She Used to Be Nice

by Alexia LaFata

A young woman must confront her abuser in this gripping debut novel sure to captivate fans of Sweetbitter and My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

One night in college changed the course of Avery’s entire life. Her rapist took everything from her—including the trust of her friends and long-term boyfriend, who were convinced she cheated. A year later, she still can’t bear to tell the truth about what happened and risk her friendship with Morgan, the only friend she has left.

Instead, Avery finds her way under a man or into a bottle just to convince herself that she has power over her feelings and her autonomy—that her body still belongs to her. That is, until she meets Pete, a man so kind and good that he awakens a part of Avery that makes her want to try something new.

But somehow Avery’s rapist has resurfaced in her life as the best man in Morgan’s wedding. And as maid of honor, there’s no way Avery can avoid him. His mere presence grates at Avery’s already raw emotional state, and she begins to drive away the final few who care about her—including Pete.

As the wedding nears, Avery must decide whether to finally let her walls down and tell her truth or risk spiraling toward a darkness she may never be able to recover from.

Readers who seek out thought-provoking, character-driven stories and book club novels with strong discussion themes will love She Used to Be Nice.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made for a compelling read, and I say that as someone who put the book down a number of times but had to keep coming back to it. There are so many women out there, me included, who can relate to SA in one form or another, and the struggle to be believed after the fact. This story tackles multiple facets of that experience in a way that had me hooked from start to finish.

Avery had a horrible experience at college and in the aftermath the only person who stands by her is her best friend, and even that loyalty is called into question when Morgan gets engaged. The college group of friends and acquaintances begins to converge around the wedding plans and Avery is literally face to face with assailant, who besides her, is the only other person who knew what happened. As is usually the case, he's the hero because he's a smooth-talker with money and a seemingly bright future.. By contrast, Avery has had years of internalising the situation and self-medicating with alcohol and hookups. At face value Avery is a hard character to like because she's so full of trauma and self-loathing, but that also comes down to societal conditioning. The more you learn about Avery, the more the slow burn of injustice starts to build up, along with the inevitable "but why didn't she say something?" Life just isn't that easy.

Along comes Pete, who has a peripheral contact with her extended social group but doesn't know a thing about her past. It's not a clean slate, but he's someone who likes her for who she is, and it takes her a long time to get on board with the idea that she just might be worth it. He's a nerdy guy still living with his parents (a fact he's mortified about but decides to own it), and his parents are great. Which leads me to her parents. The comments her parents make about other women making claims after the fact are almost word-for-word what a lot of women have heard over the dinner table over the years. It's exhausting.

The author really knows how to build the slow burn, the occasional flashbacks to flesh out a moment, the interior thoughts, and above all the tension and loathing. It really is an incredible piece of writing. There were times when I was so frustrated with Avery and could really relate to Morgan's hurt and confusion over why her best friend was self-sabotaging so much. The reveal of the wedding party participants was breathtaking, particularly when Morgan is being wide-eyed and unknowingly complicit, but Avery can't tell them why because she's so loyal to her friend and doesn't want to be problematic. Blaire is in direct direct comparison to this, the angry crumb-maiden who thought she had finally won. She hates Avery with a passion think is from a form of female misogyny; she's competing for something and someone, not realising that Avery never wanted to be in the race.

Help comes from unexpected quarters, and the truth comes out in a vastly satisfying way. The story does not finish with everything wrapped up with a nice ribbon, but there is the prospect of happiness ahead, and that's marvellous.

A challenging read for me at times, but oh so rewarding.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

A visceral and emotional read however the dialogue was elementary and therefore felt like a young adult novel. “She Used to Be Nice” was about a young girl, Avery, who was sexualy assaulted on campus. She hid the truth for a long time and came to find herself forced to stand opposite of her rapist in her best friend’s wedding party. From there she had to decide whether to protect the fragile life she’s pieced together or to finally reclaim her story.

This was Alexia LaFata’s debut novel and a harrowing one. Since this was drawn upon her real life experience with sexual violence, I imagine this was cathartic to her.

