Here's to Us

Here's to Us

  • Downloads:9866
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-11-10 09:51:06
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Becky Albertalli
  • ISBN:139850520X
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

In the follow-up to their charming NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, What If It’s Us, best friends Becky Albertalli (Simon vs。 The Homo Sapiens Agenda) and Adam Silvera (They Both Die At The End) reunite to give Arthur and Ben another shot at true love。

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 celebrating old friends!
Here’s to embracing new beginnings!
Here’s to believing in second chances!

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Reviews

Cassandra

What If It's Us was such a joy to read, so when I heard a sequel was coming out I was a bit skeptical。 I didn't see what more could've been done to a story that felt like it had given us what we needed from it。BUT HERE'S TO US。 This is a story about growing up and discovering the new versions of yourself。 I think this story is actually really important for that 18-20 age group。 Or just the "new adult" demographic。 I think we're all familiar with the feelings that Ben go through in this sequel an What If It's Us was such a joy to read, so when I heard a sequel was coming out I was a bit skeptical。 I didn't see what more could've been done to a story that felt like it had given us what we needed from it。BUT HERE'S TO US。 This is a story about growing up and discovering the new versions of yourself。 I think this story is actually really important for that 18-20 age group。 Or just the "new adult" demographic。 I think we're all familiar with the feelings that Ben go through in this sequel and to have it written on the page just really resonated with me。 Ben and Arthur had their whirlwind romance until they didn't anymore。 Long-distance was hard and when the two were finding the affection they craved elsewhere, they called it quits。 On everything。 It's been years since they've seen or spoken to each other and that doesn't seem to bother them very much。 It isn't like they're reminded of the other almost all of the time, or that they compare everyone to them whenever they meet someone new。 No, they're okay。 Ben has Mario, a hot class partner turned pseudo-Spanish tutor turned lover? It's nothing serious。 But Ben likes where things are going and Mario seems to share the same affections。Arthur? He's doing pretty well too。 He and Mikey have been dating for a little bit and he's smitten。 But now he's going back to where everything began。 Arthur gets an internship in New York and suddenly he's back where he's tried to leave so many memories behind。 Should he text Ben? Should they just let the relationship lie where its been lying? The universe has other plans。 Suddenly Ben and Arthur are back in each other's lives, not addressing their history as much as they should。 And they definitely should。 Both love that the other is happy but there's something lingering。 They can't seem to come to terms with what their brains are doing to them but all they know is that they've lost each other once and they're not so willing to lose it again。First of all, and I am starting this by stating this because I couldn't stop thinking about it the whole time, I LOVE Dylan。 What a little ball of energy? Like truly just top tier friendship。 Samantha was also great and her powering Dylan down was amazing。 I just loved the secondary characters so much and I would absolutely love a little novella about them。 I could read Dylan's POV all day but I KNOW it's even more chaotic than I could ever imagine。The writing was lovely。 This feels like it was a little love letter to growing up and into a new life。 I didn't feel like the book was necessary when I learned about it but now I can't imagine not having it。 Was I crazy about all of the back and forth? No。 But it worked for the story so I wouldn't change anything。 The big moments were just as heartfelt and special as the small ones and I just held my breath through all of them anyways。Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 。。。more

Aleee (libroslibroslibross)

AHHHHH VALE LA PENA TOTALMENTE! YA QUIERO QUE LO LEAN :))

Jessica

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book!I didn't really know what to expect when I saw there would be a sequel to What If It's Us, which left me totally WRECKED at the end。 But the authors absolutely nailed it for Arthur and Ben this time around。 All of the elements you loved about the first book and more are present (copious theater references! hot dog ties! post offices!)。 Here's To Us gives us a lot more character development, especially with the side characters Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book!I didn't really know what to expect when I saw there would be a sequel to What If It's Us, which left me totally WRECKED at the end。 But the authors absolutely nailed it for Arthur and Ben this time around。 All of the elements you loved about the first book and more are present (copious theater references! hot dog ties! post offices!)。 Here's To Us gives us a lot more character development, especially with the side characters, and results in an incredibly satisfying ending。 I didn't ask for this sequel but I am glad it exists! 。。。more

