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NicoleeK

NicoleeK

This is where I talk mostly about Young Adult and New Adult books. Thanks for checking out my reviews :)

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

If He Had Been with Me - Laura Nowlin

Goodreads Synopsis: 

 

If he had been with me everything would have been different... I wasn't with Finn on that August night. But I should've been. It was raining, of course. And he and Sylvie were arguing as he drove down the slick road. No one ever says what they were arguing about. Other people think it's not important. They do not know there is another story. The story that lurks between the facts. What they do not know - the cause of the argument- is crucial. So let me tell you...

 

Review:

 

Where do I begin....I didn't know what to expect from this book and when I started it I wasn't sure I would like it but I was so wrong.

 

Autumn and Finn are best friends, they're next door neighbours and grew up together, their mothers are best friends and they've always been like family. However, as they get older they grow apart and belong to differing groups of friends at school, but Autumn has always had Finn in the back of her mind and thought 'what if?' 

 

The writing in this novel reminded me of We Were Liars as it was like being told a story rather than living it. The story is told through flashbacks of when Autumn and Finn are younger along with her current progression in school. It told of friendship, first love, and family in such an honest way. The author also deals with serious issues such as depression and family issues throughout the story which play a part in showing us how Autumn is the person she is today and the influence these issues have had on her life.

 

Although I knew how it would end I was intrigued to find out how the story would unfold and if maybe the author was trying to trick us in the beginning. However, when the ending did come, although it is just as upsetting when you know its coming, it would have much more of an impact if readers were unaware of what is about to happen. The other 'surprise' that happens is also very predictable, it's a bittersweet ending but also leaves you feeling like 'thats it?'

 

Overall I really liked this story as even when you have finished it remains with you as you can't stop thinking about the story and what would have happened if Autumn and Finn hadn't grown apart. Definitely a strong novel by Laura Nowlin that I would recommend others to read.