Beat the rise! Delivery fees are going up soon.

Close Notification

Your cart does not contain any items

She Used to Be Nice

A Novel

Alexia LaFata

$39.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

QTY:

English
Crooked Lane Books
16 September 2025
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.
By:  
Imprint:   Crooked Lane Books
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 210mm,  Width: 139mm, 
Weight:   369g
ISBN:   9798892421713
Pages:   336
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Alexia LaFata has over ten years of experience in digital media, working at publications such as New York Magazine, The Cut, Vulture, Polygon, The Verge, and many others. She lives in New York City. She Used to Be Nice is her first novel.

Reviews for She Used to Be Nice: A Novel

Praise for She Used to Be Nice: “Effortlessly combines unputdownable suspense, characters that feel astonishingly real, biting social commentary, and even a swoon-worthy romance. A read-in-one-sitting novel I will be thinking about for a long time to come.” —Olivia Muenter, USA Today bestselling author of Such a Bad Influence “[A] searing debut... a powerful story to which so many women will undoubtedly be able to relate.” —Genevieve Wheeler, author of Adelaide “A harrowing and yet deeply cathartic read. LaFata has crafted a beautiful battle cry: Believe women!” —Caitlin Barasch, author of A Novel Obsession “She Used to Be Nice has the optimism of a romance, the propulsion of a thriller, and the social observations of contemporary fiction. It’s an addictive read.” —Eliza Moss, author of What It's Like in Words “A gritty, bold, and darkly funny exploration of young womanhood. This book made me feel seen, and I bet many, many readers will feel the same way.” —Hannah Orenstein, author of Maine Characters “Bold and propulsive... A nail-biting tour de force!” —Ella Dawson, author of But How Are You, Really


See Also