What If It’s Us? Book Review

What if It’s Us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

From Goodreads: 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?

 

Well, that was a rollercoaster and a half of a read. Since the announcement that Becky and Adam were going to write a book together, it seems like every YA reader has been desperate to read the end result. I was fortunate enough to have an awesome friend who booked us tickets to meet both authors in London later this month [so stay tuned for that] and we get a copy of the book with the event. I was planning on just waiting it out, but then Netgalley had e-book ARCs to request and I went and hit the button…

Anyhow. Prepare for all the feels. Honestly, this book will make you laugh and then sob and then repeat that process over and over again. Honestly, I was expecting it a bit, especially considering Adam has a knack for messy-cry books, but I feel like Becky has gone and joined the dark side of authors who wish to crush my heart with feelings.

The book is very funny, I’ll give it that. I loved seeing so many nerdy jokes in there, alongside about a gazillion Hamilton references. There was so much culture packed into the pages, that you really couldn’t help but be swept along by it. I almost felt like I was in New York right alongside the characters. And then there’s all the meet cute bits that made me die a little inside [in a good way] because it seems like Arthur is the most cinnamon roll character ever. Like, I thought Simon from Simon Versus… was a cinnamon roll, but this reaches new heights and OMG. Obviously, as with every other Adam and Becky book, the characters are one hundred percent awesome and lifelike and you kinda just want to wrap them up in a giant blanket and smother them with affection [again, in a good way]. I liked how they seemed so like real people, in fact they reminded me of my own friends.

Also, I just love that this book is simply about two boys having a romantic relationship. Sure, there are moments when issues like ‘coming out’ and homophobia are tackled, but it’s clearly not a book that’s meant to deal with that. Which I am really pleased about. We have lots of books about characters discovering their sexuality, or about them braving telling parents etc, and while I love those books too [including ones written by Adam and Becky] I’m also pleased that there’s an LGBTQ book which is just about the gloriously fluffy romance. Both characters are already ‘out’ in the book, both sets of parents already know. And that’s just great really.

On the slightly more critical side, I do think some of the drama was a bit overblown. I won’t get into it too much in this review, because the book is only just coming out now and I don’t want to have spoilers for people, but some of it made me roll my eyes a bit. I’m not sure if its just that I’m jaded and that I’m now in a long-term relationship, but some of the arguments and the secret-keeping and the jealousy just seemed… unnecessary. Some of it really wasn’t a big deal, but the book turned those molehills into mountains. I get that its a YA book, and that almost guarantees a certain level of angst, but maybe dialing it down a notch would still make it a brilliant book.

Overall, I’m giving What If It’s Us? 9/10 stars. I loved the fluffy romance and the characters, but I do wish that there was a touch less drama going on.

I’m definitely recommending this book if you want your dose of cute, fluffy LGBTQ romance with a big scooping helping of ugly crying. Trust me, keep the tissues handy. What if It’s Us? will be released in the UK on the 18th October.

Has anyone else read this book or plans to read it? What did you think of it? I love reading your thoughts and opinions on books I’ve read, so please feel free to join in the conversation in the comments section below. And remember, no spoilers please! <3