Here’s to Us (What If It's Us)

Well, this ended in tears. Mine. At sixty-six, I am proof that what happened to me in college is still as vivid and intense as it was all those 45 years ago. Albertalli and Silvera continue to startle me, not with their good collaborative writing, but with the way they can channel the minds and hearts of young gay men, when I have trouble fathoming the thoughts of my twenty-something children.The two main thrusts of this book are (1) relationships among college kids and (2) career hopes and dreams at the very beginning of adulthood. Obviously, the first gets the most attention, but the second was a pleasant clear-eyed, surprise.As either Ben or Arthur says at some point toward the emotional grand finale, “someone is going to get hurt.” This is a book about the pain of becoming mature, of figuring out what the important relationships in your life are. It was uncomfortable for me—as intended, I’m sure—because the pain is still too real, even though I didn’t actually go through much pain in this regard. I saw it happen, I know how it affected others.My life as a newly-out gay man in the mid-1970s was really more like Dylan and Samantha’s—and these two are such hugely important figures in this novel. I came out and met my “one” on the same night. But my friends had much more complicated stories. Dylan is the straight male best friend I never had—still don’t have. I don’t think my generation of gay men really held onto straight male best friends the way young people today can and do. And Dylan is the best. Hilarious, heartwarming, genuinely loving and generous of heart. I am more jealous of Dylan than of any other character in the book.Oddly, the other thing that bothered me a lot during the book was Ben’s magnum opus, his fantasy novel about Wizards, as well as Mario’s skill as a scriptwriter. Somehow it worried me that these two adorable, lovable young men were so clearly set on what their professional destiny was going to be. I knew what I wanted to be when I was 19, too, but I didn’t have a clue how it was going to play out.Albertalli and Silvera handle this really well, with both optimism and realism. As a professional writer all my life, but an avocational novelist on the side, I know the struggle and uncertainty of the publishing world—I know how many great gay-themed books never see the light of day in the mainstream press. I am eternally grateful for niche publishers and self-publishing platforms.I never cease to be amazed that the young-adult formula can continually be fresh and revealing of the depth and power of human emotion. It is something of which I will never grow tired.

I loved What If It's Us and actually wrote on my review that I wanted to get a sequel. I did get what I asked for. But I did not love this. It was good book, well written and with the characters I loved. But it felt forced at some points. However the ending was what I had hoped for.

Great story about how love sticks with you, it was a slow burn for the first part but when I got launched into part 2 & 3 I couldn’t put the book down. Ending is heartwarming and does the troupes pretty well and it doesn’t feel to to cliché

When I started reading this series I wasn’t expecting the roller coaster of emotions these books would take you through. I hated to see this end!

I've been waiting for this book since I finished "What If It's Us." I even begged for a sequel in a review I wrote for that volume. And now I got it. This story is more complicated than the first and goes way, way off from it. Not always good. This book has a little too many characters in and out of the story and it took forEVER to get to what you knew was going to happen. I love how rich the descriptions are of the main characters so that you know what they're thinking and feeling all throughout the story. They really do create and complicate their own lives and those of others around them, so the reader gets jerked up and down and sideways right alongside each one. It's a fun read for sure, and you get a little tour of the great NYC along with it! You can't go wrong with this one.

listen i DEVOURED THESE TWO BOOKS. i didn’t even know a second one was made. and when i saw i had to buy it IMMEDIATELY. i cried, i laughed, i felt everything Arthur and Ben went through. those two had a beautiful relationship, it was what an adolescent relationship would be let’s be honest here. let kids/teens/young adult mess up no one at that age has it correct nowadays. the way this ended? BEAUTIFUL, this book will forever be with me; especially it’s characters!

I was hesitant to read this book after the epilogue to What If It's Us, but I am so glad that I did. This sequel was better than the original (and honestly could be read independent or before the first book). The characters are more grounded this time around and pacing throughout is fantastic. The alternating between the two boys is still present, but feels more simple this time around. It is a lovely read and had me feeling all of the feelings from start to end.

Finally a proper ending for this story. Book one destroyed me so this fixed everything in me

It's been 2 years since Ben and Arthur had their adorable Post Office 'meet cute' in New York. Though they fell in love when Arthur returned home the physical distance put up an emotional wall and they drifted apart.Ben is in college but doesn't have much motivation or direction in his life. The joy from posting his online has gone as he has taken it down to rewrite as a book but he has lost his focus and love for the project and writing isn't the solace it once was. However, he does have a new writing partner called Mario who teaches him Spanish and makes out with him. He should be happy with these new developments but he can't get Arthur off his mind.Arthur is back in New York and is excited to be working and thriving in a new theatre production. He is missing his boyfriend Mickey but he knows their love is solid and can't wait to show him his wonderful New York life when he visits. Everything is sunshine and rainbows until Ben, his ex-boyfriend and pretty much the love of his short but fabulous life, turns up out of the blue.As Ben and Arthur try to create a new friendship while steadfastly focusing on their present lives and relationships, their connection and the love they once shared are hard to ignore. Did they give up too quickly and let the other go without a fight? Are they better off as friends and destined to share their lives with others? Or will the Universe give them one last big push to let them finally see that it's each other that they have been searching for and that they only need to take that leap to be happy?🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. I felt that both characters have grown up a lot since book 1 but also could see that their fierce connection and attraction never wavered even when they tried hard to deny it. I was rooting for them throughout the story but it was challenging because I had a soft spot for both Mickey and Mario and didn't want to see them get hurt. Dylan and Samantha are the coolest couple in the book and need a shoutout too. Pain and heartache, love and joy along with a story about everything in-between.

I can't believe it's been 2 years since What If Its Us...with so many sequels I tend to find I've completely forgotten the first book but not in this case. By the end of the first chapter everything had come flocking back!As you'd expect from Albertalli and Silvera the book is fantastic- I didn't want it to end, but when it did I actually cried.A beautiful love story.

Firstly, I’m not a YA, I’m a Prof. However, this is such a great book. Every one of the characters, not just Art and Ben, are so well developed and well rounded. I absolutely loved this book and was so glad to see what happened to the characters after the finale of the first book. I Recommend the audiobook also, which is a fantastic listen. Suggested song for any movie version of the 1st book and sequel ‘Do you believe in Magic’ Extended version by Kylie Minogue - fits the magic of this book and the Wicked Wizard fantasy thread. Must read.

Such a great book following on from the first which was ‘What If It’s Us’ - I can’t help but feel emotionally connected to the characters and I was extremely heartbroken when the book ended leaving the characters behind. I love AS and BAs writing style which makes for a great read! Go buy it if you haven’t already!

When I say I devoured this book that is probably an understatement-despite the heap of work for university I have at the moment I dropped everything when Here's To Us got delivered. For everyone whose been waiting for another peak into Ben & Arthur's world we got it, and boy is it worth it! I laughed, I cried, I fell in love again-and am currently bullying all my friends to read it so I have other people to gush about it with. So if you loved the first one, or are fans of Becky Albertalli or Adam Silvera individually I would recommend you reading this book. I promise you will not regret buying this <3