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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ugh, my heartstrings! For friends asking what I thought about this book, here’s my full review: I was reminded how much I loved “You’ve Reached Sam” by Thao, so reading this one was just as heartbreaking in parts.
Eric, our MC, is dealing with grief of the loss of his friend, but along the way, he meets Haru. Haru starts to fill in the voids, but only Eric can see him. Eric’s sister also is one of his biggest supporters/friends, but she’s not around as much as she used to (I loved the small nod to Ann Arbor and UofM in the beginning of the story). Along the way, Eric deals with this grief and seeing Haru in his head, all while making decisions that aren’t always great at times. Once the end of the story was in sight, things started to make sense and crying at the end definitely happened (making that connection and hoping it wasn’t true). Because I also bought the B&N copy, I got to read an exclusive bonus chapter, which made my already somewhat broken/happy heart a little less broken. The ending leaves you knowing that Eric will be alright and even finds some happiness with the one that got away…💕⭐️
Eric, our MC, is dealing with grief of the loss of his friend, but along the way, he meets Haru. Haru starts to fill in the voids, but only Eric can see him. Eric’s sister also is one of his biggest supporters/friends, but she’s not around as much as she used to (I loved the small nod to Ann Arbor and UofM in the beginning of the story). Along the way, Eric deals with this grief and seeing Haru in his head, all while making decisions that aren’t always great at times. Once the end of the story was in sight, things started to make sense and crying at the end definitely happened (making that connection and hoping it wasn’t true). Because I also bought the B&N copy, I got to read an exclusive bonus chapter, which made my already somewhat broken/happy heart a little less broken. The ending leaves you knowing that Eric will be alright and even finds some happiness with the one that got away…💕⭐️
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
okay, after sitting with this book for a while i’m docking my rating from 4 stars to 3. i rated it high initially because im slow and did not see the twist coming. in the moment i enjoyed it, but once i thought more critically about it, really wasn’t anything to write home about. overall it was fine, but the hype was too much. i would try and get this second hand if you want to read it :P
How much longer do I have to wait for you?
4.5*
This book left me confused, shocked, emotionally torn, all over the place really. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Before I write the remainder of the review, I want to thank my best friend Alice for showing me this book. She knew it would be my type of book.
When Haru Was Here handles the topics of grief, self-discovery, and moving forward in such a way that it made the book unputdownable. Eric has dealt with so much loss in such a short period of time, and even with the major sources of support he has throughout the story, they were eithernot realor no longer present. Seeing someone process grief through imagination that felt so real on paper drove the plot. I was fairly convinced myself that Haru was in Chicago too. Although, that would just be my wishful thinking. The main character took a memorable person from one night in Tokyo, and transformed him into a constant in his life.
Why does Haru disappearing like this?
Although he became a constant in Eric's life, Haru remained a scattered presence. There is something so troubling and depressing about someone being with you one moment, and then you turn around and they've disappeared. I could find songs from my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify that could describe that well. But anyway, the back and forth scenes with Haru touring Chicago with Eric or them going on dates together, only for Eric to wake up alone was so sad. I understand it was meant to push the narrative that this version of Haru wasn't real, but it still was so sad...you really have to feel for the main character at that point.
The plot twist of discovering that Jasmine was gone and that she too was a figment of Eric's imagination was something else to process...but at the same time, it was a necessary revelation to show that Eric had the chance to finally face his reality. No longer rely on imaginary scenarios to get by. It inspired him and drove him to push forward in the pursuit of his dreams. Or at the very least, his film-making dreams.
Although a majority of Haru and Eric's story is not real...it did feel real. To me, at least as the reader. Although the real Haru and Eric's meeting was cut short, the Epiologue left me so satisfied. I hope that they have their NYC love story somehow.
It is easy to find comfort in one's own imagination. You can create a reality that is better than what is right in front of you.
Yet there are still so many adventures left to explore and endeavors to persevere. There is always an opportunity to come to terms with the pain while accepting what is waiting for you in person.
4.5*
This book left me confused, shocked, emotionally torn, all over the place really. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Before I write the remainder of the review, I want to thank my best friend Alice for showing me this book. She knew it would be my type of book.
When Haru Was Here handles the topics of grief, self-discovery, and moving forward in such a way that it made the book unputdownable. Eric has dealt with so much loss in such a short period of time, and even with the major sources of support he has throughout the story, they were either
Why does Haru disappearing like this?
Although he became a constant in Eric's life, Haru remained a scattered presence. There is something so troubling and depressing about someone being with you one moment, and then you turn around and they've disappeared. I could find songs from my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify that could describe that well. But anyway, the back and forth scenes with Haru touring Chicago with Eric or them going on dates together, only for Eric to wake up alone was so sad. I understand it was meant to push the narrative that this version of Haru wasn't real, but it still was so sad...you really have to feel for the main character at that point.
The plot twist of discovering that Jasmine was gone and that she too was a figment of Eric's imagination was something else to process...but at the same time, it was a necessary revelation to show that Eric had the chance to finally face his reality. No longer rely on imaginary scenarios to get by. It inspired him and drove him to push forward in the pursuit of his dreams. Or at the very least, his film-making dreams.
Although a majority of Haru and Eric's story is not real...it did feel real. To me, at least as the reader. Although the real Haru and Eric's meeting was cut short, the Epiologue left me so satisfied. I hope that they have their NYC love story somehow.
It is easy to find comfort in one's own imagination. You can create a reality that is better than what is right in front of you.
Yet there are still so many adventures left to explore and endeavors to persevere. There is always an opportunity to come to terms with the pain while accepting what is waiting for you in person.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Couldn’t get into the lead day dreaming character.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Tissues are needed. You've been warned. I personally found this book to be relatable in many ways. From growing up in a Vietnamese household and traditions to how to deal with grief and what our minds do to fill in the loss. It's a great read. Dustin really knows how to make anyone cry.