“I think you’re meant to meet some people. I think the universe nudges them into your path.” - Arthur
“I feel like I’m breathing in hope.” - Ben
If you’re looking for a book full of moments which will make you laugh, cry, and believe in love and fate, What If It’s Us is perfect for you.
The brilliant duo of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera came to be over a series of praise, text messages, and their shared agent. With their debut novels being published in the same week, they decided to read each other’s books. Incredibly, their love for the other’s work grew into the four years collaboration called What If It’s Us. With some of the speech coming directly from their texts, Albertalli and Silvera worked with determination to create a beautifully constructed novel. To portray the separate perspectives of Ben and Arthur, each took on a character; Silvera providing a voice for Ben, and Albertalli writing for Arthur. Due to their contrasting writing styles - Silvera opting for a more emotional story, and Albertalli being an expert in a hopeful narrative - the two had written four different scenarios for their joint epilogue before finalising on a bittersweet concoction of their styles.
What If It’s Us tells the story of a summer romance between Arthur Seuss and Ben Alejo. We follow the pair as they attempt to track the other down in the bustling New York City after crush-at-first-sight. With the help of some friends, the two are able to meet again with a disastrous first - and do-over - date. Due to a time limit on their relationship, both teens are desperate to make it right, certain that they are meant to be. Arthur believes in destiny and happy endings, though Ben is unsure. Over the months, these beliefs get tested, alongside their faith in the universe. Their bond grows stronger as the two learn more and more about each other but we are left wondering, will they end up together, or are they destined to just being friends?
Alongside their shared novel, both authors have created a multitude of work since their debuts in 2015. Albertalli is most known for her debut Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (with its film adaptation Love, Simon) which tells the story of closeted Simon Spier and the struggle of keeping his secret amidst a blackmailer, all whilst falling in love with “Blue”. This coming of age story will simultaneously leave anyone in tears, blushing with embarrassment and smiling with joy. Her other work includes the sequel Leah on the Offbeat and The Upside of Unrequited. Silvera is known for his works History Is All You Left Me, They Both Die at the End and his debut More Happy Than Not. His wonderfully melancholy debut portrays the struggle of Aaron Soto in his pursuit of happiness, his issues facing unrequited love, and the unfortunate events following the discovery of his sexuality. In typical Silvera fashion, his novel had readers crying throughout, a skill which is not lost in his collaboration with Albertalli. The passion and skill within their novels is beautifully echoed in What If It’s Us, making the reader laugh, cry, and fall in love with love itself.
“I don’t know these authors. What else is similar?” you ask. Well, if you’re a fan of John Green, David Levithan and Rainbow Rowell, I am positive you will enjoy this novel. Green and Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson has a very similar structural idea, with the authors writing alternating chapters. If you’re a fan of this novel, then you’ll love the whirlwind of Arthur and Ben’s story. Similarly, if you loved the nerdy references and related to the struggles in Rowell’s Fangirl, there is no reason for you not to enjoy What If It’s Us. However, the greatest selling point? It is packed full of musical references. The title of the novel and the separate parts are direct references to Dear Evan Hansen, and Arthur constantly quotes his favourite musicals, including Hamilton and Spring Awakening.
It isn’t hard to love this book, particularly if you’re a romantic-comedy, musical loving person like myself. You may think “it's YA, it’s not for me,” “it looks too cliche for my liking.” You are wrong. Whilst this novel fits in the YA genre, it is not limited to that audience. I am certain that if you love reading books which make you smile, and you love musicals, this is the next book for you. My only issue with the novel is the bittersweet ending. In true Silvera style, you don’t get the ending you hope for, but with the help of Albertalli, there’s room for hope. You as a reader are encouraged to view the ambiguous ending in your own way. Whilst that is frustrating for some, including me, it can be viewed as a beautiful concoction of both author’s styles.
The layout of the novel continues the Dear Evan Hansen reference, adding a touch of beauty. With an alternating, Dear Evan Hansen-esque narrative style, it is easy to follow which character is narrating, particularly as Albertalli and Silvera have independent tone and writing styles. What If It’s Us is separated into four parts, each labelled as a phrase from the Dear Evan Hansen song “Only Us”. Part one - What If - follows Arthur and Ben as they meet and try to track the other down. Part two - It’s Us - provides the reader with their unfortunate first date, their later do-over dates. The third part - And Only Us - shows their attempt to make their last few days together as magical as possible. The epilogue - What If It’s You And What If It’s Me - shows that the two have stayed in contact, hinting at the possibility of a happy ending.
In typical Albertalli style, this novel will have you smitten with the characters amidst all the second-hand embarrassment. Optimistic and awkward Arthur provides us with the Broadway references, as well as faith in love. Ben, whilst often being hopeless when it comes to dating, is hard not love due to his nerdy side and unwavering hope following a bad breakup. With brilliant characters, cleverly intertwined references, and a beautiful plot regarding a summer romance, What If It’s Us should be next on your list of books to read if you haven’t already experienced the wonderful Albertalli-Silvera collaboration. Before you dismiss it as just another cliche, this novel encourages us to think about our stance on the powers of the universe. What If It’s Us allows us to question whether we, as readers, believe in fate, or if we think everything is simply a coincidence.