A Book A Week

"Just because someone says they love you doesn't mean they'll never say it to someone else."

Love was in the air this past week as my family celebrated my brother's wedding. It was a great time with family and friends, and it made me want to read a romance novel. I decided to pick up Here's To Us, a sequel to Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera's hit novel What If It's Us. That YA gay romance charmed me back when I read it in 2020. While I wasn't sure that the characters needed a sequel, I was eager to find out what would happen next. 

Love is complicated. It isn't a simple happily ever after like you see in the movies. When we reconnect with Ben and Arthur, the former couple is learning this lesson for themselves. Ben is still in New York, slogging through classes for a creative writing major. He still lives with his parents and even works part-time with his dad. Life just isn't what he thought it would be. Even his best friend Dylan is being cagey, not his normal happy-go-lucky self. The only real bright spot right now is Ben's writing partner Mario, a cute guy who has captured Ben's heart and encouraged him to dream big with his aspirations of being a novelist. Despite his infatuation with Mario, Ben can't shake his thoughts of the last boy he gave his heart to. At a time when he's dreaming of his future, he can't run away from his past. 

Arthur has found new love too. Mikey is the sweet reliable boyfriend that any guy would be happy to have. The stability of their relationship is about to be put to the test when Arthur accepts an internship that takes him back to New York. Being the intern to the assistant of the director of an off-Broadway play isn't the glamourous job of his dreams, but it does get his foot in the door of the theater industry. Being back in the city has him reminiscing about his first love. In some kind of cosmic destiny, Arthur seems to be running into Ben all around the city. But Arthur is perfectly happy with Mikey, and Ben seems to be head over heels for his new beau too. Plus, it isn't like there is any chance of rekindling their old flame. Or is there?

Like its predecessor, Here's To Us is an irresistibly readable novel with a cast of affable characters who you can't help but root for. This is the kind of story that makes objective critique nearly impossible. As it is a sequel, you'll want to read the first book before diving into this one. Albertalli and Silvera continue their story in a way that thoughtfully explores the implications of maintaining a friendship post-romance. The main characters have grown from their teenage years into young adulthood, bringing new maturity and a host of new challenges. Life isn't as simple as it once was, and the authors relish in their characters grappling with more complex issues. There's a will they/won't they aspect to the relationship that helps to drive the plot forward. Toss in enough dry humor to add some levity to the more serious subject matter, and you've got a great continuation to an already wonderful story. Here's To Us is another hit and a must-read for any romance fans. 

For more information visit Albertalli's website, Silvera's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2022, 58)

"I just think you're meant to meet some people. I think the universe nudges them into your path. 

There is something magical about this time of year. I spent the last couple of days eating way too much food, shopping for gifts, and decorating the house for the holidays. And though this year required us to do things differently than we have in years past, those holiday traditions still bring the same amount of magic that they always have. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to curl up next to the fire with a good book. The Texas weather finally brought us winter this weekend, so I decided to take full advantage and finish reading What If It's Us. This cute love story was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. 

Arthur is soaking up every moment of his summer internship in New York. The soon-to-be high school senior is wholly committed to taking in all of the sights and sounds of the city life, even if that means neglecting the duties of his job. Today though, his internship has sent him on a mission that allows him to fulfill both of his desires. Today, he's been tasked with dropping off work documents at the post office. Yes, this is just a simple errand, but the city is ripe with adventure and opportunity. 

Ben is at the post office for an entirely different reason. He's got a box full of stuff that belongs to his ex-boyfriend. The breakup is still so fresh and difficult that Ben can't bear to even see his ex. Having all of this stuff that reminds him of the relationship isn't helping either. It makes sense to just mail it all back to him and rid himself of that part of his life for good. As you can imagine, fate has other plans. Ben and Arthur meet in line at the post office and have a really cute conversation. The spark between the two is undeniable, but then they are separated. Was this just a chance encounter meant to fill that small moment of time, or is this something more? You'll have to read to find out. 

I was so drawn into the story and characters that it is almost impossible for me to objectively comment on this book. In What If It's Us co-authors Becky Albertalli (of Simon vs the  Homo Sapiens Agenda fame) and Adam Silvera deliver the kind of meet-cute YA romance that you'll have a hard time putting down. I don't normally read this genre, so I was a bit apprehensive at first. As I started reading, I couldn't help but find little pieces of myself in each of the characters. There's something about navigating the final years as a teenager that is universally relatable. Take away the fact that the main characters are gay (this story could have been equally effective with a heterosexual couple), and you are still left with a story that is just too compelling to not read. Is this a great work of literature that will be touted for its prose and structure? Of course not. But there's so much about What If It's Us to like about that you won't mind the little things that would normally detract from a novel. A sequel has recently been announced, and I really can't wait to read more about these characters. 

For more information visit Albertalli's website, Silvera's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2020, 48)

Simon is a normal teenage boy. He's beginning his senior year in high-school and is starting to seriously consider his future. He's caught in that in-between moment of wanting to enjoy the last bits of his final school year and also looking toward the unknowns that his future may hold. Beyond the normal challenges of those teenage years, Simon faces an even more isolating obstacle. Simon has begun to accept the fact that he is gay.

In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda author, Becky Albertalli presents an honest depiction of a young gay man coming to terms with his sexuality. She deftly handles the subject matter by placing the central story amidst a clever mystery. Simon has discovered another gay boy through the school's news page. The two have started an email correspondence that has allowed both boys to discover their sexual orientation in a safe space. It is nice to know they are not alone in their struggles. After weeks of back and forth, Simon is beginning to fall for the other boy. There's only one problem. The two are still communicating anonymously.

Simon's secret is threatened when he accidentally leaves his email logged in on one of the school computers. Another student reads Simon's anonymous exchanges and threatens to reveal his secret. The two reach a compromise. In exchange for the other boy's silence, Simon will do everything in his power to help him score a date with his best friend.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda breathes fresh life into the YA genre in a couple of unique ways. First, even in 2018, it is rare to have a novel featuring a protagonist who is part of the LGBTQ community. Albertalli crafts a character who not only serves as a vital piece of representation but also a character who comes off as an honest and genuine senior in high school. As someone who has faced a similar journey as Simon, it was nice to have this representation presented in such an honest way. Albertalli further separates her story from the tropes of the genre by cleverly presenting it through a mystery. Discovering the identity of Simon's anonymous pen pal is as much a part of the novel as his own inner self-discovery. In the end, the novel serves as a lovely reminder that we all are facing our own little internal battles. Despite our differences, we are all in this world together, facing similar struggles and triumphs. It's pretty great to have a book remind us of these things.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2018, 38)