Angeline Yudith

Ahhhh, necesito, necesito, necesito leer esto, por dos razones。 1- Quiero saber si Arthur y Ben terminan juntos y felices。 2- Quiero mas de Dylan

Jordan

Becky and Adam never disappoint, and this sequel to What If It's Us is PHENOMENAL。Did this book need a sequel? No, I was happy with the ending。 Am I SO DAMN EXCITED IT GOT ONE! YES!I always feel like most contemporary YA novel sequels are needed and fall flat because they feel like tacked on ideas to make more money。 This is not that。 This is thoughtful and explores Arthur and Ben as characters and their relationship even deeper。Reading this just gave me so many warm and happy feelings。 It is a Becky and Adam never disappoint, and this sequel to What If It's Us is PHENOMENAL。Did this book need a sequel? No, I was happy with the ending。 Am I SO DAMN EXCITED IT GOT ONE! YES!I always feel like most contemporary YA novel sequels are needed and fall flat because they feel like tacked on ideas to make more money。 This is not that。 This is thoughtful and explores Arthur and Ben as characters and their relationship even deeper。Reading this just gave me so many warm and happy feelings。 It is a perfect comfort read and belongs on anyones shelf who loves Adam, Becky, or just cutesy sweet and heartfelt romances。Also the ending will leave you sobbing。 。。。more

Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves)

Oh my goodness。 I will admit that I was a little nervous about this at first but。 The romantic tension in this book! So well done。 More to come in a full review next week!

Andrew

LISTEN。。。I trust Becky and Adam with my life but I was a tiny bit worried about where they would take this story in a sequel。 Needless to say, my very high expectations were exceeded。 I cannot believe we have a BIG GAY ROM COM DUOLOGY let alone one this good。 The writing and characters are so authentic and earnest。 Becky and Adam truly wear their hearts on their sleeves as authors。 These two messy, frustrating, sincere boys who believe in the power of the universe really hit home and I was truly LISTEN。。。I trust Becky and Adam with my life but I was a tiny bit worried about where they would take this story in a sequel。 Needless to say, my very high expectations were exceeded。 I cannot believe we have a BIG GAY ROM COM DUOLOGY let alone one this good。 The writing and characters are so authentic and earnest。 Becky and Adam truly wear their hearts on their sleeves as authors。 These two messy, frustrating, sincere boys who believe in the power of the universe really hit home and I was truly crying nonstop by the end。 An easy 5 stars for me, but they already had me at the Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers references。 。。。more

Jennifer Ashley

Basically skipped an entire day of work because I couldn't put this down。 Cried like a baby at the end。 The first one was so sweet, but this one tore at my heart strings!*ARC provided by Edelweiss* Basically skipped an entire day of work because I couldn't put this down。 Cried like a baby at the end。 The first one was so sweet, but this one tore at my heart strings!*ARC provided by Edelweiss* 。。。more

Samantha

I lucked into an ARC of this book。 I was really excited to read it even though the first one was just ok。 Maybe it’s just because I knew the characters already, but I enjoyed this one more, even though the characters had a lot of the same annoying qualities。 I suspected that it was all building to a satisfying ending, and I was right - the last 20% of the book was worth reading the whole thing, and I’m glad I did! I think anyone would be happy to have read this if they read the first one。

Richie

why does this exist

Deija

I never write reviews but I was able to get an advanced reader copy of this book and feel like I owe it a review。 I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and my heart imploded。 Such a beautiful sequel that gives Arthur and Ben the stories they deserve, everyone needs to read this the second it comes out! Adam and Becky brought such justice to these characters by making them so relatable and just awe-worthy。

claudia

am adorat din tot sufletul prima parte, chiar dacă au existat câteva momente când m-a enervat, dar sunt curioasă de cum o să decurgă acțiunea așa că abia aștept să mi-o cumpăr!

