When Haru Was Here By Dustin Thao

In When I Imagined You, Dustin Thao crafts a poignant and magical tale of grief and self-discovery. After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly finds solace in creating imaginary scenarios to cope with his overwhelming sorrow. His life takes an unexpected turn when Haru Tanaka, a boy he met in Japan last summer, reappears in his life in a way that defies reality.

The catch? Haru is visible only to Eric. This surreal development offers Eric a sense of connection and comfort, providing a temporary escape from his isolation. As Eric and Haru spend time together, their bond deepens, and Eric starts to grapple with the nature of his new reality. The boundary between fantasy and reality becomes increasingly blurred, challenging Eric’s understanding of what is real and what is imagined.

As the magical presence of Haru becomes both a source of solace and a potential threat to Eric’s grip on reality, Eric is forced to confront his deepest fears and unresolved grief. The novel explores the complexities of letting go and the painful yet necessary process of moving forward, even when it means potentially losing what has brought him comfort.

When I Imagined You blends emotional depth with a touch of the fantastical, offering a moving narrative about loss, the power of imagination, and the struggle to find one's way back to reality. 📚❤️