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The Way It Was Before

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Autumn Lyne has terrible social skills, and when her older sister Clover has had enough of her being alone all the time, she's forced to interact with people outside of her tiny world. Meeting and befriending her sister's bandmates is only the beginning.

Her growing bond with the charming Michael Summer seems unstoppable. But what if there is more to him than meets the eye? How can a girl who has barely opened up her heart handle her first love--and first heartbreak?

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First published May 1, 2013

7 people are currently reading
224 people want to read

About the author

Kia Amazona

5 books58 followers
Kia Amazona is a Filipino writer and webtoon creator.

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5 stars
88 (69%)
4 stars
26 (20%)
3 stars
8 (6%)
2 stars
4 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for JayJay.
47 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2018
Okay , so I really have no idea that why this book does not have much reads . I mean it’s one of the best books out there and it’s definitely a must read.

The characters are amazing , author’s style of writing is amazing especially since the book is in the main girl’s POV and author’s narration does complete justification to it.
It’s not one of those typical wattpad stories , it’s refreshing actually and in no way predictable (at least it wasn’t for me )

The character development is gradual and just at the right pace . The book is so poetically beautiful that it’s almost difficult to explain with words and there some words , scenes , feeling that you just want to hold on to forever .

Coming to the end of the book it was at least for me it was justified and in fact was pretty good. It was one of the endings that I was able to relate that too in a good way .

Overall the book is way too great , I hope that you will read one of the must read books .

At the end I would love to applaud the author for such a fine piece of art that she has crafted and the beautiful way that she has used the words . She has done justice to everything , the characters , the ending , the feelings, the narration that she has maintained according to Autumn’s characters and everything else.

I love this book and hope that whoever is thinking of reading it , love it as much as I do .
1 review
December 30, 2017
It's a great book written by a great author. Before this one, i wasn't a big fan of books. That was until i looked up books on wattpad and found this one. You could say it was love at first sight. Once i read the description i knew this was going to be a book, that will change my perspective. The moments, the characters, the words, the story itself is amazing, and captivating. Once you read the first word from it's first page, it becomes addicting, to want to know more. And then you read and you read, happy and sad moments. Until your mom comes and tells you to go to sleep already, and then you look at the hour. You spent your entire day captivated by this book. You were gone an entire day, in another world, a world where you feel like you are the protagonist itself because you relate so much with the character, a world where your real problems were gone just for a little while. But it was still worth it.

I quote: ''The man who never reads lives only a life. But the man who reads lives a thousand lives before he dies.'' - George R.R. Martin
1 review
February 26, 2018
I've read quite a handful of Wattpad stories during my internship with the publisher of Kia Amazona's works and THIS is the best one I've read. It's not the typical story you'd read in that platform. In fact, I was so engrossed with it, I sacrificed sleep just to finish the whole thing. I expected the worst given its title "The Way It Was Before" but as I read towards the end, it still felt like I was not prepared at all. Reading through the words made feel feels I have not felt in a while. It was all beautifully written, well-thought-out, and I did feel the author's and passion in writing. Yes, the ending was bittersweet, but isn't that how sometimes life goes? Perhaps, Michael and Autumn will meet in another lifetime, with Autumn bearing all the courage she could exude, and Michael, ready to embrace the place he then wanted to leave.
4 reviews
August 2, 2017
One of the best books I have ever read! Definitely a must-read. It's been days since I finished it, but I can't still get over it. Listening to the playlist of this story in Spotify makes me want to go cry and cry all over again. I just really really love Michael and Autumn together, but Finn is so precious. It's hard to decide really.
Profile Image for Kristen.
129 reviews
January 14, 2018
Wow. This probably one of my favorite teen fiction books ever on Wattpad. This wasn't just a cliché, cheesy read with a guaranteed happy ending—it was heartwrenching and heartfelt and heartbreaking all at the same time. Just a beautiful read overall. Kudos to the author for such an amazing story.
Profile Image for Bratati Datta.
11 reviews
May 1, 2025
From the very first chapter, the reader knows that this story does not have a happy ending. So people who are suckers for happy romances, may feel apprehensive about picking this book up. But if one has the maturity about relationships and life, this is a really good book.

The Way It Was Before captures an introvert teenage girl's life, when she falls in love for the very first time. I know this might sound cliche, but please bear with me. What sets this story apart is the melancholic undercurrent of the story, from the beginning to the end. It feels like every vibrant chapter becomes a little greyish in the end, by the droopy smile, by the unsaid words, by the slight slump of the shoulders. Which actually happens in real life.

But this is not just a sad story either. The characters love, laugh, play, try to help their friends, sometimes succeed, sometimes fail, but they don't give up. that is what stands out. It is a tale of love, friendship and companionship. It is a tale of standing together. It is also a tale about letting go. It tells us when to stop. It tells us to choose self preservation before helping others.

