The Girl I Was Before

The Falling Series, Volume 3

By: Ginger Scott

Narrated by: Claire White, James Fouhey

I'm the selfish one. I suppose that's the nicest thing people say about me. I've heard the other things, too: "Paige Owens is a pretty girl with nothing else to offer. She's just a good time at a party. She's stupid, heartless, cold, and useless. All she cares about is getting a guy to look at her. Why would anyone want to be her friend?"

Some of those things are true...They're all hurtful.

None of it matters.

I'm ready to make the hard choices. I'm ready to face the consequences.

I'm ready to be the girl I was before, and I'm done being the one who lost her way. I'm ready to become the girl Houston Orr sees when he looks at me.

Houston isn't a star athlete. He doesn't play in a band. He's never going to be president, and his life is so far away from simple and easy it isn't even funny. He wasn't part of my plan. But I'm starting to think plans are overrated, and maybe our stories are what we make them. And mine depends entirely on me, and the choices I make...starting now.

Houston is my fairy tale. He's perfectly imperfect. He's poetry and life. He's truth and heartbreak, all rolled up in a tall body with dark hair, broad shoulders, and green eyes that lull me into submission. He's nothing I ever thought I wanted but the very thing I need. He's the only guy I've ever really loved, and he thinks I'm a princess. I fell into him, and now I'm holding on.

But sometimes, life takes away our ability to choose. Sometimes, things aren't in your control. Sometimes, it hurts to be selfless. My only hope is that when it comes time to choose, I get it right.

Welcome to my once upon a time and wish for happily ever after.

©2015 Ginger Scott (Ginger Eiden) (P)2015 Ginger Scott (Ginger Eiden)

Amazing!

I’m so in love with all three of these books so far. I don’t wanna move onto book number four because i know it’s the end and i don’t want these stories to end. Each and every story has drawn me in and made me love every single person told in these stories. I must say that Paige and Houston are my favorites just because i related more. Lots of tears, laughter, and awe moments in these books! A must read!

Family matters and belonging matters more

So, the unlikeable girl finally becomes human by finding her soul mate. She fought it, felt she didn't deserve it, but she was able to achieve redemption and received her reward. I really liked the character of Houston. His family mattered to him more than almost anything and he was able, through perseverance, able to help Paige learn to fit, see what she was missing and could have if only she would let down her guard. Decent story.

Pure Perfection – Couldn't Stop Listening

Would you consider the audio edition of The Girl I Was Before to be better than the print version?

I don’t like to compare the reading and listening of a book because to me it’s two completely different things. I listen to books for a different experience. Usually I feel more emotions when I listen and it’s a wonderful journey. I think this book is perfect reading print or listening. I recommend both because you get two wonderful but different experiences.

What other book might you compare The Girl I Was Before to and why?

This is a tough one because you can’t really compare The Girl I was Before to other books. This book is so unique and wonderful on its own. The best I can do is compare The Girl I was Before to the following books. I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s a common element.

- Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros
- Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor
- Consolation Corinne Michaels

Have you listened to any of Claire White and James Fouhey ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I LOOOOVVVEEEEE the male narrator. I LOVVEEE Him. Did I say that already? I kind of stalked his other books, that’s how much I love him. I usually don’t google narrators because I have a picture of them in my head and I don’t want to ruin the fun, but I am so tempted. He reads at the right pace, his voice is not too deep, but fits Houston. It’s strong, masculine and PERFECT. I kind of imagine Houston as a nerdy guy with glasses.

The female narrator fits Paige perfectly. Paige is a tough character, so the voice is really strong, not too girly, but feminine. She sounds older and wiser (how I picture Paige).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book is moving, but the one that stood out the most is listening to Houston’s past. I really liked getting a deeper glimpse to who he is and what kind of man he was. It made me fall in love with him just a tiny bit more.

Any additional comments?

Full Book Review

5 I’ve got a Crush on you Stars

This is an AUDIO Re-read < --- because its my favorite form of re-reading. The Girl I was Before just became Live on audio. I have been waiting MONTHS for this. I actually wanted to do the audio when I finished reading it. I love this book like mad.

FUN FACT < ---- The female and male audio narrators are a REAL LIFE couple. I know, I have mega heart eyes. It just makes listening to them even better right?!!!!

The Girl I was Before is a standalone and is part of the Falling series. If you are a fan of the series, I highly recommend you read this. If you have not started this series, I highly recommend you read it.

Paige is Cass’ twin sister. Rowe is in the first book and Cass is in the second book. Paige is like Barbie. She’s blonde, pretty and is social. Usually these Heroines make me cringe, but I’ve invested into Paige since the first book and I was super curious to how Paige would redeem herself.

The female narrator fits Paige perfectly. Paige is a tough character, so the voice is really strong, not too girly, but feminine. She sounds older and wiser (how I picture Paige).

