If he had been with me

 Author: Laura Nowlin 

Genre- Contemporary fiction

Traits- Romance

Language: English

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    If he had been with me by Laura Nowlin is about Finny and Autumn, who were best of friends in childhood but now they are indifferent to each other in high school. What actually happened between them, nobody knows except them. Their past remains a mystery known only to them. Since they are neighbors and also go to the same school they see each other almost everyday. As neighbors and classmates, they frequently cross paths, but Finny now has a girlfriend, while Autumn still harbors deep feelings for him.

    Written from Autumn's perspective, the book explores her emotions, love and longing for Finny. Although the book moves slow but the story unfolds seamlessly. Towards the end, the pacing quickens, making the story even more engaging. Although we know the ending of the book from the beginning, it doesn't seem like it would get any worse. But it does! Knowing the ending from the beginning still doesn't prepare you for the emotional impact. The pain of not getting Finny's POV is alleviated by the book's powerful conclusion. The revelation is heartbreaking and beautiful, both at the same time. Calling this book a romance book feels too heartbreaking because the tragedy is too much for me to take in.

    The way I howled after reading this book is disturbing. The way the story flowed so beautifully is beyond explanation. This book isn't for someone who doesn't like slow reads. But if you want a good cry and a beautiful story, go for it! It's worth every penny. The writing is gorgeous and is  beginner-friendly too. I highly recommend it.

R/W rating- 8/10

Goodreads rating: 3.81/5

(As on date of publishing of post.)

R/W by: Shristi