If I'm Without You

by Shaina Veronica

She has no time for distractions, so why is her best friend becoming one?

18-year-old Ria Garcia knows what she wants for her future, and right now, love plays no part in it. Having graduated high school without the prestigious Creative and Performing Arts award she’d worked hard for, she vows to sharpen herself for the future, to become better. When her group of friends all enter the dating app scene in pursuit of love, she entertains no part of it and sets her eyes on one goal: to get accepted into the esteemed Australian Academy of Music. 

Yet, she begins to find herself distracted by her best-friend Xavier Kim when he begins going on dates. What perplexes her the most, is that her best lyrics are written about him.

And so, as Ria navigates through the summer break with many scrapped lyrics, confounding emotions toward her best friend and uncertainty about her future, she begins to question whether one’s dream needs to be set on one course, or if it could change from a something to someone

Or better yet, if two are allowed to exist at once.

Genres: Romance

Paperback

About the author

Shaina Veronica is a Filipino-Australian author and certified hopeless romantic who loves to immerse herself in narratives that will make her laugh, cry. With her degree in film production, she strives to translate her knack for visuals into words.

Through her works, she aims to elevate her voice as a Filipino storyteller and bring light to her cultural experience. She hopes that you can find a new comfort character, a new comfort place, a fictional boyfriend to raise your standards or even just a new favourite you can cosy up to.

When she's not writing, you can find her watching edits of her kpop celebrity crushes, rewatching her favourite fluffy cdrama or rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 10(0)th time.

Reviews

[book lvr ౨ৎ]

First of all, thank you so much to the author for providing me with the arc of “If I’m Without You” in exchange for an honest review! I’m so grateful to have been able to read this book before its official release.

Onto the review~

This was such a cute friends to lovers book. The pining and yearning was layered in the little things, like Xavier’s lingering gazes or his fleeting words of encouragement. You can really feel how much Xavier likes Ria who is oblivious to his feelings.

Xavier gives off golden retriever vibes, and he is green flags personified. He’s supportive and patient, but he was just too perfect, that it made me wish he had flaws lol. I also felt like Xavier’s only purpose was to give Ria reassurance and comfort whenever she doubted herself (which was a lot). I really wish the author gave Xavier more of a story so that Ria had reason to comfort Xavier too. Like we get to know Ria as a person (an overachiever, overthinker, not big on vulnerability, passionate about music) but we don’t really know Xavier. What is he like besides being hopelessly in love with Ria?

Also, there was too much pop culture references in this book. Even though I am a fan of K-pop, western music, and certain animes mentioned in this book, it’s just in my personal opinion that pop culture references dates a book. There was a lot of pop culture I knew off, but then there were the pop culture references I didn’t know anything of, which took me away from the story as I felt the need to search it up.

Despite this, I still enjoyed learning about Filipino culture and watching Xavier and Ria fall in love. Once again, thank you so much to the author for providing me with the arc of “If I’m Without You.”

Date read: August 31, 2026

[Krys]

First things first, this was a quick and cute read. I, however, unfortunately, am too old for these types of stories.

I think YA readers would be more suited for this. We do follow Ria as she graduates high school—experiencing the growing pains of realizing that she’s in love with her best friend all this time, navigating college plans after a series of rejections, finding herself and her music, and learning how to deal with emotions. I am a huge fan of friends to lovers and the yearning here was adorable, for sure. Xavier knows Ria like the back of his hand, meanwhile Ria remains all too nonchalant and innocent of his feelings for her.

The side characters lowkey felt like they were there to simply reassure Ria and comfort her. I would have wished to see a bit more of their characters and personalities aside from their relation with Ria. I did enjoy reading Jaslene and Marlon again! Love that they’re still going strong after two years. There were also lots of pop culture references too that you could probably carbon date this book. I think it was fun, though, trying to spot all the different fandoms mentioned and seeing if I’m in the same fandom as well.

Easily could become a comfort read. It’s just not for me at this point in my life.

Thank you to Shai for the early copy!

[Joy Rivera]

I just finished reading the ARC of If I’m Without You and I loved this story! Ria Garcia was an amazing protagonist who I was rooting for from being to end. I really loved how Shaina wrote this story to be one for all of us perfectionists who need reminders that happiness and being yourself will get you where you need to be. As a Friends to Lovers trope lover, Ria and Xavier had an amazing love story and Xavier was the sweetest love interest. For anyone who wants a romcom with Jenny Han vibes and a story that will tug at your heartstrings, pick up If I’m Without You by Shaina Veronica when it’s released!

