What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera - Restarting January 14th 2022

[Karen]

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?

[[deleted user]]

Count me in :)

[Maddie]

Sure I'm in.

[Denise]

I'm in! ^^

[Karen]

Got the ARC but is it wrong to wait for my paper copy? E cited to see how this pans out.

[Maddie]

Yeah I've got the arc too, but it's my book club book for next month so I'm going to wait for the physical.

[Karen]

Gave in and started. Needed some lightness as relief from something else. Super cute first chapter.

[✨Skye✨]

I'm starting today too :)

[Karen]

Up to ch5. Get a sense of cross-purposes coming up. Also, can’t imagine parents being so relaxed about everything.

[Maddie]

I'm reading this next month XD Sorry!

[Karen]

Up to ch12. Whatever your sexuality you’ll root for these two.

[Maddie]

Yay can't wait!

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ It's cute, But I'm not obsessed like I was with Albertalli's other stuff. I kind of feel like the whole universe/fate thing just isn't working for me, I don't believe in any of it so it's hard to relate. I like the queer rep though. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch26. Guessing that decision will come back to haunt him.

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Oh man, I could feel the awkwardness on their date. I'm not really shipping them to be honest, they're so uncomfortable with each other and Ben is clearly still hooked up on Hudson. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ I really don't think I'm a fan. I think Arthur is adorable but they're still so uncomfortable with each other. The only interaction that's gone well so far was their kiss, and I don't want to root for something that only goes well physically. I will finish the book but unless something changes soon, I'm disappointed. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ So, Hudson is all cool all of a sudden? I don't buy that he would be so okay with Ben using him as a sounding board for his Arthur problems when the almost-kiss just proved he still has feelings for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch37. Are 17 year olds really this together now?

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Adam and Becky...love you!

[✨Skye✨]

Done! (view spoiler)[ Ultimately not a fan. I think I expected something entirely different to what it is, so it's kind of a me problem xD I hope I've reflected that in my review. (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

25% (view spoiler)[Okay these people are adorable and they need to stop right now!!!! I love Ben and Arthur so much, also an arcade date sounds awesome to me! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

50% (view spoiler)[My heart hurts for Ben, how he tries to hide everything that hurts him, how he never feels enough, I wish I could give him a hug, though Arthur singing 'Ben' does help! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

75% (view spoiler)[That scene in the train, I wanted to KILL that guy! Why can't people see love as love? WHY? and I'm so happy that their parents meeting went well! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

100% (view spoiler)[That ending was heart breaking, I wish we could've seen them get back together, it felt like a combination of Adam Becky endings, though I wish there was more Becky in there! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-2

(view spoiler)[Really enjoying this book so far. Arthur and Ben are cute, and you just know it won't be long before they meet again and start hanging out together.

A little pet hate of mine is when YA Contemporaries are full of Harry Potter references. Please stop with that. I get that it's for connecting with the reader but it gets on my nerves when it's non stop references.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 3-6

(view spoiler)[Oh didn't Ben tell Arthur his first name? I can see there being trouble if Arthur thinks he's called Hudson. Also, Hudson seems like a massive douche. From what we've heard about him from Ben (perspective can be a huge factor), he treat Ben poorly and he's acting like a child after their breakup. 100% Team Ben on this one.

Also, I love how supportive their families are of their sexuality. It's refreshing to see that.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapter 7

(view spoiler)[Ahhh the penny has finally dropped! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 8 - 13

(view spoiler)[Yay they found each other again! I loved the build up showing them trying to track the other one down. Also, Dylan is a great wingman. The contrast between him and Ethan, who is barely talking to Arthur since he came out is astonishing.

So they're getting ready to go on their date and I'm so excited. They're so cute and I just love them.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 14-16

(view spoiler)[Ahh why does anything seem to be goimg wrong for these two? I just want them to be happy. They like each other and want to date the other person so why is it not working? My heart can't take it if it doesn't end well.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 17-23

(view spoiler)[Yepp. It was going too well. I'm not taking sides here, but I think Arthur is trying too hard to make everything perfect and is so caught up on everything going perfectly.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 24-26

(view spoiler)[Oh dear. We've got a break-up. I hate when people fall out based on misunderstandings, and I think Hudson knew what he was doing when came over to talk to Ben outside the school.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Finished

(view spoiler)[NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! What can't they just be together? What can't they try and make it work despite the distance? Why couldn't they be together while Arthur was in college, or at least give us an epilogue where they got together after college??

Despite that, I really loved this book and cannot wait for the next book from either of these authors!!

(hide spoiler)]

[Isabelle]

Melanie and I are starting this one on Saturday (Dec 22)!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting December 22nd 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Isabelle]

18% - Arthur and Ben seem cool (in a relatable, kind of geeky way) so far, though I'm a little annoyed by how painfully modern/cool/teenage the authors are trying to be (specifically, referencing Instagram and Twitter and dropping slang every few paragraphs).

but it's little things like (view spoiler)[Arthur having a 4lb 14oz bag of candy corn delivered to his coworker Namrata based on an offhand comment she made the other day (hide spoiler)] that really make the characters come to life, and I'm enjoying that for sure!

[Isabelle]

35% - omg (view spoiler)[Arthur's dad told him to untuck his shirt and his mom told him to tuck it in, and he shows up with his shirt half-tucked (hide spoiler)] too precious too pure

[Isabelle]

65% - (view spoiler)[GLOW IN THE DARK CONDOMS. (hide spoiler)] I just can't 😂

also, I'm in the middle of my own Hamilton/Lin-Manuel Miranda phase, and even I think it's over the top. oof.

