1.07k reviews for:

When Haru Was Here

Dustin Thao

3.75 AVERAGE


When Haru was Here by Dustin Thao

3/5 Stars
emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

dustin thao you will be paying for my therapy bills once again
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The twist I most definitely wasn't expecting had me sobbing. And I mean actually sobbing - crying convulsively, gasping breaths and all. 
Throughout the book, I was building concern over how Eric would get through coping with losing Daniel. The jerk guys. The co-workers who seemed nice but didn't seem to understand him. The memories of his mother berating him for painting his nails. Coping with his sister going off to college and pursuing her dreams.
Oh man, there was so much more. 
To be honest, I didn't fully get into the book in the first third, but after that I just wanted more of how Haru made Eric feel. I wanted to know if/what would tear them apart and if/how they'd get back together so I couldn't put it down. 
This is unquestionably a top read, but considering how it broke my heart, I don't know if I have the courage to ever re-read it again.
I probably sound dramatic, but I feel like how I felt after the ending of "Twenty Five Twenty One." I watched that drama over 2 years ago and I am still broken.
emotional 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