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

dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

1.75

I have words. First of all, my initial reaction was to rate this 1 star because I was so angry … then I put it up to 2. I really want to rate it higher because I do genuinely think it’s a good book, at least for most of it. I love two characters secretly pining after each other and I love when one has been in love the whole time. I loved the characters, I love the story.. but the ending?? Don’t get me wrong, I am all for a tragic ending but holy cow. I understand that it is set up to be tragic from the get go. Even the title is “If He Had Been With Me” .. but it just felt cheap how quickly everything was wrapped up? I don’t know.. I just feel like if you wanted a tragic story, it could have been handled better. Then again, maybe it means it’s a really good book considering I was almost shaking with anger. I don’t know, maybe it just isn’t for me. 
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