The first two books in the series follow the same time-line, HOWEVER The Girl I was Before is after the first two books. I really liked this and I’m glad Ginger went in this direction. Paige is known as the stuck up, self-centered, selfish, spoiled girl. She’s upset with a lot in life, mostly because she has to deal with her sister’s illness. She’s trying to change for the better, but it’s a slow process.

When the story starts, we see Paige the way she was in book one. She’s mean, spiteful and very calculating. She will hurt people to get her way and get ahead. Crazy as it sounds, I loved it. Paige is so complex, I just couldn’t get enough of her. Why is she the way she is? Why is she so mean? Does she have any feelings? To answer your question, yes, she does.
Paige has a lot of feelings. I loved reading her POV and I loved getting into her head. I completely clicked and related with her character. Way to go Ginger!

“I’ll indulge in the fact that I have a crush- a crush on a guy whom I under no circumstances really want to be with – but a crush all the same. “

At first Houston seems like your typical college Hero. He works hard and he lives at home to help support his mother. He’s was slightly flirty when I read the little teaser from the second book. So, I just had to sink my teeth into Houston when I started the book finally. I loved him from day one. He’s a good guy and he has a heart of gold. A complete opposite of Paige. Kind of ironic no?

I LOOOOVVVEEEEE the male narrator. I LOVVEEE Him. Did I say that already? I kind of stalked his other books, that’s how much I love him. I usually don’t google narrators because I have a picture of them in my head and I don’t want to ruin the fun, but I am so tempted. He reads at the right pace, his voice is not too deep, but fits Houston. It’s strong, masculine and PERFECT. I kind of imagine Houston as a nerdy guy with glasses.

Houston needs help with Spanish and Paige happens to be at the library while Houston is studying. She reluctantly helps him. The banter between Houston and Paige is off the charts cute, adorable and funny. I loved how rude Paige was and I love how awkward Houston was.

But not everything is what it seems right? Paige isn’t a nice person and Houston comes with baggage. Houston doesn’t have time for a personal life, he’s too busy working and he’s focusing on school. Paige doesn’t want anything to do with Houston because well, for one, she has a boyfriend and another she has girl drama she has to deal with.

Somehow, they forge this crazy bond and it just worked for me. I enjoyed this book so much because the characters are so complex and Ginger really pulled everything together nicely. I got the issues and I understood both sides (Houston and Paige’s). I felt for them and I was rooting for them both.

”When you want something for someone else more than you want them to be here for you-when you just wish they had more time, rather than more time with you. I’m pretty sure that’s love”

More stuff happens in the book and it was a delicious delight as I uncovered more and more. I wouldn’t say this book is too angsty, which surprised me because that is what Ginger is known for, but it had that enough mild tension to keep you panting for more and happy.

It’s a coming-of-age college romance book that will pull at your heart and make you sigh in a very good way.

I can’t stress enough how much I love Audio reads. It’s great for the first time, second time or even the fifth time. You can listen to this book in one sitting or in breaks. I usually turn on a book as I work in the office. It keeps me happy.

Best out of the series

I really disliked Paige in the first two books but have to say this story was SO good! The plot line was amazing and I just can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this third installment of the series! Highly recommend it!

I was prepared to hate this book…

Having been introduced to Paige (the heroine) in the first two books in the series, I didn't like her. Then, when I started listening, I wasn't too fond of the woman reading her. (The female reader's accent for the Southern characters was so awful, I had to deduct a star. Fortunately, she (mostly) redeemed herself with the other characters.) How, then, did this become my favorite Ginger Scott book so far? I will chalk it up to skill. Ms. Scott slowly, surely, made me feel compassion for Paige. Made me root for her, cry for her, and fall for her as completely as does Houston. I love this book.

loved

I loved this book. I will continue to read more from this Author. I love the story lines

Fun

Very enjoyable series. Loved the anti-heroine and her changes. What a wonderful ending. Really liked Lea too.

Great end to a trilogy.

Loved the book, loved Houston and even got to really like Paige about half way through the book. I liked the male reader, perfect intonation and believable voice for the character's age. Unfortunately the female reader was not at his level. So flat, no intonation, no life for this amazing character. sigh.

I read the book, loved it so much I bought the audible version since I like to re-listen books and now can do all three books in one shot. Just buy the book in any form.

To my surprise I extremely enjoyed this series!

Any additional comments?

I am a big fan of murder/mystery books, but once in awhile I like to try something different. So glad I did and chose the Falling Series!! It was sweet, sad and funny all at the same time. My son would hear me laughing to myself in my room and thought I was crazy when I told him it was my book making me laugh. Also had some great, surprising little twists. My sister and her friend and my co-worker are all reading this series now. If you are trying to decide, I would say go for it. Don't think it will be disappointing.

Loved this series

Loved hearing the story from Pages point of view. The female narrator was horrible though, wish they would have used the narrator from the fullest two. I could really use a do over on the voice female recording