WHAT IF IT’S US By Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

April 27, 2024 by Dani Young Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WHAT IF IT’S US By Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

What If It's Us by Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli
Series: What If It's Us #1
Published by HarperTeen on 10/9/18
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 439
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

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 nail a first date even after three do-overs?

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?

What if it’s us?

Short and Sweet Review

Arthur is in New York for the summer but isn’t really expecting anything exciting to happen, but as a fan of broadway musicals he believes anything can happen.

Ben is at the post office getting ready to send a box of stuff back to his ex and that’s when he runs into Arthur. Who would’ve thought that the universe would have brought these two together?

When Ben and Arthur initially meet. At the post office they don’t go through the proper channels to exchange information so after they meet they keep thinking about each other but have no way to contact each other. Arthur takes a chance and puts a post on Craigslist and also posters which is pretty bold and a little weird but it works. Ben and Arthur go on dates and learn more about each other but they’re not really sure how long this will last because Arthur is going back to Georgia after the summer. I thought this relationship was cute but both of them had a lot to learn. Arthur’s parents argue a lot and so when he looks at them he sees a dysfunctional relationship and Ben just didn’t have the best break up with his ex. The boys do end up having some conflict and although it sucks and it hurt my heart I understood its what needed to happen for both characters to grow. I did enjoy the fact that both of them had supportive families and I also loved their friends especially Dylan.

Overall, this book is just super cute! I loved Ben and Arthur and how different they were but it worked. The broadway references were amazing and I just love how it’s set in New York and the boys are basically on an adventure with each other. Albertalli and Silvera did amazing job bringing these characters to life and I’m excited to read the sequel!

Filed Under: Reviews

THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END By Adam Silvera

October 26, 2022 by Dani Young Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Series: Death-Cast #0
Published by Quill Tree Books on 10/4/22
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 549
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

It’s the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he’s going to die. He has a serious heart condition, and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what’s coming.

Valentino Prince is restarting his life in New York. He has a long and promising future ahead and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident.

Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, their lives are changed forever—one of them receives a call, and the other doesn’t. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together…even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking.

Short and Sweet Review

Death-Cast is about to go live and everyone is wondering if Death-Cast can actually predict when someone is going to die. Orion has a heart condition and he signs up for death cast just so if somethings going to happen to him it won’t be unexpected. Valentino has just moved to New York and is ready to live his best life and on a whim he signs up for Death-Cast and he gets the first call. S

Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and they hit it off immediately. Valentino gets the call and from there him and Orion decide that Valentino needs to live his end day to the fullest but also carefully.

I loved this book maybe even more than They Both Die at the End. I just liked seeing how it all started and how Death-Cast wasn’t necessarily trusted. We get to see some hard decisions being made about Valentino’s end day and I liked that he was so kind hearted and knew what he wanted. Orion was like the comedy relief and he was like the greatest friend for Valentino on his last day and basically gave Valentino the feeling of being accepted. My favorite thing about this book is probably seeing how all of the characters are intertwined in some way and we even get to see a younger Rufus and Mateo.

This was such a book and I won’t forget about it anytime soon. It was so heartfelt and just like They Both Die at the End this book makes you want to live everyday like your last because you never know when you’ll get a call from Death-Cast.

Filed Under: Reviews

THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END By Adam Silvera

May 20, 2022 by Dani Young Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Series: Death-Cast #1
Published by Quill Tree Books on 9/5/17
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.

Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

Short and Sweet Review

On September 5, Mateo and Rufus get a call that within the next 24 hours they’re going to die. Mateo and Rufus don’t know each other but they’re both looking for a friend on their last day for different reasons. Mateo to get out there and live his life to the fullest on his last day. Rufus is trying to make a new friend after his funeral gets crashed and his other friends become preoccupied. I loved the friendship between Mateo and Rufus, Mateo is more cautious than Rufus but Rufus helped Mateo loosen up and actually enjoy his day. I liked seeing both boys try to wrap things up and say their goodbyes and also going to this center to have some things from their bucket list crossed off. We see Mateo and Rufus live their final day and I really loved this book and these two characters even though I knew how it would end. I laughed with both characters and cried with them too. This book really makes you think about how you would live your last day if you knew you were going to die. This book was heartfelt and also heartbreaking in the end but it was beautiful and I can’t wait to read the next book!