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sofialibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
izzyreads13's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I personally really enjoyed this book, it can be very fast pace at times as it does skip around a lot in my opinion but it’s not by any means hard to follow. I feel in love with the realistic aspects of the book, watching Eden and Mara grow up and become almost completely different people from the start of the book.
I think this book beautifully showcases how such traumatic events can really shape someone’s world and I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. With complex and interesting characters you can’t really get bored in the story, so much happens, so many things change and occur that it’s easy to immerse yourself in the contents of the book.
This book is very content heavy and anyone looking into reading it should be aware of the triggers, but if you’re fine aside from that I heavily recommend this book. There’s some romance, a lot of character development, navigation through life and things of the sort.
Overall in short, I really enjoyed the realism of this book, the way the characters move and progress is very realistic and I enjoy how when Eden, our main fmc really messed up, others around her didn’t just let her pass because of the fact that she was the main character. She faced real backlash for some of her actions in the book that really made it feel like nonfiction rather than fiction and I enjoyed every part of it.
I hope this review helped you possibly choose to get into and read this book and I know that personally, I can’t wait to read the sequel, “the way I am now”. Happy reading!
I think this book beautifully showcases how such traumatic events can really shape someone’s world and I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. With complex and interesting characters you can’t really get bored in the story, so much happens, so many things change and occur that it’s easy to immerse yourself in the contents of the book.
This book is very content heavy and anyone looking into reading it should be aware of the triggers, but if you’re fine aside from that I heavily recommend this book. There’s some romance, a lot of character development, navigation through life and things of the sort.
Overall in short, I really enjoyed the realism of this book, the way the characters move and progress is very realistic and I enjoy how when Eden, our main fmc really messed up, others around her didn’t just let her pass because of the fact that she was the main character. She faced real backlash for some of her actions in the book that really made it feel like nonfiction rather than fiction and I enjoyed every part of it.
I hope this review helped you possibly choose to get into and read this book and I know that personally, I can’t wait to read the sequel, “the way I am now”. Happy reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jahnaya's review against another edition
5.0
Omg. This book. Eden was very relatable. As someone who suffers with depression/anger issues, I push people away all the time and yell at people while my head is saying the complete opposite of the rudeness coming out of my mouth. Sometimes my mind goes blank and I just say whatever is at the top of my head. I can’t control it. And I always regret what I say. But I have so much going on I cannot speak of. And the only way to express how I feel without having to outright say it is to get extremely angry at everyone for the slightest thing.
reddyx's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cummings25's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
firyal15ichigo's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
triciaharris72's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
itsgracewillford's review against another edition
4.0
never cried so hard over a book, I loved this book very much but grab your tissues if you are planning to read
callieju's review against another edition
5.0
this book is unforgettable. this book did a fantastic job at portraying trauma, i have never had as much of an emotional response to a book as i did this one. Eden’s story was real and her emotions were powerful.
The story is about Eden, a girl who is raped by her brothers best friend, someone she trusted, had a crush on and would never imagine would harm her. But he did, and I thought this would be the saddest part of the book. but what hurt worse was her trying to tell her mother, she was trying to find her voice but couldn’t. that was heartbreaking.
This book is told in four parts, freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. It shows how being raped effected her, her life and how she treats people. I can’t really explain how remarkable this book was. Amber Smith was able to write emotions so well I felt them too.
⚠️SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING⚠️
Although the ending left a lot of questions I really think it suited the story well. People say they wanted a trial, and to see what would happen with all her friends, and I definitely wish that i could see that too. but the ending that was written was amazing in itself. Eden didn’t have a “knight in shining armour” come save her, she saved herself. she found her voice, something that she struggled with the entire book, she was able to do.
I am so glad i read this book and I’m going to be thinking about it for a while.
The story is about Eden, a girl who is raped by her brothers best friend, someone she trusted, had a crush on and would never imagine would harm her. But he did, and I thought this would be the saddest part of the book. but what hurt worse was her trying to tell her mother, she was trying to find her voice but couldn’t. that was heartbreaking.
This book is told in four parts, freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. It shows how being raped effected her, her life and how she treats people. I can’t really explain how remarkable this book was. Amber Smith was able to write emotions so well I felt them too.
⚠️SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING⚠️
Although the ending left a lot of questions I really think it suited the story well. People say they wanted a trial, and to see what would happen with all her friends, and I definitely wish that i could see that too. but the ending that was written was amazing in itself. Eden didn’t have a “knight in shining armour” come save her, she saved herself. she found her voice, something that she struggled with the entire book, she was able to do.
I am so glad i read this book and I’m going to be thinking about it for a while.