[Melanie]

Chapters 1-4 (view spoiler)[ I laughed through the entire first chapter! I think that was a great meet-cute to start off this book. First off, Arther is probably one of the most relatable characters I have read and I think it is both sad and hilarious that I see so much of myself in his character. Second, Dylan up to this point might be my favorite character? I really love his and Ben's dynamic so far and I really want Dylan to be my best friend. I like how modern this book feels because to me it's extremely relatable (especially that meet-cute) but at the same time as my reading buddy stated I am a little annoyed by it, but I'm enjoying the book so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Chapters 4-12 (view spoiler)[ WE HAVE A DATE! I'm so happy they found each other and I'm over the moon excited for them to meet up again! I really don't like Hudson and Harriett and Dylan is still a favorite although I felt really bad when he made that comment about Samantha being his future wife after two days haha.

I am SOO ready for Ben and Arther to start dating! Bring me all the chocolate chip Levain cookies and buckle up because this ship is about to set sail!! (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Chapter 12-27 (view spoiler)[ I felt like I had to stop and comment here because I'm about 61% done this book and I'm starting to think about what is going to happen at the end of the summer. I really don't want Ben to be heartbroken and I don't want Arther to go back to Georgia! Is there any possible way that this book could end like a perfect rom-com and they both live happily in New York and live out their days being adorable and in love? (hide spoiler)]

[Isabelle]

95% - omg (view spoiler)[this scavenger hunt of all their special places (hide spoiler)] is so cute, not super creative but still romantic <3

[Abi]

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Reading from the 2nd of January 2019

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[Sanah]

Ch 1-2 (view spoiler)[ This is already adorable and I love Aruthur and Ben. The beginning is giving me Becky Albertalli vibes, but I'm waiting for the emotional wreck Adam Silvera is gonna write....it'll be rough :/ also Dylan is hilarious (hide spoiler)]

[Sanah]

Up to Ch 11 (view spoiler)[ Arthur is such a good, innocent bean. Like I hope no one ever does him dirty. His friend Ethan is giving me weird vibes and I don't know how I feel about, like what's the deal with this kid? I have a feeling his parents are going to get a divorce and it's gonna strain his and Ben's relationship because that was the beginning of the downfall of Ben and Hudson's relationship. Okay all the online stalking on Instagram and Twitter is hilarious and I relate. If you have never stalked a cute person's social media, then as Buddy the Elf says, you sit on a throne of lies!! I just wish Ben and Arthur would get meet again and get this relationship going (hide spoiler)]

[Sanah]

Up to Ch 22 (view spoiler)[ These two lovebirds have finally gotten together, but all of their dates have been far from perfect and they do a bunch of do-over dates. I like how each date or conversation brings up a part of each guy's character. Like Arthur learns that Ben has always been self-conscious about not looking Puerto Rican enough and Ben finds out that Arthur's parents are probably getting a divorce. This is slowing down though and I'm not seeing much of Adam Silvera... I need to emotional depth to cut all of the slow, cutesy stuff that Becky Albertalli is writing (hide spoiler)]

[Sanah]

Up Ch 28 (this is a essentially a long rant) (view spoiler)[ I officially don't like Arthur. He is so whiny, annoying, and super self-conscious about his relationship with Ben and clearly doesn't trust him. He won't even let Ben talk to Hudson, who just want to be friends. Like I get it's weird, but if Hudson obviously knows his and Ben's relationship is gonna happen and just wants to be friends then what's the big deal? Arthur didn't need to make a big scene outside of Ben's summer school when Hudson came up to talk to Ben. I knew Jessie and Ethan were dating because obviously what other big complicated news would there be? But Arthur blew up and was like you guys have been lying to me for so long and clearly don't care about our friendship. When they try to explain why, Arthur is a stubborn little fool and is like no this isn't about me and Ben and then calls Ethan out (which I'm glad he did) about being distant since Arthur came out. I didn't expect Arthur and Ben to break up, but Arthur cares too much and let's little things always bother him. Like overreacting when they lost the Hamilton tickets, was that actually necessary? NO. It feels like everyone else has to assure Arthur that he is right and that they messed up when it's just Arthur overreacting and not wanting to listen to anyone. I'm not a fan, like I get Ben and Arthur are adorable, believe me I do, but if Arthur is gonna act like this, then Ben should find someone else or give Arthur a reality check (hide spoiler)]

[Sanah]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Even though Ben and Arthur didn't stay together, I am glad they both handled their breakup positively and are still in each other's lives. I don't know if I completely overlooked it or something, but I didn't feel like Adam Silvera's writing style/voice was incorporated that much, it was mostly cutesy love story which fine, but I was expecting more. This wasn't a terrible read, but I was expecting a bit more out of it (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Sanah wrote: "Ch 1-2 [spoilers removed]"

I haven’t read any Adam silvera before :( and only one Becky Albertalli book

(view spoiler)[ I am loving Arthur and Ben. Both of their characters are so cute and the first person narration really promotes their humour and wittiness.
I am glad Ben is not with Hudson anymore, although the buddying books thing was cute.

I am liking Dylan and Arthur’s friendship too. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Sanah wrote: "Up Ch 28 (this is a essentially a long rant) [spoilers removed]"

I read this book not that long ago and I feel all of this so deep in my soul it's not even funny.

[Sanah]

Erin wrote: "Sanah wrote: "Up Ch 28 (this is a essentially a long rant) [spoilers removed]"

I read this book not that long ago and I feel all of this so deep in my soul it's not even funny."

Right?! Like this was supposed to be so much better because it's Becky and Adam, but then this is the product and I'm left like, what that's it?