Take a photo of a barcode or cover
paolas_shelf 's review for:
The Way I Used to Be
by Amber Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75- I am truly torn on how to rate this book. The reason being it’s such a sensitive topic. It just fell short of 4 stars; barely- which for me is still REALLY good!
‼️TW: Sexual assault (detailed/graphic) and mental health‼️
.
.
This book is not just the story of an assault,
But the aftermath. The ugly, sad, and harsh realities of living with trauma on a daily basis.
Everything is depicted; the trauma, fears, emotions, flashbacks and unhealthy coping habits.
.
.
I personally wasn’t a fan of how she treated others. Josh deserved better and she didn’t have to use others in the ways she did. Granted I get it; trauma response/ trauma brain was very much present.
I just wanted to grab her and help her in every way possible. In my personal life I have worked with (For the last 5 years) victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, so this book hit close to home and my brain was going 100mph on what could she possibly need in the moment while I read. (I did enjoy that it was told in sections by what grade she was in- this showcased the longer effects of trauma)
.
.
Overall this book is a great portrayal of trauma…very raw, emotional, honest, heartbreaking, and sometimes even destructive.
‼️TW: Sexual assault (detailed/graphic) and mental health‼️
.
.
This book is not just the story of an assault,
But the aftermath. The ugly, sad, and harsh realities of living with trauma on a daily basis.
Everything is depicted; the trauma, fears, emotions, flashbacks and unhealthy coping habits.
.
.
I personally wasn’t a fan of how she treated others. Josh deserved better and she didn’t have to use others in the ways she did. Granted I get it; trauma response/ trauma brain was very much present.
I just wanted to grab her and help her in every way possible. In my personal life I have worked with (For the last 5 years) victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, so this book hit close to home and my brain was going 100mph on what could she possibly need in the moment while I read. (I did enjoy that it was told in sections by what grade she was in- this showcased the longer effects of trauma)
.
.
Overall this book is a great portrayal of trauma…very raw, emotional, honest, heartbreaking, and sometimes even destructive.