The Girl Once Known

The Girl Once Known #1

by R.M. Demeester

After a violent hit-and-run shatters Mira Harris's life, she finds herself at a crossroads.

Before the accident, Mira, haunted by a childhood shaped by dysfunction and the recent return of her estranged father, has always sought order to cope. Her relationship with Joseph Oliver, a young man with a troubled past, provided a semblance of balance. But now, with her trust broken and her body battered, to find out who wanted to harm her, she must peel back layers of lies, confronting not just the driver's identity but the very fabric of her childhood.

As the truth inches closer, Mira and those closest to her face a reality more daunting than her injuries. Is uncovering the truth worth the risk and the personal cost not only to Mira but also to those closest to her?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Psychological Thriller

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2024

About the author

R.M. Demeester, from Saskatchewan, loves being a mom, reading books, and writing. She's been writing since she was very young. Today, she's known for her stories in women's fiction, romantic suspense, and thrillers.

Reviews

[Tara Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to StoryOrigin and R.M. Demeester for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a domestic thriller from different character POVs. Normally domestic thrillers are not my jam, but this one kept me up late into the night and had me reading the moment I woke up.

The drama is REAL, like real REAL! The twists are great and the characters have true character and are each interesting in their own way.

This book ended with me wanting more.

A great read that I highly recommend giving a try!

[Dawn Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mira, a young girl who is a neat freak is always receiving criticism from her mother. She finds herself spending more time with her boyfriend who also carries alot of baggage. When her father discovers her and Joseph in a bar he wants her to move in with him and his new wife. And when Mira is in a hit and run accident fighting for her life all the baggage comes out as they all congregate at the hospital. Mira wants the relationships to change- can that happen with this troubled family?

[Katrina Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have previously really enjoyed other books from this author. I finished it in a day because I couldn't put it down. The characters and storyline are complex and just when I thought I knew where it was going it threw me through another loop. Definitely a great read!

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics and personal trauma. The narrative centers on Mira Harris, whose life is upended by a violent hit-and-run incident. This event forces her to confront not only the mystery behind the accident but also the buried secrets of her tumultuous upbringing.

Demeester’s portrayal of Mira is both nuanced and relatable. Her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and the constant tension with her critical mother and estranged father add layers of depth to her character. The relationships are intricately woven, highlighting the dysfunctions that many families grapple with.

The plot is a slow burn, meticulously unraveling secrets and building suspense. As Mira digs deeper into her past and the circumstances surrounding her accident, readers are treated to unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. The alternating perspectives offer a comprehensive view of the story, allowing for a richer understanding of each character’s motivations.

While the narrative is engaging, there are moments where the pacing slows due to detailed character introspection. However, these moments also provide a deeper connection to the characters, making the eventual revelations more impactful.

Overall, “The Girl Once Known” is a thought-provoking read that masterfully blends psychological drama with suspense. It’s a testament to Demeester’s storytelling prowess and leaves readers contemplating the lengths one might go to uncover the truth.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chairee Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known
No one is as innocent as they seem. Love triangle, family secrets, Jealousy, Deception are a few words to describe this book.
This was a great book. Even though the point of view was told by different characters, I feel like it transitioned nicely and wasn’t difficult to follow. I was very surprised at the end.
Mira always knew she was a little different, and it made her insecure. Mira even blamed herself for all of the upset and dysfunction in her family. After all, her mother and sister made it clear that she was a problem. Then, one day, she met Joseph, and things were different. Mira’s dad doesn’t trust Joseph but will never give Mira a reason why. Mira hasn’t seen anything extremely wrong with Joseph’s actions. Then, one day, Mira was the victim of a hit and run after she became angry and stormed out into the rain. Joseph saw it happen, but that doesn’t mean he’s not suspected. Mira doesn’t remember, but someone knows what happened. When some secrets are revealed, they make other ones not seem as bad.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Yours Truly by R M Demeester and loved it, so I have kept my eyes open for more of her books.

The Girl Once Known is a look into the lives of a highly dysfunctional family, of which Mira is the star. She is burdened with OCD and a need for everything having a place and being in it. She loves her surroundings clean and organized. She lives with her mother and sister who constantly berate her. The way they treat her is horrendous. When an opportunity comes for her to move out and live with her estranged father she doesn’t hesitate.

