Autumn resists Jamie and eventually sets a time when she'll be willing to sleep with him, which is also interesting in many ways - and I don't recall any graphic sex scenes. Autumn develops a penchant for tiaras, which brings about some interesting scenes.įinny and Autumn both enter into long-term relationships in high school, Finny with Sylvie and Autumn with another very handsome boy named Jamie. Then, she decides she wants to be more of an individual and begins dressing in her own unique style, coloring her hair wildly and often, and hanging out with a different group of people while Finny remains with the popular crowd. I was a little annoyed that she was beautiful and Finny is the typical blond, athletic, popular character that's so very overused but Autumn is only popular for a while. There are a lot of details I don't need to go into but I think the most interesting thing about If He Had Been With Me is the way Autumn changes over the years. If He Had Been With Me is told from Autumn's point of view. They have been next-door neighbors for most of Finny and Autumn's life. Her father is distant, both literally and emotionally as he is almost always away on business. Autumn has a mother who periodically goes through dangerous depression. Finny has tragically died (the title gives you a hint of how Autumn feels things would have turned out if she'd been present) and If He Had Been With Me reflects on Finny and Autumn's lifelong relationship, from friends to cold and distant frenemies and back, up to and a little after Finny's death. If He Had Been With Me tells the story of Finny and Autumn. I think in many ways drunken parties and sex are handled well, but they're topics worth discussing.

I've already labeled this post with the comment that it has sexuality and alcohol use but please read on.

Laura nowlin author