[snazzy pen ✰]

rtc

[Navya]

ARC REVIEW:- ( which I am thankful for giving me opportunity)
The book was so interesting that i couldn't drop it for my exams ... 👀
It starts with ria garcia , who wants to become singer and is exceptionally talented ... Her only weakness - she undermines herself and keep putting pressure on herself .
Now her bestfriend Xavier is the man .... THE MAN . He is always there for her , he is always supportive and well in love 😭.
Ria being oblivious and that's vaild Because bestfriends have that bond where love and friendship line blurs.
Now I love both the character . I felt ria was me because I am like her in many aspects. Ria felt real to me rather than character . She was so honest ,brutal and sometimes vulnerable , I just love her .
My man xavier i love him for not giving up anything and i almost cried whenever something happened.
Their friends ( I love jesse ) and her family ( who are crazy, loving troops) made this story alive and amazing .
Overall I loved my first bestfriends to lovers romance 🤭🤭

TROPES (IN MY VIEW)
bestfriends to lovers 😉
Reverse grumpy x sunshine 💅🏻
Black cat energy 😈
Wholesome group ❤️
Focus on career 😚
High pressure 😔
Always been u 😏
Everyone knew except them 🙄

[Shreya Srivastava]

"I look at you, and see the stars, and in my heart. I see you."

One of the best friends to lovers troupes to be ever written with Asian lovely characters.
Ria is everything - ambitious, full of dreams and wants to have a 'successful' life while Xavier is 'going with the flow' type of person. Yet when things don't go as Ria planned, Xavier is the one holding her.
Ria in herself has her beautiful traits and flaws, her journey from chapter 1 to the end is remarkable supported by worthy characters, including her family special mention to the sisters bond I personally relate and love<3.
"Lovee is a choice, and it is the hardest, the best, and most important one we have." - Jaslene (love)

The relationship between Xaier and Ria is completely beautiful filled with growth, love, compassion, fun antics and even the lowest of moments which truly make up a bond worthwhile.

Must read, lovable and comfort read for anyone looking for a soft romance rec 💫

[Jenny Rebecca]

My emotions while reading this book would be like riding a rollercoaster. Tears, laughs, frustrations, anger mixed up at once, the most emotional part for me would be Ria’s breakdown.

She’s being hard on herself as she would like to proof that she could do it better than anyone else. But being hard on oneself has a greater impact on your own mental health. The voices inside can be louder and end up distancing yourself away from people that cares and loves you.

The moment of when the parents speak to her and she finally let go of all the burden that she harsh on herself, would be the moment that I cried the hardest. I feel seen and loved at the same time.

Xavier though, the yearning, the patience, and also the one who boosts up Ria’s confidence whenever she felt down.

Thank you for writing these beautiful series and also it’s an honor to receive this ARC!

[Andrina]

4.3⭐️

I received this as an arc copy and it doesn't affect my review in anyway.

This is my third book reading by this author and Ria and Xavier are absolutely adorable. I loved the way their dynamic was written with Xavier being her best friend, it felt real. It flowed smoothly to me.

They were cheesy to me though. I'm not sure Ria apologised properly to Xavier. She did give an apology but it felt so small. Maybe its because I don't like half assed apologies.

Not to say I don't understand how she felt in that moment.

I also could connect with Ria wanting to come out on top. Seeing Filipino food made me hungry for my food at home.

I loved that the author wasn't afraid to put her own cultures food and language inside this.

[Evy!]

Im so honored to have been given an arc of this and ITS DEFINITELY A NEW FAVORITE OF MINE IN THE ROMANCE GENRE!! I absolutely loved the main focus being on Ria and her relationships with her friends and family and music. Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE books about musicians and singing and that are packed with pop culture references! This book truly felt like a movie and I could literally see it playing out in front of me. The only complaint I have towards this book is that we don’t see the sunset date scene which sounds super cute and romantic. OTHER THAN THAT I ADORED THIS BOOK

[Xavier Wolfsbane]

I'm about halfway done through this books ARC, my sincere gratitude for author Shaina Veronica for giving me this opportunity to read this masterpiece, it uses simple language and conveys feelings that I actually felt while reading this book, it's truly a must read for any romance lover! (Full review out soon).

EDIT:
Oh my god, i just finished reading the book and the entire book is a masterpiece, like Xavier is so cute and the filipino-australian family dynamic is so amazing and i just love it, i didn't want it to end, everything is so cute, and its good, its just wow! I cant thank the author enough for giving me the ARC for this book, it is truly a must read for anyone who cried their eyes out reading the fault in our stars, i just cant recommend this book enough.

[Lem]

NEW BOOK FROM MY FAVORITE AUTHOR? nomnomnom!

[Shoshana]

THAT IS WHAT I AM EFFING TALKING ABOUT

I AM WAITING

(IM)PATIENTLY

-

finished reading august 31 5 STARS YUP YUP

FULL REVIEW TO COME :D