Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ben has spent his first year of college working on his fantasy manuscript with his writing partner Mario, who is a great Spanish tutor, and an even better kisser. So why can’t he stop thinking about the fact that Arthur’s back in town two years after they called it quits?
Arthur is in New York for a dream internship on Broadway, with a boyfriend back at home that he couldn’t be happier with. But when he comes upon Ben cuddled up with a mystery boy, he starts to wonder if his feelings for Ben ever truly went away.
Even as the boys try to focus on their futures, they can’t seem to help running into each other in the present. Is the universe forcing them to question if they’re actually meant to be?
Possibly not. After all, things didn’t work the first time around.
Possibly yes. After all, the sparks are still flying.
Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and raise a glass.
Here’s To Us is the sequel I didn’t know I needed but was so glad that I got! When I finished What If It’s Us I wanted to know what happened to Arthur and Ben next but had it in my head that we would never find out. I’m so glad we got to see what happened next with Arthur and Ben and reading this book brought a huge smile to my face. Don’t read anymore of this review if you haven’t read the first in the series though because I don’t want to spoil it for you!
Going into this book I was quite worried that despite time having past in real life and in the book itself the characters would not feel as though they ‘aged-up’. This was not the case though. Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera perfectly managed to age-up the two main characters and all the characters that surrounded them, all whilst still making it feel like a YA book. It is like they wrote it as if we grew up alongside them.
This story was fast-paced and full of sweetness and adorable moments alongside drama and heart-felt moments. I loved watching Arthur and Ben be pulled back together and as readers you cannot deny that they seem to belong together. I really enjoyed the characters Mario and Mikey. Both of them were lovely and I would have loved to learn more about them. That is why I was kind of upset with the outcome they have in this story. Although it was necessary for the story to progress it still felt sad to witness. Each of their relationships was sweet but with a slice of bittersweet on the side.
I loved learning more about the ‘side’ characters in this book. Jessie and Dylan really do have my heart and I would love a book all about them in the future! Arthur and Ben still have my whole heart and I loved watching them grow, mature and learn from their mistakes. There are so many wholesome moments between them and then the wider friendship group which really brought a smile to my face.
Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera have written another beautiful novel that filled me with joy as I’m sure it will do to so many more readers. This book gave me the ending to Arthur and Ben that I have been waiting for since What If It’s Us and I adored it. I’m sure so many more readers will feel satisfied and happy with how this story ends.
Overall, I adored Here’s To Us and I cannot recommend it enough. It is sweet, adorable, full of drama and wit and just an all-round excellent read! I highly recommend you pick this series up if you are looking to put a smile on your face.
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