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IF ONLY I HAD TOLD HERLaura Nowlin

Contemporary Fiction

IF ONLY I HAD TOLD HER

by Laura Nowlin

416 pages · First published 2024

Finn has loved his childhood neighbor Autumn for years, but his relationship with Sylvie keeps those feelings unspoken. His best friend Jack sees how deeply Finn and Autumn are connected and worries about the pain their situation could cause. When tragedy changes their lives, friendship and family become essential to facing what follows. Told through Finn, Jack, and Autumn, this companion to If He Had Been with Me revisits their relationship and follows the people left to rebuild. It suits readers seeking an emotionally heavy young-adult story about first love, grief, and fragile hope rather than a light romance.

Paired for this story

Honeyed Earl Grey + Ember & Honey Toddy

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At a glance

Know what you're getting into

Spice5 of 5
Suspense2 of 5
Creepy2 of 5
What do these symbols mean? →

No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

On-page teen sexual activity with anatomical detail; masturbation references and implied oral sex. Teacher grooming and implied sexual assault; references to rape in group therapy. Fatal accident and burn injuries; funeral and intense bereavement. Depression, suicide attempt, hospitalization, and mental-health treatment. Teen pregnancy and childbirth-related concerns. Frequent strong profanity, teen drinking and drunkenness, marijuana odor, and parental addiction references. Brief mention of a same-sex relationship.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Honeyed Earl Grey

A warm, gently sweet cup for an emotionally demanding read; the alcohol-free pour is suitable for the book's teen audience.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
  2. Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Ember & Honey Toddy

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

For adult readers, honey and lemon balance sweetness with a sharp edge, while the warm pour suits the novel's sorrowful, reflective mood.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Add whiskey, honey, and lemon juice to a warmed mug. Top with hot water and stir until the honey dissolves.
  2. Garnish: Lemon wheel.
  3. Glassware: Mug.

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