with her husband, James. Warning: you will need tissues.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
‘At their twenty-fifth high school reunion, four former best friends discover that growing up is way messier than anticipated—and the past isn’t nearly as finished as they thought.’
The Me I Used to Be, told from alternating perspectives and timelines, proved a difficult read for me unfortunately. I feel like this should have been an emotional, well-layered story with depth surrounding these once in a lifetime girlfriends, riddled with warm nostalgia and memories, alongside inevitable tragedy, heartbreak and the meaning and outcome of it all...
But that wasn't the case here. I found the characters, “The Core Four” stiff, flat and humdrum, unable to identify with any of them. This was not a group of women I wanted to insert myself into because I found myself connecting with them or enjoying them – something I’ve experienced time & again in stories revolving poignant friendships. There was no bond, no kinship that I could muster into being. The storytelling came off routine and somewhat restricted, as though there was little to no heart given to its crux. Magnetism was nil. I forced myself to reach the end, going through the motions for the sake of it. Sadly, I was removed from the story as a whole, which obviously doesn’t make for a gratifying experience.
These are my own opinions and personal feelings of course. I’ve read and enjoyed Higgins in the past and I’m sure I will again. I’m also positive there are plenty of readers who will undoubtedly enjoy this book.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.
Pub: 9.15.2026.
The Me I Used to Be, told from alternating perspectives and timelines, proved a difficult read for me unfortunately. I feel like this should have been an emotional, well-layered story with depth surrounding these once in a lifetime girlfriends, riddled with warm nostalgia and memories, alongside inevitable tragedy, heartbreak and the meaning and outcome of it all...
But that wasn't the case here. I found the characters, “The Core Four” stiff, flat and humdrum, unable to identify with any of them. This was not a group of women I wanted to insert myself into because I found myself connecting with them or enjoying them – something I’ve experienced time & again in stories revolving poignant friendships. There was no bond, no kinship that I could muster into being. The storytelling came off routine and somewhat restricted, as though there was little to no heart given to its crux. Magnetism was nil. I forced myself to reach the end, going through the motions for the sake of it. Sadly, I was removed from the story as a whole, which obviously doesn’t make for a gratifying experience.
These are my own opinions and personal feelings of course. I’ve read and enjoyed Higgins in the past and I’m sure I will again. I’m also positive there are plenty of readers who will undoubtedly enjoy this book.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.
Pub: 9.15.2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley & Union Publishing for this ARC.
This is a thoughtful, emotional novel about friendship, memory, and how a single moment can change the course of several lives.
The story follows four friends whose lives were forever altered after a tragedy during their teenage years. In the aftermath, the closeness they once shared falls apart and their lives move in very different directions. When their 25-year high school reunion approaches, it brings them back into each other’s orbit and forces them to confront the past and the ways that one night shaped everything that followed.
What really stood out to me was the character work. Kristan Higgins writes people who feel authentic and layered—messy, complicated, and deeply human. The friendships felt believable, especially the mix of loyalty, resentment, love, and unresolved history that still lingers between them. Watching them reflect on their younger selves and the lives they built afterward added a lot of emotional weight to the story.
The book also weaves in themes of identity and memory as the main character faces a life-changing diagnosis that makes her reflect on her past and the choices ahead. Higgins handles these heavier themes with sensitivity and compassion while still keeping the focus on relationships and personal growth.
Overall, this was a moving and reflective read about friendship, regret, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of the moments that shape who we become.
#TheMeIUsedtoBe #NetGalley
This is a thoughtful, emotional novel about friendship, memory, and how a single moment can change the course of several lives.
The story follows four friends whose lives were forever altered after a tragedy during their teenage years. In the aftermath, the closeness they once shared falls apart and their lives move in very different directions. When their 25-year high school reunion approaches, it brings them back into each other’s orbit and forces them to confront the past and the ways that one night shaped everything that followed.
What really stood out to me was the character work. Kristan Higgins writes people who feel authentic and layered—messy, complicated, and deeply human. The friendships felt believable, especially the mix of loyalty, resentment, love, and unresolved history that still lingers between them. Watching them reflect on their younger selves and the lives they built afterward added a lot of emotional weight to the story.
