When Haru Was Here

A novel about loneliness, complicated friendships, and what it means to let go by the bestselling author of You've Reached Sam.

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 and Haru Tanala, a boy he met last summer in Japan, comes back into his life.

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.

Praise for When Haru was Here

'Another heart-wrenching, stunning exploration of love and loss from Dustin Thao . . . 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

'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

About the Author

Dustin Thao is a Vietnamese-American writer based in New York City. He graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Political Science, and he is currently in a PhD program at Northwestern University. He writes contemporary young adult fiction and is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller, You've Reached Sam. When Haru Was Here is his second YA novel.