The themes were important, but the execution lacked nuance. On top of that, I found Avery’s character hard to connect to. I did find her flawed personality relatable because she was a complex character-guarded and self destructive- and therefore made this story more raw and authentic. In addition to the unlikable main character, the pacing lagged in the middle followed by a rushed culmination. As a result, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.

Despite me wanting to love this debut by Alexia LaFata, this unfortunately was not as gripping as I had hoped for. I wish this was one I could recommend but this one missed the mark for me.

Thanks to Net Galley and Alcove Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Celeste Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story I believe far too many people will relate to, me included.

This story follows Avery following the events of a life altering moment in college. Drunk, at a party with her boyfriend, and being nice to another guy at the party, he decides to rape her. Unfortunately, all her friends have chosen to believe she cheated, and Avery finds this version of events to be easier to stomach, despite losing her boyfriend in the process.

Every feeling was palpable, raw, honest, and heartbreaking. There were a lot of moments I was genuinely terrified of how the author was going to let this story end. But I’m really glad it ended the way it did. I felt like I could breathe easier by the end. It’s hard to say I enjoyed this story, when so much of it felt so real. But I am glad to have read it.

My only real gripe, and why it’s three stars is the repetition. Moments of introspection are an important part of this story and this character journey, but I believe this story would’ve landed a lot better if I wasn’t reminded of the same information so frequently.

Overall, still very much recommend, so long as you’re prepared for the storyline.

Thank you to the publishers for the ARC.

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story really hooked me and was hard to put down! It was enjoyable to read despite the difficult subject matter. The ending felt deeply satisfying.

[Ella Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery I will defend ur honor until the day I die

update: I was lucky enough to blurb this book!! Here's what I wrote as my endorsement: "How do you come of age as a young woman in New York City when PTSD keeps you trapped in the memory of the worst night of your life? Alexia LaFata’s She Used To Be Nice is a bold and propulsive tribute to victims of sexual violence. LaFata’s prose is a fight-or-flight adrenaline rush of healing and righteous fury. This is the novel I needed to read as a self-sabotaging survivor who didn’t know how to ask for help. A nail-biting tour de force!"

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you NetGalley for the ARC to read!
This story was very emotionally charged and deeply thought provoking. Going into this book I was expecting a more mysterious storyline, while this was not as "thriller-y" as I thought, I was still very interested in the story.

This story follows Avery on her journey through life after it takes a rather rough turn. When she agrees to be the maid of honor in her best friend's wedding, she realizes that she's in for an interesting time given who the best man is. We continue to watch Avery go through the motions of being there for her friend while dealing with some trauma internally.

I felt like this story was really well written and really gave you the chance to experience the main characters feelings as she felt them. I felt like she was a relatable character personality wise and had a back story that (unfortunately) many girls may resonate with. The author truly puts you on the roller coaster of emotions that comes with accepting your past trauma and moving past it healing for the future. This is definitely a great novel for anyone who enjoys a real, emotional, and compelling story.

[Candice Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read a couple early drafts of SHE USED TO BE NICE and cannot say enough wonderful things about LaFata's debut novel.

Avery's pain is visceral and haunting. It's one of those stories that doesn't quickly dissolve after one read, it stays with you. To this day, months after having read it, I walk into bars thinking about how Avery would feel walking into them and interact with people thinking about how Avery would feel interacting with them. The story gives such a deeply personal face to what the aftermath of rape can look like and the invisible baggage so many women are carrying with them everywhere they go. This book is more than just a book, it's a new lens with which you can view the world.

[Karly Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very conflicted about this book. On the one hand, Avery’s toxic hypersexuality is understandable given the complex trauma she endured, but on the other, I found her constant refusal to take responsibility for herself irritating. She frequently blames Noah for the things in her life that are wrong, and when her own self-destructive actions cause further chaos. While Noah certainly deserves the consequences he receives in the book, and more, only Avery is responsible for the fact that she allows the assault to define her. And, for what it’s worth, I’m speaking as someone who has experienced a SA type situation.

