The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith is a powerful coming-of-age novel that explores the emotional aftermath of trauma and the struggle to reclaim one’s voice. It follows Eden, a teenage girl whose world is shattered after being sexually assaulted by someone she trusted. The story spans four years of her high school life, capturing her transformation as she navigates pain, anger, secrecy, and self-destruction while searching for healing and hope. Smith’s raw and empathetic storytelling offers a poignant look at resilience, self-worth, and the long road toward recovery.