The book also weaves in themes of identity and memory as the main character faces a life-changing diagnosis that makes her reflect on her past and the choices ahead. Higgins handles these heavier themes with sensitivity and compassion while still keeping the focus on relationships and personal growth.
Overall, this was a moving and reflective read about friendship, regret, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of the moments that shape who we become.
#TheMeIUsedtoBe #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Me I Used To Be
By Kristan Higgins
Release Date 09:15/2026
Kristan’s books are an automatic add, automatic request, automatic buy for me. I don’t even need to read the blurb. Every single one of her books leaves me both comforted and completely wrecked.
This was, of course, another 5-star⭐️ read that absolutely shattered me.
Think of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time as the soundtrack to this story. The novel moves between the past and present of the Core Four—Audrey, Beck, Jasmine, and Micah—best friends whose lives were changed forever by a terrible car accident just days before graduation, leading to 25 years apart.
A high school reunion, along with Audrey’s terminal diagnosis of early-onset dementia, brings them back together as though no time has passed. But so much has passed. Through each woman’s past and present perspective, you see how differently their lives unfolded and how much pain, love, and history still lives between them.
This is such a girls’ girl kind of book. The way these women show up for each other, protect each other, and carry each other through the hardest moments was beautiful. It made me cry—really cry—more than once.
I also appreciated the way the book touches on early-onset dementia. Having lost two grandparents to Alzheimer’s, that part felt especially heartbreaking and personal. It’s a cruel disease that affects everyone around it, and this story handled that emotional weight in a way that really stayed with me.
#kristanhiggins
#lakeunionpublishing
#themeiusedtobe
#earlyonsetalzheimers
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dement...
By Kristan Higgins
Release Date 09:15/2026
Kristan’s books are an automatic add, automatic request, automatic buy for me. I don’t even need to read the blurb. Every single one of her books leaves me both comforted and completely wrecked.
This was, of course, another 5-star⭐️ read that absolutely shattered me.
Think of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time as the soundtrack to this story. The novel moves between the past and present of the Core Four—Audrey, Beck, Jasmine, and Micah—best friends whose lives were changed forever by a terrible car accident just days before graduation, leading to 25 years apart.
A high school reunion, along with Audrey’s terminal diagnosis of early-onset dementia, brings them back together as though no time has passed. But so much has passed. Through each woman’s past and present perspective, you see how differently their lives unfolded and how much pain, love, and history still lives between them.
This is such a girls’ girl kind of book. The way these women show up for each other, protect each other, and carry each other through the hardest moments was beautiful. It made me cry—really cry—more than once.
I also appreciated the way the book touches on early-onset dementia. Having lost two grandparents to Alzheimer’s, that part felt especially heartbreaking and personal. It’s a cruel disease that affects everyone around it, and this story handled that emotional weight in a way that really stayed with me.
#kristanhiggins
#lakeunionpublishing
#themeiusedtobe
#earlyonsetalzheimers
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dement...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an incredible book on so many different leves. We are inserted into a class reunion planning of "the Core Four" from high school that lost touch following a tragedy that changed the trajectory of their lives. After receiving an invitation from Audrey the group of friends gather and after a few awkward moments the closeness returns. Audrey, Jasmine, Beck, and Micah's lives have not exactly turned out the way they dreamed of in school and through the book we learn the back story of the tragedy as well as each individual life as the ladies now find themselves being called upon to be strong for one member of the group. Audrey has pulled the group together after being diagnosed with early on set dimentia in her early 40s which is a death sentence not only for the life she thinks she has but her physical well being as well. This poignant and well laid out story shares the stories of these women who all have been dealing with life and all that it throws at you. What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional honesty. Higgins doesn’t offer easy resolutions or tidy forgiveness; instead, she delves into the messy, complicated reality of long-broken relationships. The women must grapple not only with each other, but with who they’ve become in the absence of the friendship that once defined them. Ultimately, this is a story about second chances, not just in friendship, but in understanding, in accountability, life and in love. My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for thsi opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four childhood best friends lost contact years ago after a life-altering accident. Audrey, one of the four, has early-onset dementia and chooses to invite her old friends for a weekend to reconnect. It turns out all four women (who were known as the "Core Four") have secrets and struggles in their lives today and maybe their connection can help them all heal and move on. The story is told from multiple character perspectives in both the past and present.
