I have been waiting for this sequel and it was everything I had been hoping for. It started out slow but ended amazing!

I read the first one a few months ago and was absolutely stunned by the beauty and sadness of the book. It was shocking and real and raw and by the last chapter I was bawling my eyes out. I had such high hopes for the second book and believe me it didn't disappoint.

The second book takes place 4 months after the end of the last book, the aftermath of going to the police and having him arrested follows. The emotional struggle that Eden has, as well as her struggles with relationships and her true self. Several times throughout the book I couldn't read because of the tears coming out of my eyes. Once again the realness and raw beauty of this book was what I was looking for from the first one and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in one day staying up until the wee hours of the morning to make sure I got every word before I went to sleep. Holy cow this was beautiful.

Let me start by saying, I was elated when I saw there was going to be a follow up novel, especially when I saw that Josh was going to be involved in the story. I was also looking forward to seeing the aftermath of the ending of the last book and how these two eventually find one another again.

The main appeal of the a second book to hopefully see how Eden grows into a healthy person and space after everything that happened during high school. Although I think Eden did grow as a character, I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities to showcase how she gets there. We are told she is in therapy, but we don’t get to see Eden interact with her therapist once.

The book didn’t really dive into any truly deep conversations and discuss the trial etc until about 60% into the book. I think the book had a turning point and really started to feel real. I liked Eden reconnecting with Mara and connecting with the other women involved in the trial. Although difficult to read, the trial and aftermath of hard dialogue with Josh was really impactful.

The reason Josh and Eden take a break I think was an important conversation to explore in a YA book—but if I wasn’t an adult I truly wouldn’t have understood why what Eden did was wrong and why Josh was upset. I wish that was executed better because it’s important. The ending….I’m truly shocked that we didn’t get to hear the results of the trial. I feel like the book could have been paced better so the readers were able to have closure with at least hearing the results of the hearing that already had the jury making their decision!!

I hate writing this review because I wanted to love this sooooo much and even though I was disappointed, I still am happy I read this and followed Eden and Josh on the rest of their journey. I would still give this 3⭐️ especially since I know many will enjoy it!

What an incredible sequel to "The Way I Used to Be!" Heavy topics of sexual assault, abuse, and its aftermath, but I couldn't put it down - if anything, we need more books about these "taboo" topics for teens and young adults to connect with! I really loved Eden and Josh's relationship and how authentic it felt - they have such a strong connection despite the hardships they are trying to overcome. Through their strong voices, their chemistry and development from start to finish were clearly evident - the alternating POV helped with this, letting us really get into each of their heads. As heavy and tough as the topics were, I put this book down feeling hopeful, and I think this will resonate with many readers as a relatable or educational read.

I read The Way I Used to Be earlier this year after having it on my TBR list for a while and when I started reading it, I was unable to put it down. The same can be said for this book as well and start to finish, I read it in under 24-hours. The Way I Am Now is a gripping continuation from The Way I Used to Be that tells the story of the aftermath of reporting a rape that happened years prior and having to come to terms with retelling the story of the moment that changed a life forever and not only is it the retelling of the story that can be traumatizing, but fearing whether or not the people you're retelling the traumatic experience to will even believe you. This story hit hard from book one because, lets be honest, the subject matter is taboo and not often spoken about and with this subject matter, it can be hard to read about at times as well. That being said, the way this series was written and the way it touched on the affects of this traumatic moment in a young girls life and how she coped with it through the years and how it affected those around her, should be done a lot more. Thank you Amber for being brave enough to write this series.

Eden and Josh are finally giving their relationship another shot, but with the chance of having a real relationship this time around, there are still roadblocks in there way that they may or may not be able to avoid. Eden still has a trial to get through and Josh still has to come to terms with his alcoholic father. Will they be able to be with one another properly or will their struggles keep them from truly being able to be with one another?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith in exchange for my honest review.

"The Way I Am Now" is a captivating and deeply moving sequel to the New York Times bestseller, "The Way I Used to Be." Amber Smith once again demonstrates her remarkable talent for crafting raw and poignant narratives that explore the complexities of trauma and the power of resilience. In this highly anticipated continuation, Smith takes readers on an emotional journey as Eden and Josh navigate the aftermath of their past experiences and strive to build a healthy and meaningful relationship.

The chemistry between Eden and Josh is palpable, and the novel beautifully captures their profound connection. Smith skillfully portrays the challenges they face as they embark on a new chapter of their lives together, adding a realistic touch to their evolving relationship. The author weaves together their individual growth and shared experiences, presenting a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

Smith's writing style is evocative and gripping, effortlessly pulling readers into the emotional landscape of the story. The prose is imbued with a raw honesty that leaves a lasting impact, making it impossible to put the book down. The author's attention to detail and ability to create vivid and relatable characters are commendable, as readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the outcome of Eden's trial and the future of her relationship with Josh.

"The Way I Am Now" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that delves deep into the complexities of trauma, love, and personal growth. Amber Smith's storytelling prowess shines through as she expertly navigates sensitive subjects, leaving readers moved and hopeful. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking an emotionally impactful story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned.

