The Way It Was Before

A tale of first love, heartbreak, moving on, and memories. Shaped by her parents' fractured marriage, Autumn, an introverted and awkward teenager, struggles to connect with her peers. She doesn't mind it, though—there's no better combination than books and silence. At least, that's what she likes to believe. When her older sister has had enough of her being alone all the time, Autumn is dragged out to interact with a tight-knit group of friends in a band. She soon befriends Michael, the quiet and talented guitarist who’s dealing with grief from losing the people he cared about. For the first time, she feels what it’s like to have a deep connection with someone. As she navigates complicated friendships, unrequited crush, and her self-esteem, all while uncovering Michael's secrets, Autumn faces the bittersweet truth about growing up and how love isn't always enough.

Friendship Love Modern Psychological School Teenagers (13-18)
Adults (18+)
bittersweet ending childhood trauma coming of age doomed romance first love loss mental health slice of life