47 pages 1 hour read

Laura Nowlin

If Only I Had Told Her

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2024

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Part 1, Chapters 1-8

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Finn”

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Content Warning: This guide includes discussions of teen pregnancy, attempted suicide, depression, and sexual abuse.

Finn wakes up after a sleepover with Jack and Autumn where they have all been drinking. Finn is struggling; he is physically close to Autumn, and the proximity arouses him, which makes him feel guilty. Finn’s girlfriend, Sylvie, is on her way back from a trip to Europe, but Finn is in love with his longtime friend Autumn, who has recently broken up with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, Autumn has never given him any hope that she returns his feelings.

Finn steps away from Autumn to talk with Jack, who is already awake. Jack asks him what he is going to do, and Finn says he will break up with Sylvie when she returns from Europe. Jack encourages him to speak to Autumn.

Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Finn helps Autumn deal with her hangover. Finn privately believes Autumn knows how he feels but doesn’t reciprocate: When they were younger, she did not kiss him back when he kissed her. Their mothers—best friends and neighbors whom they call “The Mothers”—are away on a wine weekend to celebrate Autumn’s mother getting a divorce.