What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Release Date - October 9, 2018
Publisher Website - Harper Collins Canada

Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  448 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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?

I love books that take me out of a reading slump. Those books that engross you from the first page and make it so that you're entirely invested in the story being told. Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera offer just such a read with their first (and hopefully not last) co-written book. Take a dash of humour, a little New York City magic, a swoon worthy romance, and a lot of heart and you have What If It's Us.

Arthur and Ben both have such distinctive voices. Their characters leap off the page because the authors take such care to bring them to life. Arthur is a Broadway musical loving ray of sunshine who has absolutely no chill. Ben is more laid back, more experienced, and perhaps a little more jaded. The writing styles used for these characters mesh well together to create a very cohesive story. Two authors writing a novel together always has the possibility of feeling clunky but this novel avoids that entirely. It is also impressive that I felt both authors knew both characters really well. The division of writing was done by character point of view chapters, but because both characters were in many of the chapters together both authors had to technically write for each character.

New York City is a character in its own right in this novel. There is something about New York that is a little magical. It's the stuff of movie legend and it translates very well within Author and Ben's story. Becky and Adam show the magic in the smaller moments of living in New York and make the little things sparkle in their own way. The setting makes this story in so many ways and it definitely does not disappoint. This story is absolutely movie ready and a large part of that is because of the setting.

This is a story that may make you believe in the possibility of fate and the magic of putting yourself out there. It's a romance that has all the classic elements of a rom-com. It's got the adorable meet cute. It's got the obstacles standing in the way. It has the big grand gestures. It would be easy for the relationship to not have a lot of heart as a result. The character stuff is there though and that makes the reader's connection to Ben and Arthur that much stronger. You'll want them to end up together so badly and that comes down to the fact that you love each of them as individual characters just as much as their love story.

While the romance does take central focus, there are a bunch of really great friendships that are presented within these pages. Each of the boys has plot points that have nothing to do with the romance and elements that focus on other parts of their lives. Arthur is dealing with the fact that his group dynamic is changing. Ben is dealing with his own breakup's impact on his friend group.  Ben's best friend, Dylan, is a stand out that I predict many people will love. The story becomes this larger, more complex narrative because of these other relationships in a way that is really interesting.

The biggest question surrounding this novel is what kind of ending it would have. Becky Albertalli is known for her more happy, rom-com style endings while Adam is known for endings that rip your heart out and crush it for good measure. While I will not spoil the ending, I will say that it the perfect ending for this story. It's the perfect ending for a novel written by these two authors. It's exactly what the characters and the story itself needs from an ending.

Fans of both of these authors will love their joint venture. It's got everything you love from each of them meshed together in a way that feels effortless. It's an adorable romance with a ton of heart wrapped in a larger story of finding yourself, discovering what you want, and making the choices to get you there. 

Fall Reading List

As summer slowly comes to its end I immediately think of all of the exciting books, movies, and television that await us in the fall season. Fall happens to be my favourite season. It is filled with some of my favourite things - pumpkin spice everything, cozy blankets, and an excuse to drink more tea than usual.

The fall season is, as previously mentioned, when a lot of really exciting books are released. I thought I would share my own personal reading list for this fall season. I am hoping to kickstart my reading as I have been in a serious slump this year despite reading some amazing reads.

Here is my own personal 'Must Read List' for fall 2018

1. The Reckoning of Noah Shaw

Release Date: November 13, 2018

This is the second book in the Noah Shaw Confessions series. This spin off of the Mara Dyer trilogy continues the story  from Noah's point of view and I am looking forward to jumping back into this world.

2. What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Release Date: October 9, 2018

I love books written by both of these authors so I was immediately intrigued by them teaming up to write what sounds like an adorable book. The only question is will it have more of the happy ending Becky is known for, or the rip your heart out endings that Adam is known for.

3. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Release Date: October 2nd, 2018

Fans of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue fell in love with Felicity, the sister of the main character, and begged for her to have a book all her own. Mackenzi Lee made that wish a reality and I am so excited to read Felicity's story.

4. Sadie by Courtney Summers

Release Date: September 4, 2018

The pitch of this book comparing it to Serial immediately caught my attention. The buzz for this one just keeps growing and is almost impossible to miss. This seems to be releasing at just the right time with the current bump in visibility that true crime related media is enjoying.

5. The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Release Date: October 30, 2018

I loved The Wedding Date so immediately knew I needed to read The Proposal. I have been adding in more romance novels into my reading pile and I anticipate this one will be just as amazing as The Wedding Date was.

Honorable Mention

The above list only included books I have not yet read so I wanted to just make a special mention of a fall release that I have already read.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

You can expect my review up in September one this one release (Sept 11th to be exact) but I loved every single minute I spent reading this one. I am excited for others to get to read it so it should be on your fall reading list.

What books are you looking forward to in the fall season? Let me know in the comments below!

ALA Excitement!

