If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin is a YA romance about childhood friends Autumn and Finny navigating high school and their complicated feelings for each other. Best friends since birth, misunderstandings separate them through high school. They reconnect after graduation, only for tragedy to strike just as they begin to reconcile and express their hidden emotions. Includes discussions of mood disorders and suicidal ideation.

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin is a poignant exploration of love, friendship, and loss, resonating with emotional depth. Readers praise its relatable characters and the authentic portrayal of teenage angst. However, some find the pacing uneven and the narrative predictably melodramatic. Overall, it’s a compelling read that captures the complexities of young love.

Readers who appreciate emotional, introspective YA novels with deep character development and themes of love, loss, and friendship will enjoy If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin. Fans of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell and All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven will find similar heartfelt storytelling and poignant relationships.

Melancholic / Bittersweet / Romantic / Emotional / Contemplative

Laura Nowlin

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore If He Had Been with Me reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read If He Had Been with Me | SuperSummary

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Overview

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If He Had Been with Me Summary and Study Guide

Background

If He Had Been with Me Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-18

If He Had Been with Me Chapters 1-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-36

If He Had Been with Me Chapters 19-36 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 37-54

If He Had Been with Me Chapters 37-54 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 55-72

If He Had Been with Me Chapters 55-72 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 73-89

If He Had Been with Me Chapters 73-89 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

If He Had Been with Me Character Analysis

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Themes

If He Had Been with Me Themes

Symbols & Motifs

If He Had Been with Me Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

If He Had Been with Me Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

If He Had Been with Me Essay Topics

If He Had Been with Me

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Who Should Read If He Had Been with Me?

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Book Details