Book Review: What if it’s Us {Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera}

Synopsis 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?

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

4.5 Stars

I absolutely loved this book.  One of my favorite books that I’ve read so far in 2019!

From page 1 I was hooked.  Everything about this book was awesome and REAL.  The sheer amount of storylines and characters in this book was insane…but in a good way.  I truly loved it all and simply couldn’t get enough of this book!  It was funny, heartwarming, sad, uplifting…it was everything.  I found myself smiling while reading though so many parts of this book.

I’m always so curious when books are co-written.  Do the authors take on specific characters to write?  Do they alternate chapters?  Sections of the book?  I had this thought in the back of my mind while reading and it was all written so smoothly that I truly have no idea how it was written by 2 people.  Mind.  Blown.

The only reasons I can’t give this gem 5 stars are because it was a bit predictable at times and the characters were VERY dramatic at times.  I understand that they are teenagers and teenagers are dramatic…but whoa.  Also, I felt that the conversations between them were spot on at times on how teenagers speak and not realistic at other times when they would become so reflective.  I would be curious to hear others weigh in on this topic if you’ve read it.

I also think it’s worth noting that if you haven’t seen Hamilton and HATE reading about any spoilers of any kind as much as I do, you might not want to read this book until you do.  There are A LOT of Hamilton references throughout this book and there is even a part where the basic story of Hamilton is told.  When I saw Hamilton in Chicago last fall, I went in completely blind…I wanted to know absolutely nothing about the story, the songs, etc.  I truly believe my Hamilton experience was better that way (everyone says to listen to the music first…I say do NOT)!  I would have been super annoyed by all of the Hamilton references in this book if I was planning on seeing the play blindly.  However, having already seen the play…I LOVED all of the Hamilton references!  In fact, I am playing the Hamilton Pandora station as I’m typing this because after reading this book, I needed to hear these songs again STAT.

Please, please, please tell me there is a sequel to this book coming out eventually.  I can’t say good-bye to these characters and storylines just yet!  Everything about this book is just begging for a sequel.

This book would also make a fantastic movie…

Bottom Line:

LOVED.  IT.  SO.  MUCH.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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