The Way I Used to Be Series by Amber Smith 2 Books Collection Set - Young Adult - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Way I Used to Be
The Way I Am Now

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Age Range: Ages 13-17 (Grades 8-12)

Overview
This paperback boxed set brings together Amber Smith's acclaimed duology in one collectible package: The Way I Used to Be and its highly anticipated sequel, The Way I Am Now. Together, the two novels follow Eden through all four years of high school and into her first year of college as she confronts the aftermath of assault, rebuilds trust, and reclaims her own voice. Told with unflinching honesty and deep compassion, this set is an essential addition for teen and young adult readers drawn to powerful, character-driven contemporary fiction about survival, healing, and self-discovery.

About the Books
Amber Smith's two-book set traces one young woman's journey from silence to strength across adolescence and into early adulthood. The Way I Used to Be introduces Eden as a bright high schooler whose sense of safety is shattered the night her brother's best friend assaults her. Rather than tell anyone, Eden buries the truth, and readers watch her push away the people who love her while searching for control across four turbulent years of high school. The sequel, The Way I Am Now, picks up as Eden begins college, determined to leave her past behind, only to discover healing is not a straight line. New friendships, a tentative romance, and the looming possibility of a public trial force Eden to finally speak the truth she has kept hidden for years. Smith writes with a rare blend of tenderness and unflinching realism, refusing tidy resolutions in favor of an honest portrait of trauma and self-reclamation. Both novels ask difficult questions about consent and accountability while never losing sight of Eden as a whole, hopeful person.

Key Benefits

• Complete two-book paperback duology in one set
• Follows one character across high school and into her first year of college
• Tackles assault, trust, and healing with honesty and care
• Ideal for young adult readers who enjoy emotionally resonant contemporary fiction
• Great for classroom libraries and discussions around consent and resilience
• A meaningful gift for birthdays, graduations, or back-to-school reading

Book-by-Book Guide
The Way I Used to Be — Eden's freshman year is upended by an assault she hides for years, reshaping her friendships and sense of self through high school.
The Way I Am Now — Starting college, Eden builds new relationships and confronts the possibility of a trial as she finally decides to speak her truth.

About the Author
Amber Smith is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction, best known for launching her career with The Way I Used to Be. She continued Eden's story in The Way I Am Now and has since written additional young adult novels. Smith is an advocate for increased awareness of gendered violence and LGBTQIA+ equality, writing with the hope that her books foster change and spark honest dialogue. She lives in Ithaca, New York, with her wife and their family of rescued dogs and cats.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This boxed set lets readers experience Eden's full journey, from freshman year silence to hard-won honesty, without the wait between books. It's a thoughtful gift for a teen reader tackling tough topics, a strong addition to any classroom library, and a compelling pick for summer reading or a meaningful birthday gift.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.