Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

The way I used to be by Amber Smith

52 reviews

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

During the entire book, I really abhor the way Eden treats everyone, even though on a deeper level I understand that the trauma she endured prevents her from behaving any other way. This book is immeasurably sad, particularly for the ways that it echoes the feelings and beliefs of real life victims of sexual assault. This is a book filled with heavy real life issues that will absolutely break your heart but give you hope as well. 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

5.75 stars
R*pe. That's what this book about. So, if you're uncomfortable with that subject, please don't read the book. Because you'll be so uncomfortable throughout the whole book. And also, if you're a victim, this might trigger you, so please think about all the trigger warnings before reading this.
First of all, I found this on YA section. If someone recommended this to me as a romance book like last time, I would've kicked them with the hard cover book. And I'm also thankful that this was marketed as a YA and not as an adult book. Because teens should read this book too. No matter how hard the topic is, they should be aware of this subject.
Well, I knew this book would be a sad one. To be exact I knew it's related to mental health. Didn't know up to which extent.
I've read enough books that the main character dies and happen really bad things and I don't feel sad at all. But THIS? Oh, my goodness, this. I think this is the best read in my entire reading year. And it's the end of the year, so I think you'll understand how much it'll mean to me. If you've had same kind of experience before, it feels more personal. I think people who have been through sexual harassment will understand what I'm saying. I'm praying no one will be go through such pain ever.
This is a story about a girl named Eden who was 12 years old in middle school when her brother's best friend raped her. He threatened her saying he'll kill her if she talks about it to anyone. And also, he says that "No one will believe you". That's what makes her scarred for life. She used to be a ball of sunshine who helped everyone and smile always. But her smile disappears. How sad that little, small girl dies inside of her. She used to be bullied so much in school because she's the quiet kid. She tries to avoid all those by going to library in the lunch break.
The morning after she got raped, she tries to tell it to her mom. Her mom thinks she just got her period. (Sad stuff) She tries so hard to tell it to others, but words are trapped in her throat. She doesn't have the courage to do so. Just like she tells it "How good it would've been if her parents teach her to stand up for herself instead of accepting it, how good it would've been if her parents could see there's something going on with her, how good it would've been if her parents teach her to fight for herself". I feel the same way too. When something like this happens, you become so numb to a point that you don't know how to express it. How good it would be if those parents had the gut feeling that their only daughter in in danger.
I saw people telling things about Eden's behaviour and all. I don't blame her. Not at all. Yes, she could've fight for herself and try to be the good girl. She could have. But everyone deals with pain differently. Some take the pain and gain more confidence and roar to the world while some do not. Some just shut themselves up and bottle them all inside. Sometimes that bottle gets filled inside through time and burst in the air. But sometimes it stays hidden and keep stinging. I feel bad that there was no one beside Eden to tell her that "it's not her fault" and "she deserves peace". People always notice the wrong things we do but never notice why was the reason for that. And there wasn't a person for Eden that she could've believe.
And I CRIED. It's my first time. As I always say I'm that emotionless bitch who don't cry over books but GOD I cried. Maybe listening to the audio book had an effect on it, because obviously I didn't had time to keep up my thoughts and make myself feel better. And tears fell down voluntarily. Some tears went through my nose, so I pretend I have cold and was wiping down my tears. It fascinates me that I've read so many books where the main character dies, but they never felt that sad. But this touched my heart and even made it swollen. And maybe that's why I decided to give this 5.75 stars because that's the highest number of stars you can give.
It saddens me that this type of things happens so much in the society and people suffer with it without receiving help. That there are many Edens who lost their spark for something they couldn't control.

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challenging emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book is something you want to read when you want to feel broken. It was written beautifully and in my opinion shows accurately what can happen to the main character and her response. The main character was lovingly complicated, and I am satisfied with the ending, but I wish it went on for a little bit longer.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This made me want to throw up...ugh men are disgusting. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

OH, GOD! I think I will not forget about this book for at least ten years.
What just I read? I don't know if I have to give five stars for this fantastic story or one star for making me frustrated and depressed while reading it.
 
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content, Sexual Violence, Child Abuse, Toxic Relationship, Mental Illness, Adult/minor Relationship, Bullying, Slut-shamming, Panic Attack, Drug Use/Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts.
 
I know, so many. Because of it, I don’t recommend this book if you have a problem with some of the warnings I list above.
 
I know the story in this book is fiction, but it is not a secret that so many people share a similar history. Please don’t be scared to speak up because trust me, we will trust you. And so many people will help you and give you justice.

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