Her boyfriend helps ground her, but what happens when his actions pull her feet out from under her? In her confusion, she runs from the house. Someone hits her and runs. She is left bloody and broken. I knew the answer of who hit her couldn’t be as easy as the first person I suspected, or the second person I suspected. I love a twisty plot that takes its time unraveling, keeping me turning the pages, having to know the answer.

You won’t get all the answers from The Girl Once Known, so I am quickly going to dive into the next book in the series The Bond Once Broken.

I want to thank R M Demeester and Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review The Girl Once Known by R M Demeester.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Ashy Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZINGLY HORRIBLE! This psychological thriller follows Mira and her dysfunctional family with multiple POVs. With a self-absorbed, spaced-out mother and angry sister, Mira has taken over the household duties, but her stress coping mechanism is obsessive, meticulous cleaning that starts to take over her life.
When she recently reconnects with her estranged father, who encourages her to move in with him and his new family. She is then doing her best to navigate everything with her new family. Her boyfriend tries to help her with the barrage of family issues while going through some heavy stuff himself. After a particularly horrid accident, they are all forced to face their lies and come clean to one another….
This crazy turn of events was so fun to read. Mira is a great character, and I loved seeing her insight into OCD and the compulsions she had. The issues that were faced in the book were realistic, and some parts hit close to home. I was so intrigued by the story I could not stop reading I read both books back-to-back! The secrets are layered, and the deception is delicious!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved how the author managed to create characters with depth and different personalities. The author made them come alive. That isn’t an easy task.

It wasn’t a psychological thriller in the usual sense of serial killers, but it delves into being a psychological drama that stems from hidden secrets. I suggest giving this story a chance. I think you’ll enjoy it

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known by R. M. Demeester
I read an ARC for an honest review of this novel
I really enjoyed this novel, the plot was amazing, characters were well described and developed and not always who we thought they were, I thought this was really well done actually. The characters were introduced and described in a well timed out pace to give us time to get to know them and remember who was who.
This novel deals with family, relationships, trust, feelings of belonging or not, being a teenager and an adult/parent.
The main character is Mira, we meet her when she is 10 and get to know her personality, she has a sister Tiffany and parents Mark and Sherry. Fast forward 7 yrs and her father has left and her mom and sister just don't understand her. Then she meets Joseph, and finally someone cares.
The novel is told primarily from Mira and Mark's point of view but other characters have a voice periodically, it was easy to follow and added to the story.
The story had me right from the beginning and about 3/4 of the way through it got soooo good!
I definitely hoping for more novels by this author! This is the first book I've read by R.M. Demeester. I'm hooked!

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable rollercoaster of emotions as the characters were developed through the story. The relationships were challenging and troubling but had love and sympathy entwined. There were some heavy topics such as addiction that evolved throughout the story, however the author managed to make you feel something for each character and their relationships to each other. I’d recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find myself very torn about how to review this book. The story is very good, it captured and held my attention and interest. And unfortunately, reminded me somewhat of my difficult childhood. The majority of the book is spent building the foundation from which Ms. Demeester will erect the remainder of the story. The problem is, that sometimes those foundations have added or missing parts, (plotholes like changing jewelry) or materials are dropped into the story unexpectedly. For example, a relationship is revealed in the latter part of the book that feels like it came out of left field. There is not even a minuscule hint that this relationship exists, and when it's revealed to the reader (before cluing in the relevant characters) it's treated as a fait accompli that the reader should have been aware of. Well, silly me. If I was supposed to know about it, it went right over my head. And I just had a problem with Ms. Demeester's writing style. It was well-written and with enough of an engrossing storyline that I followed through until the end. But, Ms. Demeester seems to get a phrase lodged in her throat and can't move off of it. For example, "He (or I) swallowed, as his (or my) Adam's apple bobbled" is used 10 separate times throughout the book. The phrase "I exhalled the breath I wasn't aware I was holding" is used seven times. That's a bit much for me. But I must give Ms. Demeester credit for creating characters and situations that I easily relate to. She kept me guessing about the identity of the perpetrator until approximately the 75% mark when my suspicions were confirmed. Overall, it is an enjoyable book. So why not a higher rating? I guess because I like my stories to be at least 97% tied up in a pretty little bow and this one isn't. I don't know if I should categorize it as a cliffhanger or an open ending to provide for a sequel. I would still recommend this book to readers who aren't bothered by having to come up with the remainder of the ending themselves.
I received a review copy from the author via StoryOrigin and this is my honest opinion.

