maggiefan
Written on Dec 10, 2020
Love Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper? Meet Arthur and Ben! From INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING authors Adam Silvera (They Both Die At The End) and Becky Albertalli (Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda) comes a long-awaited collaboration about two very different boys who can't decide if the universe is pushing them together or pulling them apart.
Soon to be a feature film, adapted by the creator of 13 Reasons Why!
Meet Arthur and Ben.
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 carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.
But when the boys have a chance meeting at the post office, they leave wondering what exactly the universe does have in store for them.
What if - in a city of eight million people - they can't find each other again?
What if they do ... and then can’t nail a first date even after three do-overs?
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? What if it's us?
PRAISE FOR WHAT IF IT'S US:
'Romantic, realistic and sweet, this perfectly captures New York, teenage love and life in that gray area when you're not quite an adult and not quite a child either.' Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe
PRAISE FOR ADAM SILVERA:
'A phenomenal talent.' Juno Dawson, author of Clean and Wonderland
PRAISE FOR BECKY ALBERTALLI:
'The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell.' Teen Vogue
- ISBN10 1471176398
- ISBN13 9781471176395
- Publish Date 18 October 2018 (first published 9 October 2018)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Simon & Schuster Ltd
- Imprint Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 448
- Language English
Reviews
roundtableknight
Written on Aug 24, 2020
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This was exactly the book I needed right now! It was lighthearted, very well written, and with the hope of a sequel to cheer me up even more. I loved Ben and Arthur, and I can't wait to see what comes next for them. Also all the Hamilton references really did wonders for me at the best moments.
whisperingchapters
Written on Nov 21, 2019
jeannamichel
Written on Feb 4, 2019
The chemistry between Arthur and Ben was almost tangible. The book is certainly swoon worthy! Plus, at some parts, it was downright hilarious!
The ending is what really knocked it down from a 5 star. I realize that as much as the ending was realistic, and still adorable, in its own way, I would have preferred the bliss of Arthur and Ben being together--and not worrying about what the future may bring. Still, an amazing read and definitely a book I recommend!
Steph L
Written on Jan 31, 2019
Joséphine
Written on Jan 26, 2019
Full book review is now up on Word Revel.
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January 26, 2019
Initial thoughts: I have to say, What If It's Us is the cutest book I've read in a long while. It made me smile so hard. I loved how this book captured everything from sadness to bliss and all the awkwardness in between. I also appreciated how involved Ben's and Arthur's parents were and what great role models they were to their sons. They each had their support base and friends who really mattered to them. I just wish that there had been more to the plot. Their romance was so central to the book, that it engulfed every single page, leaving very little room to explore the tiny twists that did occur.
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Note: I received an advanced reading copy from a local distributor in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Linda
Written on Dec 25, 2018
liz089
Written on Oct 24, 2018
Yes the plot was predictable and some things were a bit too much drama... but thats why you read these kind of books.
Kelly
Written on Oct 7, 2018
Representation
The character representation was a wonderful aspect. Ben is Puerto Rican and identifies as gay. He often feels ostracised due to his light skin, low socioeconomic status and unable to speak Spanish fluently. Arthur is Jewish, gay and originally from Georgia, yet residing in New York over the summer with his parents. Arthur manages his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through medication, as does secondary character and Ben's best friend Dylan, to manage his heart condition.
You've Got A Friend In Me
The secondary characters are a fundamental element of the storyline, in particular Dylan. Ben and Dylan share a wonderful relationship, unabashed and companionable. Dylan has a wonderfully flirtatious personality which creates lighthearted moments within the narrative. Ben often referenced Dylan as abandoning their friendship to accommodate a series of unsuccessful relationships. Dylan compassionate and consistently reassured Ben of his companionship. Jessie and Ethan are expendable unfortunately, although allegedly Ethan is a person of contention. Arthur believes Ethan is uncomfortable with his sexuality, creating an excessive intensity within the narrative.
The Creepy Edward Cullen Guide To Dating
The whirlwind romance was rather an infatuation with one another. Although the scenes of intimacy were beautifully portrayed, Ben reassuring Arthur and placing the emphasis on consent, their relationship was overdramatised and inauthentic regardless of character sexuality. In the beginning of the narration, Arthur begins to pursue Ben obsessively. He learns of Ben's former boyfriend and through encroaching on his social media accounts, discovers an image of Ben and proceeds to create posters to ambush him. I found Arthur's behaviour incredibly intrusive.
