charlotte_helen 's review for:

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
5.0
challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I read this book in under a week. It is an emotional read, showing Eden growth, self-destructiveness and recovery in the years after her rape.   It highlights how even though the actual act was only five minutes the impact of this lasts a life time affecting not just Eden and her coping mechanisms but also her relationships, friendships, family life,  school work and so much more. This book made me feel a range of emotions at points I wanted to cry for Eden and how much she was hurting, at others I wanted to be angry at her and the people around her for not supporting her or simply asking if something had happened. The reading experience I got from this book will stay with me for a long time.  
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