What If It's Us...#BookReview

About the book:
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?

This isn't a book I would have ever picked up on my own. YA just isn't my thing. But, a young friend brought it to me and asked if I would read it and I did and we had a great discussion about it afterwards.

And it's a cute story. Arthur meets Ben at the post office and likes him immediately. But the two are separated and they each wonder how to find the other in a city as big as New York. So, I learned about missed connections on Craigslist. Kind of cool.

When the boys do meet up again, it's a classic romance of misunderstandings and miscommunications. Ben is getting over a break-up and Arthur has never had a boyfriend. The boys are high schoolers and so expecting levels of maturity is a bit unrealistic.

The secondary characters are almost more fun than the main ones. Dylan just steals the show. You'll love him. The pop culture references are many, almost to the point of saturation. Sorry. Not a fan of Hamilton, but with Arthur and his love of theater, it was inevitable that show tunes will be heard.

I've seen reviews that criticize the ending, but I found it realistic to the story line and the fact that these boys were still in high school. Loved the inclusion: to these boys' family and friends, they were just Arthur and Ben. Being gay wasn't an issue, as it shouldn't be. That the boys were Jewish and Puerto Rican characters was a plus. The one homophobic interaction on the train was handled well by Ben.

I didn't find anything remarkable or special about the book.  It's just a sweet story about two boys who fall in love.

I borrowed a copy.

Read 9/20

* * *
3/5 Stars

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