I liked Morgan, Charlie, and Pete. Throughout the book, Morgan is consistently proven to be a supportive and gracious friend. I was frustrated on her behalf many times, as she is routinely put in a position where she has to take care of Avery emotionally, and sometimes physically, at the expense of her own enjoyment of her bridal shower and bachelorette party. Let’s be honest, Avery’s drama during the hike was beyond ridiculous. Just suck it up, girl. Not everything’s about you.

Pete was fine, but to be honest, I was disappointed when he agreed to have sex with Avery for the first time in a dingy bar bathroom. Considering the attentive, gracious, and respectful way he treats her throughout the rest of the book, it seemed unbelievable that he would agree to such a degrading first sexual encounter.

The scene with Johnathan I thought was completely unnecessary, as were the frequent political/idealogical comments that had nothing to do with the plot or whatever conversation was happening. It made sense when Avery and Pete were getting to know each over a meal, to share their beliefs, but to bring up white privilege and reverse racism as an assumption about other characters’ worldviews seemed out of place.

And that’s another thing. Avery made a lot of assumptions about people based on their sex or party affiliation. She would then act and treat people based on those assumptions, which is ironic for a girl who spent much of the book lamenting about the assumptions her friends had made about her. Aside from the comments her parents made about Dave Moore’s victims, Avery’s parents were actually quite supportive. But in her mind, they’re not worth any thought, consideration, or benefit of the doubt because they’re conservative. For the record, I’m about as conservative as it gets, and I would never automatically accuse a woman of lying about being sexually assaulted or take a man’s side. Avery accused her mother of being insulting and “part of the problem,” but her propensity toward assumptions and her self-imposed gag order were, and are, just as much, part of the problem.

All in all, I thought the writing was good and the characters relatable and fleshed out. My issues have more to do with the messaging.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind. I legit liked the cover and applied for it and was accepted. Wow was it powerful. It is definitely a book that if you have any triggers (which I do not) surrounded sexual abuse, misconduct and most of all rape, you want to be mindful going in.

It did take me a little bit to get engaged as the FMC is unlikable from the jump however she as the narrator literally tells you how difficult she is and you know that it stems from
Her background so you want to hang on.

Watching a person have to get smacked in the face with her rapist and trying to be a good friend and her putting up with socializing with him is hard to read. But it’s ultimately healing as you see the strength that she has throughout the book. That strength comes in many different way and changes throughout it the book.

Ultimately this was a fascinating and surprising read that so highly recommend. It was also smartly and well written. I look forward to more from this author.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Alcove Press through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

[Zak Middlemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm entirely convinced that this book’s existence will create some kind of positive ripple in the world.

As an “imperfect victim,” surrounded by flawed support systems and social dynamics that incentivize silence (up until and also after the end of the story), Avery's story feels like a breath of grounded, realistic, un-gratuitous fresh air.

This isn't girl with the dragon tattoo or game of thrones. A tidy and thrilling takedown of the perpetrator is not coming. Real life does not work that way, and rather than celebrating external outcomes, the book celebrates Avery's internal triumph while simultaneously empathizing with and forgiving the time it takes her to reach it.

This isn't about Avery mustering some sort of courage and "learning how to be brave", but rather, it's a story about the natural progression of healing. This is also what I find refreshing: The inciting incident that brings about her pivot to facing the truth isn't some eucatastrophic mustering of courage to fight away her demons, but rather a building of internal capacity and an accumulation of everyday-life circumstances (e.g. seeing her mirror in Blair), resulting in an internal evolution that is well-chronicled by avery's inner monologue. Avery is depicted as progressing along her nervous system's own healing trajectory, at the speed that her system is able to deal with, which in my opinion, is far more human and far more worthy of celebration than anything our traditional 'heroic' figures do.

