Here’s to Us (What If It's Us)

Fantastic book. The characters are so realistic that you feel like you actually know them. You are everything to work out. You could feel all the emotions. Very relatable! And the last 50 pages or so. What an ending!! Needed so much Kleenex. Looking forward to rereading this book and the first "What If It's Us". Highly recommend!

To avoid MANY spoilers let me say this, for two authors to cowrite a book, a bestseller no less and then pull off a sequel must be hard enough. To pull off a sequel to such an AMAZING 📕 as “What If It’s Us” and during the “f-ing pandemic” I find mind-boggling, but then for it to be THIS book, building upon the first and taking it to the corners, places and heights that they did is “beyond measure”. I’m afraid by saying anything else I will give away things I DO NOT want to do. So 📖 them BOTH and if you can, listen to the 🎧 as well. I would love to see these made in to a Netflix series, but in case that doesn’t happen, these narrators ARE Ben and Arthur, plus Dylan will be forever ingrained in my soul. Thank you to the authors, narrators and universe for this indelible experience on my heart and my soul… 👏👏👏‼️

"Just because someone says they love you doesn't mean they'll never say it to someone else." Love was in the air this past week as my family celebrated my brother's wedding. It was a great time with family and friends, and it made me want to read a romance novel. I decided to pick up Here's To Us, a sequel to Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera's hit novel What If It's Us. That YA gay romance charmed me back when I read it in 2020. While I wasn't sure that the characters needed a sequel, I was eager to find out what would happen next. Love is complicated. It isn't a simple happily ever after like you see in the movies. When we reconnect with Ben and Arthur, the former couple is learning this lesson for themselves. Ben is still in New York, slogging through classes for a creative writing major. He still lives with his parents and even works part-time with his dad. Life just isn't what he thought it would be. Even his best friend Dylan is being cagey, not his normal happy-go-lucky self. The only real bright spot right now is Ben's writing partner Mario, a cute guy who has captured Ben's heart and encouraged him to dream big with his aspirations of being a novelist. Despite his infatuation with Mario, Ben can't shake his thoughts of the last boy he gave his heart to. At a time when he's dreaming of his future, he can't run away from his past. Arthur has found new love too. Mikey is the sweet reliable boyfriend that any guy would be happy to have. The stability of their relationship is about to be put to the test when Arthur accepts an internship that takes him back to New York. Being the intern to the assistant of the director of an off-Broadway play isn't the glamourous job of his dreams, but it does get his foot in the door of the theater industry. Being back in the city has him reminiscing about his first love. In some kind of cosmic destiny, Arthur seems to be running into Ben all around the city. But Arthur is perfectly happy with Mikey, and Ben seems to be head over heels for his new beau too. Plus, it isn't like there is any chance of rekindling their old flame. Or is there? Like its predecessor, Here's To Us is an irresistibly readable novel with a cast of affable characters whom you can't help but root for. This is the kind of story that makes objective critique nearly impossible. As it is a sequel, you'll want to read the first book before diving into this one. Albertalli and Silvera continue their story in a way that thoughtfully explores the implications of maintaining a friendship post-romance. The main characters have grown from their teenage years into young adulthood, bringing new maturity and a host of new challenges. Life isn't as simple as it once was, and the authors relish in their characters grappling with more complex issues. There's a will they/won't they aspect to the relationship that helps to drive the plot forward. Toss in enough dry humor to add some levity to the more serious subject matter, and you've got a great continuation to an already wonderful story. Here's To Us is another hit and a must-read for any romance fans.

I really enjoyed the first book. Some of its criticisms are part of what makes it special in my opinion. The first book dealt with real life problems and real life feelings, especially of boys so young. This installment welcomes all the characters back (whom I love all of them), and they (especially Arthur and Ben) have matured by 2 years. It’s refreshing to see where their journeys went and how “the universe” brings them back together in New York. But the universe stops there. They must work through their current circumstances and feelings to see where their own futures go, and if those futures include each other. This installment has the humor and nostalgia (especially if you’ve been to/loved NYC) and great beats of the first one, but different pacing, different conflicts, and an ending that left me smile.

Just wow such an amazing book. When i saw that this was coming out last year 2021 I was super excited. I loved the first book and still love re reading it. I’m blown away of how good this book is. I love how they stored with a big time jump and how Ben and Arthur have grown as individuals since their first meeting. I also loved having Dylan and Samantha back in this book. Also they had a pride parade and Ethan came back for it with amazing news no spoilers. The end was perfect I was tearing up at the last Ben chapter and Arthur chapter. Thank you to the two incredible authors who gave us these two amazing characters.

The second book didn't disappoint at all. Our main heroes started off after a break-up with their new mates, but the universe is bringing them back together in NY. This too big of a city is just too small for them to not meet. Are their feelings still there? What is love? Can one be happy without hurting someone else? Is it all worth it? Read the second book and you'll see. I loved it and every romantic heart will love it too.

I absolutely love this series! It is my absolute favorite. The characters are so cute and funny and well developed! I wish there was more!

I thought the first book was cute, but the sequel is definitely a step up. Two years have passed since and each of the protagonists are building their identities and discovering complex feelings. It's still a YA book so there's some cheesiness here and there like the first book, but the writing is a lot more realistic. The authors have found their groove here :)

El libro es la conclusión/segunda parte de "What if it's us?" por los mismos autores. Si bien el final es absolutamente predecible, incluso el título da una buena idea de cómo termina, lo cual es común en la mayoría de los libros YA, es una historia muy tierna que te empuja a continuar hasta el final.

Versão capa comum, entregue extremamente rápido e sem nenhum amassado ou defeito por conta do transporte. A capa comum é bem básica, senti falta de uma “orelha” e uma e um papel para a capa com melhor qualidade. Já tinha comprado o primeiro livro em capa comum e e veio com outro acabamento.

The book by Albertalli and Silvera is the continuarien of “What If It’s Us”, and it certainly lifts up to the expectations!

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

A heartfelt sequel to "What If It's Us", which delivers all of the joy and humour from the first book, but takes it to another level. I really loved "What If It's Us", but at the time of reading, wish it had gone a bit deeper. "Here's to Us" did that for me, exploring themes of love and loss, and being tortured by our own psyche and perceived beliefs. This was a pleasure to read, and hope to see it on screen at some point!