Finally got through reading "If He Had Been With Me" by Laura Nowlin for my YA fiction thematic elements (http://wiki.attentioncapique.lespredys.org/) book club and wow the symbolism in this teen fiction are absolutely fascinating - the seasonal symbolism embedded in every chapter brilliantly reflects Autumn's character development from innocence to experience, and don't even get me started on the tiara scene symbolism which symbolizes her lost childhood - have you all noticed how Nowlin uses these repeated motifs to delve into concepts like regret, first love, and the tragic inevitability that shadows the entire plot - this book really requires a complete symbolism breakdown because there's incredible complexity embedded in the writing than casual fans pick up on.