The first half of the story is more about learning who the four women were in the past and are in the present. I enjoyed getting to know each of them in both settings. The second half of the book hit hard with the emotional devastation that comes with dementia - both the impacts on those around the affected person and the chapters told from the perspective of Audrey as she is aware of what is happening to her. This second half was a hard read for me. I will say the end was a little too perfect for our characters, but I won't fault the book for that - a little hope was needed.
While it was a tough read for me, it was very well done. If you are ok with the subject matter I would highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
The first half of the story is more about learning who the four women were in the past and are in the present. I enjoyed getting to know each of them in both settings. The second half of the book hit hard with the emotional devastation that comes with dementia - both the impacts on those around the affected person and the chapters told from the perspective of Audrey as she is aware of what is happening to her. This second half was a hard read for me. I will say the end was a little too perfect for our characters, but I won't fault the book for that - a little hope was needed.
While it was a tough read for me, it was very well done. If you are ok with the subject matter I would highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a total emotional destruction kind of book, leaving me in a puddle but feeling so grateful for my own health.
Audrey and her three best friends were known as the Core Four in high school, until a terrible accident left them adrift, grieving in their own ways. Twenty five years later, they reunite for their high school reunion when Audrey decides they need to make up amidst her battle with early onset dementia.
This was a multiple POV story, and each character had a distinctive voice and their own battles to fight in their own lives. Family trouble, work drama, and hidden secrets threaten to upend their lives just as they kickstart the friendships that feel more like sisterhood, and it was beautiful to see the support they began to give one another again.
Audrey's chapters pierced right through my heart as her dementia worsened, making them incredibly hard to read. If dementia is a trigger for you, please use caution with this one!
Overall, this story had so many moments of simple beauty, of friendship and love, and a great reminder to be thankful for the good things in our lives. Beautifully done!
Audrey and her three best friends were known as the Core Four in high school, until a terrible accident left them adrift, grieving in their own ways. Twenty five years later, they reunite for their high school reunion when Audrey decides they need to make up amidst her battle with early onset dementia.
This was a multiple POV story, and each character had a distinctive voice and their own battles to fight in their own lives. Family trouble, work drama, and hidden secrets threaten to upend their lives just as they kickstart the friendships that feel more like sisterhood, and it was beautiful to see the support they began to give one another again.
Audrey's chapters pierced right through my heart as her dementia worsened, making them incredibly hard to read. If dementia is a trigger for you, please use caution with this one!
Overall, this story had so many moments of simple beauty, of friendship and love, and a great reminder to be thankful for the good things in our lives. Beautifully done!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The subject matter made me think a bunch. A woman has early onset dementia and this book tells her story in such a beautiful way. Four young women who were best friends in high school are now reuniting after 25 years to help their friend navigate her end of life.
Our main character has her diagnosis and she now wants to reconnect wither her high school friends who have their own stories to tell. They try to pick up where time left them and their stories unfold in a beautiful and meaningful way. The story goes back and forth to high school days, current days and some stories in between. A wreck right after high school is told to show the reason our four women went their own ways and the event is crucial to the story line. The emotional parts of the retelling of this story shows the trauma that these women faced.
This book hit home because my mother had her own dementia before her death, but it is so emotional to read about someone who gets this diagnosis at a young age. The story was beautiful and always reminds me of the types of friendship that I would love to have. Thoughtfully written and very moving for me. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC.
Our main character has her diagnosis and she now wants to reconnect wither her high school friends who have their own stories to tell. They try to pick up where time left them and their stories unfold in a beautiful and meaningful way. The story goes back and forth to high school days, current days and some stories in between. A wreck right after high school is told to show the reason our four women went their own ways and the event is crucial to the story line. The emotional parts of the retelling of this story shows the trauma that these women faced.
This book hit home because my mother had her own dementia before her death, but it is so emotional to read about someone who gets this diagnosis at a young age. The story was beautiful and always reminds me of the types of friendship that I would love to have. Thoughtfully written and very moving for me. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kristan Higgins is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read a lot of her books as she’s moved from strictly romance to more complicated relationship stories - though always with that touch of romance. This book I think is the first one I’ve read that while having such heart and depth feels the most intense of all her books.