Hayley

2。5 stars rather grudgingly rounded up。 It was just a tad more than OK。This sequel to What if It’s Us picks up the story of Arthur Seuss and Ben Alejo two summers after they first met。 I loved What if It’s Us and gave it 4 stars but I was disappointed with this and I don’t know if it was me being grumpy or if the book is just not as charming as its predecessor。At the end of What If It’s Us, Arthur and Ben had gone their separate ways after a magical summer。 This new novel picks up 18 months late 2。5 stars rather grudgingly rounded up。 It was just a tad more than OK。This sequel to What if It’s Us picks up the story of Arthur Seuss and Ben Alejo two summers after they first met。 I loved What if It’s Us and gave it 4 stars but I was disappointed with this and I don’t know if it was me being grumpy or if the book is just not as charming as its predecessor。At the end of What If It’s Us, Arthur and Ben had gone their separate ways after a magical summer。 This new novel picks up 18 months later。Arthur is now in a relationship with passive Mikey and is at university in Connecticut。 Ben is working at his father’s CVS and taking a writing class。 He is close friends, but not boyfriends, with dishy Mario。 When Arthur gets the opportunity to intern with a famous queer director on his Off Broadway show, he can’t pass it up even though he and Mikey had planned to spend the summer together。As with the earlier novel, Fate or the Universe, seems to be at work and Arthur and Ben meet up again。 Are they destined to be together or are they really meant to be with their current partners?You can probably guess where this is going and, though it takes a long and circuitous route, our final destination will not be a surprise。 But the truth is, I felt I had a ticket to the wrong place - I really wanted the book to end up somewhere else altogether。 Personally, despite the very rose-tinted ending, I thought Ben, in particular, wasted his chances。However, as they say, review the book you've got, not the one you want。 New York once again has a lovely glow to it as the young men and their various friends work and meet up across the city。 The dialog crackles as it only can in a novel and the friends are funny and delightful instead of overbearing and irritating as they would probably be in real life。 Arthur is a nervous nelly but is brilliant at theater。 Ben is a brilliant writer even though his fantasy novel, The Wicked Wizard War, sounds like it should be for middle graders。I did like how the characters navigate their way through modern relationships。 When can you call someone your boyfriend? What does commitment mean? Where does sex fit into all of this (sex is mentioned often but no actual sex happens on the page)?So, as I said earlier, maybe this just hit me at a grumpy point。 I think it’s probably a charming gay romcom brimming with the fantasy reality of that genre and someone in search of such a novel will enjoy it immensely。Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the digital review copy。 。。。more

Amanda

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review。 I was really excited to start this story because I loved “What If It’s Us” so much and wanted more Ben and Arthur in my life。 Yes, their story didn’t work out the first go around, but if it’s meant to be the universe will step in, right? Right。 That’s what seems to be happening with these two while they juggle new jobs and boyfriends (or maybe a will-they-won't-they)。 I honestly couldn’t wait to start it。 And then I kept putting it down。 I’ I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review。 I was really excited to start this story because I loved “What If It’s Us” so much and wanted more Ben and Arthur in my life。 Yes, their story didn’t work out the first go around, but if it’s meant to be the universe will step in, right? Right。 That’s what seems to be happening with these two while they juggle new jobs and boyfriends (or maybe a will-they-won't-they)。 I honestly couldn’t wait to start it。 And then I kept putting it down。 I’d make it through a chapter or two and set it aside because I couldn’t stand the tension and the awkwardness。 Once I got past that first initial cringe, I was happier to race through the rest of the book。 Arthur and Ben are just too perfect for each other, and I couldn’t stand these two just bungling around each other。 Yet again, this is another Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera book that I loved and will recommend to readers who can push through the awkwardness to get to the happy ending。 Obviously, I loved the ending and where the characters ended up, and I’m so so so glad that I managed to get through the beginning so I could experience the end。 。。。more

