The Girl You Thought I Was is one of those books where you think you haven’t read something like it. I have never read a book that deals with kleptomania before and so this reading experience was entirely new for me.
Summary
No one looking at Morgan Kemper would think she had a secret-at least not one that she’s deeply ashamed of. To everyone she meets, she comes across as sweet, pretty, and put together. But Morgan knows that looks can be deceiving. For over a year, she’s shoplifted countless pieces of clothing and makeup. Each time she tells herself it will be the last, and each time it never is.
But when she’s caught and sentenced to thirty hours of community service, the image Morgan has carefully constructed starts to crumble. She’s determined to complete her punishment without her friends discovering the truth about her sticky fingers, but that’s easier said than done…
Especially once she meets Eli, the charming, handsome nephew of the owner of the charity shop where Morgan is volunteering. Soon, Morgan is faced with an impossible decision: continue to conceal the truth or admit that she’s lied to everyone in her life, including the boy she’s falling for.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Having never read a book about a main character who has kleptomania was really refreshing. Not only that, but Morgan was a character I could get behind. She makes mistakes, but she has that same fire, that same heart, as I do. I could really identify with her and her struggles. The Girl You Thought I Was is a book about journeys and forgiveness. It’s a book that celebrates the joy in the journey – the mistakes, the detours, and the necessity for company.
There were a few elements that I found to be predictable, but not in a bad way. Sure I could see where a few things were going – some things I had no clue about though – but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. You become immersed in Morgan’s journey. We all make mistakes and these can have long standing consequences. Too often we become self absorbed and forget about the results of our actions on those we love.
An element I really enjoyed was Morgan’s family. There are bumps and challenges and all sorts of things. But it’s raw and real and the journey to forgiveness is really touching. People make mistakes. And we need to realize that not only do we need to forgive them, but also ourselves. Not for them, but for us. Check out The Girl You Thought I Was on Goodreads.