“I believe in love at first sight. Fate, the universe, all of it. But not how you’re thinking. I don’t mean it in the our souls were split and you’re my other half forever and ever sort of way. I just think you’re meant to meet some people. I think the universe nudges them into your path.” -Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera, What If It’s Us
Arthur’s in New York for the summer interning at his mom’s law office; Ben has lived in New York all his life, and is currently enrolled in summer school, trying to get over his ex-boyfriend. The two collide at a post office and feel an instant connection. But will they be able to find each other again? And if they do, will they be able to make it work? Is the universe rooting for them–or working against them?
Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera are two authors who are basically on my auto-buy list; anytime I see that either one of them are publishing something new I know that I have to read it. AND I was lucky enough to trade with someone on Twitter (thank you, universe!) to get an advance copy of this book, and I couldn’t have been happier. I think I basically read this in a day once I got it; and then I immediately shipped it to Ohio for some of my friends to read. Quite honestly, it’s the perfect romance to end the summer with.
One of the funny things about the pairing of Albertalli and Silvera to me is that I would classify Albertalli’s writing on the somewhat lighter side of things (Leah on the Offbeat had some absolutely hilarious scenes), and Silvera is definitely on the darker side of things (have you read They Both Die at the End?). You can definitely see each of their styles shine in each of their respective characters, which makes for a perfectly balanced book. You get funny and sad and sappy and romantic and harsh reality and I loved it.
Additionally, where some YA romance books can seem almost too perfect, this book felt very real to me. Arthur and Ben’s story isn’t perfect; they re-do their first date multiple times, and it takes them a while to really get going. But once they do, I promise your heart will melt in that YA romance way (if you’ve read them, you know what I’m talking about). You’ll be rooting for Arthur and Ben right up until the very end. Not to mention there’s lots of diversity included here, and the alternating chapters not only give you insight into Arthur and Ben, but their friends and background characters as well.
What If It’s Us is definitely a book you’ll want to pick up when it comes out this October!
4.5/5 stars