Sunday 28 October 2018

REVIEW: What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Pages: 433
Format: ARC Paperback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Release Date: October 18th 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: A Great Read - Book Depository

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?

But what if it is?

Arthur is in New York for the summer with his parents and ends up working as an intern with his mother’s law company. Whilst on a coffee run, he ends up meeting Ben, a boy who has recently split with his boyfriend and is trying to send a box of his belongings back to him. Though they initially leave without trading numbers, the pair manage to reunite and find themselves on a series of dates.

The plot is genius. Especially during the first part of the book whilst the boys are searching for each other. Trying to find someone you had a chance encounter with is so much easier thanks to social media and the internet. That thought might be low-key creepy, but it makes for a hilarious plot point within this book, and an epic start to a summer romance. 

These characters are just too wonderful, honestly. Ben and Arthur don’t have a lot in common at first, but they end up sharing interests with each other along the way, which is something I adored about their relationship. What was especially great about them is that they each had their own flaws that they needed to work on throughout the story. Doubts they had about themselves and each other were acknowledged and fixed. 

The friendship groups here are iconic. Ben’s best friend, Dylan, is an absolute gem. Their friendship is literally perfect and I could easily read a whole spinoff just based around them visiting various coffee shops. Whilst we don’t get much time with Arthur’s friends due to him being away from them, I appreciated their group chat messages and FaceTime calls. Whilst there are difficulties between the friends in this story, you can see how much they truly care for each other. I’m all about strong and supportive friendships in YA. 

  • The narration from both POVs is wonderful. Usually when it comes to split POV stories, I tend to have a favourite, but that wasn’t the case with this one.
  • Rocky relationships. This book is a perfect example of how things don’t always work out how you wanted them to, but it doesn’t matter. Things can still work out for the best in the end.
  • Arthur’s love for Hamilton. A big Mood.
  • Ben’s work-in-progress story that he’s writing. HE’S SO ADORABLE, I CAN’T COPE.
  • Ansel Elgort. I cried laughing. That is all. 
 
This book is exactly the type of book I needed right now. Even though there was drama and disaster along the way, this ticks all the boxes for a cute read, Considering the slump I’ve been in when it comes to books lately, I needed something more fun, and this was perfect for the job. I’d definitely recommend picking this one up if you need something to put a smile on your face. Ben and Arthur are characters who will stay with me for a long time.
 

Royal Rating:

1 comment:

  1. YES! I’m looking forward to reading this one. I don’t usually read cute books, but I love the authors and want to support them.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete

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