Reviews with content warning for Rape - The way I used to be

You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The way I used to be by Amber Smith

728 reviews

froggpogg's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This has been the first YA novel I've read in quite a while. Usually, I tend to dislike the way YA is written - sometimes, I just cringe throughout the entire book. This wasn't the case here. The characters actually had depth, and the writing style was just perfect. Initially, I was put off by Eden's way of coping with the rape, but I soon came to realise why she was doing what she was doing. I do however, think that the portrayal of alcohol etc. was rather excessive for a YA novel

Content Warnings

falllover12's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was such a great read I wanted to cry many times and this book is so relatable Eden is such a great character and I love that at the end of the book their is so much hope for her and she is finally allowed to be happy

Content Warnings

xcarxradiox's review against another edition

5.0

dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book is absolutely f*cking heartbreaking. It was hard to read but I also struggled to put it down. I desperately needed to know that Eden would be okay in the end. She had to be. I needed her to be okay. The Way I Used To Be covers such an important topic and Amber tackled it so thoroughly and with so much care. She wrote it perfectly on the final page “…I recognize the millions of real-life teens who have, in some way, shared Eden's experience. Unfortunately, theirs are not new stories, but they are ones that need desperately to be told. Over and over and over.”

Content Warnings

mel_ancholia's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring sad

Content Warnings

kotacoyote's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

kenzieboyer1994's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

lanassreadinggg2025's review against another edition

5.0

emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is one of those instances where I truly and wholeheartedly believe five stars does not do this book justice.The book genuily hurts to read The Way I Used to Be is a story about trauma and life after it. Eden is raped by her brother's long time best friend after he sneaks into her bedroom one night. the author to force reader's inside Eden's head during every single second of the few minutes that would change her life forever.Eden's story then goes on to follow her downward spiral from freshmen to senior year.She starts off with her usual friends, meets a boy and bases their entire relationship on lies to guard herself, and by senior year is completely self destructive to escape the trauma she still has told no one about.

Content Warnings