If You Were Here

One summer. One grumpy local. One centuries-old mystery. Set on the dreamy shores of Nantucket, If You Were Here is a YA romance about finding love, chasing history, and rewriting the story you thought you knew.

A charming and emotional standalone grumpy/sunshine romance set during a Nantucket summer. Lili needs Wren’s help to complete her father’s research and save her family’s reputation–but working together leads to more discoveries than either of them bargained for.

Lili Gardner hasn’t been back to Nantucket, her dad’s favorite place, since her parents divorced six years ago. But Dad passed away recently, leaving her a house on the island and an unsolved mystery about a maligned Gardner ancestor. Lili is determined to finish his life’s work, and convinces her mom and sister to spend the summer in Nantucket with her while she looks for answers, and for a connection to her dad.

Wren McCleave has a passion for history, but his father refuses to showcase anything real in their tourist trap of a “museum.” So when Lili asks Wren for help with her research, Wren can’t resist the opportunity to throw himself into something real, even if he dislikes tourists on principle.

Lili and Wren only have a summer to find out the truth about Lili’s ancestor. But the most surprising truths they uncover aren’t about the distant past, but about themselves right here in the present, and about what they want out of the future.

Book Trailer

Watch the teaser

click to view


Pinterest Board

Characters, locations, & more!

click to view

To be added.

Spotify Playlist

Music that inspired the book
To be added.

Audio Excerpt

Listen to the audiobook

click to listen

To be added.

MORE BOOKS YOU MAY LIKE

“Beautifully told, this heartbreaking story about family betrayals and secrets will have readers easily caught up in this tale… the ending is simply perfect.”
– RT Book Reviews on THE FIRST TO KNOW

“A nuanced take on learning to fix yourself rather than fixing others.”
— Kirkus Reviews on IF I FIX YOU

“Heartfelt and soul-probing, this is a book that will leave readers with a heady book hangover- that is so very worth it.”
YA Books Central on EVERY OTHER WEEKEND

“Fast and intense, this is a galloping thriller with something extra for romantics.”
—Kirkus Reviews on GIRL ON THE RUN

“Johnson brings to life a family in distress along with a tantalizing mystery…Captivating and emotional, this story creates a beautiful tapestry of secrets and lies and explores how a family goes on when the unthinkable is a coldhearted reality….a real page-turner.”
Booklist on EVEN IF I FALL

Share This Book!