If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin is a tender, heartrending young adult novel that explores the delicate boundary between friendship and love. The story centers on Autumn and Finny, childhood best friends who have drifted apart by the time they reach high school but remain linked by shared history and unspoken feelings. Through Autumn’s introspective narrative, Nowlin creates an intimate portrayal of the complexities of adolescent relationships and unrequited love.

The novel’s strength lies in its raw, poignant storytelling. Autumn is introspective and at times painfully aware of her feelings for Finny, who is charismatic yet complicated in ways that are slowly revealed. The way Nowlin develops their dynamic—touching, awkward, and laced with nostalgia—creates a narrative that resonates with the universality of “what-if” scenarios that many readers experience. Nowlin’s writing style is poetic and reflective, using small moments and gestures to emphasize the intensity of Autumn’s emotions, which makes the story all the more immersive.

As the story progresses, the tension builds, weaving a narrative that is both beautiful and bittersweet. Nowlin includes powerful themes of first love, self-discovery, and loss. Without spoiling the ending, it’s a conclusion that leaves a lasting impact, driving home the novel’s exploration of fate and missed chances. Many readers are drawn to If He Had Been With Me not only for its emotional depth but also for the way it examines the quiet moments of teenage life that often go unrecognized.

If He Had Been With Me is a book for anyone who has ever pondered the possibilities of a different outcome, who has experienced heartbreak, or who simply appreciates a story that feels real and raw. It’s a coming-of-age story that will likely resonate with young adult readers and adults alike who remember the intensity of first love and the pain of loss.