Here's to Us

I compulsively read this book in less than 24 hours, but my primary emotion after finishing it was anger. Here's to Us reads like fan service for everyone who demanded that Ben and Arthur get a HEA after the bittersweet conclusion of [b:What If It's Us 36341204 What If It's Us (What If It's Us, #1) Becky Albertalli https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526557760l/36341204.SY75.jpg 57912876]. I was fine with that ending and its message that although relationships don't always last forever, they are worth having anyway. Turning Ben and Arthur's story into a fairy tale romance feels like a cop out. Two years post-breakup, Ben and Arthur find themselves in each other's orbit again In New York City. Both are dating perfectly great guys, so 90% of the book is spent with our MCs spending time together on double dates and friend hangs, while moderately (Ben) or majorly (Arthur) wondering what could have been. Then they finally get together, and fans are treated to a seriously sappy epilogue that shows them blissfully together four years later. While the first book's message was that the universe doesn't necessarily send you an eternal soul mate, this book totally erases that, swinging 180 degrees back to Arthur+Ben 4evah, they're fated to be together, etc. I mean, I get it, who doesn't need a happy ending these days? But I actually thought Ben and Arthur had stronger relationships with their new partners, Mario and Mikey (poor Mikey!). They were more mature and based on common interests, not just fate and attraction.While I'm griping, I will also say that Dylan is annoying and not funny. IRL someone would have punched his face a long time ago. And both of the female secondary characters are barely a presence except as a plot device. I'm sure I will be in the minority in my opinions, and maybe I'm just being a big fat Grinch. All I know is that the book left a bad taste in my mouth, and made me hesitant to read any more books by these authors.