Review: What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera // Cuteness overloaded

Title: What If It’s Us
Author: Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Series: What If It’s Us, book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [Young-Adult]
Heat Rating: Cool
Page Count & Format: 437 pages, Paperback
Published: October 18th 2018 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
Source: Purchased
Trigger alert: Cheating, panic attack and anxiety, emergency hospital visits

Blurb (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?

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I bought this book from the book fair in January and finally picked it up last month. I really wanted something short and sweet and this book exactly delivered that!

I might a rare specimen who haven’t read Adam Silvera’s books yet. I have always wanted to but somehow I have never picked it up. (Maybe because loads and loads of tissues are required for the books and I’m just afraid? Dunno…) Am I the only one though?

Anyhooo, onto this book with the most epic meet-cute moment ever!

Arthur & Ben and their whirlwind romance

Arther is the hyper kid who is always on zero chill modes and is crazy about Hamilton. He is in New York for the summer with his parents and is a firm believer of fate.

Then there’s Ben. He recently had his breakup and has to face his ex practically every day because they are in the same summer school. In my opinion, he felt more realistic and grounded though Arther made it more fun.

Their meet-cute happens in a post office where Ben is waiting to send belongings or gifts back to his ex. He sees him and goes like-

Arther fumbling trying to come up with witty stuff and failing to do so was epic! In the midst of his awe-ness, he forgets to get his contact number.

This was one of the most awesome parts of the book. Of Ben and Arther trying to find each other. Through wacky methods. Arther takes the cake for this because he came up with so many ideas! 😂

Despite the odds, I loved how both of them didn’t give up on each other although they knew little about each other. Their romance was like a roller coaster. They fell hard and fast for each other and damn it was sweet! Although Arther went over the board a few times which irked me a bit I guess that was how his character was.

Also, the miscommunication was waaaay too much which made Arther more overdramatic. It was fun at first but not always. This was why the book became a bit boring in some parts. 

The epilogue kinda-ish chapter. I personally felt, there wasn’t much need for it. My overall reading experience would have been much better if that chapter was not there. [Mild spoiler] I mean we were left with a bit of open interpretation already at the end so specifically, another chapter just to get to the same point was unnecessary. There was no sense of closure [mild spoiler end]

The friendships

We get to loads of friendship in this book. As well as friendship breakups and makeups. Again. Lack of communication was so prominent among both sides of the friendship whether it was Ben or Arther. Like Ben, I was also a bit too irritated by Dylan. Though I was glad to see them all sitting down and making amends. 

The family

With Ben and Arther’s universe colliding with each other, their families also did. In a good way. I was so happy to see cool parent representations. This is actually one of my pet peeves since many YA books have immature parents.

The families of both the boyos had their own stuff to deal with but it made them more realistic families. Also, how adorable was the get-together dinner?

I sooooo loved it!!

Overall,

It was an enjoyable read with plenty of swoon-worthy moments. The writing was captivating and thoroughly engaging. For me, it was a pretty good one-time read.

Recommend it?

Yes!

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So guys, what did you think about this book?

What did you love the most about this book?

Have you read other books by these authors? Which one is your favourite so far?

• 4 stars
• 4 stars out 5
• Adam Silvera
• Becky Albertalli
• book reviews
• contemporary
• LGBTQ
• meet-cute
• paperback
• Purchased
• romance
• What If It's Us