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

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

You know.. I should have expected those plot twists but I was so wrapped up in the teasing hope of an HEA that I forgot about all of the foreshadowing (idk if this is a pro or a con for reading while high)

Edit while sober: This book has flaws for sure: the main character is a bit annoying, the side characters are forgettable, and some would say there's not really much of a plot. Imo, this is a character-driven book, not a plot-driven book. We're reading to get to know the characters and their lives and emotions. We're not reading this for some grand adventure. And sometimes, that's ok. For me, in this book, it was more than ok. I felt like I was transported back to when I was in high school and had weird/messy emotions. Yes, the fmc was annoying at times, but who isn't at that age.

So yes, this book has it flaws. BUT, it made me emotional, it made me hopeful, it made me feel so many things. That is why I think it's a good book. 
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