Review: What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (Plus Bonus Boys!)

2/17/2019

I’m back with another fantastic audiobook review this week! I’ve been having a hard time finding time to read, but the audiobooks I’ve been listening to these past few months have been getting me through. This one was especially cute, and I can’t wait to discuss it with you. Without further ado, let’s get into the review!

Click Here to Read More

My Rating: ★★★★★

Thank you past Ashton for reserving this audiobook six months ago; it was ADORABLE! It’s been about a year since I’ve picked up a Becky Albertalli book, and it was well past time for me to do so again. This book reminded me so much of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda; it was charming, funny, and overall, just made my heart happy. I’m so glad I read this during Valentine’s Day season. I felt so warm and fuzzy listening to Ben and Arthur tell their story. I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook version. The two narrators do a fantastic job of embodying their characters.
What made this book so adorable was how it took the form of a cliche rom-com, but by having characters who point this out, it makes the whole thing more realistic in a way. The authors did a great job of making the love story movie-like and practical at the same time. Both Ben and Arthur were self-aware of their situation, which made it all the more lovable.
I think what sucked me into this book for good was the writing style. Since I listened to this book, it can be hard to hook myself into good writing. The story was immersive because Becky and Adam’s writing style has a conversational aspect to it. The whole time I was listening, it didn’t feel like the boys were reading out of a book; it felt like they were real people telling me their story. Overall, it was a tremendous LGBT contemporary, and I’m glad I got to listen to it!

Bonus Features:

Is it weird that Ben and Arthur seemed to be two characters straight out of other books? If you liked What If It’s Us, say hello to two more great LGBT rom-coms, starring Ben and Arthur’s counterparts.

Autoboyography
by Christina Lauren

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,
by Becky Albertalli

This is another book written by an author duo, and it stars Sebastion, Ben’s counterpart. They are both writers who don’t feel at home in their chosen community!

How could I not mention this one? Simon and Arthur could be besties; they share an unreal level of pureness and a love of musicals. (I think the three of us would make the best #squad. Just saying.)

I've heard rumors that this book is going to be turned into a movie??? Hopefully I'll be coming up with a part two to this post for the movie very soon...

Until next time,
Ashton

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?

Goodreads

Book Depository