Four high school friends, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck - the Core Four - are returning for their twenty fifth high school reunion. Back in high school they were considered the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one. Then on graduation night a tragic accident occurred. Now years later their lives have taken on different shapes and directions. For one of them a shattering revelation will change their friendship forever.
The book is told through a seamless blend of perspectives and alternating times which gives a thought provoking view of how these girls have grown into womanhood. We see these characters move from their high school “loves” to adult love. The accident on graduation night is explored thoughtfully. The ending is as emotional as only Higgins can deliver - she’s so masterful.
This book is definitely for Kristan Higgins fans or anyone reader who enjoys a moving friendship story.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.
Four high school friends, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck - the Core Four - are returning for their twenty fifth high school reunion. Back in high school they were considered the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one. Then on graduation night a tragic accident occurred. Now years later their lives have taken on different shapes and directions. For one of them a shattering revelation will change their friendship forever.
The book is told through a seamless blend of perspectives and alternating times which gives a thought provoking view of how these girls have grown into womanhood. We see these characters move from their high school “loves” to adult love. The accident on graduation night is explored thoughtfully. The ending is as emotional as only Higgins can deliver - she’s so masterful.
This book is definitely for Kristan Higgins fans or anyone reader who enjoys a moving friendship story.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ARC Review✨️
4⭐️ for The Me I Used To Be by Kristan Higgins
One of my most-anticipated reads this year, Kristan Higgins is an auto-buy author for me, and yet this one wasn't my favorite of hers.
I enjoyed it a lot, and she did bring me to tears a couple of times, but I disliked the characters for a good part of the book, which made me not connect with it as much as I'd hoped.
I feel like most of the characters were unlikable, or maybe it was the way they were all deeply flawed and made incredibly bad life decisions that caused a disconnect between me and the story, but it took me quite a while before I found myself invested in their stories.
The grief representation was amazing though, and it tugged at my heartstrings several times throughout, and those last couple of chapters brought out the waterworks for sure.
Recommended for readers who like a slower-paced story with realistic characters, that will leave you to contemplate on life and your legacy, and the decisions that shape us as human beings.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
4⭐️ for The Me I Used To Be by Kristan Higgins
One of my most-anticipated reads this year, Kristan Higgins is an auto-buy author for me, and yet this one wasn't my favorite of hers.
I enjoyed it a lot, and she did bring me to tears a couple of times, but I disliked the characters for a good part of the book, which made me not connect with it as much as I'd hoped.
I feel like most of the characters were unlikable, or maybe it was the way they were all deeply flawed and made incredibly bad life decisions that caused a disconnect between me and the story, but it took me quite a while before I found myself invested in their stories.
The grief representation was amazing though, and it tugged at my heartstrings several times throughout, and those last couple of chapters brought out the waterworks for sure.
Recommended for readers who like a slower-paced story with realistic characters, that will leave you to contemplate on life and your legacy, and the decisions that shape us as human beings.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars rounded up for GR.
This book is filled with a lot of heart.
Four friends. One weekend. A chance to put the past behind them and reconnect.
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were thick as thieves in high school but got torn apart when tragedy struck right after graduation. It's been twenty-five years and they're basically strangers when they come face to face again at their reunion.
With one of them facing the reality of early-onset dementia, is it time to let the past go and be the Core Four once more?
I couldn't put this one down. It has dual timeline so we get glimpses of their younger selves and how things went awry as they grew up and apart. The change in POV/tense was jarring at times, but I think it helped to solidify what was happening and the disorienting feeling added to the connection with the character.
I had tears at several points, let out a gasp or two, and was thoroughly invested in seeing how it all played out.
This book would be good for those who like:
- found family
- second chances
Thank you to Lake Union for the eARC.
This book is filled with a lot of heart.
Four friends. One weekend. A chance to put the past behind them and reconnect.
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were thick as thieves in high school but got torn apart when tragedy struck right after graduation. It's been twenty-five years and they're basically strangers when they come face to face again at their reunion.
With one of them facing the reality of early-onset dementia, is it time to let the past go and be the Core Four once more?
