A review by sophiexxjones
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

emotional reflective sad medium-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

2.0

The author captures teenage experiences with mental illness well. Once I got into the writing style, it felt very authentic to a teenage experience.
Autumn is a frustrating narrator at times, but that’s important to the teenage perspective, so as much I as I struggled with it, it serves its purpose well.
Overall, my biggest issue lies with the ending. Accidental pregnancy is my least favourite trope and I think it’s a lazy way for characters to “overcome” grief. A heartbreaking story until its final chapter.