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ashylibrarian 's review for:
What If It's Us
by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
5/5 (physical book)
CW: Homophobia
This book has all of my emotions. I love it. Please read it. Review over.
Just kidding, but seriously, read it.
Becky Albertallie and Adam Silvera did an amazing job shaping a story that was gripping and silly and emotional and real. Ben's and Arthur's characters were written in such a way that made their story feel so authentic. I instantly fell in love with Arthur's silly character, and the way that he and Ben meet is not like the typical summer love story. There is no beach, no oogling over someone in a bathing suit, and no crazy summer romance that is ungodly unrealistic. Instead, we are given a post office, a hot dog tie, and a box full of an ex-boyfriend's memorabilia.
What If It's Us is funny, diverse, genuine, and emotional. Albertalli and Silvera create a representative cast that helps to tell the story of Ben and Arthur, something we need more in YA. Each character was unique and had their own mini story to tell along the way!
Ben and Arthur were the unlikely summer romance that fought so hard to stay together. They had their bumps in the relationship, but those bumps were smoothed out. The connection between the two was complex and developed as the story carried on, making it engaging the entire way.
I love how all of the various relationships (platonic and romantic) carried complexities that were worked out and resolved realistically. Not everything turned out to be perfect and happily ever after. Some relationships, like Ben and Hudson, took some mending before they could rebuild, and others like Arthur, Jessie, and Ethan, just needed clarification in communication for a resolution to be made. This variation made the story not feel too fictionalize as some stories become.
The ending was wrapped up perfectly in my eyes. I was worried that the story was going to end with Ben and Arthur staying together, but to me, that would have been way too unrealistic. I am so glad that they stayed friends and remained in contact. It was fun reading the epilogue and seeing where the characters all ended up!
I plan to reread this one again soon, and I am definitely recommending it to any and everyone!
CW: Homophobia
This book has all of my emotions. I love it. Please read it. Review over.
Just kidding, but seriously, read it.
Becky Albertallie and Adam Silvera did an amazing job shaping a story that was gripping and silly and emotional and real. Ben's and Arthur's characters were written in such a way that made their story feel so authentic. I instantly fell in love with Arthur's silly character, and the way that he and Ben meet is not like the typical summer love story. There is no beach, no oogling over someone in a bathing suit, and no crazy summer romance that is ungodly unrealistic. Instead, we are given a post office, a hot dog tie, and a box full of an ex-boyfriend's memorabilia.
What If It's Us is funny, diverse, genuine, and emotional. Albertalli and Silvera create a representative cast that helps to tell the story of Ben and Arthur, something we need more in YA. Each character was unique and had their own mini story to tell along the way!
Ben and Arthur were the unlikely summer romance that fought so hard to stay together. They had their bumps in the relationship, but those bumps were smoothed out. The connection between the two was complex and developed as the story carried on, making it engaging the entire way.
I love how all of the various relationships (platonic and romantic) carried complexities that were worked out and resolved realistically. Not everything turned out to be perfect and happily ever after. Some relationships, like Ben and Hudson, took some mending before they could rebuild, and others like Arthur, Jessie, and Ethan, just needed clarification in communication for a resolution to be made. This variation made the story not feel too fictionalize as some stories become.
The ending was wrapped up perfectly in my eyes. I was worried that the story was going to end with Ben and Arthur staying together, but to me, that would have been way too unrealistic. I am so glad that they stayed friends and remained in contact. It was fun reading the epilogue and seeing where the characters all ended up!
I plan to reread this one again soon, and I am definitely recommending it to any and everyone!