The Way I Am Now is a powerful follow-up from Amber Smith

Amber Smith changed the YA landscape with the release of The Way I Used to Be and now, she’s doing it again with the release of The Way I Am Now.

If you’ve read the first book in this series, you’ll know what happened but I’ll give you a refresher if you haven’t. I mean I think I needed one before the second book but better late than never.

The Way I Used to Be followed Eden after being raped by her brother’s friend and the aftermath of the event. She ends up having a difficult time and doing a lot of things she regrets yet the book doesn’t end up on a sad note but more of a hopeful note.

Due to that, I was incredibly excited to pick up the next book which is The Way I Am Now. I’d like to thank Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me a physical ARC as this was a great one.

The Way I Am Now is another powerful read from Amber Smith.

Before getting into my review, I want to give some major kudos to Amber Smith as she started off this book with a powerful author’s note. If you’re planning to pick this book up, you need to read that before you start. With that being said, let’s get into my review.

This book is split into four parts with each part focusing on a different time for Eden and Josh. Eden is finally starting to feel like she has some freedom and begins to feel better. However, it all seems to fall apart again when the trial starts for her rapist and it’s not pretty. Meanwhile, Josh is dealing with being on a scholarship he doesn’t want and some family issues.

It’s clear from the moment Josh and Eden meet again that they have a special connection no one else can understand. While there are a few things holding them back, those are quickly removed and they can be together. Of course, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

In particular, Eden is really dealing with learning to trust Josh and being intimate with him. It’s hard to read sometimes yet it feels incredibly real. That’s what I love most about how Amber Smith wrote this. She didn’t shy away from anything and made sure to leave everything on the page. It feels so real like it’s playing out before your very eyes.

While the third-act conflict upset me and annoyed me to no end, it made a lot of sense for these two. They were both at their individual breaking point and something needed to happen. As with the previous book, The Way I Am Now ended on a happy and hopeful note. Coupled with the beautiful cover, I feel like this one is a must-read whether you’ve picked up the first book or not.

The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith is out now where books are sold.

Will you be grabbing a copy of The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith this fall?