After seeing all of the BEA posts from last week I am even more excited to be attending ALA. I am looking forward to seeing New Orleans, being surrounded by bookish people, and finding out what the publishers are excited about for the back half of 2018.

I have been looking forward to this particular ALA for YEARS now because I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. It's exciting that in just a few short weeks I'll be there.

I thought I would be fun to share some things that I am especially excited about for both the trip in general and ALA in particular!

Top Things I Want To Do In New Orleans

1- Eat Beignets

Anytime I mention that I am going to New Orleans I immediately am told to make sure I try some beignets while I am there. These delicious sounding pastries are  high on my list!

2- Take A Ghost Tour

This is my one MUST DO while in the city. I am currently browsing my options as there are many. If anyone has any recommendations please send them my way.

3- Find A Local Book Store

One of my favourite parts of going to Book Expo is stopping by The Strand book store in New York. I am hoping to find a used book shop or something similar to browse while in New Orleans.

Top Books I Hope Are At ALA

Of course there are some amazing sounding books that I hope are available at ALA! I am looking forward to not just getting a chance to read some of my most anticipated reads early, but interacting with the publishers and taking part in some of the panels. There is one true crime panel that sounds amazing and I really enjoyed the publisher presentations that I attended when I attended ALA previously.

Without further ado, here are the books I most hope to pick up while at ALA:

1 What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

I love Becky's books. I love Adam's books. It goes without saying that a book written by both of them would be high on my 'must read' list. 

2 The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

I've loved Rebecca's previous novels and I am especially intrigued by the synopsis of her first adult book. I cannot wait to meet her version of Audrey Hepburn and to completely love Sabrina.

3 A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This one has been on my radar since I read the deal annoucement. I love a good retelling and this twist on Beauty and the Beast sounds particularly fun.

4 The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
 
This unique Frankenstein retelling is pretty much everything I want in a novel. I am really excited to read this one and see what twists Kiersten White has added to the classic story.

5 The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

I really enjoyed The Wedding Date and hope that Jasmine's next novel is just as cute and enjoyable. It sounds like a fun rom-com style read that will be perfect for the plane ride home (if it happens to be on offer and I am fortunate enough to snag a copy).

While I am clearly excited about a lot of things in New Orleans, I am always looking for more recommendations. Are you from New Orleans, or ever been there? Have any suggestions on what I must do, see, and eat while in town for ALA? Please leave any suggestions in the comments.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

I have a few fun things to share wtih you this week! I am getting so excited for fall 2018 book releases! It's going to be a great reading year!

BOOKS

Cover of What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (goodreads)

I have been waiting for a cover of this book pretty much from the moment it was announced. I was hoping for something cute and fitting of the synopsis and the cover does not disappoint. Entertainment Weekly recently revealed the cover and it is perfect!

There is lots of speculation as to whether this will have a rom-com style ending that Becky is known for, or the more heartbreaking ending that Adam is known for. I am excited to discover that when this book is released. 

OTHER

True Crime Podcast Enamel Pins (link) (link)

Most people who visit this blog are aware of my true crime obsession, and my love of My Favorite Murder. It's pretty much my favourite podcast and I love this adorable pin!

 
I have been wanting to start collecting more of these enamel pins and this is one I have to add to my collection.

Also high up on my list of pins to collect? This amazing one for the Disgraceland podcast!

 

These would both look amazing with my Bucky and Steve enamel pin I have up in my work cubicle!

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

2018 Most Anticipated - A Few More

Today is the last book post for this event and I thought I would share three more books that I am excited about in a slightly different format. I am capping it at three simply because it could get out of control otherwise. There are some VERY exciting books coming out in 2018.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

Why I am so excited for this title:

This book was already on my radar before the whole "royal wedding' fever hit but now I am extra excited to read about an American girl marrying a Prince (and the younger sister along for the ride). It sounds adorable and like a fun summer read.

Release date: 

May 1, 2018

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (goodreads)

What If It’s Us opens as Arthur and Ben meet at the post office as Ben is shipping his ex-boyfriend’s things back to him. They subsequently endure the frustration of knowing there was a missed connection, before the universe pushes them back together again in a series of failed “first” dates.

Why I am so excited for this title:

It's Beck and Adam! Enough said. I cannot wait to see how their writing styles compliment each other. The only question is whether this will be more Becky and provide us with a cute, uplifting ending or if it'll be more Adam and rip our hearts out instead.

Release date: 

Fall, 2018

Save This Date by Morgan Matson (goodreads)

Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future. 

Why I am so excited for this title:

A new Morgan Matson book screams summer to me, so I am super excited to have a new one to read by the pool next summer. It also sounds adorable and I love the thought of Morgan writing a family dynamic book. Her friendships are amazing so I am expecting good things from her family connections.

Release date:

June 5, 2018

What books are you most excited for in 2018? Let me know in the comments. 

Check back tomorrow for a giveaway that will run through the holidays!