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

Title: What If It's Us
Author: Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: October 9, 2018
Pages: 448
Source/format: e-ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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?

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Arthur Seuss is interning at a law office in NYC for the summer. Originally from Milton, GA, he is already having a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. He misses his home, his friends, his car and even Waffle House. He still keeps in contact with his best friends Ethan and Jessie and he cannot wait to go home until he meets Ben at the post office.

Ben Alejo is recovering from a breakup and intended to mail Hudson's belongings back. However, instead, he meets Arthur at the post office. A flash mob comes forth and Ben leaves the post office with the breakup box still in hand. He has nothing to do but hop on a train to visit his best friend Dylan. However, Ben left behind a shipping label that acts like Cinderella's glass slipper. Arthur is determined to find Ben in the populous Big Apple.

What If It's Us is written by the dynamic duo Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. With their style of writing merging together, What If It's Us is a book that opens new doors. From it's pop culture references to humorous situations like being caught in a flash mob wedding proposal to the fate being on their side, Albertalli and Silvera know how to write a book to induce major feels. Also, not only is the writing fantastic and there is great character development, but the diversity within the novel is perfect. From religion to ethnicity to identity to ability, this novel covers a lot of bases without feeling forced; it's natural. It represents life in modern day.

Within the novel, fans of Albertalli and Silvera can tell right from the get go who wrote each character. Arthur's and Ben's voices are distinguishable from one another and they have their own personalities. We have musical loving Arthur who has dreams of going to Yale. And then we have Ben who is currently writing a fantasy novel, currently in summer school and he is trying to get over his breakup with his ex-boyfriend. The concept of the plot is a subtle but genius one. It just works so well.

What If It's Us is apologetically honest. The characters can be blunt but they channel their true feelings and thoughts to the readers. Readers can connect with what the characters are going through. Nothing is sugarcoated. Everything is real and raw. Albertalli and Silvera have a way of connecting with their audience where the readers understand the characters in their books. I highly suggest readers of YA contemporary to read this book! If you want to read an uplighting, cute novel with a dash of humor, definitely check out What If It's Us.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Title: The Upside of Unrequited
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Publication date: April 11, 2017
Pages: 352
Source/format: e-ARC from publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back.

There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.

Right?

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

With twenty-six crushes and zero kisses in her life, Molly Peskin-Suso wonders if she needs to step outside of her comfort zone. Her twin sister, Cassie, is the the totally opposite. Cassie is an extrovert and she can get a girl's number super easily. The problem for Molly is finding the right person at the exact right moment which is hard to come by.

Becky Albertalli opens up The Upside of Requited with humor. Molly is introduced and she is very likable from the start to the point where you can relate to Molly wholeheartedly. She is the type of person you want to befriend. Molly ends up befriending Middle Earth Reid at her new job. Who would have known that love can blossom from a friendship? With Reid, Molly can be herself and she doesn't have to pretend to be someone she is not. The anticipation, the disappointment, the jealousy and even the butterflies in the stomach are all rolled into one depicting accurate emotions attached to crushing on someone and falling in love.

Albertalli succeeds at writing genuine characters. She represents teenagers of all sizes, sexuality, faiths, ethnicity and even teens with mental health issues. People can relate to this novel because Albertalli is honest and sincere. She doesn't sugarcoat anything. I love how the novel focuses on Molly as a whole. Although Albertalli's novel is bursting with diversity, she doesn't shine the spotlight on diversity directly which is a good thing. The Upside of Requited flows seamlessly.

The family dynamics in Molly's household is fantastic. Molly has two moms. One of Molly's moms conceived Cassie and Molly via a sperm donor. Her other mom conceived another child with the same sperm donor. I love how Molly's family can still be connected via DNA despite having two moms. Her mothers are very open-minded and care about their children very much. They want to be involved in their children's life and they are super supportive of their children's decisions. Also, Molly and Cassie have a wonderful sisterly relationship which I enjoyed reading about. Molly's shows growth in character development throughout the novel. She breaks out of her shell and overcomes many of her fears.

Like Albertalli's debut novel, Simon Vs. and the Homo Sapiens Agenda, The Upside of Requited will have readers craving for something chocolatey and cookie like. Instead of Oreos, readers find themselves yearning for Cadbury Mini Eggs or cookie dough. 

The Upside of Unrequited is a coming-of-age novel about first loves, sisterly relationships, family dynamics and trying new things. If you loved reading Simon Vs. and the Homo Sapiens Agenda or if you are on the lookout for a cute contemporary read, definitely pick up The Upside of Unrequited. All teens need to read this book!

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Title: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: April 7, 2015
Pages: 303
Source/format: Library/Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. 

 With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. 

My Thoughts: 

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a coming-of-age story about Simon Spirer. Simon is so close of getting blackmailed by Martin Addison. Of course Martin wants something in exchange so he won't out Simon and Blue to the whole entire world. Shady Creek, Georgia isn't what you will call a progressive town. I enjoyed reading Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda. Becky Albertalli writes in a honest voice. She conveys Simon's family life, school life and his secret life quite well.

I love how Albertalli alternates certain chapters with e-mails from Simon (aka Jacques) to Blue and from Blue to Simon. The e-mails between the two guys added something special to the book and I love how comfortable they feel talking to each other. Simon feels relaxed talking to Blue. He enjoys conversation about things other people don't understand with Blue. It's so cute how Simon squees about Blue throughout the novel. It's like the feeling of a first crush and you can't stop thinking about that crush. You get butterflies in your stomach and that person makes you smile. You get all giddy and excited for no apparent reason.

Throughout reading the Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, all I wanted was to eat waffles, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Oreos. I wanted to drink Oreo frappes (aka milk shakes) and watch reruns of Harry Potter. All the Harry Potter references are wonderful. I loved every single one of them. There is so much reference to pop culture besides Harry Potter. Adventure Time, Doctor Who and even Assassin's Creed make appearances. Books like Fahrenheit 451 make an appearance. Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast make appearances. I absolutely love it!

If you are looking for a cute contemporary read, pick up Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Make sure you have a package of Oreos and a glass of milk near by. You won't regret it.