[Tina Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

***This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

MAY HAVE SPOILERS DEPENDING ON YOUR TAKE


☆☆☆ 3.5 STARS ☆☆☆

I will start by saying that this may have been impacted by mood or experience as an ARC reader... and what I mean is that the ARC copy held some structural and grammatical based errors that impacted the reading.

(So a polished final copy would not hold that same experience in all fairness)

LOVED: I enjoyed the multiple POVs and getting to see glimpses of the experience through each character. This helps get some of the twists moving while also having us see through some of the characters who had a tendency towards lying. I also loved the raw messy family dynamics that showed how we can either break generational dysfunction or we can continue feeding into it. Second chances and younger generations pushing past the historical resentments is incredibly symbolic of our current culture in the USA.

STRUGGLED: I struggled with some of the plot and how it seemed to hold a variety of inconsistencies in the plot line. Some topics could have been of greater value to hint at earlier while still honoring the plot twist. The back and forth in some of the later chapters would say, "she had no idea," while they also express outloud how they knew things all along. Other parts just came across as choppy in the events that stole from the underlying suspense that would build. I personally found it to be around the 60% spot where the story picked up and captured my interest. I felt this was somewhat redeemed in the hospital scene accept it was a bit chaotic in the writing to where I had to stop and regroup who was who character wise.

OVERALL: I believe this is worth the read, and the ending will have you feeling concern for all of the characters. What could still be desired for a "perfect life" outside of freedom? What lengths will people go to in order to secure their selfish and egotistical driven actions? Only you can find out by giving this book a read!

~ Thank you for your time!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known is the first book in The Girl Once Known series by R.M. Demeester. The Girl Once Known is the first book by R.M. Demeester that I have read. I hope it won't be the last as I enjoyed it very much and can’t wait to read more books by R.M. Demeester.

The Girl Once Known is filled with lots of surprises that kept me glued to my seat wondering what would happen next. The Girl Once Known is told from several points of view.

The Girl Once Known is about a young girl Mira whose father left a long time ago. It is just Mira, her sister Tiffany, and their mother Sherry. Mira is a girl who likes things to be perfect. But yet her mom and sister do not care. Mira likes a clean house and is always picking up behind her mother and sister.

Mira meets a new guy Joseph who is on the football team at school. Joseph has some baggage of his own to deal with like Mira but his is different in many ways. Joseph is good for Mira he helps to balance things out for her.

One night Mira and Joseph go to a bar. Mira sees her father at the bar. He is livid with Mira for being there as she is underage. Later Mira moves in with her father and his new wife, Sierra, and her daughter Leah.

Things are going ok until the night Mira is hit by a car and things take a turn for the worse. Secrets, lies, and betrayals start pouring out. Some very surprising secrets that I never would have suspected. These secrets really caught me off guard. The suspense and the twists are mighty in this one. They will leave you with your mouth hanging open.

I can’t wait to check out the next book in The Girl Once Known series, The Bond Once Broken to see what lies in store for us in that one.

I highly recommend The Girl Once Known to all Psychological Thriller and Thriller fans! Grab a copy of The Girl Once Known today!

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

For most of this book I found the story very interesting. It was fun to watch the characters develop and relationships to unfold. I began to really identify with them, to understand their makeup and what made them tick.

When conflict arose, I followed the developments eagerly. New characters were introduced and new relationships were made. I was drawn deeper and deeper into the lives of the characters. Then tragedy struck and everything was turned upside down. Where you thought there was enduring love there was now animosity. Trust turned to betrayal. The main character was critically injured and I actually feared for her life because I was so engrossed in the story.

Then an investigation began to identify who was at fault for what happened. People turned on each other. Finger pointing and suspicions arose. It turned into a real "who done it' mystery. But when it looked like there would be a revelation, what was revealed was a complete surprise. But sometimes a good mystery does that.

What followed, however, left me a bit disappointed. There were too many confessions by various individuals. It seemed unreal for everyone to decide all at once to admit their prior mistakes in life as though this could heal all the wounds done over nearly a lifetime. And blame was laid on past generations. I found this confusing and somewhat disingenuous. My overall rating expresses my disappointment in the way the story was brought to a conclusion. I would have given it 4 and a half stars (if halves were allowed), only deducting for what I saw as a mismatch between the age of some of the characters and the way they spoke. So there you have it.

