Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Here's to Us

Reviews tagging Alcohol

Here's to Us, by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera

13 reviews

deadgirlwalking23's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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lchambers394's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I loved this book so much more than the first one that I can hardly believe the were written by the same people! It was funnier, more loveable, more raw and mature. I loved the misunderstandings and the mutual oblivious pining and the constant tension. The characters, both main and side, were the highlight of what if it’s us and the same can definitely be said for its sequel too! Ageing them up was an excellent choice and I loved the growth and journey that they all went on in this book. I loved that their actions had consequences and their decisions had weight and complexity.

Spoiler

The scene between Arthur and Mikey was SOOOO well done and actually addressed the harm that had been done. Ben’s acknowledgement that he had to hurt someone was equally mature and realistic, and I appreciated how honest he was with Mario.

In writing 18 instead of 16 year olds, I felt the authors tried less to sound like teenagers and this really benefitted the story. Also, it would be wrong not to mention Dylan and Samantha, who were as loveable as ever! However, it was also with the characters that I had a few issues. Jessie and Ethan showed up sporadically and I missed what their friendship with Arthur offered him as a character. The parents were conveniently missing at times and then popped up when they could further the story. Hudson and Harriet disappeared then the former was brought back with a surprise falling out which hadn’t been mentioned before. I also felt like pride was a missed opportunity that could have been more fruitful. But these issues aside, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read, providing much more substance, character development and tension than its predecessor. The epilogue, and perhaps the whole book, felt almost like reading fanfiction and I mean that as a compliment!! This book was everything a YA romcom should be!!

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anton13's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

When I started reading this book I was already scared of ending it. I loved the first one so I knew that this one could only get better. And I was right. It got so much better. To say it was an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement. I’ve cried and laughed all within seconds of each other. If you thought Dylan was odd/funny in the first book then I’m happy to inform you that he gets even better in the second one. This book has helped me through tough times and cheered me up when I felt like crap. Everyone should read it if they have the chance, it’s truly beautiful.

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ladygetslit's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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bookcrushin's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Really adored this second chance novel!

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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tahsintries's review

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Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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lavenderbluestories's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book had me crying happy tears at 1 AM the night I finished it, and let me tell you, I very rarely cry at books, so that means it must be reeeeally good. If you’ve read What If It’s Us (the first book in this brilliant duology), I’m sure you need no convincing to read this next instalment in the story of Arthur and Ben. And if you’re feeling hesitant, let me assure you that Here’s To Us goes above and beyond every expectation you might have for a sequel. It tells the fresh and equally heartfelt story of Arthur and Ben finding each other all over again while paying homage to all kinds of moments and characters from the first book. Seriously, we could not have gotten a better ending for these boys. Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, you have my whole heart!

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mattheo's review

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funny lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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jennireadz's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

4 stars

This is everything I’ve been waiting for since I read the last sentence of What If It’s Us. I loved the story between Ben and Arthur and wanted to see more, especially when they were a little more mature.

The story takes place almost 2 years after What If It’s Us, when Ben and Arthur are finishing up their first year at college. Only one state apart, the two have not seen each other since the day that they parted the summer they were 16. Arthur is in Connecticut, going to college with his boyfriend of a few months (and a few months unofficial before that), Mikey, while Ben is still in New York, taking some classes at a local college, where he met Mario, his not-quite boyfriend. Arthur gets an offer he cannot deny and he is back in NYC for the summer, away from his boyfriend, who he had planned to spend the summer with in Boston. And as always, the Universe has a way with Ben and Arthur.

The day before Arthur returns to the city, Ben stumbles upon a scene that they once shared together - the wedding of the couple they witnessed the proposal of when they first met in the post office. He goes to share it with Arthur when he finds out that he is returning to the city, and seeing each other is a potential. On the day that Arthur is settling in the city, his best friend and roommate, Jessie, runs into Ben at the bakery.

It all launches into a summer of seeing if there is still room for each other in their lives. Spread across NYC, we get to see the characters we know and love once again. A few twists and turns, but ultimately,

Spoiler

it’s a happy ending!

I personally enjoyed the book, but there definitely could’ve been quite a bit more character development. I really craved to see how much the characters changed and stayed the same over the past couple years, and while there were some developments there, it wasn’t as much as I’d like to see. It was a quick and easy read, moderate-pace, and kept me interested in the story of the two protagonists.

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