deedersification's review
4.0
This one was a page turner for me. I didn’t love the ending but it was still a good read.
brandinh's review
4.0
As you can expect with Smith’s work, this is a heavy read. Yet this is an important work that illustrates the realities of domestic violence. Smith’s decision to have Brooke’s abusive father be a member of the police force adds an extra layer to this complicated story. Recommended.
paulinekmb's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
saracorise's review
4.0
More like 3.5-3.75.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it could have been done better. Things were missing and I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely. But, I also really enjoyed the character development, I liked the growth of the main character. I liked how not every character was perfect.
I have more thoughts... maybe later. But I liked this one.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it could have been done better. Things were missing and I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely. But, I also really enjoyed the character development, I liked the growth of the main character. I liked how not every character was perfect.
I have more thoughts... maybe later. But I liked this one.
rebar351's review
3.0
I liked this book but I really like to connect with the characters and the story and I had difficulty with doing that reading this book. Still a good read though.
bookswithmeg's review
5.0
Warning, this is not a happy book. Brooke loses both of her parents at once in a very tragic way and has to move in with her "aunt" with her siblings. Brooke's mother kills her abusive husband during a fight and Brooke's life gets flipped upside down. This was my first book by Amber Smith and I loved it. You feel bad for Brooke because of what she and her siblings have to go through and what they had to experience growing up. I'm very excited to read The Way I Used To Be now and hopefully it's just as good as this one.
heather077's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Toxic relationship
Minor: Lesbophobia
mavivi's review
4.5
rlly loved getting to know the main character and like how she is so an alanon jahahah but it was rlly interedting to see rveryones response to the death and abuse
abbeyt4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.75
islandgeekgirl's review
4.0
I really enjoyed The Way I Used To Be when I read it last year and this sounded like it could have the same dysfunctional family trying to heal vibe, just with different circumstances. Amber Smith has proven that she isn't scared of tackling heavy issues that this book was no exception. It dealt with abuse, PTSD, a shattering family, the justice system. So many issues for one book but it pulled it off.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.