[Jo Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a complicated dysfunctional family!! I savored the intriguing relationships and twisted motivations that each character possessed. At first, I relished the unfolding of a story with a highly functioning autistic daughter who has a negative, berating mother who tried to chide daughter Mira into becoming "normal." Mira's father seemed to understand her quirky behavior more fully, but he distanced himself physically from the family and rarely raised his voice in Mira's behalf. Having worked with several autistic children, I was entranced with how Mira coped with her unique orientation and interacted with the world at large. Then the story exploded with a younger sister Tiffany playing
the unsympathetic sibling who physically and mentally tormented Mira. Another revelation proclaimed the splintering of the family with the dad leaving and creating a new home with his mysterious mistress. Next, Mira's new boyfriend Joseph crept out of the woodwork and began to give Mira confidence and direction, albeit in the form of drinking and skipping school. Each character unveiled more debilitating quandaries, and the plot thickened. Read this book if you like unexpected twists and tantalizing turns. Even the last chapter will astonish you!!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
In 2006, Mira is the victim of a hit and run, with the driver speeding off after committing the deed.
We then return to 1998 to see 10 year old Mira, whose OCD embarrasses her mother beyond belief. And on to 2005, with her father having abandoned the family, her younger sister treating her like rubbish and her mother at her wit's end. On the plus side, Mira meets Joseph Oliver, who treats her like a real person. By 2006, Mira is living with her father and his partner and her annoying daughter, Leah, and has her relationship with Joseph to keep her going. Then, she is run down, but by whom and why?
Demeester has written a decent YA psychological story here, though the majority of the characters are irredeemable and so self-absorbed as to make them insufferable. This makes for difficult reading, particularly as readers like to engage with at least one of the characters they are reading about. Coupled with a somewhat clunky reveal, this makes for a lesser story than the initial premise suggests. A bit of a missed opportunity.

[Nikki B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The plot is great and the storyline is chaotic enough to keep you coming back. The characters are all very well developed and we get quite a bit of backstory on everyone to understand why they operate the way they do. I didn't see the post twists coming however, a connection between two of the women are made that... well, it seems that it just came out of the blue. There was never any sign or indication of this connection throughout the story. One other thing that drove me a little insane was the use of the phrase " I released a breath I didn't know I was holding". Frankly, it's a phrase that drives me insane. I still don't mind reading it in stories, but it was over usesd. Lastly, I found parts of the story to be repetitive. I understand reiterating things for the purpose of helping the reader remember further along in the story, but basically saying the same thing in a different way by the next page was a little frustrating. Over all, I think the plot itself was great, but those few things sort of killed it for me.

[Rachel Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. There are parts I definitely loved. At the same time throughout reading this I often felt I wasn't reading a thriller but rather stuck with the POVs of a dysfunctional family in the middle of it's latest drama.

I loved the way Mira's mental health was written - with the reality that it's a topic that some unfortunately have little to no compassion for. I loved the development of some of the characters, as they grew into better people as the plot continued.

Some characters are thrown into the plot suddenly, where I feel the plot could have been improved if they had been hunted at as being a part of the story or as a slower, more mysterious introduction.

I feel the thrill and suspense didn't start until well into the second half of the book. I also noticed that there seems to be a random obsession with Adam's apples throughout the book 😅

I have the sequel to review soon so it'll be interesting where the story goes next!

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had potential, but almost every part of it irritated me. The storyline was ludicrously convoluted and way too convenient in places - "by chance" all the relevant information was revealed? Maybe once, this would have been okay, but it happened twice.

I don't intrinsically hate redemption arcs, but in this book, it happened way too quickly and easily. None of the characters were particularly likeable, and while I do understand trying to heal and move on from trauma, there was a lot of abuse that seemed to be forgotten for the sake of moving the story forward. On that note, the overall plot was very predictable.

I read a lot of ARCs, so I'm used to rough edits, but this was a published copy that was absolutely full of mistakes. There was a repeated sentence; there were countless incorrect homophones; and there were so many erroneous speech marks I got very confused.

[Nadija Mujagic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known by R.M. Demeester is a compelling psychological drama that delves deep into the dark corners of a fractured family. At the heart of the story lies a gripping mystery: who hit Mira? As the layers of truth slowly unravel, the tension tightens, pulling you deeper into a world of secrets, betrayals, and buried pain.

