Book Review :: What If It’s Us, by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
ISBN: 1471176398
Published by Simon & Schuster
on 2018-10-09
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 437
Source: Simon and Schuster
Find at Simon & Schuster AUS
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?

Last updated on 19 January 2024

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What is What If It’s Us, by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera about?

What If It’s Us  by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is about Arthur and Ben, and their meet-cute and their summer. Arthur’s summer in New York teaches him that the universe can bring unexpected romance, just like in a Broadway show. Ben, however, doesn’t think the universe should meddle. He’s on his way to the post office with his ex-boyfriend’s things.

Their meet-cute at the post office sets things in motion, but they get separated. Then, reunited. But what if their first date flops, or the second first date, or the third? What if Arthur tries too hard, and Ben doesn’t try enough? Life might not be a Broadway play, but what if it is?

My thoughts on What If It’s Us

This book was so adorable! I hadn’t read anything by Adam Silvera before this one, but I really like Becky Albertalli’s stories. After reading What if It’s Us I decided I needed to pick up some of Silvera’s books.

The concept of this book was super cute; two people meeting outside a post office, bonding over a shared sense of judging other people’s outfit choices (literally how the book begins), and then trying to find each other in New York City. Not the easiest task, but somehow they manage it.

“I barely know him. I guess that is every relationship. You start with nothing and maybe end with everything.”

Ben and Arthur are very different – one’s never had a boyfriend, the other has just broken up with his; one is working as an intern for the summer, the other is in summer school; one adores Hamilton, the other barely knows anything about it – and yet somehow they work in this book. It was full of ‘naw’ moments, and as Sophie rightly points out in a Rants and Reviews podcast episode, the story reminds the reader a little of Rainbow Rowell.

What If It’s Us was a fun wee romance, and if you enjoy authors like Rainbow Rowell, John Green, and of course the two authors this book is by, then you should pick it up.

Have you read this book? What did you think? 

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I received this book for free from Simon and Schuster AUS in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.