I hope a lot of people read this, especially those who wouldn’t normally gravitate toward trauma narratives. There are a lot of people out there who instinctively minimize bad behavior because the person who crossed a line also has a really great ski house. I think those are the ones who need a story like this most, even if they don’t know it yet.

PS: Alexia is my good friend’s partner, so maybe I’m a little biased. But no one made me write this.

[Khin (storyatelier_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHE USED TO BE NICE is an examination of the lasting damage to a victim/survivor of sexual assault, the feelings of guilt and shame over an incident that wasn’t the victim’s fault, and how denying such trauma may bleed into a person’s relationships and sense of self. Throughout most of the book, Avery is a trainwreck: sleeping around with men on dating apps and keeping her distance from them, drinking herself into oblivion, forgetting her responsibilities to her friend, and a tendency for avoidance. It’s understandable, given all that happened to her, and her refusal to voice the truth—mostly because to speak the truth is to confirm that what happened to her was real—but this can make the book hard to read at times. When you think Avery is finally learning to let people in, to trust again, she regresses and brings herself back several steps. This pattern of baby steps forward, followed by several steps back, makes sense, because healing isn’t linear, but it does at times make the book feel tedious. I had mixed feelings about Morgan throughout most of the book, mostly because her pacificist tendencies had her trying to maintain her friendships with both Avery and the group that ostracised her—I had almost dismissed her as a spineless people pleaser until she and fiancé finally pulled through on their adamant support for Avery, although this was only possible after Avery finally let herself be honest with both herself and with everyone around her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a free copy in exchange for a review.

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

She Used To Be Nice seems to set out to expose a lot of the myths we have about sexual violence. As such it feels like being lectured to, rather than taken on a journey into someone's experiences of regaining a sense of control over their life following sexual violence.

"That her female friends thought she'd cheated on her college boyfriend and now she was a shell of a human being, everything good about her gutted out like a fish." If you've experienced sexual violence, you might like the endorsement that things like hypersexuality, flashbacks, being unable to commit to new relationships and struggling to disclose the violence, are all normal. It's great to see this sort of educative material exists, but does it make it work as a book, in my mind no, it doesn't.

You can see the author, Alexia LaFata's media account of her own experience of sexual violence reflected in the book: "The sex wasn't good though. He basically used me as a human Fleshlight." So some of it is clearly drawn from personal experience, but it's written in such a preachy abstract way for the first half (which really drags on), it's actually less impactful than many memoirs I have read from women who have experienced the same. For example: "If her flashes of memory fit into an existing version of events, why add complexity about consent that would've only caused her more anguish?" Do you feel lectured to? I did.

With thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me a copy to read.

[Katie Katieneedsabiggerbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night. One party. One man. Thats all it took to change Avery’s life forever. To take everything she held dear and destroy it. She only has Morgan left, but she can never tell her what really happened. It was Avery’s fault after all…right? When Morgan gets engaged and asks Avery to be her maid of honor, Avery is excited. Until the couple go to dinner with Avery and the best man….the man who raped her. Now Avery must pretend for the next year through all the wedding events that she isn’t having physical and mental reactions to being around Noah.

Ok…there were points in this book where I just wanted to shake Avery, but the longer you read, the more you realize that this book does such a great job of showing how trauma effects people differently. Nobody is going to have the exact same reaction as someone else, and sadly, it’s not uncommon for people to go down a destructive path. If you have ever said #metoo you will likely understand how Avery is feeling, though you may disagree with how she responds. This book will infuriate you. Like make you want to scream aloud infuriate you, so it feels strange to say I enjoyed it. This book was a slow burn but I truly think we needed to be there for every step of Avery’s journey. It will leave you with some rage, but more importantly it will leave you thinking long after you turn the last page.

[lanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to take some time to write this as to make sure I wasn’t overly biased? Overall, I stand by what I had initially thought of it, which is a solid 4 stars!

The bias mentioned would have come from having hosted an author event for Alexia LaFata at the B&N I work at— and while knowing she is genuinely nice to talk to helps, the part that actually made this more impressive was that she had written this purely off of research with no personal accounts from people in her life. As someone who has similar trauma to the main character, I was genuinely convinced while reading this that she had gotten some form of first hand account to write this based on.

