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

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Eden begins the story by taking her medication and working on coping skills that she's learned. We also get to see Josh's perspective him being back in town and dealing with his father's substance abuse issues. His dad seems to be working on getting better but their relationship is clearly strained. I love the way Eden and Josh just come back together and you just feel the chemistry. 

i'm kicking my feet up again! Kevin's SISTER WAS HIS VICTIM TOO ??Steve and Josh getting all territorial for Eden. Steve is jealous of Eden and Josh and obviously sees the chemistry too. SHE WAS GOING IN FOR HER MAN," he wouldn't lose me to someone like Josh - it would BE Josh" poetry. Steve feels gross and he makes me feel like he's a fake nice guy and basically forced her into having sex with him. Josh has it bad for Edy. Edy finally breaks up with Steve after very bad almost forced sexual intercourse. Caelin is pushing Eden to go back to school, even offering to loan her his car. Edy applies to the school Josh is going to and gets in. Josh and Edy finally end up together and have an intimate and emotional first sexual experience. They admit that they love one another in the process. Josh is obsessive and has trauma of his own scared of Edy taking drugs when he found her anxiety medications. Edy's gone home for her trial and her mom has a separate trial because of the blood found on her legs. Edy meets Gen before the trial at her place of work. Edy doesn't want anyone to come to her trial date but Mara ends up coming and being the only one to support her. Edy wins and there is a final trial date but things are looking good. Josh invites Edy home with him to thanksgiving but things get rough literally the same day. Edy forgot her birth control for the last two weeks since they haven't been having sex Josh turns into an asshole feeling trapped and suddenly goes all ape shit. Telling her they need to take a break and this is just like her being inconsiderate after he had nut in her. Josh goes home alone and Edy works through her problems all over again alone. I feel at this point they both need to be by their damn selves, I've never wanted two people to just work on their own problems in my life. 

I'd be okay if they ended up alone by the end of the book. In the end they still try to work out their mess oddly enough and we don't know if Edy even won the trial. Not the best book ending after such an amazing first book.  

I felt her anxiety throughout this story. It was about healing, growing, and getting past a trauma. It honestly was not as good as the first book and I guess I expected a little more.