Şevval

crying and throwing up right now。 this was pure perfection i'm dying crying and throwing up right now。 this was pure perfection i'm dying 。。。more

Drakoulis

I really need this to have a happy ending - and preferably not just the last 5-6 pages。I loved the first book but hated the ending。 I steer cleer of Adam Silvera because I despise sad endings and he seems to have sad endings everywhere。So I hope this is not the case here。Can't say I'm thrilled from the description, but here's hoping。 Do your magic Becky ! I really need this to have a happy ending - and preferably not just the last 5-6 pages。I loved the first book but hated the ending。 I steer cleer of Adam Silvera because I despise sad endings and he seems to have sad endings everywhere。So I hope this is not the case here。Can't say I'm thrilled from the description, but here's hoping。 Do your magic Becky ! 。。。more

Bryan

I was an absolute ugly crying mess when I finished this。 Go pre-order the book now!

Jenn

DNF at 30%。 This is just too。。。。manic for me。 Both boys are just all over the place and I think I'm just too old to find their obsessive inner monologue to be anything but annoying。 DNF at 30%。 This is just too。。。。manic for me。 Both boys are just all over the place and I think I'm just too old to find their obsessive inner monologue to be anything but annoying。 。。。more

Amanda Williams

Listen。 I got the arc to this book and it was one of the best moments of my life。Man。 I love this book even more than the first, and I didn’t think that was possible。 I completely predicted the ending and I am so impressed by the amount of emotion behind the characters。 Arthur is my favorite book character and it was so nice spending more time in his head。 I really think that this is Becky’s best writing— she did an amazing job with Arthur and some of the lines in this book really stood out。 Ada Listen。 I got the arc to this book and it was one of the best moments of my life。Man。 I love this book even more than the first, and I didn’t think that was possible。 I completely predicted the ending and I am so impressed by the amount of emotion behind the characters。 Arthur is my favorite book character and it was so nice spending more time in his head。 I really think that this is Becky’s best writing— she did an amazing job with Arthur and some of the lines in this book really stood out。 Adam did a wonderful job with Ben as usual, always with the emotion and angst, and I am so excited about this。 This is a good one。 I can just tell how much care they put into this。 。。。more

Annie

I was loving the first book but the ending ruined everything for me。 I hope we AND Ben and Arthur get the happy ending we all deserve。I don't want a book that shows me that some couples don’t "realistically" stay together。 I want a book that makes me happy。 Life is already realistic enough, thank you very much。 I was loving the first book but the ending ruined everything for me。 I hope we AND Ben and Arthur get the happy ending we all deserve。I don't want a book that shows me that some couples don’t "realistically" stay together。 I want a book that makes me happy。 Life is already realistic enough, thank you very much。 。。。more

Emily Dean

I read the eARC of this book and my god I loved it。 I loved so much about it。 I loved the new characters, I love my sweet babies, Arthur and Ben。 I love Dylan even though he’s obnoxious。 It made me laugh and cry。 It was so sweet。 I want more。 Give me spin offs。

Kim

I enjoyed What If It's Us and was looking forward to the sequel #HeresToUs by #BeckyAlbertalli and #AdamSilvera。 The story picks up after both Ben and Arthur are off in separate colleges, both in different relationships and not talking to each other after their breakup。 But when an internship for Arthur brings him back to New York, the two are once again put in each other's path, they have to negotiate their relationship--current and former--as older people in a different part of their life。 The I enjoyed What If It's Us and was looking forward to the sequel #HeresToUs by #BeckyAlbertalli and #AdamSilvera。 The story picks up after both Ben and Arthur are off in separate colleges, both in different relationships and not talking to each other after their breakup。 But when an internship for Arthur brings him back to New York, the two are once again put in each other's path, they have to negotiate their relationship--current and former--as older people in a different part of their life。 The same group of friends is there。 Dylan is perhaps the most annoying and aggravating character by far。 I think he's supposed to be endearing, but he's a distraction。 If I were rating this book for myself, an adult reader, I would give it three stars。 The magic of the first book just isn't there while it tries to rely on it。 It does delve into some deeper ideas of how their relationship would change and how they have changed, but some of the story points are forced and uncomfortable。 That being said, for a YA reader, it may carry a sweetness and maturity to it that would be perfect for them as they watch a relationship grow and change over time。 Either way, I think it's a likely purchase for all libraries that carried What if It's Us。 Many thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC。 。。。more

