If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
This book is everywhere on Booktok and I didn’t realise it was published by an independent, women led publisher, which is awesome. This is categorised as a young adults novel so I was a bit unsure but it is one of my favourite books I have read so far this year. Nowlin is an incredible author and has created a masterpiece.
The novel focuses on the lives of best friends and next-door neighbours, Autumn and Finn. We are taken on a journey through elementary school to college. Love, friendship, mental health and family are the main issues dealt with in the book and they are all written in the most poignant, heartbreaking and intense way. It is a book that can easily be read in one sitting, the lives of Autumn and Finn are written with such integrity that it makes the reader feel almost scared to turn the page for fear of something bad happening to them or in their lives.
The first chapter gives us an inkling to how the book will end, despite this, I still found this novel to be immensely brave and beautiful. Which is owing to Nowlin and the brilliant prose. The book is written in a series of flashbacks and the present day which works very well within the narrative and issues the author presents us with. I really admire how Nowlin writes in such a way that it felt genuine and believable that we were reading the thoughts of a teenage girl. The issues, particularly touching on depression, were dealt with maturely and explored in depth throughout the novel. This is vital to the progression of Autumn’s character, friendships and ultimately, her mental health.
Some readers may dislike the ‘what ifs’ of the novel, but without these, it would be a run of the mill young adult novel that would not get the recognition it deserves. A great book is one you can’t stop thinking about and this is definitely one of those. The characterisation, themes and prose is simply fantastic. One of the best things about it is how real it all felt. It didn’t feel hyperbolic or fantastical. It felt like experiencing the life of a teenage girl who struggles with self-confidence, inner torments and love. Many people will be able to relate to Autumn and even find some comfort in her character. If you can do that as an author, you are definitely hitting the jackpot.
If you’re looking to devour a book in one sitting, this is it.