The Way I Used to Be

krystyn_nicole shared a tip "⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obvious trigger warning, rape. Sad story and I was rooting for Eden the whole story to find her voice and speak up about what happened to her. It was sad to see her sabotage so many relationships and different aspects of her life and how all encompassing her trauma was. It was so unfair. Good read."

emgonz0 shared a tip "8/10, extremely emotional and a hard one to put down. Points because I felt it was a little jumpy at times but a good read overall. Edy did what she could"

beverly_martinez_7685 shared a tip "Made me cry hard. I don’t necessarily understand what she went through but I can feel it and feel for her. The rage. The sadness. The pain. The defeat."

jj_blondin shared a tip "This is definitely a good book for people trying to see the bigger picture of these types of subjects. Once you get into it you really can’t put it down. However the end left me with many questions. It feels a little unfinished"

lili_is_goat shared a tip "This book was amazing, I definitely found myself sobbing and punching the air to some parts but it is a very well written book and completely changed my outlook on life for me. I reccomend"

lindsay_313 shared a tip "This book explains trauma in a way I’ve never been able to put into words. It doesn’t embellish or undermine traumatic experiences. It is a difficult read emotionally but worth it."

skylarrosa shared a tip "5/5 read! this book was just so beautiful! it had some very sad moments but also some very sweet one. there were also some points i wanted to throw my book across the room but in a good way! i love how it wrapped the book up!"

jane_1289 shared a tip "Definitely a heartbreaking book, but I saw a lot of myself in the main character. I cried throughout the whole thing but it was wonderful and helped me rethink some of my own experiences. I always say that you never truly understand what you’re experiencing until you’re on the other side of it, and that’s how reading this book kind of felt."

caitlin_johnson_8682 shared a tip "Omgosh just finished this book and it gave me all kind of feeling. I was so enraptured I read it in one setting. (Tigger warning for SA)"

juliannariv shared a tip "This book was a book that made me sob! I found myself rooting for the main character and getting mad at the mistakes she mad along her journey to her truth. Once I got close to the end, I could not put this book down!! This book contains hard material but it is told perfectly and really makes you understand whats happening!"

christina_wilmurth shared a tip "TW for this book. My heart hurt for Eden the entire time. Self sabotaging her relationships. I couldn’t put the book down. It felt so raw and real."

rachel_halbach shared a tip "An amazing book for any survivor to read. Many amazing quotes and thoughts to analyze. I read it in one sitting and loved it. I do wish there was more resolution in the ending, but still an excellent read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

jocelyn_smuin shared a tip "This book made me look at the world differently and I loved it. This book was super good and I hope to whoever reads it feels the same."

shyanne_jenkins shared a tip "I just got done with this book and it broke my heart. But I'm so happy she finally felt safe enough to tell someone. I just find myself wanted to know what happens next."

angela_gaitan shared a tip "This book was the best and book I’ll forever love. It was really heartbreaking when she didn’t know what to do more think. When she finally tells her brother that’s when I start to lose it."

seren_ shared a tip "I loved how she took such a hard topic and made it into this amazing masterpiece. This book was so addicting I couldn’t put it down and i finished it in less that a week. I so so so recommend this if you’re in a reading slump or need a new rec."

roselovestoread shared a tip "this is the best book i’ve ever read. i relate so much to the eden, especially how she dealt with her trauma and managed the people in her life. i love her so much and understand everything she experienced, especially with her relationships and friends."

elizabeth_431 shared a tip "I was hooked from the first page. Honestly wasted no time, I read it in one sitting and it stands to be one of my absolute favorites"

sophibaer shared a tip "Definitely one of my favorite books of all time. I LOVED Mara so much, but I was very angry with Eden at times for her lies and such things. The ending was good, I just think Steve deserved better."

ashley_moran_7541 shared a tip "The book broke me into tears more then six times but it was very much worth it wish i could read this book for the first time again love Eden glad she got her justice"

carolina_garcia shared a tip "Such a strong book that revolves around rape and finding the light at the end of the tunnel and discovering who you are after the tragedy."

isabelle_pizzuto shared a tip "i read this book in a day. i cant even express all the emotions ive felt while reading this book. definitely definitely definitely read it."

cami_labelle shared a tip "I cried…for hours..and hours. This book has acually destroyed me and i have been thinking about it for hours. So beautifully written but extremely triggering…please check TW and make sure you are in the right mindset for this book. Lovely tho"

phebe_smith shared a tip "literally one of my favorite books!!!! such a good book for mental health and a young woman to see what it’s like to go though sexual harassment/ and rape. i had to force myself to put this book down!"

kayden_moore shared a tip "By far the best book I’ve ever read in my life!! Very very eye opening to rape and how it can affect a victim and how it isn’t always a stranger that can commit this awful act."

jenna_keson shared a tip "A tremendous read. This book angered, frustrated, and killed me in the best ways possible. I cried many times and had to sit for a while in silence after I finished reading. (TW for SA and substance abuse)"

nan_13 shared a tip "It’s took me on a roller coaster of emotions and I loved it , the last like quarter of the book was so well written and ughhhh U have to read it !!"

