When Haru Was Here

We Are Okay meets Wandavision in this novel about loss, and learning to let go. After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real when a boy he met last summer in Japan finds his way back into his life. When he least expects it, Haru Tanaka walks into the coffee shop and sits down next to him. The only thing is, nobody else can see him. In a magical turn of events, Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more and more time together, he begins to question what is real. When he starts losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, Eric must finally confront his reality. Even if it means losing Haru forever.

Autorentext

Dustin Thao is a Vietnamese-American writer based in Southern California. He graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Political Science, and is in a PhD program at Northwestern University. He writes contemporary young adult fiction. You've Reached Sam is his YA debut.

Klappentext

After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real when a boy he met last summer in Japan finds his way back into his life. When he least expects it, Haru Tanaka walks into the coffee shop and sits down next to him. The only thing is, nobody else can see him.

Zusammenfassung

"While the ending is gut-wrenching, there is hope to be found in unexpected places as Eric learns to funnel his pain into his art." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A heartfelt tale of grief." -New York Times

"Thao does a beautiful job of employing magic realism in this sometimes poignant but always captivating gay love story." -Booklist

"Thao casts an intelligent look into the harm and benefits of one teen's coping mechanisms in this sharply depicted exploration of grief and moving on." -Publishers Weekly

"Devastatingly honest and achingly human, When Haru Was Here is a melodic exploration of love, loneliness, and the multitude of ways grief shapes us. No one captures the beauty in heartbreak like Dustin Thao."
-Julian Winters, award-winning author of *Right Where I Left You

• "When Haru Was Here is a mind-bending, gut-punching, heart-healing portrait of grief. It's magical how Dustin Thao can make you fall in love with having your heart broken." -Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of *They Both Die at the End

"Get your tissues ready, this is another heart-wrenching, stunning exploration of love and loss from Dustin Thao. I read *Haru Was Here in a single sitting, and cried at the ending. Filled with raw emotions, relatable moments, and a touch of enchantment, prepare to have your heart broken and mended by the time the story is over." -Alex Aster, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lightlark