She Used to Be Nice: A Novel

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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. 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.

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Praise for She Used to Be Nice:

Bridesmaids meets She Said, Alexia LaFatas debut is heart-breaking and painfully relatable. You will want to hug Avery (and perhaps your younger self too) before running outside to immediately dismantle the patriarchy. She Used to Be Nice has the optimism of a romance, the propulsion of a thriller, and the social observations of contemporary fiction. Its an addictive read that is begging for a screen adaptation.
Eliza Moss, author of What It's Like in Words

Author Bio

Alexia LaFata is a writer and editor with over ten years of experience in digital media. She currently works at Vox Media, which is home to Vox, New York Magazine, The Cut, Vulture, PS, Eater, and many more publications. Previously she was a senior editor at Elite Daily. She has a BA in sociology and communications from Boston College. She lives in Manhattan. She Used to Be Nice is her first novel.