Is 'If Only I Had Told Her' Part Of A Series?

I've been following 'If Only I Had Told Her' closely, and yes, it's actually the second book in a duo. The first one is 'If He Had Been With Me,' which sets up the whole emotional foundation. Both books explore the same timeline but from different perspectives—the first through Autumn's eyes, this one through Finn's. The author, Laura Nowlin, does this brilliant thing where events overlap but feel entirely new because the voice changes. It's not just a sequel; it's like getting the missing pieces of a puzzle you didn't know existed. If you read them back-to-back, the impact hits harder—the little details in the first book suddenly make tragic sense when you see Finn's side.

As someone who devoured both books in a weekend, I can confirm 'If Only I Had Told Her' is part of a pair. The series isn't your typical trilogy—it's two standalone novels that interlock perfectly. 'If He Had Been With Me' came out years earlier, focusing on Autumn's grief and guilt after Finn's death. This newer book rewinds to show Finn's perspective during those same events, revealing his quiet love and the choices he couldn't voice.

What makes it special is how the author plays with dramatic irony. You know certain outcomes from the first book, so reading Finn's hopes feels like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The writing style shifts too—Autumn's chapters were lyrical and fragmented, while Finn's are more grounded, almost journal-like. It's a masterclass in perspective switches. For fans of emotional contemporary YA like 'They Both Die at the End,' this duo delivers that same heart-wrenching payoff.

Bonus tip: Check out Laura Nowlin's playlist for the books on Spotify. She curated songs that inspired Finn's character arc, and listening while reading adds another layer to the experience.

Short answer: yes, but calling it a 'series' undersells how cleverly these books connect. 'If Only I Had Told Her' works as a standalone, but becomes ten times more powerful if you've read 'If He Had Been With Me.' They're companion novels—same timeline, different narrators. The first book left me sobbing over Autumn's regrets; this one shattered me with Finn's hidden tenderness.

Laura Nowlin uses subtle callbacks that hit like gut punches. A throwaway line in Autumn's story becomes a pivotal moment in Finn's. His love for poetry, which seemed minor before, now reads as desperate attempts to communicate feelings he couldn't say aloud. The books mirror each other structurally too—both use countdowns to *that* moment, but where Autumn's countdown was dread, Finn's is hope. It's the kind of storytelling that makes you immediately reread the first book to spot all the clues you missed.