An intensely emotional and gripping companion novel to Laura Nowlin’s USA Today and New York Times Bestselling novel If He Had Been With Me about the love that both breaks and heals us. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Jenny Han.
If only I’d told her that I loved her years ago, then I wouldn’t be here now.
Finn has always loved Autumn. She’s not just the girl next door or his mother’s best friend’s daughter, she is his everything. But she’s not his girlfriend. That’s Sylvie, and Finn would never hurt her, so there’s no way Autumn could know how he truly feels.
Jack, Finn’s best friend, isn’t so sure. He’s seen Finn and Autumn together. How could she not know? And how is he supposed to support and protect Finn when heartache seems inevitable?
Autumn surrounds herself with books and wants to write her own destiny―but one doesn’t always get a new chapter and fate can be cruel to those in love.
Told through three different perspectives, If Only I Had Told Her is a love story brimming with truth, tragedy, and the unexpected bonds that heal us.
Brooklyn –
One of the best books I’ve read
Caroline –
I waited 2 months to get into the right mindset to read this one, and I’m so glad I did, because the emotions in this book, for these characters, for Finn, it’s just something I’ve never experienced in any book I’ve ever read. I think it’s because this is so relatable to so many- we may not know a situation exactly like Finn’s and Autumn’s, but we have witnessed and most of us have endured some tragedy in life.
Full disclosure: I cried through about 50% of the book. But honest to God, I ended this book with a smile.
The 3 point of views were everything, and so well done, I have no complaints.
Getting Finny’s POV was EVERYTHING. His love for Autumn was true and deep, and to understand how he really felt about her was simply…bittersweet. It’s hard to find a better word to describe. I felt that we were privileged with so many more details of their final 24 hours together, and getting more of Sylvie’s background was necessary.
Yes, you question EVERYTHING leading up to his final moments, but I didn’t feel as angry as I did in the first one, and I think that’s because I was coming off the high that was the first 17 chapters of this book and through his eyes. I love you, Finny.
Jack’s POV hit me hard, and I cried the most ugly tears throughout his chapters. He details the aftermath of the accident, and we endure the funeral with Jack, and him laying his best friend in the ground- all things we know are happening, but we read it in live time with him. I would also find myself laughing at something he said, and then crying again by the end of the page.
I was surprised Jack and Autumn weren’t entangled more in their lives- they will be, but these POVs were so strongly written, I didn’t feel like they needed to be around each other, and they don’t because they do have their own lives. Jack’s college roommate Brett threw me for the best loop, and I broke again.
And our sweet Autumn…her POV was welcomed, and it was so comforting. I cried sad tears and tears of joy. She’s growing and maturing. I don’t hug, and I would wrap her in my arms if I could.
The Mothers were the true standouts here, and a few other surprise characters that will provide such a cocoon of support for Finny’s and Autumn’s baby…as well as Autumn herself. She’s so strong, and at the end, you realize, this is life. Sometimes the hand we’re dealt is not great, and sometimes we drag our feet for years to get where we should have been to begin with, and sometimes it’s just too late. But things have a crazy way of working out, and believe me when I tell you, that I truly smiled at the end of this book. I feel such closure, and the last page of the book is probably some of the best advice you can carry going forward when you lose someone you love. Surrounding yourself with those who carry pieces of them within themselves, it’s just…devastatingly beautiful.
Bleau –
Writing style is amazing, descriptive and fast pace. The plot is almost a modern day Romeo and Juliet story making it relatable for lots of people. You’ll fall in love with the characters and feel the emotions of the characters
Loïs Vos –
Bought for our 12 year old daughter, who binged on it
arin thomas –
i LOVED if he had been with me. kid you not, i read the entire book in one sitting on the couch in my living room without even flinching.
this book did not give me that same factor.
i loved finny’s point of view, but i wish it was longer. i would’ve loved to see the whole story from his perspective instead of just little fragments. jacks pov was good, though it threw me off a little as the story is finny and autumns, and i feel like it was a little random to have his pov, but it was good nonetheless.
autumns pov at the end was where it really started to feel unnecessary to me. it felt like a bunch of rambling on about the same things we’d already seen in if he had been with me, and (spoilers following this point) the whole hole in the baby’s heart just didn’t feel needed to me. i like the symbolism of it being because the baby will never have finny, but it still just felt so off to me.
all my opinions and genuinely i did enjoy this book, i just would’ve loved to see the entire story from finny’s pov. the whole lunch table scene from if he had been with me would’ve been GREAT to see from finny’s pov and i just feel like there was a lot of wasted potential. i don’t know. maybe it’s just me.
MVS –
Loved this as much as the first. Lots of tears but a great read!
Bleau –
I sort of feel unsatisfied with the second books ending. I enjoyed reading about Autumn establishing herself as a new adult and as a mother. However, I also wanted to read about her life after the baby was born, whether their child would look more like Finn or Autumn or a perfect combination of them both. I wanted to see Autumn grow a little more as a young woman. I just feel as though the ending was a bit rushed. However, All in all, I loved and enjoyed reading this series very much. I finished the first book in 4 days and the second book within one day. I 100% recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a story that will invoke heart-felt emotions and will give you a good sentimental cry. I truly loved this series, it’s officially one of my favorite. Thank you author.
Sophie L –
libro para leerlo
Ava Braddam –
I was hesitant to read this book after just finishing If he had been with me. The first book was heartbreaking, and I knew the heart break would continue throughout this book, but I read it anyways, and I’m really glad I did. The characters grief was so well written, that I felt like I was grieving with them. I still find myself thinking “I can’t believe Finny is dead.”
If you’ve ever experienced love and grief by tragic loss of a loved one, this book will tear you open again. It’s heartbreaking, but yet I still highly recommend it. I finished both books in a weekend….. I also never write reviews but needed to say how impactful this series is.