Matthew Eppard

I truly don’t understand how Becky manages to turn every single thing she touches into gold that immediately hits my list of my favorite books of all time, but she does。 She is magic。 This book is incredible。 The final chapter??? No one is ready。 Oh my freaking god。

Elizabeth

Ben and Arthur haven't really been friends in a bit。 The awkwardness of friendship post-breakup finally caught up with them as they moved on with new relationships。 With Arthur returning to NYC for the summer though it seems inevitable that the pair will have to confront lingering feelings while balancing boyfriends and almost-boyfriends。 Albertalli and Silvera are some of my favorite YA authors。 Coming back to Ben and Arthur was a lovely callback to a book that was heartwarming and full of joy Ben and Arthur haven't really been friends in a bit。 The awkwardness of friendship post-breakup finally caught up with them as they moved on with new relationships。 With Arthur returning to NYC for the summer though it seems inevitable that the pair will have to confront lingering feelings while balancing boyfriends and almost-boyfriends。 Albertalli and Silvera are some of my favorite YA authors。 Coming back to Ben and Arthur was a lovely callback to a book that was heartwarming and full of joy (I mean, anything that starts with a flashmob is joyful in my mind!)。 Though I am not certain I agree with where the story ended, I thought this sequel was equally enjoyable and will recommend it wholeheartedly。 。。。more

Arly Arellano

I just read What If It's Us and let me tell you I was ready to accept the ending when I find out there's a sequel MY GOD。 I cannot wait。 Give them the relationship they deserve。 I am BEGGING I just read What If It's Us and let me tell you I was ready to accept the ending when I find out there's a sequel MY GOD。 I cannot wait。 Give them the relationship they deserve。 I am BEGGING 。。。more

Shelf Blame

Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera have hit us right in the feels all over again, with the universe bringing Arthur and Ben back together in NYC for another summer。 Arthur has been enjoying his time at Wesleyan, and the boyfriend he has there。 Mikey is sweet and kind and everything Arthur could want in someone。 When he gets his dream job interning with an off-Broadway director, he packs his bags for NYC for the first time in two years。 Ben has been working on his book and going to class and hooki Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera have hit us right in the feels all over again, with the universe bringing Arthur and Ben back together in NYC for another summer。 Arthur has been enjoying his time at Wesleyan, and the boyfriend he has there。 Mikey is sweet and kind and everything Arthur could want in someone。 When he gets his dream job interning with an off-Broadway director, he packs his bags for NYC for the first time in two years。 Ben has been working on his book and going to class and hooking up with Mario, a guy in his writing class who’s fun to be around。 Mario may not be fully committed yet, but Ben wants to be。 When Arthur and Ben realize they’re in the same city, neither of them can help thinking about the past。 When they see each other for the first time, they can’t help thinking about the future either。Albertalli and Silvera have delivered an absolute gut-punch of a story。 If you loved What If It’s Us, you’ll have no problem falling right back into this world and these characters。 Both boys are at a pivotal point in their lives where they’re thinking about the future。 Future opportunities and careers and obviously, relationships。 They both show so much growth from the first book to now。 Arthur is still his disastrously awkward self, but I think the authors have written him here with a little more self-confidence in his path。 Ben is still working on that Wizard book, but for the first time, he’s taking it incredibly seriously, including risking everything on just putting the book out there and seeing what happens。 So, while they both have turmoil around each other and what being in the same space again means, there’s the added pressure of their adulthood staring them in the face。 It’s incredibly well done。 Even the relationships we saw in the last book (Ben and Dylan, Arthur and Ethan and Jessie) aren’t immune to the new adult problems of the world。 It’s extra stress, but it’s also an extra opportunity for Ben and Arthur to confide in each other。 I cried more than once reading this book, and by the time I’d read the last page, I was outright sobbing。 I can promise people who loved the first book, you’ll love this one, too。 It does not disappoint。 。。。more

