What If It's Us

The third great YA MM romance to be published this year, the other two being Greg Howard's "Social Intercourse" and L. Philips' "Sometime after midnight". Ben and Arthur are both very well portrayed characters, as different to each other as Becky and Adam’s writing styles. Becky’s lighter approach and Adam’s more reflective and occasionally melancholy prose work well together and make the two boys’ personalities all the more believable. Initially, Arthur (whose chapters are written by Becky) is the boy you can’t help warming to the most. He has an endearing naivety and sense of wonder that make him easy to love. His words capture him beautifully, and it’s not hard to find examples: “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.” “I flop back onto my bed, and my whole body’s buzzing. Heart, stomach, fingertips, all of it. My brain won’t stop spinning. I feel like I’m living inside a love song.” Ben (whose chapters are written by Adam) is a very different boy, a little introverted and, it eventually transpires, a nerd (in the best possible way). He has been bruised by a relationship that did not end well, and it informs his worldview, which makes him come across as rather negative. Some Amazon reviewers have been unkind about him, one even suggesting he’s selfish. Ben is certainly not perfect (but then neither is Arthur), but selfish he is not. We must remember that he is still recovering from his split with Hudson and, reading between the lines, the relationship was not a loving one of mutual respect, certainly not on the part of Hudson: “I guess I didn’t expect the breakup to suck if I did the breaking up. But since Hudson’s the one who kissed somebody else, it still feels like he really ended things. Things hadn’t been right between us since his parents got divorced, but I was patient with him. Like when I let him plan my birthday and he took me to a concert of his favourite band.” When they start dating, it’s Arthur who makes all the effort, but I think this is because Ben did not have a romance-filled relationship with Hudson, and his head was still not out of that mindset. There are plenty of clues pointing to the fact that buried within is a true romantic. For example: “Dylan watches Samantha as if she were glowing. I wonder when I went dim for Hudson. If I ever glowed for him at all.” As his relationship with Arthur develops, Ben undergoes an extraordinary and affecting transformation, and the ultra-romantic boy he really is haltingly reveals himself. His love for Arthur, and the way he expresses that love, is one of the highest points of a novel full of high points. This book is truly magical, building towards an achingly beautiful and elegiac third part and epilogue that will leave you feeling emotionally drained and your tissue supply exhausted. The nearest thing I can compare it to is “Call me by your name” (the film rather than the book), but in truth it has a character all its own. I mentioned the other two fantastic 2018 YA MM romances at the beginning, and they are both well worth your time. However, if I were asked to choose one over the others, I would pick “What if it’s us” without a moment’s hesitation.

After reading the amazing "Die at the End" books I was looking forward to more Adam Silvera and while this was a good fun read it didn't quite have the same wow factor. This is a gentle romance condensed over a few weeks during a New York summer. After meeting in a post office Ben and Arthur knew they wanted to get to know each other better... but they didn't exchange information, so how could they find one another again in such a vast city? A cute story of love and friendships, and what happens when the two collide. I must admit that the constant references to Harry Potter made me cringe, but I guess the book was written before the truth about that franchise, and its author, were known. It would good to have it rewritten with a different fandom in its place, but that's just my opinion :)

Absolutely adore this book, it was so cute and really had me invested in the characters. i loved how it told the story from both perspectives and how they would react/reacted to what they were both going through. SO glad my friend recommenced me this, that much I bought the next book cause I wanted, no needed closure as it ended without enough of it

I've been contemplating buying this book for ages - and finally I did it. Such a fabulous book. I fell in love with Arthur's character almost immediately with his wide eyed attitude to NYC, and the way in which he meets Ben is just the cutest. The whole will they-won't they vibe which ultimately results in an ending that wants more (yes, I bought the sequel already!) - I mean it's just the sweetest page turner. I found myself devestated when they missed out on tickets to Hamilton, but smiling as they sung songs sat in Times Square, the characters were so easy to empathise with. A true delight to read.

