A review by beesneysbooks
The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

trauma changes you. it wraps itself around you and forces you to rebuild yourself stronger and braver than you ever thought you’d need to be. 
and this book, this duology, portrays that. healing isn’t linear and that’s often portrayed in media. i also appreciate how it shows how scarring having an alcoholic parent can be. even when they’re sober, the relationship will never be the same. 
this book was heartbreaking, healing, and hell bent on making me emotional.