savsav shared a tip "I would've loved to see a sequel/follow up on how Eden is doing after telling, and I'm also extremely curious as to what happens to Kevin. I see myself in Eden. Amber Smith is a beautiful writer and the way she was able to capture the trauma, over sexualization, stubbornness, coldness and depression was perfect. I love the way Amber waited until the last part for Eden to share her story and whom she shared it with. I really liked Josh. I don't like that she lied to him, but trauma hurts so I completely understand. While all of us wanted Eden to tell her story sooner and receive her justice, Amber held out and multiple times throughout the story, you think it's coming with her telling but it doesn't and I think that's one of the most enticing parts. The sad reality is that so many people wait years later to tell, and most people don't even share it. Thank you Amber for portraying Eden in such a beautiful way and for giving other victims a voice❤️❤️"

leegoe shared a tip "Told throughout the different stages of her teenage life, this story brought an immense sense of real/raw emotion. The author was able to create the best possible narrative of the moments throughout the story. As the reader, you were able to understand, envision and FEEL the rollercoaster of emotions. At times I wanted to close the book, throw it but during these times , it’s when you felt the characters heartache, confusion, hurt and more hurt.. the most. I think this novel was steady throughout. Not leaving any questions unanswered (as the story wasn’t about the repercussions ‘per say’) but rather about Eden her decisions/choices. Definitely a good read. 8.5/10 ⭐️"

kaylie_bertram shared a tip "i loved this book it’s so real and it does have romance in it but it seems like how the main character acts is how maybe someone would act not a lie ."

daddysarus shared a tip "This book was amazing. It really went over how hard it really can be for a victim of rape really cannot tell someone about it. It was really eye opening."

sophia_ledbetter shared a tip "It was very good! It was sad at some times. It shows you that you never know what is going on in someone’s life or what has happened to someone. They way people act could be reflecting off of what is going on in there life or what is happening. I think it’s a very good book and I would recommend it I give it a 8/10!"

haley_orange shared a tip "I was not sure how good this book would be at the beginning but now I can say that it was very good and worth a read. It is pretty dark and the main character is very conflicted with her feelings. However, you see her blossom at the end! It is worth your time I promise!"

sydney_bryant_3207 shared a tip "OMG!! I cant express how much this book made me feel. This book, especially for my age, was a good lesson that I learned. Amber Smith  portrayed an amazing message for the readers. Trigger Warning!"

brielle_2214 shared a tip "THIS WAS AMAZING! 5/5⭐️ Went through all the emotions, and had so much anxiety but it was a good anxiety loll. Definitely recommend just check TW first."

morgan_hoath shared a tip "This book! Omg! So good! I managed to burn through it in 1 day 🤯 easy read, really captured my attention. The story of her destruction and then coming to terms with what had happened to her ❤"

mikayla_huey shared a tip "This book is so powerful. In my opinion it is pg13. This book had me in tears becuase of the powerful heartbreaking story, but also had me smiling seeing the main character grow into a strong young woman"

shirline_spotts shared a tip "Absolutely loved this book. I hated when I'd have to put it down. I just finished it today and I wasn't ready for the end to happen.❤"

kay_faith shared a tip "one of the best books i’ve read. although it definitely deserves a massive trigger warning. this book was written so perfectly. i loved how truthful it was and how it helped me better understand the thought process of someone who has gone through something so deeply traumatic. got through this book in less than a month and the ending brought me to happy tears. wonderful book most definitely will be reading again."

melanie_nelson_5343 shared a tip "This book is a MUST READ. It’s not juvenile and it’s a heartbreaking story but please if you love a good story read this. It broke my heart in all the right places."

lauren_novelia shared a tip "Just finished this today, ive been waiting so long for Edy to do what we all wanted her to do. It was so nice wrapping up the lose ends ♡"

devlyn_jones shared a tip "i’ve read this twice, once when i was younger and then again after my own trauma (trigger warning, the r*pe scene is very graphic, i skipped over it the second time i read it) both times i cried so much but it’s such an amazing book. really well written and so so helpful."

jazzy_pin shared a tip "Best book I have read to far. I can easily identify myself with this book. It made me cry and tear up with just the first page. Highly recommend!!"

chloe_gladish shared a tip "love this book. read cover to cover in one sitting. made me cry. gives you every feeling you could think of. needed to read a light hearted book after"

clemintine shared a tip "Really hard to read but worth it. A vivid story about rape and what it does to victims and how it destroys their lives. So so difficult but also beautiful"

legacy_4335 shared a tip "Soo so so soo good! It's an amazing experience to read, relatable you can visualize everything! I'm not a huge reader but this book was really amazing!"

carly_s_4346 shared a tip "tw: r@pe. the description, and detail in this book honestly amazes me. it truly adds awareness to situations and it describes how difficult it is to live in those situations. i love this book. truly it is amazing. 10/10, recommend."