American author Laura Nowlin has solidified her position among the authors celebrated as #BookTok success stories with her debut YA novel, "If He Had Been with Me," released in 2013. A decade later, Nowlin released "If Only I Had Told Her," a companion novel to her USA Today and New York Times Bestselling debut novel. 

The Author

Nowlin is well-known for her young adult fiction works. Her works often revolve around personal growth, romance, and puberty. Among her most notable books are "If He Had Been with Me" and "This Song Is (Not) For You."

Nowlin graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in English focused on creative writing. When she is not writing her novels at home, she works at the public library, where she gets ideas from the readers. 

Revisiting Love and Loss Through Perspectives

The previous book's events are revisited in "If Only I Had Told Her," but from the viewpoints of Finn, his best friend Jack, and Autumn. Through three different perspectives, a love story unfolds filled with truth, tragedy, and the unexpected bonds that bring healing.

Finn's narrative begins three days before his tragic death, detailing his unfulfilled love for his closest friend, Autumn, and culminating on the day he eventually shares his emotions. Finn's death occurs at the novel's end, leaving his close friends grieving and unsure of what lies next. 

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Jack's section follows, revealing the challenges of living with grief. Jack is angry toward Sylvie and doubts Autumn's suitability for Finn. However, as Jack and Autumn share their grief, it alters their perception of each other. Autumn's chapters depict her life without Finn, portraying her struggles with mental health and the delicate balance between love and loss. 

Exploring Harsh Realities and Grief

According to Kirkus Reviews, "If Only I Had Told Her" is a heavy read as it tackles the harsh truths of tragedy and how they affect people left behind. The novel skillfully portrays pain and anger while shedding light on the challenging facets of young adulthood: a mix of overconfidence and deep insecurities, fear-driven decisions, communication lapses, and hasty judgments.

The characters in the novel are distinctly characterized. Readers familiar with the earlier book will establish a stronger connection with these characters, especially considering their more comprehensive understanding of Finn.

Most reviews from thestorygraph suggested that the narrative is character-driven. The characters are well-received and have strong development throughout the story. An Amazon review stated that the novel is beautifully written, showing how every character uniquely experiences loss and how one puts up a facade to show no signs of depression. Another reviewer from Amazon commended the author for skillfully capturing the sense of finality that accompanies a death such as Finn's through Jack.

"If Only I Had Told Her" is a captivating and highly moving book. It is a must-read for fans of Jenny Han and Colleen Hoover.

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