Title: What If It’s Us
Author: Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Pages: 448
Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBT
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publishing: October 9th, 2018
Summary:
Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.
Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.
But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?
Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.
Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.
But what if they can’t quite nail a first date… or a second first date… or a third?
What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?
What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?
Continue reading to see my review of What If It’s Us!
Review:
This book gave me so many feels, and I LOVED IT! The story was fast-paced and really kept me wanting to know how things were going to end up between Arthur and Ben. Their story is hilariously awkward and feels extremely genuine.
The missed connection between Arthur and Ben was so funny, but also incredibly painful. It could have been so easily avoidable, but it adds so much to the story, not only in length but also in the anticipation of what their eventual meeting will be like.
Adam and Becky’s writing styles really mesh well together and create a book that feels seamless from where one author’s writing ends and the other’s begins. Not only do they write their own characters’ perspectives well, but they also write the reactions of the other author’s character in such a genuine way.
I did find this book to be rather predictable, but I wasn’t really bothered all that much by it. I think it was predictable because it just felt like that was where the story needed to progress to next, and not in a way that seemed like a copout by the authors to just move the plot along.
I give What If It’s Us 5/5 stars. I enjoyed it so much, and it is probably my favorite of any of Albertalli or Silvera’s books combined. If you’ve never read a book by either of them, this is a great place to start.
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