I really do think this is a book that people would enjoy, regardless of life experience, though. It’s pretty quick to get through! I read it in one night (and stayed up until about 3am to do so lmao) and actually had a bit of a hard time putting it down. Getting to have an ARC, much less one offered by the author herself, was such a pleasure. It’s a very solid debut novel! I’d highly recommend this to anyone who has any interest in women’s rights (and wrongs).

I sort of doubt she’s reading this, but thank you again Alexia for giving me the opportunity to read this in advance— as well as ask you questions about it!

[TheLisaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book unsure of what I would find, but it quickly proved itself to be an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking read—one I would highly recommend to every young woman. LaFata crafts a story that is not only unique in its perspective but also deeply layered in detail, pulling the reader into Avery’s world with striking authenticity. The prose captures the lingering weight of past pain and anxiety in a way that feels both raw and intimate, showing how old wounds can resurface and quietly shape a person’s present.

Avery’s inner voice is compelling and heartbreakingly honest, allowing us to witness the unfiltered complexity of her emotions—moments of vulnerability, flashes of strength, and the uneasy coexistence of both. The pacing allows space to fully absorb her experiences, making it impossible not to connect with her struggles. This is more than just a story; it’s a mirror for the complicated realities of navigating identity, relationships, and self-worth in the shadow of past hurt. With its emotional depth and immersive storytelling, She Used to Be Nice stands out as a powerful, necessary read that lingers long after the final page.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of She Used to Be Nice by Alexia Lafata.

This emotional, character driven novel explores the messy, complicated nature of friendship, self-discovery, and what happens when the person you’ve always been no longer fits who you’re becoming. Lafata writes with raw honesty, capturing the sting of growing pains and the bittersweet moments of realizing some relationships are meant to change or even end.

The main character felt incredibly real, with flaws and vulnerabilities that made her journey relatable. I appreciated the unfiltered look at female friendship, from its highs filled with laughter and connection to the lows where resentment and distance start to creep in. The dialogue felt natural and intimate, drawing you deeper into the characters’ inner worlds.

While there were moments that lingered a bit too long in introspection, the emotional payoff was worth it. The ending left me thoughtful, reflecting on how we outgrow certain chapters in life and the courage it takes to turn the page.

A heartfelt and resonant read for anyone who’s navigated shifting friendships and personal reinvention.

[Din · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This was a heavy read, and Avery is not the easiest main character to love. She’s a s*xual assault survivor trying to cope in the year after it happened, and her ways of coping are messy—drinking, getting high, hooking up just to forget for a while. It was frustrating to watch her blow up big moments, like her best friend’s wedding plans, and keep everyone at arm’s length instead of telling them the truth. When she finally opens up, some people prove just how terrible they really are. But Morgan and Charlie? Absolute real ones.

Pete was my favorite part of this book. Patient, funny, willing to make the effort to get to know her… even when she pushed him away. I get why he eventually hit his limit, but I loved how things came full circle in the end.

It’s definitely a tough read—lots of triggers—so check the warnings before you start. But it’s also a very unfiltered look at how survival isn’t always clean or quick, and how it can take the right people, the right moments, and a lot of stumbling before you start to find your way back.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A person’s opinion of you is not fact… What makes someone else more qualified to know you than you?”

The FMC of #SheUsedToBeNice life was LIFEing. Imagine being asked to be the maid of honor for your best friend's wedding but your rapist is the best man, and no one knows? That's horrifying in and of itself, but I was also horrified by how Avery was treated, and generally so sad for her silence. I swore at this book so much. I got emotional when it hit a certain point because I was gearing up for something, but I was wrong and surprised. A good thing. Avery is awesome, and really fucking tough.

This was harrowing yet a totally immersive exploration. It's such a necessary and poignant read for everyone - considering the definition of rape is still something society struggles with today - but especially for women and the hell we crawl through to get to the other side.