I couldn't put this one down. It has dual timeline so we get glimpses of their younger selves and how things went awry as they grew up and apart. The change in POV/tense was jarring at times, but I think it helped to solidify what was happening and the disorienting feeling added to the connection with the character.
I had tears at several points, let out a gasp or two, and was thoroughly invested in seeing how it all played out.
This book would be good for those who like:
- found family
- second chances
Thank you to Lake Union for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Me I Used to Be is the 17th book I've read by Kristan Higgins, and it's my absolute favorite.
Audrey is suffering from early-onset dementia and wants to get the 'core four' back together again one last time for a reunion weekend. Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were the core four back in high school, but their bond fell apart after a devastating accident. Each of the women live very different lives now, but the foundation of their friendship is still there.
The Me I Used to Be delves into each of the friends' lives, along with a couple other POV's. This novel takes you on such an emotional journey and is an absolute tearjerker. It's thought-provoking and makes you reflect on the simple joys in life. Although it's an emotional read, it's still fun and had me completely immersed in the story. I LOVED it.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Kristan Higgins, and NetGalley for the eBook advanced reader's copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Me I Used to Be is set to be released on September 15, 2026.
Audrey is suffering from early-onset dementia and wants to get the 'core four' back together again one last time for a reunion weekend. Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck were the core four back in high school, but their bond fell apart after a devastating accident. Each of the women live very different lives now, but the foundation of their friendship is still there.
The Me I Used to Be delves into each of the friends' lives, along with a couple other POV's. This novel takes you on such an emotional journey and is an absolute tearjerker. It's thought-provoking and makes you reflect on the simple joys in life. Although it's an emotional read, it's still fun and had me completely immersed in the story. I LOVED it.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Kristan Higgins, and NetGalley for the eBook advanced reader's copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Me I Used to Be is set to be released on September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨This one was such an emotional read for me – and one with lots of tears. But there were also laughs along the way as well as moments of true hope. I loved the layered plot and especially the elements of friendship, memory and the passing of time that inevitably shapes who we become.
✨One element that really stood out for me was the way the varying perspectives showed how the characters could all experience the exact same moment in time and walk away with an entirely different version of what happened. In this book, the moment in question fully shaped the characters’ entire adult lives, and I thought this was such a powerful narrative.
✨The early-onset dementia in these pages was handled with so much care and emotional honesty. The ending is one that will stay with me. Absolutely unforgettable.
✨At its heart, this is a story of forgiveness, second chances, healing and friendships that can survive even decades apart. So well done.
✨I did an immersive read with this one using both the print and audio formats. I really enjoyed the audio and thought the narration was powerful.
🌿Read if you like:
✨New England/Vermont settings
✨Multiple points of view
✨Early-onset dementia representation
✨High school reunion stories
✨Emotional family dramas
✨Women’s fiction
✨Second chances
✨Forgiveness and healing
✨Bittersweet reads
✨One element that really stood out for me was the way the varying perspectives showed how the characters could all experience the exact same moment in time and walk away with an entirely different version of what happened. In this book, the moment in question fully shaped the characters’ entire adult lives, and I thought this was such a powerful narrative.
✨The early-onset dementia in these pages was handled with so much care and emotional honesty. The ending is one that will stay with me. Absolutely unforgettable.
✨At its heart, this is a story of forgiveness, second chances, healing and friendships that can survive even decades apart. So well done.
✨I did an immersive read with this one using both the print and audio formats. I really enjoyed the audio and thought the narration was powerful.
🌿Read if you like:
✨New England/Vermont settings
✨Multiple points of view
✨Early-onset dementia representation
✨High school reunion stories
✨Emotional family dramas
✨Women’s fiction
✨Second chances
✨Forgiveness and healing
✨Bittersweet reads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Audrey, Micah, Beck & Jasmine 🍁
🍁It’s their 25th reunion weekend, and 43 year old Audrey has invited her three best friends from school to join her for a short stay at her farm in Vermont.
🍁Each of the four women faced tragedy just after their graduation, and none of their lives have turned out like they expected. They haven’t been in contact since, but Audrey’s reason for bringing them together rewinds their former selves, allows them to focus on what’s important to them.
