Here's to Us
Overly long sequel is sweet, full of conversations.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Here's to Us is the second YA novel co-written by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. The sequel to What If It's Us picks up after Ben and Arthur try to settle into their new lives. Arthur starts his internship at an off-Broadway theater, Ben continues to write, take classes, and dream of a great future, and both try to move on. They each even have new romantic interests, but that still might not be enough to keep them apart. Characters often talk about sex and make sexual jokes, but actual sex is not described. There's romantic kissing, some brief nude moments (getting out of the shower), and a lengthy discussion about oral sex, and how one character is better at it than another character. No drug use, smoking, or drinking except one character drinks too much one night and vomits. Lots of strong language throughout, but limited to: "f--k," "f---ing," "s--t," "bitch," "goddamn," "damn," "ass," "dick," "sucks," and "piss."
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What's the Story?
In HERE'S TO US, Ben and Arthur have gone their seperate ways. But somehow they find themselves in the same city, again, and with no reason not be friends, they risk falling for each other all over again.
Is It Any Good?
The love story of Ben and Arthur continues in this sweet sequel, but it takes a long time to get to a quick resolution. While most of Here's to Us feels comfortably familiar and similar to its predecessor, what's new is how Ben and Arthur struggle with doubt and uncertainty as they each forge ahead to begin their adult lives. How to be professional? How to juggle work, friends, and romantic life? How to make the right decisions? What about BIG decisions? While generally a satisfying conclusion to their love story, the end does feel quick, and the epilogue only adds to the feeling. What's odd is that the story takes a long time to get where it's going, and a lot of it could have been cut. The writing continues to be light and positive, certainly not dense or thick with exposition. The drawback, however, is that sometimes readers might start feeling like they're reading a series of conversations staged over various locations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sex and "being someone's first" in young adult romance novels. How did you feel about how Here's to Us portrays sex and sexual relationships?
How did you feel about how Ben and Arthur treated Mario and Mikey respectively? Would you have handled their situations any differently? If so, how and why?
Do you like jumping back and forth between Ben and Arthur and their perspectives? How do you think this story would feel differently if narrated by one perspective?
Book Details
- Authors: Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Quill Tree Books
- Publication date: December 28, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 480
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 27, 2022
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