romance · Young adult

Here’s To Us – Adam Silvera & Becky Albertalli ★★★★

Blurb: 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!

My Review; Best read in order this follows straight on from What if it’s us? Both brilliant reads. Full of romance. Friendship. Summer. All familiar characters from book one. I was back with the gang spending my summer with them all including their new partners, new summer jobs and new secrets uncovered. But… After all this time do Ben and Arthur still have feelings for one another? I love them both so much!!

Brilliantly co-written. Addictive. Easy reading. A real page turner. Highly recommend. Fabulous, happy ending for everyone. Uplifting. A well deserved four stars. Highly recommend.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US

romance · Young adult

Leah on the Off Beat- Becky Albertalli ★★★★

Blurb; When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat- but real life isn’t always so rhythmic.

The only child of a single mum, and her life is less privileged than her friends.

Her mum knows she’s bisexual, but Leah hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends.

Not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

Prom and college are on the horizon, and tensions are running high.

Can Leah still strike the right note, when the people she loves are fighting?

And how can she cope knowing that she might love one of her friends more than she ever intended?

My Review; I didn’t realise when I read this that this story was actually a follow on from book one in the Simon series. But it read fine as a Standalone for me and I will go back to book one at some point in the future. I absolutely love this author, the way she writes and the stories she tells, each story is very unique but lovely and heartwarming.

I devoured this book. I fell in love with Leah and her character. Loved every bit of her and her friends. A brilliant story. One that could help alot of the younger generation with coming out, being brave and accepting who they are. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US

chick-lit · romance · Young adult

Kate in Waiting – Becky Albertalli ★★★★

Blurb; Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not codependent. Carpooling to and from theater rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.

But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off script. Matt Olsson is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson.

Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship.

My Review; Becky is fast becoming a new favourite author for me. I just love her. Her writing style. The stories she writes. The gay side to life and stories. Everything is perfect. Just like this one… A perfect young adult, chick-lit and romance story. Set in a high-school all during a theatre performance.

Meet bestfriends Kate and Anderson. Who both end up crushing on the same guy. Yes Anderson is gay. But is this new fella they both have eyes for? Will there be a happy ending for both of them or fights? You’ll have to read it to find out. This story shows the power and love between bestfriends. Kate lands herself in a main role with the production so that will keep her busy but her partner in the play is.. you guess it. Hot guy. Tut tut.

A brilliant read. Loved it all. Had me hooked. A page turner. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars. Brilliantly written. I already cannot wait to read beckys next book. A breathe of fresh air. Something different.

Amazon Link UK

Amazon Link US