What If It’s Us – A Heartfelt Young Adult Romance by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

“What If It’s Us” by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is a captivating story of two teens who are both trying to figure out their place in the world. The novel follows Ben and Arthur as they navigate summer, family, coming out, and love. This book is perfect for readers looking for a heartfelt story about young love that is both humorous and poignant.

The writing style is accessible yet full of emotion, making it easy for readers to become invested in the characters’ stories. Albertalli and Silvera have crafted an incredibly believable universe, where the characters face tough decisions but ultimately find hope in each other. The main theme of this novel explores what it means to be young and searching for yourself, which will be relatable to many teen readers.

Throughout the book, we get to experience all the highs and lows of first love, including the exhilaration of meeting someone new and the frustrations of not being able to communicate your feelings clearly. What makes this book stand out from other YA novels is its realistic depiction of teenage life with all its joys and struggles.

Overall, “What If It’s Us” is an enjoyable read that captures the complexities of falling in love while still being fun and lighthearted. Readers will be charmed by the characters’ journey towards self-discovery and love against all odds. The next part of this review will explore more about the novel’s themes, characterization, setting, and plot.

What If It’s Us Review

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Fall in love with What If It’s Us, a heartwarming tale of two boys who can’t seem to stay apart. Arthur and Ben are both high school seniors living in New York City. Both have different backgrounds, but when they meet at the post office one fateful day, sparks fly and their lives change forever. With witty banter and unforgettable characters, What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera will make you laugh, cry, and smile as you follow the journey of these two boys on a quest for love.

Key Features:
1. Heartwarming story about two teenage boys falling in love
2. An unforgettable cast of characters
3. Witty dialogue that will keep you laughing and crying
4. A story that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and acceptance
5. Written by two bestselling authors, Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera.

Filled with poignant moments of self-discovery and plenty of swoon-worthy scenes, What If It’s Us is sure to capture your heart. Arthur and Ben are determined to make their relationship work despite all the obstacles that stand in their way – including family expectations, misunderstandings, and even meddling friends. Through all the ups and downs of their journey, they remind us all that love really does conquer all. Pick up this book today for an unforgettable adventure into the depths of young love!

Product Details

Product Name Author Publisher
What If It’s Us Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera HarperCollins
Publication Date
October 9, 2018
Number of Pages
448 pages
ISBN-10 Number
0062795252
Cover Type
Hardcover

What If It’s Us Pros and Cons

1. Pros

  • Captivating Story: What If It’s Us is an amazing and captivating story about two teenage boys who just might be meant for each other, written by the bestselling authors of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Upside of Unrequited.
  • Heartfelt Characters: Arthur and Ben are both incredibly likable characters that readers can’t help but root for. They both come from different backgrounds, yet still manage to connect on a deep level.
  • Realistic Setting: The story takes place in modern-day New York City, giving it a realistic and relatable setting that many readers can relate to.

2. Cons

  • Slow Pacing: While the overall story is enjoyable, the pacing of What If It’s Us can be quite slow at times as readers need to wait for moments when Arthur and Ben finally meet up again.
  • Predictable Plot: For those familiar with Becky Albertalli’s work, the plot of What If It’s Us is quite predictable as it follows a similar structure as her other novels.
  • Lack of Conflict: The main conflict of the story is quite low-stakes and is resolved fairly quickly, leaving some readers wanting more drama or tension.

If you’re looking for an engaging love story, then “What If It’s Us”, written by the acclaimed authors of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Upside of Unrequited, is one you won’t want to miss! Taking place in modern-day New York City, this novel features two teenage boys – Arthur and Ben – who just might be meant for each other. With charming characters and a heartfelt story, this book will have you rooting for them until the end… even if the pacing is a bit slow at times! Additionally, those familiar with Becky Albertalli’s work may find the plot somewhat predictable due to its similar structure with her other novels. That being said, there could have been more conflict or tension included in the storyline – however, this doesn’t take away from how uplifting and enjoyable this book truly is!

Who are They for

What If It’s Us is a heartfelt and captivating novel by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love. Two teens who are meant to be together but can’t seem to make it work no matter how hard they try. Arthur is an aspiring Broadway composer, living with his single mom in New York City. Ben has recently moved from Georgia to the Big Apple for the summer to live with his dad. When the two boys unexpectedly meet at the post office, their lives are forever changed.

