It Starts with Us

A New York Times bestseller and one of the most impactful YA novels of the decade, The Way I Used to Be is a raw and deeply honest story about trauma, survival, and reclaiming your voice. Amber Smith delivers an unforgettable portrait of a girl trying to piece herself back together after everything changes.

What It’s About

Eden was once the kind of girl who believed in good things — happiness, trust, safety.

That was before.

After a traumatic event shatters her world, Eden is forced to navigate high school while carrying a secret she can’t bring herself to share. As the years pass, she builds walls, hides her pain, and learns the high cost of silence.

This is her journey through heartbreak, anger, numbness, and ultimately, the strength to confront the truth and choose herself again.

Why Readers Love It

• Raw, emotional, beautifully written
• A realistic and compassionate exploration of trauma
• Characters that feel real, flawed, and deeply human
• A story that resonates with teens and adults
• Required reading for many readers who grew up with YA contemporary
• Inspiring, powerful, and healing

Who This Book Is For

• Readers of Kathleen Glasgow, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Colleen Hoover
• Anyone who appreciates emotional, character-driven stories
• Readers going through or healing from difficult experiences
• Fans of YA contemporary fiction with depth
• Gift buyers wanting a meaningful, unforgettable novel

Tender, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful — this is a story that stays with you long after the last page