Reviews

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

kthoad's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

tallica's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

melberry_reads's review against another edition

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4.0

I keep going back and forth on rating this book. So, I’m going to just do a 3.5.

saharyaqubi's review against another edition

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4.0

Most of the book reads like a Taylor swift song but the ending completely wrecked me…

rachaeljonessss's review

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5.0

I am sobbing and speechless

terrijxx's review

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Depressed 14 year old me would’ve loved this book, as an outsider you can see that Autumn is depressed and you can tell she’s holding things back in a slightly unreliable narrator sort of way, the book also reads like a diary which I found interesting. 

beckyfulton's review against another edition

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3.0

This review has spoilers... sorry about that but you have been warned. I need to process.

I am really struggling to I went into the book knowing the ending... I mean the first chapter points at it. At times I didn't really enjoy reading it. It made me realize I am not a high schooler any more and haven't been one for almost 20 years. The way the characters act at times was just annoying to me. I feel like If I would have read this book when I was a teenager I would have ate it up. I can't quite put my finger on it... could be the writing style could be the lack of true communication they all went through I don't know.

I was so mad the last few chapters. I mean, so much of this could have been prevented. If only people would come forward about how they are feeling and process with each other... we wouldn't have had to wait the whole book for them to finally figure out what they meant to each other. And SYLVIE... for the love girl, buckle up. Why on earth were you riding in a car without your seatbelt. UGH! If you would have been buckled up, then you wouldn't have flown out of the car and then you wouldn't have been laying behind that stupid puddle and then FINN would still be here! Honestly, I am angry.

The chapters were choppy... it just felt like a bunch of random stories that happened over a 4 year time span. Looking back I can see why they were included and how things related but maybe this is what I was talking about with the writing style.... I think I like my story lines to have more depth and we walk through with the characters. I don't know I will probably update this review but at the moment after finishing the book 10 minutes ago... I am just annoyed and angry. I wanted more of Autumn and Finn's story.

To end the whole book like that... is a crime.

marsdabla's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thythy180's review against another edition

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4.0

4⭐️

Since it was very hyped on booktok/ booktuber, I come in knowing it is a sad book. I predicted the ending immediately. I feel like without knowing other peoples reactions beforehand, I would’ve rated this book higher.

I still enjoyed the story and the book! I love their interaction and their timeline.

mia_dp's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0