The dialogue is sharp and authentic, revealing characters who are both flawed and fully fleshed out. The book features multiple POVs to offer a panoramic view of the family’s dysfunction, each perspective adding complexity and emotional weight to the central mystery.

If you're in the mood for a fast-paced yet emotionally rich read, full of twists, drama, and expertly drawn characters, The Girl Once Known is the kind of book you’ll race through—and think about long after the final page.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my review would be higher if it weren't for the tremendous amount of editing errors (wrong words, added words, etc.) that made it difficult to read at times. I also got tired of the constant use of someone's Adam apple or releasing a breath they didn't know they were holding. I mean, how many times does the author have to keep putting those phrases in the story. It was also very predictable and often moved at a snail's pace. No real likable characters as they all seemed to have many issues. The plot was ok, but not outstanding. Definitely not a book that kept me on the edge of my seat or determined to read it in one sitting.

I received an ARC copy from Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known sounded so good, so I immediately downloaded it. Mira has a critical mother and an estranged father. Josh offers her a place to live, with him and his new wife.

It sounds like an oppoprtunity for Mira, Then, the hit and run happens. The hit and run was SO detailed and real. I felt like I was part of that and the entire book.

Complicated lives, well-drawn characters and a fast-paced plot make The Girl Once Known a winner for me. I can't resist a domestic thriller.

This is one to remember.

Thanks to R.M. Demeester.

5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Texas · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GIRL ONCE KNOWN - Holy cow, the start of this book had me cross eyed and almost ready to toss it. BUT, then the story kicked into gear and became so intriguing and immersing that I could not put the book down. The story lines, the multiple character narrators and their dysfunctional relationships, and the unexpected kinks were intense. The ending chapter may set up a continuation of this story or just proof that not all goes well. Hopefully, this ARC goes through a final editing before its release. Source: StoryOrigin. 5*

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a psychological thriller.

When I first started reading it, I felt the characters didn't make any particular impression on me. I tried to feel a connection with the characters, but didn't really warm to any of them. The perspective kept changing and I felt as though I didn't get to know any of the characters properly. I also didn't really feel any suspense.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts in 2006 before going to the beginning in 1998, introducing Mira and her family life, her friendships, and her first encounter with Joseph. This is a character-driven story with plenty of dialogue and quick bursts of events revolving around Mira's life long before the hit-and-run occurs. Once Mira's character has been established, the story switches between different characters to show readers an overall view of the narrative as Mira begins to question the people in her life.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful yet emotional domestic thriller. The characters are complex. We follow Mira and Joseph. She didn't have an easy time growing up with a mother who was very critical, and her boyfriend Joseph also had his own baggage. From her collision that landed her in the hospital and in a coma. There all the problems and secrets and answers come to the surface and you get answers to all the questions or doubts you had while reading and what exactly is going on with this difficult family.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janna-Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about family, the good the bad and the downright toxic. Written from different character's perspectives gives a far deeper understanding of the relationships and how each person feels. It is interesting as each of the characters sees things differently and they all have baggage and secrets. This book is fast paced, exciting and a real page turner, with twists i didn't see coming, it's enlightening and shocking. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.
I read this as an ARC and this is my honest, personal review

[Andy55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of a 3 Book Series, told in dual POV which I really like.
A slow burn plot, with well developed characters. The authors writing style allows you to be totally immersed due her extensive details.
The book travels back and forth through time as the story unfolds. Its delves into many topics, taking you through a spectrum of emotions.
There are some repetitive phrases but overall a good read.
I look forward to reading Book 2 The Bond Once Broken.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl Once Known definitely took me for a ride! Getting to know Mira and her family you instantly feel the weight of her daily burdens. There is a lot of character building which makes sense for setting up the trilogy. It also makes you continue to wonder how these characters are connected and what we would end up finding out. The plot comes together really well and there was no way to have predicted all the details we find out. I'm excited to dive in to book two and see how Mira's family story continues.

**I received an ARC of The Girl Once Known in exchange for my honest review.**

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a thriller. The story did start off a little slower then what I'm use to but the pick up and take off will have you going. I really enjoyed the story being told in different POVs. made it all the more thrilling and entertaining. The plot and the twist "chef's kiss." If you're looking for a story that will shock you, this is definitely one to read. An emotional rollercoaster ride that will sit with you days after you finish reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.