✏️This story reminded me how I felt when reading Kristan Higgins’s powerful tearjerker Pack Up The Moon, and while the subject is different, coping with grief and illness is ever present for these four friends. Please check the content warnings, this could be a very hard read if some of the topics resonate.
Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date Sep 15 2026
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
🍁It’s their 25th reunion weekend, and 43 year old Audrey has invited her three best friends from school to join her for a short stay at her farm in Vermont.
🍁Each of the four women faced tragedy just after their graduation, and none of their lives have turned out like they expected. They haven’t been in contact since, but Audrey’s reason for bringing them together rewinds their former selves, allows them to focus on what’s important to them.
✏️This story reminded me how I felt when reading Kristan Higgins’s powerful tearjerker Pack Up The Moon, and while the subject is different, coping with grief and illness is ever present for these four friends. Please check the content warnings, this could be a very hard read if some of the topics resonate.
Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date Sep 15 2026
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartbreakingly beautiful. Make sure are you are ready for an emotional before diving into this story centered around early onset dementia.
I think Kristan Higgins dealt with the topic beautifully and thoughtfully capturing different perspectives as the main character, Aubrey, slowly loses her mind to the disease. As timelines and perspectives shift, the story grows to include regret, loss, and the importance of love.
I loved Higgins writing - the characters were flawed and messy and real, the pacing was smooth even with the shifting timelines and perspectives, and the tone was surprisingly hopeful for how heavy the topic was. It left me in tears, but also focused on believing in second chances and the ability that love can overcome most any disaster with the right desire.
Thanks to Kristan Higgins, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think Kristan Higgins dealt with the topic beautifully and thoughtfully capturing different perspectives as the main character, Aubrey, slowly loses her mind to the disease. As timelines and perspectives shift, the story grows to include regret, loss, and the importance of love.
I loved Higgins writing - the characters were flawed and messy and real, the pacing was smooth even with the shifting timelines and perspectives, and the tone was surprisingly hopeful for how heavy the topic was. It left me in tears, but also focused on believing in second chances and the ability that love can overcome most any disaster with the right desire.
Thanks to Kristan Higgins, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars, rounded down. Higgins' newest novel is full of heart, and I defy anyone to read it without tearing up multiple times. Four inseparable friends experience a tragic accident the night of their high school graduation, and they never speak again until one of them calls them back together for the occasion of their 25th high school reunion, determined to set things right in the wake of a crushing diagnosis. Audrey, Micah, Jasmine, and Beck are wonderfully written characters; I felt like I knew them all, and I was so sad for the things they had gone through and the choices they made along the way. What kept this from being a 5-star read for me was that everything wrapped up a little too conveniently, considering where the women were when the book started. Still, I think this is one of Higgins's best novels to date and I really liked it. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, Kristan Higgins brought the tears with this book!
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine & Beck were the Core Four in high school - the best of friends until an unthinkable tragedy immediately after their graduation. The tragedy ruined their friendship and they all lost touch.
Now it's time for their high school reunion. Audrey invites all of them back to her home, the home where they all felt loved and cared for, especially by Audrey's mom, Dr. Kate. Kate was killed in the accident around graduation and the return haunts all of them. When they get there, Audrey shares devastating news that rocks them all.
Man, this was a good book!! I loved the back story but also the present day, and how the friendship among the women was redeemed. It was full of laugher and of tears, and I absolutely loved how the novel ended.
Thank you Kristan Higgins, Net Galley & Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion! This novel releases Sept 15, 2026!
Audrey, Micah, Jasmine & Beck were the Core Four in high school - the best of friends until an unthinkable tragedy immediately after their graduation. The tragedy ruined their friendship and they all lost touch.
Now it's time for their high school reunion. Audrey invites all of them back to her home, the home where they all felt loved and cared for, especially by Audrey's mom, Dr. Kate. Kate was killed in the accident around graduation and the return haunts all of them. When they get there, Audrey shares devastating news that rocks them all.
Man, this was a good book!! I loved the back story but also the present day, and how the friendship among the women was redeemed. It was full of laugher and of tears, and I absolutely loved how the novel ended.
Thank you Kristan Higgins, Net Galley & Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion! This novel releases Sept 15, 2026!
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