This was a very read-able book, quick to get into, easy to follow and with lots of dialogue taking up the page space it made for quick reading (easily achievable in one sitting!). The plot was simple and cute, but also lacking in originality, it felt quite clichéd and predictable. The characters were endearing, and engaging with light-hearted humour. I did roll my eyes a lot at the cheesy one-liners and silly decisions, but I was definitely rooting for Ben and Arthur to make it work throughout!!! It was perhaps a little too commercial for me, with easy win references (there were a lot of references to Harry Potter, Hamilton, Disney) and coffee and doughnut culture. I also found aspects a little repetitive, with the word ‘do-over’ featuring in almost every chapter. Having said that, I’ve read a few more difficult reads recently and this was a breath of fresh air, and enjoyable escapism. I’m hoping for a sequel!!

I've not read Becky Albertalli but have loved all of Adam Silvera's books to date, so perhaps it was half the unknown quantity that left me surprised to discover what a delight this novel is. I also tend to be a bit of a cynic so was taken aback by my almost literal punch-the-air moments when following the course of Ben and Arthur's relationship. For some reason, moreover, I felt it unlikely that I would connect with characters less than half my age, but the authors do such an honest, realistic job of capturing the uncertainty and insecurity surrounding burgeoning relationships that it becomes universally recognisable. I applaud them for eschewing a fairytale ending - which would have been completely out of step with everything else, despite the superficially fanciful series of events that brings Ben and Arthur together in the first place - but also for tempering the bittersweet with the hopeful. A great book I'm already looking forward to reading again at some point down the line.

I enjoyed the story and the opportunity to get to know Ben and Arthur and their different lives as they intersect during one summer in New York City. The story wasn't as gripping as others I have read by these authors, but it is definitely a worthy read. It deals with questions such as: does fate/universal intervention exist? How do you navigate complicated friendship dynamics after a breakup? Should you make big life-changing decisions based on your relationship to someone you've known a few weeks? (The answer to this one is no, matter how tempting it might be). It's a lovely story and I warmly recommend it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. One of the few I have ever read that I couldn't stop reading. The writing in the first person makes you invest and relate to the characters. Very well put story, perfect length. Personally, I would have loved a similar story but with adults, since it would resonate more with where I am in life, but I still enjoyed it very much. I strongly recommend it

I loved every minute of this book with all my heart. Couldn't put it down and finished it in 2days and I miss my boys already. I also discovered two authors that I didn't know about, so I'm glad. If you're into rainbow Rowell style of books, you will love this one!

El libro llego en buenas condiciones y en yn periodo muy corto, llego mucho antes del día que estaba programado. Ame tanto este libro, sin duda alguna Adam y Becky son la combincación perfecta, el libro estaba totalmente equilibrado con el toque tierno de Becky y el humor de Adam. Me gustaron ambos personajes y todas las referencias que hacían hacía películas, libros y música. He de decir que es uno de mis libros favoritos de este año. What If it's us nos cuenta la historia de Arthur y Ben, y el como ellos por cuestiones del destino se encuentran en una oficina de paqueteria en New York una de las ciudades más grandes. A lo largo de la historia podemos ver como los dos intentan estar juntos, sus citas son súper tiernas y sobre todo el drama que es totalmente inevitable.

Una historia particular, pero te engancha como cualquier otra. Se ha convertido en uno de mis libros favoritos. Os va a encantar.

This book is an easy, engaging read with two characters who feel real and fun to follow. I especially loved the gay characters and their storylines. They are written with warmth and honesty, and their relationship gives the book a lot of heart. The pacing moves well, and the mix of light and emotional moments keeps you pulled in. If you enjoy character driven stories with genuine charm, this is a great pick.

Coming off the Game Changer series, I was really hoping to find another story that captured that same mix of heart, humor, and emotional investment — and What If It’s Us absolutely delivered. The book feels warm, genuine, and very real in the way it explores timing, connection, and the messy unpredictability of relationships. Arthur and Ben are easy to root for, and their journey has that blend of sweetness and uncertainty that makes you keep turning pages because you want things to work out just as much as they do. It’s the kind of story that feels perfectly suited for the screen. The dialogue, pacing, and emotional beats already play out in such a visual way that it’s hard not to imagine this as a TV series someday. There’s so much charm and relatability here that it would translate beautifully. A heartfelt, engaging read that lingers after the last page — and one I’d happily watch if it ever gets adapted.