All in all, it is a good read. I would rate that 4.5. The write up could have been a little better. It seems like English is not the author's primary language. I don't know if it was intentional or just happened.
Profile Image for sweta.
113 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2022
Well I'm crying in the safety of my lone bedroom over this beautiful and heart-touching story. I've learnt a lot from it, being in my final two months of school. I'm glad I read this book right now because it felt as though it was written for me specifically. My heart broke in many places but that's how life is, and that's how beautiful the writing is. Thank you.
Profile Image for Lune.
2 reviews
November 4, 2022
not anyone in your life will stay until the end, some may just be a phase that adds to your story.
Profile Image for Jamie.
32 reviews
October 30, 2025
This story feels like a breath of fresh air, and how this was written is immesurable. The lines, the vividness of each scene, and the choice of words were all beautifully done. Everything was woven so naturally that I felt like I was experiencing the life of a 15-year-old red-haired teenager myself. There were times I'd catch myself pressing the book to my nose every time a line touched that tiny little spot in my heart.
Profile Image for Bhargavi.
115 reviews
April 18, 2017
I loved this story but the open ending really did make me mad . i hate open endings . i cried for a long time in the last few chapters . I didn't like Michael much though . overall , It was a really good book.
Profile Image for lia.
8 reviews
March 28, 2017
I love the story so much!! Can't wait to publish it, I will definitely going to buy it :)
40 reviews
April 3, 2022
Kia Really got me in my feels here! It’s a combination of all the emotions! Unexpected turns and revealed stories! The meaning of finding their own journey in the mist of trauma! How being an empath Can be so draining when we’re trying to heal everyone else. How is important to tell people how you feel! I love the story thank you!
Profile Image for Coleen Camiling.
16 reviews
March 29, 2018
It was my first time to read a wattpad story in a physical book, someone special bought me this book as a gift so I had to read it. I used to read novels by international authors so I did not expect much from this one. But wow I underestimated Kia Amazona, the book made me realize a lot of things, especially the ending, it will blow you away
7 reviews
June 29, 2023
this is a must read! It's so well written, i loved it.
Profile Image for Riri.
15 reviews
June 26, 2023
I love this. Beautiful writing and amazing story.
1 review
September 5, 2019
I can't remember the first time I read it. Maybe year ago or more but what I'm sure was I cried everytime I reread it again. The author's words captured my heart and she knew how to play with it (words). What I love about Autumn is her maturity and how she see the world. Relatable and will change your perspective in life. The best story I'd read so far in wattpad.
Profile Image for Megan.
1 review
March 13, 2022
Honestly, I didn't think I'd enjoy reading this book on Wattpad but after reading it I did. I cried as I read the last chapters and Michael's letter. Thank you for writing this wonderful book I really loved it.
9 reviews
February 22, 2017
In the story "The Way It Was Before" By Kia Amazona is an amazing romance story based on the life of 15 year old socially awkward Autumn Lyne and her love for the mysterious and amazingly talented musician 17 year old Micheal Summer. In the story Autumn lives a normal life yntil she meets Micheal who changes her life. He shows her how to live life, instead of hiding in the shadows and he shows her what real love is. I recommend this story to people who are interested romance stories.
Profile Image for Sofía.
445 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2017
As I said on Wattpad, you’ve got such a talent I cannot completely believe it. Thank you for letting us know a part of your soul.
Profile Image for Kaz.
172 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2020
I felt like this book was very slow . I often found many bits uninteresting . There was a love triangle and I did not like was how the main character , Autumn , knew she didn't feel the same way towards one of love interests and sort of stringed him along . I also thought that we didn't really connect with Michael as much , they had conversations but we didn't really get to know him and when he revealed his past it was very rushed . Near the ending when Michael is going through a hard time , the reader can't really connect with him and understand why . The ending although very emotional felt as though it was written for another story . Overall , I just thought that I couldn't really connect with Micheal and wanted to know more about him .
4 reviews
June 13, 2020
Bittersweet as the taste left at the end. But every dreamy, sensitive, carefree, gleeful person out there must have a read of this. It doesn't preach. It connects with you. 1 was a day, the other was a night. 2 different seasons, colours, phases, horizons who had the chance of entering each other's orbit for a while and slowly shift away like tangents. This book is so nostalgic and worth your heart and mind.
Profile Image for aria.
1 review1 follower
January 3, 2024
well written that you could picture the storytelling in a movie-motion. it comes naturally that you dont even have to try. the story is short (at least for me) but never felt lacking. best wattpad story i read.
1 review
November 11, 2023
I immediately knew what this book was about from the title alone. I didn't even read the description. If the title made your heart lurch like mine did, you should read this.
10 reviews
Want to read
December 7, 2020
Emotional, is the word that describes a novel that it's fantastic but the final was for me not great at all, yo don't can imagine that a romantic history can change in this way, so, if you read this books please have a openmind because you can imagine the thing that can make you feel it.

-Becerril Guzman Yuritzy Guadalupe
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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