I r eally enjoyed this book and thought it was so raw and didn’t hold back, which makes it even more rememberable. I felt so many emotions for our main characters as the story went on, and just wanted to hug them.

To see Eden and Josh get their happily ever after was everything to me. It was incredibly beautiful and was handled with so much care. This duology broke me and put me back together in so many ways. Eden felt so real to me and to see her growth and finally getting the happiness she deserves was enough to make me sob. Josh was everything in an MC I love and adore. The way he cared about Eden and loved her was so SO sweet. Overall, my experience reading their story was a whirlwind of emotions but one I’m never going to forget.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the arc.

(5 stars)

3.5 ⭐️ *possible spoilers???? - I tried to keep it minimal but these specific scenes were the reasons for my rating*

Thank you NetGalley & publishers for the opportunity to ARC read this (even though I didn’t get to it until after publication day - my apologies).

After giving “The Way I Used To Be” 5 stars in early 2023, this because my most anticipated read almost instantly once it was announced. I loved the idea of not only getting to see how Eden handles her trauma as she graduates and goes into College, but also the possibility of a rekindles relationship with Josh, who had been a “right person, wrong time” character in the first book.

Unfortunately, this anticipated release was a bit of a let down in comparison to the first book. I didn’t enjoy that their re-meet-cute was the grounds for Eden to emotionally cheat on her current love interest, and the way the author wrote her boyfriend at that time was confusing. Like she wanted us to dislike him so we root for Josh, while simultaneously making him sensitive and sweet in other ways. It was hard to tell what was trying to be accomplished with his character.

The book was very enjoyable in terms of the actual content and the romance between Eden and Josh. Josh is the perfect balance between foolish banter and patient sensitivity that didn’t feel forced and it made me love him. But then we arrive at the classic third act breakup. I’m actually an advocate for the third act breakup. I love its use of resolving any unresolved issues between main characters, and it sprinkles in some drama. This book did not do the third act breakup justice (in my opinion).

The way Josh went from sensitive, understandable, absolutely-remarkably in love with Eden - no questions asked, to explosive, borderline verbally abusive and cruel with no remorse whatsoever was just completely out of character for him, especially based on what he was getting upset about. It seemed like the author was desperate for a reason to give us a third act breakup, and went for the most obvious thing young adults could fight about and blew it way out of proportion. It literally made me roll my eyes.

Not to mention, I thought this book was going to be more of Edens journey of self growth and getting through her trauma, as well as justice for Eden and all of the other girls in the trial with Kevin, and we literally didn’t get that. I don’t know if that was the authors way of leading to a third book, but I hope not, because an extended epilogue would have been enough to let us know if Eden and the other girls got the justice they deserve. And overall, we didn’t see any actual character development until the literal last 10% of the book, and I don’t know if I could even call it character development, because it felt like they both just decided to “feel better and accept their trauma’s” and that was it.

The book still gets a decent rating because I did enjoy my time reading it overall, but these scenes just gave me major “ick” and I couldn’t look past them and decided what to rate this book. It probably doesn’t help that I loved the first one so much, making it harder for me to love this one when compared.

Eden and Josh cross paths again at a concert, leading to them rekindling their relationship. Eden is still coping with the aftermath of her sexual assault, with her case moving slowly through the court system. Josh is trying to deal with his father’s alcohol abuse and juggling his life at college with the basketball team.

Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for my review copy! To be honest, I thought the first book was just okay. This sequel definitely gave readers some closure on Eden’s progress and her relationship with Josh. The majority of the book focuses on them and how Eden is coping with being in a healthy relationship after surviving a sexual assault. I did find the writing style to be very young, but it is a young adult novel. I felt for Josh as he tried to be a supportive partner to Eden.

This one was good, I thought the authors writing style was excellent. I felt some of the situations in this book were a little repetitive. All in all I did enjoy it from start to finish.

“Eden and Josh decide to give their relationship another chance in this much anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Way I Used to Be that explores how to move forward after trauma-in life and in love.”

Amber Smith does it again! I loved this book equally as much as the first book. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more and more. I was so engrossed in the characters’ lives and once it was over, it was like a really good, emotional tv show ended. I was also so happy with the ending; it was perfect.

For hours afterward, I kept thinking of how I wanted the story to go on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

This was not what I was expecting... felt more like a rom-com. it wasn't bad but... it wasn't good.
I love Eden and Josh, but I was hoping for more. It felt all over the place.. and I struggled reading it.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

This book was a breath of fresh air after the first book. The author did such an amazing job to keep the story going. This was what the fans needed and more! It was great seeing the growth of Eden in this book. To see her finally getting her HEA. And to finally get the romance we all wanted! Beautifully writing :)

Thank you again to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book.

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, and a rollercoaster in general. Eden and Josh are both very complex characters and that is one thing that I greatly appreciated in this book: the dual points of view. In the first book, we as readers were in Eden's head, being exposed to her thoughts and feelings. This book for me was a continuation of that and it was hard to read in some parts. I was rooting for Eden, Josh, and Eden and Josh. However, I think there may have been a few times where Eden's character development seemed lacking. I can't comment very well on mistakes/decisions she makes though because I can't relate to her pain. I liked seeing the re-development of Eden's and Josh's relationship, both romantic and platonic, years later and the few flashback scenes which provided more perspective for me. I understand the importance of the story being told, but for me, the book ended suddenly as I would've liked a bit more closure as reader. There are a few things I can think of that I would like to know more about. Overall, this was a good read.