With everything going in in school libraries these days, this book needs to be listed as new adult. The characters are college age and romantic partners.

The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith was an incredibly captivating read. I devoured the entire book in a single day, unable to put it down. The story left a lasting impression on me, and I would eagerly revisit its pages again. As a first-time reader of Amber Smith's work, I am now a devoted fan and eagerly anticipate delving into her other literary creations. Undoubtedly, Smith's talent as a writer shines through in her exceptional storytelling abilities.

Thank you NetGalley and Amber Smith for this ARC!

I was beyond excited to get this ARC because book one was just such a great book! I enjoyed this one just as much as the first book. This book just like book one had me in my feels and I loved seeing how Edam and Josh grew from book one.

I was so excited to get this ARC!! I really enjoyed the first book and couldn’t wait to see how Josh and Eden’s stories ended. This was a decent read. I liked the growth both Eden and Josh made. I didn’t like how the ending left you questioning a certain thing.

I am so grateful this sequel. The way I Used to Be was a heavy read. I prefer to go into a book blind, but I would recommend anyone reading this series to check the trigger warnings. I wanted to know more of Edens story after the first book ended. This book gave me what I was wanting. I loved seeing Eden grow as a person and how she and Josh grew together. Just like the first book left me wanting more, so did this one. I want to know what happens with the case, their relationship, their friendships, their future as a whole

Almost as good as book one! I feel with finishing this read I finally have my closure and my answers with Eden and Josh and truly it's so much more than I could have asked for. It's hard to say my feelings within this review simply because I don't want any spoilers being put out there. I want everyone to enjoy it and get all the feelings that I got when reading this one.

The HEA we’ve all been waiting for 🫶

I first read The Way I Used To Be a few years ago and it’s become the only book I’ve read more than twice. The second time I read it I messaged Amber begging her to write a sequel for Eden and Josh’s HEA. And she delivered!!

Tbh Amber could’ve wrote whatever in these pages, as long as Eden and Josh get their HEA that’s all that mattered.

-Loved that this book is Dual POV. Book 1 was definitely Eden’s story so single POV made sense but this one is more about both her and Josh so having a dual POV was amazing.
- It picks up about 4ish months after book 1. So there’s still a lot of healing to be done for Eden and Josh. Don’t expect butterflies and rainbows
- I loved that we got more of Josh’s story and the impact that Eden’s trauma had on him and how they overcame things separately and together.
- The content is still heavy and it’ll hurt your heart
- I finished feeling really happy for Josh and Eden but…I want more of them together. Maybe I’m greedy but I would die for an extended epilogue ☺️

Really enjoyed this book and seeing how both Eden and Josh struggled and had to find their own different ways to get help and accept help.

The much anticipated sequel to The Way I Used To Be did not disappoint. Brimming with hope, healing, and the importance of self-advocacy, The Way I Am Now manages to provide equal parts peace + reality in the continuation of Josh and Eden's story. I also particularly appreciated author Amber Smith's acknowledgements and thoughts on survivorship.

Amber Smith's The Way I Used to Be was a powerful, tragic, devastating, and haunting debut. The impact that book had on me when I read it... When I saw Smith was going to be releasing a sequel, I was both excited and a little nervous. I wanted to find out how Eden and Josh were doing, while at the same time I was worried about where they would be.

I didn't need to be nervous. Smith continued Eden's and Josh's journey in way that felt true to them and the original book. Nothing felt easy but everything felt right. They had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of wins and some losses. I loved seeing hope and love grow in and between them. This was a tough book to read at times but also a very rewarding one. I'm so happy Smith gave us a chance to find out what came next. It was worth every uncomfortable and sad moment for the happy ones.

I cried, cheered, felt happy tears, sad tears falling down my face. But more so, I feel complete and can finally breathe because oh my god, Smith delivered!!

I was incredibly lucky to win an advanced copy of this from the author and I couldn’t be more thankful 💜 The Way I Used To Be is one of my all time favorite books and one of the books I’ve reread the most so this was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year! Guys, this book is SO good!! 😭 like truly it is everything I wanted and so much more!! Getting to be back with Eden & Josh to see them find each other again and find their way to healing was so special 🥺 I honestly think this is a perfect sequel and did everything it needed to do. It was about being vulnerable and honest, learning to let people love you and take care of you, learning how important it is to take care of yourself, and most of all it was about the journey of healing. I especially loved that we got both Eden & Josh’s perspective in this book because while Eden’s journey to heal is important, Josh’s is just as important and getting to see that side of him was heartbreakingly powerful! I just… wow i loved this so much and I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read this when it’s released in November 💜

I just received this ARC yesterday and HAD to finish it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for my early copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down! I may have even liked this book better than the first. Although still emotionally heavy like the first book, this one held a comfort that rounded out Josh & Eden’s story perfectly. I loved reading their story, and I am sorely going to miss them!

Full review to come in October as I’ve been asked not to publish reviews until within a month of the book’s on-sale, but I wanted to submit feedback for my NetGalley feedback ratio.

Well done. Highly recommend.

The book was pretty good!! I read it all in one day!! I would definitely read it again. This was my first amber smith book and I will definitely read another one from her. She is truly a gifted writer.