5️⃣👑 Thank you to @netgalley and @alcovepress for this ARC. BUY this one on August 12th!

[Marissa S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexia LaFata’s She Used to Be Nice is a raw, intelligent, and deeply resonant exploration of womanhood, identity, and the quiet rebellion of choosing oneself. The author really peels back the layers of societal expectation, revealing the internal tug-of-war so many women experience between being “nice” and being real.

It’s honest, a little messy, and fiercely unfiltered. LaFata captures the complexity of growing up in a culture that rewards compliance while punishing authenticity, especially in women. Her reflections are equal parts intimate memoir and cultural commentary, offering the kind of clarity that makes you pause and reread.

What makes She Used to Be Nice so powerful is its emotional precision. LaFata doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, she honors the discomfort and confusion that come with unlearning who we were told to be.

If you’ve ever been called “too much” or “not enough,” this book will feel like a reclamation.

[Shelby Swinburnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ Another person’s opinion of you is not a fact” reading this quote was just what I needed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I want to start by saying this book is heavy and definitely be sure you are in a good space to read this book. This started off as a slow burn for me. Took me a minute to really get into it, but when I did, I couldn’t wait to keep reading. Many times through out the book I found my chest getting tight and I was having a physical reaction to what Avery was going through. It is so easy to be the reader and be frustrated with Avery and her choices. But no one knows how they would handle what happened to hear. Early on my heart ached for Avery because I could easily see how everything played out. This book is a good representation of dealing with rape/sexual assault. This book was heavy and I definitely want a hug after finishing it.
4.5 stars.

[Faithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

She used to be nice by AlexIa lafata

*Warning: This book revolves and SA and the fallout from it*

One horrible night in college changes Avery's life forever. The only person that stands by Avery is her best friend Morgan, but when Morgan becomes engaged then even their relationship gets rocky. As their friend group rallies around wedding planning, it puts Avery face to face with face with her attacker.

As we tend to see, her attacker is a smooth talker, has lots of money and his life seems unaffected by what happened. Avery on the other hand, has years of self medicating with alcohol and hookups.

I think this book is an important read. It shows the aftermath of sexual assault and the emotional baggage one can carry for years and years afterwards.

Thank you to Alexia and NetGalley for gifting my an advanced reader copy of this book. I read it in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

We meet Avery as she is trying to navigate through her life after she is sexually assaulted by Noah who was a guy in her friend group in her final year of college. The assault results in her friends thinking she cheated on her long time boyfriend and Avery allows everyone to believe that narrative, keeping the assault a secret from everyone including her BFF Morgan. Avery now has become overly sexualized and seeks out casual sex in order to feel in control of her life.

Now Morgan is getting married and it turns out that Noah is going to be the best man.

I was getting frustrated with Avery the first half of the book and it was hard to read about how casual in her relationships with men. Pete was a trooper and I'm glad she finally allowed him in. I was happy when she finally stood up for herself and told her friends what happened with Noah and really started to deal with what happened to her.

[Victoria Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

This was .. quite a difficult book for me to rate. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and everything but ...the whiplash with Pete ...that was tough to read about. I felt that the story was rushed at certain points? I think a lot of the plot and story was revealed at 90% into the book and i would have preferred to read more about the aftermath? It felt really incomplete about Blair etc.

It was well written in the sense that it did have me frustrated and wanting to throttle some of the characters. It was infuriating and mortifying how absolutely no one believed her and also didn't give her the time of day to hear her out - Even Blair?? Women not supporting women is vile. Very heavy topics written about in this book and i do think a lot of it was handled with grace and care.

Overall, a heavy read but extremely important topics covered which makes it quite worthwhile.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically find it challenging to read books about sexual assault, as it's difficult for me to fully empathize with the victims without the author creating a compelling setting.

However, this book effectively conveyed the female lead's vulnerability and the immense difficulty she faced in moving on after such a traumatic event. Her fluctuating journey while trying to heal was truly heartbreaking, and her struggles with trust, laughter, and even platonic touch are things I can't imagine enduring.