(I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but this review was honest.)

Read this all in one day, could not put it down.

EDEN AND JOSH ARE ENDGAME

Despite getting what I wanted and having these 2 end up together in a relationship, I wasn’t particularly happy with the ending.

I wanted to see the 2 of them resolve their issue. This was one of the first major fights between the 2 of them and I wanted to see them work it out, to figure out how they’re going to be from then on.

I also wanted a little more with the trial, I wanted to see the outcome and how that would impact Eden. I wanted to see how Josh would be there for her through the trial and the results, and how they would be as a couple once it was all said and done, and it wasn’t a major issue that would creep up every now and then between then.

But besides wanting this, it was nice to see how Eden has matured, and is now trying to be accountable for everything that’s going on with her. It was also nice seeing her open up and trust Josh and Mara.

I loved Josh standing up for himself to his dad, and choosing what he wants and what’s best for him and not what he thinks everyone else will want.

There was just so much that I was expecting to be in the book that wasn’t there. But removing this opinion from my judgement, I very much enjoyed reading the book as an adult, and I also believe that I would’ve loved it as well if I read this as a teen. And I will continue to be a fan of Eden and Josh.

Such an amazing conclusion to Eden’s heartbreaking yet beautiful journey. Having to read from Josh’s perspective tied so many loose ends for me. Truly one of the most carefully and beautifully explored characters and book. Amazing!

I’m so glad that the author went back and continued Eden and Josh’s story. This sequel was beautiful and I feel like it was needed to represent the ‘after’ and how healing isn’t linear. Going into this I wasn’t sure what to think because I thought that The Way I Used to Be ended perfectly, but this book was the true conclusion I needed for not just Eden’s story but also Josh’s. I felt like having the dual POV was a really important part of this book because we got to see both the aftermath of Eden reporting her assault, and Josh’s personal story. I also think adding Josh’s POV was a great way to show his own struggles in supporting Eden. Overall this was a great unexpected, but enjoyable and important sequel that anyone who loved the first book should check out.

🏀🍺⚖️🩷🍦

Thank you Simon & Schuster and netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really quick read for me! I simply could not put it down. I was so invested in Josh and Eden's stories, their romance and their individual lives. Even the supporting characters, Dom and Parker were so unique. The dual POV in this book was perfect. I really enjoyed seeing their inner thoughts, struggles, watching them heal, grow and love.

If you loved and enjoyed the first book in this series, The Way I Used to Be, i would definitely check this one out too!

Please check trigger warnings before reading this novel!!

The Way I Am Now: ★★★★☆ (4)

Pub date: Nov 7, 2023 - preorder your copy now

Continuing from The Way I Used to Be the book follows Eden and Josh into their young adult life and Eden’s trial over the rape by Kevin. Again, it is a novel that anyone who has experienced this or has a friend or relative dealing with the topic of rape should read.

The book explores the emotions and difficulties that a person who has been raped might experience. even long after the ‘5 minute’ episode is over. It will help all understand what could be normal reactions and maybe help everyone deal with the situation better. It is again an important book especially when the two are read together.

Again, my teenage or young adult self would have been consumed by this book. The book is right on for it’s target audience. However, I very much enjoyed it too and would recommend it.
One question I had before reading these two books: Do I need to read the first book to enjoy the second? Yes, I would say the books should be read in order.

Thank you @simonschusterca for the opportunity to read and review The Way I Am Now. Thank you also to @ambersmithauthor for writing two important books to help us all understand the plight of one who has suffered through this.

Ahhhh! This book was everything!! I need more!! Just seeing how much growth of the characters from the first book is so encouraging! Especially after being in some of the same situations myself, this book was definitely such an encouraging book!

4.75 Stars

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
The Way I Used to Be is one of my all time favourite books, and I was so excited when I found out there was going to be a sequel, and even more excited when I received an advanced copy of this book. While I did think that the ending was a bit rushed, this book put me through so many emotions. I was crying throughout this whole book and so happy to see Josh and Eden get their happy ending, but even more excited to see Eden in a good place, she deserved this.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25)

To say I was already deeply invested in this book before I even began would be an understatement. After just finishing 'The Way I Used to Be', I immediately dove in right where I left off in the first book, and was so excited to finally get the closure I needed for Eden and Josh's relationship.

This was a quick read for me, I absolutely could not put it down. I loved the characters development from the first story and getting to see what happened next for them and how they overcome their struggles with themselves and family. Expected a bit more from the ending in terms of the trial but overall a solid follow-up to the first novel.

Thank you

Raw, real and captivating. This book is everything I wanted and more! It was about being honest, vulnerable, knowing that it’s ok to not always be ok and the journey of healing. I absolutely loved getting both Eden and Josh’s POVs throughout the book. It was truly the perfect sequel.


Thank you NetGallery for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very lucky to receive an ARC for this book and I was so incredibly happy to dive into this read after the events of The Way I Used to Be. This was a second book that was deserving of Eden and even Josh. It is a great representation of what someone goes through after a trauma like Eden’s and does not delivery false happily ever afters like some teen books, but actually dives into Eden’s mind and follow through with what she needs to do to not move past her trauma, but through it. It also gives us an insight on Josh’s trauma, which is not something we had in the last book, we get to understand why it’s harder for him to trust but why he’s so intent on being there for those he loves and the effect it has on him.

This was an incredible edition to the first one, and I will continue to remember every second of it years later.