Here’s To Us, authored by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, is a heartwarming sequel to the novel What If It’s Us. The story presents an intriguing exploration of young love, personal growth, and the power of second chances.
Plot Summary
The story of Here’s To Us opens with Arthur and Ben, the main characters of the storyline, navigating the complexities of their lives a few years after their previous relationship. Their paths cross again as Arthur arrives in New York City for a much-anticipated internship on Broadway.
Ben, now a college student, is working on a fantasy manuscript with his writing partner, Mario. Despite having seemingly moved on, he can’t stop thinking about Arthur, who’s making a reappearance in his life just when Ben is starting to explore feelings towards Mario.
Arthur is maintaining a long-distance relationship and is fully involved in his Broadway internship. But upon observing Ben’s new romantic liaison, he can’t help but question his feelings for Ben.
The plot evolves with both Arthur and Ben trying to focus on their present and plan their futures, but they keep stumbling upon each other. This continuous meeting stirs up old memories and raises questions on whether they’re meant to be together.
Character Development
Throughout the novel, Ben goes through a lot of self-discovery. He learns about his heritage, explores his writing career, and experiences a series of complicated relationships. Ben’s growth is evident as he learns to navigate his relationships and express his feelings towards his loved ones.
On the other hand, Arthur who is ambitious and career-oriented sees a new side of himself when he is back in New York City. He faces the emotional turmoil of having a long-distance relationship and the surprise reappearance of Ben in his life, leading him to question his feelings and his relationship.
Key Themes
The novel highlights some critical themes that are central to the narrative. These include:
- Young Love: The emotional journey of Ben and Arthur’s love story, their separation, and the conversation of their second chance at love forms the heart of the novel.
- Self-Identity: The characters’ exploration of their heritage, sexual orientation, and their place in the world provide a fresh perspective on the theme of self-identity in the novel.
- Second Chances: The novel recurrently toys with the idea of second chances – whether in love or life, making it an important theme of the plot.
- Personal Growth: Both Ben and Arthur go through significant personal growth throughout the narrative. Their experiences shape them and change their perspectives on various aspects of life.
Conclusions
Here’s To Us offers a beautiful narrative that eloquently explores young love, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships. It isn’t just a love story; it’s a journey of self-discovery, exploring one’s identity, and knowing when to give life a second chance. This novel expertly captures the essence of the characters’ lives, their emotional journeys, and the tangled web of their relationships making it a captivating read.