Y'all are cringing at the wrong part
I finally read "If He Had Been With Me" by Laura Nowlin, which I consider to be an og Booktok book. I felt like it was a good YA book, I would say 13+ if you are looking for someone else. There's references to the three D's and partaking in 2 of them.
This book follows Autumn a teenage girl who used to be friends with Finn, before popularity and dating became a thing. Their Moms were best friends and Autumn and Finn have been neighbors their whole life. The book starts with *redacted* and then follows Autumn going through high school. Finn is the popular jock while Autumn runs with the alternative crowd. Every-time they run into each other she is forced to think about what life would be like if they were together.
When people are talking about why they dnfed this book it's because she wears a tiara, honestly I ignored it because it wasn't *that* important of a detail.
Here's something I want my fellow St. Louis Missourians who have read this book to answer: where do y'all think they're from? Because I'm thinking South County purely based on vibes.
This is one of those very visual books where it's so descriptive you can see it as it plays out. While I cringed at her "not like other girls" attitude I also understood that it's normal teenage girl stuff.
It would give this book a 3/5 I don't know if I can read the second one, it might just be added to the bottom of the tbr pile just incase.
🏷️: #lemon8bookclub #lemon8challenge #ifhehadbeenwithme #BookReview #yareads
Okay, fellow bookworms, I noticed a lot of you are curious about the cover for 'If He Had Been With Me' by Laura Nowlin, and honestly, it's a detail worth discussing! When I first saw it, I was immediately drawn to its somewhat melancholic yet intriguing vibe. You know, the one with the title text displayed clearly over what looks like a cool, almost industrial metal structure? It's pretty distinctive. I love how the cover art sets a certain mood even before you dive into Autumn and Finn's story. It definitely gave me the impression that this wasn't just another lighthearted YA romance. The OCR results even mentioned that the cover image had text asking 'HERE'S WHY' and suggesting the book caused a 'slump'. That's so interesting because covers can really influence our expectations, can't they? For me, the cover felt like it perfectly encapsulated the bittersweet, almost nostalgic tone of the book. It hints at the deeper emotional journey without giving away too much, which I appreciate. Sometimes, a cover can be too on-the-nose, but this one has a subtle artistry that makes you ponder. It’s not overly flashy, which I think aligns well with Autumn's 'alternative' persona in the book, contrasting with Finn's more popular, conventional world. Thinking about the 'slump' mentioned – I wonder if it refers to a reading slump due to the book's emotional weight, or perhaps a visual slump if some found it too subdued. Regardless, I think the cover does a fantastic job of hinting at the complexity of the story within. It doesn't scream 'teen romance,' but rather suggests a more introspective and poignant narrative, which is exactly what 'If He Had Been With Me' delivers. It stands apart from many brightly colored YA covers, probably reflecting the more serious undertones of loss and regret that permeate the story. It’s almost like the cover itself is asking you to look deeper, much like the book asks you to consider the 'what ifs' of life. Personally, a book cover is often my first impression, and for 'If He Had Been With Me,' it definitely made me curious. It has that classic BookTok appeal without being overly trendy, if that makes sense. It’s mature enough for a YA novel dealing with serious themes, yet still visually appealing to its target audience. After finishing the book, I looked at the cover again, and it felt even more meaningful. The subtle design elements really resonated with the emotional ups and downs that Autumn experiences. It’s not just a pretty picture; it feels like an extension of the story itself, mirroring the kind of quiet reflection the narrative often brings. It doesn't try to hide the emotional impact, but rather, prepares you for it. What do you all think? Do you judge a book by its cover, and if so, what were your initial thoughts on this one? Did it make you want to pick it up? I'm always fascinated by how different people react to the same artwork. For me, it's one of those covers that grew on me, especially after experiencing the full narrative. It's understated, yet memorable, much like certain parts of the story itself, and it effectively communicates the unique blend of coming-of-age drama and poignant reflection that Laura Nowlin masterfully weaves.
The first and last chapter were amazing but the rest of the book was cringe to me. It could have been so much better.