Luu

。。。no jasné, že musel prísť sequel。 Lebo jasné, že sme museli pokaziť to, čo bolo na jednotke najlepšie ((view spoiler)[že hrdinovia neostali spolu, pretože mali 16 a prvá láska nevydrží navždy) (hide spoiler)]。Čo je na tejto knihe dobré: prečítala som ju asi na tri sedenia。 Albertalli už dávno nenapísala nič, kde sa tak málo nadáva, a Silvera znova konečne napísal niečo, čo sa dá čítať。 Takže, uhm, hej - prekvapili obaja!Čo je na tejto knihe zlé: všetko ostatné。Väčšina scén sú recyklované scény 。。。no jasné, že musel prísť sequel。 Lebo jasné, že sme museli pokaziť to, čo bolo na jednotke najlepšie ((view spoiler)[že hrdinovia neostali spolu, pretože mali 16 a prvá láska nevydrží navždy) (hide spoiler)]。Čo je na tejto knihe dobré: prečítala som ju asi na tri sedenia。 Albertalli už dávno nenapísala nič, kde sa tak málo nadáva, a Silvera znova konečne napísal niečo, čo sa dá čítať。 Takže, uhm, hej - prekvapili obaja!Čo je na tejto knihe zlé: všetko ostatné。Väčšina scén sú recyklované scény z jednotky, aby sme si pospomínali na prvý diel, ale "s nejakým twistom"。 Takže zase raz ideme do reštaurácie, ktorú si Ben nevie dovoliť, ale tentoraz Ben povie, že je to okej。 Zase raz máme scénu v daždi。 Zase raz ideme do herne, kde boli Ben a Arthur na jednom z katastrofálnych rande a zase raz je to cringe, len iným spôsobom。Ibaže - keď mali chalani 16, bol to cute cringe, také to, že aaw, prvé rande, trapasy, vieme sa s tým stotožniť。 Teraz sú po prvom roku na výške a už je to len cringe, ktorý by sa dal vyriešiť jedným dospelým rozhovorom。 Mnoho dialógov mi prišlo fakt awkward, spolu s takým tým pocitom, ako keď sa dvaja tridsať/štyridsiatnici snažia o cool tínedžerské popkultúrne referencie。 Takže dojmy sú také zmiešané。 Odporúčam naozaj len vtedy, ak si chcete prečítať fanservis knihu, kde sa dozviete, ako sa vaše obľúbené postavy popárikujú。 Pokiaľ chcete len vedieť, ako to skončí: (view spoiler)[Arthur aj Ben sa rozídu so svojimi novými partnermi a v epilógu po niekoľkých rokoch sa zoberú。 Surpriiiise! (hide spoiler)] 。。。more

Shalev Alkulumbre

The perfect sequel to the perfect story。 Thank you, universe。

Kim Purvis

I was so excited when I saw Here to Us available on NetGalley because I loved What If It's Us and that is one of my go to recs because everyone needs to read it。 I am glad that the sequel lived up to it。 And I will happily be recommending both books when someone comes to the library looking for a great romance。 I was so excited when I saw Here to Us available on NetGalley because I loved What If It's Us and that is one of my go to recs because everyone needs to read it。 I am glad that the sequel lived up to it。 And I will happily be recommending both books when someone comes to the library looking for a great romance。 。。。more

Mimi

I am。。how do you say。。。EMOTIONAL