The story follows both boys as they navigate their newfound relationship, trying to figure out if it’s real or just a summer fling, and if it will last past Labor Day. Along the way, they must confront issues of family, sexuality, identity and loyalty that challenge them in ways they never imagined. With plenty of wit and charm, What If It’s Us is a touching tale of young love that captures all the joys, heartaches and complications that come with it.

My Experience for What If It’s Us

Lloyd Kaufman

I remember the first time I read What If It’s Us. It was one of those books that you just couldn’t put down. The witty dialogue, the swoony romance, and the characters I felt like I could relate to – it all had me hooked from the very beginning!

I loved following Arthur and Ben’s story as they navigated the ups and downs of love. They took me along on their journey to find each other, through the New York City streets, endless subway rides, and more than a few missed connections. Even when things didn’t quite go according to plan, I rooted for them all the way.

One of my favorite moments was when Ben finally worked up the courage to ask Arthur out on a date. His nervousness was palpable and I couldn’t help but smile as he nervously fumbled his way through an adorable invitation.

The feels kept coming when they explored NYC together, their chemistry bubbling up in every scene. From meeting each other’s friends and families to some unexpected surprises (there may or may not have been a singing telegram involved), I laughed and cried right alongside Arthur and Ben as they made their way toward happily ever after.

If you’re looking for a funny, heartwarming story about finding love in unexpected places, then What If It’s Us is definitely worth checking out.

 

What I don’t Like

1. Unrealistic expectations of teenage relationships: This novel paints a picture of an idealized relationship between two teenagers, which may not be realistic for many readers.
2. Lack of diversity in characters: Despite the main characters being from very different backgrounds, their experience is still limited to a certain kind of privileged life.
3. Frequent use of tropes: The story relies heavily on established tropes, such as the ‘enemies-to-lovers’ narrative and the ‘rich-boy-poor-girl’ trope.
4. Romanticizing LGBTQ+ relationships: While it’s great to see LGBTQ+ characters represented in literature, this novel romanticizes their experiences without giving any attention to the real struggles they face in society today.
5. Poorly developed side characters: Most of the supporting characters are underdeveloped and feel like stereotypes instead of real people.

How to Fall in Love with What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli

If you’re looking for a great read, What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli is an excellent choice! This beautiful and heartfelt story follows two teen boys, Arthur and Ben, as they navigate their newfound relationship while dealing with the struggles of growing up. As an ode to young love, it will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again. Here are some tips on how to fall in love with What If It’s Us:

  1. Pick up a copy. Before you can begin your journey with Arthur and Ben, you’ll need to get a copy of the book. You can find it easily online or at local bookstores.
  2. Set aside time for reading. With all the distractions of modern life, it can be hard to find time for reading. Set aside a few hours each week where you can really dive into the book without interruption. Maybe that’s early in the morning before work or late at night after everyone has gone to bed.
  3. Start reading. Once you have your copy and some free time, start reading! You’ll quickly be drawn into the passionate story of Arthur and Ben as they explore their feelings for each other.
  4. Get lost in the characters. As you continue reading, let yourself get lost in the characters. Feel their joys and pains as if they were your own. Let go of any expectations or preconceived notions and just enjoy the ride.
  5. Share your thoughts. When you finish (or even as you’re reading), share your thoughts about the book with your friends or online community. Talking about books is a great way to connect with others who have read them and learn more about them.

With these steps, you’ll soon be head-over-heels for What If It’s Us. So pick up a copy today and let the magic of young love sweep you away!

Questions about What If It’s Us

 

What is What If It’s Us?

What If It’s Us is a young adult novel written by New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. The story follows two teenage boys, Ben and Arthur, as they navigate the ups and downs of navigating their first love. Through all the twists and turns of their relationship, they learn that sometimes opposites really do attract.

What does the title mean?

The title “What If It’s Us” refers to the idea that anything is possible in love if you have enough courage to take a chance on it. It also speaks to the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next in life, but being open to letting fate take its course.

Who are the main characters?

The main characters in What If It’s Us are Ben and Arthur, two high school seniors living in New York City. Ben is an aspiring musician and a self-proclaimed romantic who believes in taking chances and following his dreams. Arthur is a cynical realist who has doubts about himself and relationships, but learns to let go of his fears with Ben’s help.

Where can I buy What If It’s Us?

You can purchase What If It’s Us from various online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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