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The Laura Nowlin catalog is most coherently read by following her Friends to Lovers pairing in publication order, while treating her standalone novel as independent of that core duo. Her works are few and interlinked enough that the reading order is straightforward.
Publication Order
Below is the order in which Laura Nowlin’s major works have been published — and the order generally recommended by fans and author notes.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | If He Had Been With Me | 2013 |
| 2 | This Song Is (Not) For You | 2016 |
| 3 | If Only I Had Told Her | 2024 |
If He Had Been With Me (2013): Nowlin’s debut young adult novel following best friends Autumn and Fin navigating unspoken emotions, heartbreak, and the turning point between friendship and romance.
This Song Is (Not) For You (2016): A standalone romance focusing on music, second chances, and emotional growth — not directly tied to the “If He Had Been With Me” characters.
If Only I Had Told Her (2024): A companion/duology follow-up that revisits Autumn and Fin from the prior novel, offering alternate perspective, further character development, and emotional resolution.
Because This Song Is (Not) For You is not plot‑connected to the If He Had Been With Me duology, most readers treat it as a separate read.
Chronological Order
In this case, “chronological order” mostly aligns with publication order — there is no major prequel or backwards time travel complication. However, if one wanted to read from the “Friends to Lovers” arc exclusively, chronological within that arc would be:
- If He Had Been With Me
- If Only I Had Told Her
Meanwhile, This Song Is (Not) For You can be slotted before, between, or after those, since it does not depend on their timeline continuity.
Because This Song Is (Not) For You is self-contained and outside of the arcs of Autumn and Fin, there is no strict chronological constraint for it.
Recommended Reading Order
Recommended order means the sequence that gives you the best emotional impact, minimal confusion, and alignment with author intent and fan consensus.
Here’s the reading path I suggest:
- Begin with If He Had Been With Me — it introduces Autumn and Fin, emotional stakes, and sets the foundation for the duology.
- Next, read If Only I Had Told Her — this is the companion piece that deepens their arc, offers alternate perspectives, and brings closure.
- At any point — before, between, or after — read This Song Is (Not) For You as a standalone. It’s best consumed without worrying about spoilers from the duology, because its story is independent.
This way, you maintain narrative momentum and emotional continuity for the main pair, while still enjoying her standalone work as a fresh, separate experience.
Complete Book List
Below is a full list of Laura Nowlin’s known major works (novels) in order of publication or series association:
- If He Had Been With Me (2013)
- This Song Is (Not) For You (2016)
- If Only I Had Told Her (2024)
This list includes her key novels; she may also have shorter works, essays, or lesser‑known releases not listed here.
Upcoming / Latest Release
As of 2025, If Only I Had Told Her (2024) is her most recent major publication. There have been no official announcements of further novels in the Friends to Lovers line or additional standalone works. The duology appears complete for now, but readers and fans often hope she will return with more stories in her established voice or entirely new works.
FAQs about Laura Nowlin
Below are commonly asked questions about reading Laura Nowlin’s works — with concise factual answers.
How many books has Laura Nowlin written?
She has three major novels: two in the If He Had Been With Me duology and one standalone.
Is the Laura Nowlin “series” finished?
Yes — the central duology (Autumn and Fin) is complete with If He Had Been With Me and If Only I Had Told Her. The standalone is separate.
What order should I read Laura Nowlin’s books?
Read If He Had Been With Me first, then If Only I Had Told Her. The standalone This Song Is (Not) For You can be read anytime.
Are the novels connected, or independent?
The duology (first and third books above) is closely connected; the standalone is not tied to their storyline.
Which book should I start with?
Start with If He Had Been With Me — it’s the emotional core and most widely read entry into her writing.
What genre and age level are Laura Nowlin’s books?
They are young adult romance / contemporary fiction, suited for teen to adult readers who enjoy emotional realism, coming-of-age arcs, and romantic tension.
Related or Similar Series Suggestions
If you enjoy Laura Nowlin’s emotionally driven YA romance, you might also like:
- Morgan Matson novels (for heartfelt, realistic teen relationships)
- Stephanie Perkins books (for small‑town, character‑driven YA romance)
These authors similarly balance internal emotional conflict with romantic development in young adult settings.