Ben, a young gay man of colour in a large city could have been endangered by Arthur's actions. Rather than being addressed, his actions were romanticised.
Potentially Triggering
One incident may be distressing to readers. Ben and Arthur are sitting with one another on public transport when approached by a man and his young child. The man proceeds to use threatening, homophobic and distressing language. Throughout the exchange, Arthur is incredibly distraught, Ben challenges the homophobic patron and another passenger intervenes.
The Conclusion
What If It's Us shares a similar narrative of a character origin story and although the lighthearted and tender moments were wonderfully written, it lacked substance. Two young men, a chance meeting and falling in love under the bright lights of New York City should have been the romance we've all been waiting for. Unfortunately I'm still waiting.
girlinthepages
Written on Oct 6, 2018
I'll be the first to admit that I haven't read anything by Adam Silvera before- I know!- but earlier this year I finally read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and LOVED it, and read Leah on the Offbeat and semi-liked it, so I was excited to dive back into Becky's writing. I was a little nervous that her character, Arthur, would be Simon 2.0 but I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case (Arthur was his own flavor of smol, neurotic, cinnamon role that I loved) and both Adam and Becky's writing sounded distinct while working in tandem nicely.
At its core, What If It's Us has a pretty simple premise- two teens have a meet-cute in New York and a summer full of possibilities ahead of them. While it's overarching plot is that of a love story, I found that there was SO much more about this novel to appreciate. I loved that both boys had such supportive families that they were actually close to, though in different ways. I loved that friendships were pivotal to both protagonists and they struggled finding that balance between maintaining friendships when entering a new relationship. I loved Dylan in all of his obnoxious glory. I loved that the story showed you can become genuine friends with your friend's significant other. I just loved all of the positive and varied and realistic relationships showed in the course of this one story.
Can we just take a second to talk about Arthur? I LOVED Arthur. Ben is constantly commenting that Arthur has no chill, but I adore this about him- he just is who he IS without a filter and without embarrassment. Sure, he's neurotic (but who isn't) and it was so refreshing to read about a character who wasn't "cool." At one point Arthur mentions that he's "bleeding out all his neuroses" but can't help himself, to which I am like "same dude, same."
Ben, on the other hand, wasn't one of my favorite characters. I found his at times "too cool for school" attitude a little annoying, as he's more concerned with what others think than Arthur is and is much less communicative and more closed off. Which is totally fair but he wasn't my favorite to read about (ALSO I WANTED TO YELL AT HIM WHEN HIS CHRONIC LATENESS CAUSED THEM TO MISS THE THING). I empathized with Arthur when he felt like Ben wasn't willing to change things or go out of his way for their relationship (like constantly being LATE). However, this is the first book that I've read that featured a Latinx character who is white passing who talks about the struggles it brings. I feel like it's so taboo to express frustration on being white passing, especially with the privileges it affords you, but it really makes Ben feel disconnected to his culture at times which is very alienating for him. As a Latina who is white passing myself, this deeply resonated with me and I appreciated Adam making it a core aspect of Ben's identity. I'm curious to see if it's a theme that carries over into his other novels as well.
One element of this story that I LOVED that I wish had been explored more was the portrayal of families. Ben and Arthur come from very different families with parents of very different socioeconomic backgrounds, and while they were all flawed they were also deeply caring and supportive (sometimes in a cringe-y way) of their sons. I loved the scene when both families came together to have dinner and how despite their differences if felt organic and authentic.
Despite all of the adorable and heartwarming moments in this novel, I did find that it dragged at times for me in the middle. Obviously I knew A CONFLICT was coming based on reviews I had scene (and people being salty about the ending) but I feel like the story could have been edited down a bit more. I'm actually OK with the way Ben and Arthur's story closed out and found it to be realistic and refreshing.
Overall: What If It's Us was a cute, heartwarming story with a realistic ending. It solidified that I love Becky's writing and exposed me to Adam's, which I found intriguing and I'm excited to explore more of his titles. While it definitely doesn't eclipse my love of Simon, it's a story that I think a lot of readers will enjoy and cherish.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages