If Only I Had Told Her

This is not the first book but it's the first one that I read in this series. I am thinking that was not a mistake. I have always enjoyed reading YA fiction from the male point of view, probably because that is so different from a woman's point of view. And Finneas was such a lovable character - an all around good guy who found himself caught in a love triangle of his own making. Those are also my favorite romances to read because young love is often confusing and felt so deeply. It can be like Romeo and Juliet and sometimes be downright tragic at times. The writing style is one of the hardest to do well, and that is present tense. But it really does make you feel like you are there in the moment as the action is happening. This story gripped me emotionally and kept me reading. I didn't want to stop. The way it was written helped me grieve with the characters. If felt torn the same way that Finneas did when it came to his lifelong love for Autumn. That was so well done, as was the emotional punch in the gut I felt at the end of the first point of view. I cried. Then it deepened even more when in Jack's POV. He had to somehow move on in life without his best friend. I loved getting to know his heart. The regrets, the pain, the joy and the stages of grief were so well done. Then there was Autumn's point of view, which would more closely resemble my own if I were to find myself in her situation. I felt like I knew these characters - like they were real people. They were so complex and three dimensional. As an author myself, I feel like this deep point of view gave me a new and fresh perspective on developing emotion in scenes. I've always enjoyed developing characters, but this was somehow deeper the way it was done. It's an approach to writing that I am looking forward to developing while writing my own novels. One last thought. I didn't care much for the cursing, but it wasn't overly done. And honestly, most guys think and talk like that in the real world, so the point of view made sense. It added to their emotion in the way it was expressed so that was also well done. The author did not focus on what happens to someone after they die. In fact, she didn't mention the afterlife at all. What she did do was show how a person's life can make an impact on the lives of other people who are still living, and in that sense, they will live on despite having died. The characters found themselves often asking what Finn would want as if he was still there, and in doing so, they were honoring his memory. That was a perspective I had not considered before and I found it to be healing.

I am so sad....like there were so many parts that made me reflect. Jack made my heart weep. I actually loved this book but I actually needed more of Finny, I felt as if there was just so much more to him than what we got. The love he described as being oxygen my heart literally skipped a beat when he said that. I felt so bad from the first read and I was looking for closure I did get some but I wanted more. Too bad that he is died. I understand Jack so much.....I have the same thoughts as he does when a relative dies and when I die I wonder if someone is going to mourn me as he did Finny. Like the narrative where he was wondering what happened to cause Finny to crash was great and I thought it would have been expounded on but it wasn't. I blame Sylvie, she was being a big distraction and she knew that unbuckling her seatbelt would have made him distracted. As Jack said he was a careful driver. So it was a chain of unfortunate events caused by her stupidity. The thing that made me unhappy as well was Jack ending up with Sylvie. Like why couldn't he have met someone in college. Why her? What I did like was showing progress on Autumn and life after Finny and her suicidal attempt. I loved how both moms helped her and her reconnecting with friends. When someone is depressed I think that is very significant in bringing them out of that poor reality, letting them know someone was there. However I think that part was a bit too long and a bit drawn out. Though everything was indeed covered. I wished she would have had a better ending a happier one. Her child could have been healthier but I think her attempt to kill herself is what caused her baby to have a hole in the chest but I am assuming that the child will get better and heal as the doctor was positive. All in all definitely a good read. I am satisfied and would definitely recommend but it is still a 4-star read.

- REVIEW IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH - 🇬🇧 English review : Simply incredible and moving at the same time! This sequel to the first volume is just magnificent and extremely touching. During the 3 parts that this book covers, we cry, we smile, we feel for Jack and Autumn and above all we cry for Finny's part. A sequel that honours its muse, simply perfect! I recommend it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS 🇫🇷 French review : Tout simplement incroyable et émouvant en même temps ! Cette suite d'un premier tome est juste magnifique et extrêmement touchante. Pendant les 3 parties que couvre ce livre, on pleure, on souris, on compatis pour Jack et Autumn et surtout on pleure pour la partie de Finny. Une suite qui fait honneur à sa muse, tout simplement parfait ! Je recommande ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ÉTOILES

undoubtedly one of the best book written. it is so sad, and full of awkward teenage romance, written BEAUTIFULLY, matching the cover - which, by the way, is stunning. 10/10 reccommend.

This book definitely made me cry, it was so good. Hard to put the book down.

جيد

Depois de ler o primeiro livro estava entusiasmada para adquirir este. Rápida leitura e bastante emotivo.