I believe this book, much like others on this topic, did an excellent job of presenting both sides of the accusation, rather than simply having the accuser be easily believed. I also appreciated the open ending, which leaves the reader wondering whether the accused ultimately faced consequences for their actions.

[Danielle Slomka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young woman navigating life after being sexually assaulted in college. It’s a circumstance in which all her college friends assume she cheated on her boyfriend and they abandon her and hate her except for one friend, and the main character hates herself. Maybe I’m in the minority on this, but I feel like they treated her like she killed someone or committed a heinous crime. Maybe the point is that women are ridiculed for behavior that men are given passes for or that they were more horrified at the thought that she cheated than that she was raped. But the ENTIRE book was people making comments to her because she supposedly cheated once while drunk in college. Like okay???? Do people care that much if their friends make a mistake? Anyway, the book was hard for me to put down and I thought did a good job of showing was PTSD can look like.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery Russo is a twenty something college grad in NYC, we come to learn that an event that took place during her senior year of college had a lasting & damaging effect causing her to act out sexually giving her the false feeling of being in control of her life. I struggled with Avery’s character, often while reading I wished I could reach into the book & shake her while congruently wishing I could give her a hug. This book touches on the real life consequences of choices you make, but also the ones you don’t you get a say in. I think this book provides an excellent example as to why it’s important to stay true to yourself & to remember to give yourself grace even when you don’t think you deserve it.

[Bookskee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery was SA in college. After the event she was labelled a cheater and brushed off by many in her inner circle except for her best friend.

The experience left her reeling and she grips for her sanity using many unhealthy vices.

Gosh, my heart broke for her...

As her friend plans her wedding Avery is shoved face to face with her abuser. She spirals but meets Pete.

Their connection is unexpected for Avery and she worries what Pete might have heard about her. Even so, he brings her unexplainable peace and she just doesn't know what to do with that.

There are so many things I wished for her but most of all justice and a HEA.

I hope this book helps whoever has gone through such an experience be brave and speak out❤️‍🩹

Thank you Alexia LaFata for writing a thought provoking book.

[Eliza Goren · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Used to Be Nice is the definition of a quick, addictive read. From the very first page, the tension hooks you in and never lets up. The chapters are tight and punchy, the pacing is spot-on, and every scene pulls you deeper into the story.

Not only was it fast to get through, but it was also funny and poignant. Alexia perfectly captures the impact assault can have on a woman, and the quiet, corrosive damage that comes from constantly internalizing that trauma.

I was especially touched by the ending (don’t read on if you haven’t finished!). The way friendship becomes a source of true healing absolutely warmed my heart.

If you’re looking for a page-turner that you will make you laugh, feel, and stay with you beyond the last page, I can’t recommend this one enough.

[Amelia Marz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, books like this just piss me off because how can you take a really important subject matter and turn it into something juvenile? It's insulting, honestly.

I gave it an extra star because it's highly readable and the subject itself is powerful, but these characters just felt shallow and strange to me. The novel is trying to hard to be this... intense and important piece of literature and then every interaction seems hollow.

Also: maybe this is a personal bias, but having one of the main focuses of this kind of book be a romance subplot felt very disturbing. Not for me.

I skimmed like the last 30% of this and made a point to see if it was going to get wrapped up in a believable way, but for me it fell short in many ways. 2.5, rounded down.

[Elsie Redducs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

She Used to Be Nice focuses on Avery Russo after a devastating sequel assault her senior year and the aftermath of it.
I had a really hard time reading some parts of this book because of the hard emotions of the subject matter. I would warn if you have suffered sexual assault there are a lot of places which could be triggering.
I loved the realistic character development of Avery throughout the book. I wanted to go through the book and hug her so many times, but I wanted to cry at her progress towards the end. I loved the hopeful tone at the end and I thought the whole story all together of Avery's fight for healing was beautiful.


*Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!