All relationships in this book were shallow, except the relationship between Finny and Autumn. So, is the reader supposed to believe that Autumn and Finny were just Meant To Be and Perfect For Each Other? There are other ways, you know, to demonstrate this, and you're certainly not supposed to make all Autumn's other relationships just shallow. Her romantic relationship with Jamie was so surface level. Her friendship between the kids in her friend group were so shallow. I can see some of the roses still blooming in my mother´s garden. Brown on the edges and bright in other colors, their petals drooping downward, dying just as their lives have begun." Alright. I’m going to start with the writing, the characters, and the plot before getting into specifics about what I liked about the story and disliked. As for why Nowlin’s book is resonating so much with readers, Nowlin believes Gen Z’s craving for emotionally impactful books is nothing new. “Teens have always craved emotional catharsis and have always wanted to share those experiences with their peers,” Nowlin said. “Current readers are in touch with their emotions and seem to know what they’re looking for. I’m honored that they are recommending my book for a good cry.” Autumn tells the readers what happened, the events of ‘Before’, when she and Finny were inseparable and the events leading up to the accident. Autumn and Finny’s connection

If you're looking for an emotionally-charged teen read, this is your book-hands down. Fans of YA Contemporary Romance, New Adult, or Coming of Age will also enjoy this book." - Literary Meanderings This book could have been so extremely epic. But there were so many things preventing it from being that. It took me couple days just to sit down and figure out how to word the review without turning it into a rant. Yes, I am just THAT mad at this. It's lovely and so beautifully written - I just wish I had a smidgeon of her talent.And the writing. Oh, the writing. So perfect and poetic. I felt like I was reading snippets of Autumn's personal journal and I couldn't put it down. Despite that I knew there was a *Romeo and Juliet-esque / tragic love story ending, I couldn't help but allow myself to be swept away by Autumn and Finn's story. I enjoyed If He had Been With Me so much that I'm adding Laura Nowlin to my auto-read list. Her writing, you guys, is just that sublime. Definitely take a chance on this story - allow yourselves to be caught up in Autumn and Finn's lives and to root for two childhood best friends to fall in love." - Rather Be Reading Overall, despite my rantings, this book definitely deserves 4.5 stars (rounded to 5 for Goodreads). I think it’s definitely worth the hype, but don’t read it if you’re prone to crying and depressing things make you rethink your life choices. This book is 100% depressing and will make you wonder why you’ve made the decisions you’ve made. To be honest, though, if you’re a glutton for depressing books like I am, you’ll love it 🙂 Also, I totally guessed that she was gonna get pregnant with his baby. Not surprising in the least and felt more like a letdown than anything.Upon her break up, Finny helps Autumn and they go out for lunches and movies. They spend time together with Sylvie touring Europe. They rekindle their friendship and feel at ease with each other. Autumn completes her incomplete book and lets Finny read it. It’s loosely based on their story. Autumn and Finn's] romance is Shakespeare-worthy in its tragic dimension. Autumn's reflections on love's possibilities and near-misses will surely resonate with the unsettled teen soul, and readers will get exactly what they came for, and then some." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Autumn used to be friends with her first door neighbor, Finn but after middle school she becomes very popular and they grow apart. Now in high school, Autumn is a part of a gang who are different from other students. They dress differently, listen to cool music, change their hair colors, well you get the picture. Finn is a hangin with the popular crowd-cheerleaders and football players and they ignore each other all the time except it's hard since their mothers are really close friends and they even eat together.

Senior year is full of changes and personal growth. Finny and Autumn have become cordial to each other due to their gym class together. So much so that he warns her not to sleep with Jamie while drunk. I’ve gotten over my initial anger over how the book ended. And I still stand by the fact that there are some parts of this book you’re likely to skim over. This is friendship, and it is love, but I already know what they have not learned yet; how dangerous friendship is, how damaging love can be." It was raining, of course, and with his girlfriend, Sylvie Whitehouse, he glided through the rain in the red car his father had given him on his sixteenth birthday. In a few weeks, Finny would be turning nineteen. Character-wise? This book landed right on the mark. The characters felt unique, well thought out, and completely individualistic when it came to quirks, emotions, and driving forces. Autumn was well-written even if she was a bit annoying at times. Finn, of course, was my favorite. Because, of course, the nice, shy, cutesy guy is my favorite. I love a dude who blushes.I'm Autumn and I’m smart and edgy and unusual. My mother married her high school sweetheart and now spends her time in a seemingly loveless marriage to a man who’s absent most of the time. So, guess what my plans are. You got it, I’m going to marry the boy I met the first day of high school, (after college of course) buy a house, raise kids and become a teacher, even though I’d rather be a writer and everyone assures me that I’m really talented. But, I just couldn’t expect my awesome, handsome, wonderful boyfriend (husband) to support me while I try to live my dream or to wait to get married until I have explored some of life’s other options. Of course you understand because he tells me I’m pretty all the time and what else do I need? Autumn doesn't. That is mental illness: the constant rewind and fast forward of feeling too much and not enough, the past being as palpable as the present. I had such high expectations for this one. Gah. And this is why, you never let your expectations go too high. Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.