Just as You Are is everything I never knew I wanted from a queer-Pride-and-Prejudice-inspired-romance.

Liz and her found-family live and work together at their small LGBTQ+ magazine, Nether Fields that is on the brink of closure until two rich queer women swoop in and buy the magazine. Liz immediately does not like Daria, who comes off as cold and callous. (Austen fans know where this is heading.)

While treating readers to Pride and Prejudice Easter Eggs and following the tried-and-true journey of enemies-to-lovers, Just As You Are stands on its own. The characters' relatable lives as a bunch of contemporary NYC queer individuals is incredibly engaging and fun. The diversity of the characters in regards to gender identity, expression, orientation, race, and background is intrinsically expressed. There is no need for exposition or definitions - it just is and they just are. Even their struggles are valuable, because it's amazing to see issues reflected on the page that we aren't used to seeing. Our heroine Liz, especially, spends a lot of time feeling stuck - at work, with her writing, in her relationships, and with her gender representation. Without getting into spoilers, gender representation as a motif throughout the novel is significant.

As a major Austen fan myself, as well as a queer person living in NYC, it felt like this book was written just for me. (Don't you love that feeling?) This is a book undoubtedly written by queers and for queers.

Just as You Are by Camille Kellogg is a refreshing page-turner that celebrates queer culture, found family, and falling in love against your better judgment.

The more I got into the story, the more invested I became. I love that Kellogg didn't just focus on one character but multiple characters. Each character has their own distinct personality which helps bring the story to life. I adore Liz because she feels like a real person, flawed and imperfect.

Being a person who's involved in the publishing world, I enjoyed the magazine aspect of the story because it makes for great entertainment and it's interesting to learn about the inner-workings of a queer magazine like the one in this book.

Kellogg's writing style is fun and fresh. It's a writing style that I haven't come across before until now. I like that there was a lot of dialogue as opposed to what the character may be thinking and/or feeling.

While this is a rom-com, it's clearly a character-driven story. There are romance moments that will have you gasping for air and feeling giddy. I love the LGBTQ+ representation in this so much. We need more stories like this.

I may just have to purchase the physical copy when it gets released.

This review is posted on Goodreads.

Okay so wow.
This book was so far beyond what I was expecting. While, yes the story technically provides a romance (a few actually), what it really does, and does fucking well, is offer up a commentary on queer life and what it looks like to be queer in America. I have never felt more SEEN than I have when reading Liz. Throughout the story we see her struggle with friendships, money, dating, her job, her dreams, and her gender presentation. The struggles that this MC deals with are SO REAL, and are such a reality for so many people. While yes, I did love watching Liz and Daria’s relationship unfold, the thing I loved THE MOST about this book was that it was just an absolutely real and honest AF queer story.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Random House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Just As You Are does a really good job at taking something that has been done before–Pride & Prejudice, in this case–and putting a fresh, modern spin on it to make it it’s own.

Any reader familiar with Pride & Prejudice will find themselves unsurprised by most of the “twists” in this book. This is, at its core, a Pride & Prejudice retelling, and it won’t let you forget that. Still, there’s a lot different in this book that makes it an enjoyable read. Our characters, a cast made entirely of queer people, are tasked with trying to save the struggling magazine Nether Fields. Some of the characters share the same name as their original counterparts, while others have a similar enough name that it’s easy to tell who they are based off of.

One thing I wished I could have seen more of in this book was Daria’s infatuation with Liz. Perhaps this is because I’m more familiar with the movie than I am this story in a written format, but I feel like the pining is a very big reason many fans enjoy Pride & Prejudice, and I wasn’t getting as much of that as I wanted to see throughout this story.

I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how abrupt the ending was. I had assumed I still had at least one chapter–maybe an epilogue–left to go in the story, but I turned the last page and came face to face with the acknowledgements section instead. The story felt incomplete, like there should have been more beyond this ending, and I think other readers will agree that it just feels “off”.

Still, there was a lot I liked in this book as well. In particular, I really liked how this book pulled these queer characters and their identities together, especially in the case of our main character, Liz. As a nonbinary reader, it was interesting to read a lesbian’s views on gender, androgyny, and masc vs femme presentation. Liz being unsure of how she wanted to present herself and worried she’d walk out of the house one day in a dress, only to later hate it and want to wear pants instead was something I could really understand and didn’t know I’d get out of this book.

I think fans of Pride & Prejudice would really enjoy this book and enjoy seeing their favorite characters in a new, modern way, but seeing the same twists and surprises throughout the story may make it not as exciting of a read as some may wish.

I loved this book! This isn’t just a delightful love letter to Pride & Prejudice lovers but a love letter to queer people across the spectrum. As an Austen fan, I cackled through all the Easter eggs, (there’s even a sunset trek/confession in a meadow) and I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop grinning until I got to the end. This book feels like Heartstopper for adults- an absolutely effervescent love story that feels like a giant hug, but with a lot more spice.

Just As You Are is a wonderful rom com that I was immediately drawn into! Daria seems like such a downer and as we get to know her funny, more down to earth side, I could see why Liz (who works for her) feels herself falling and liking the chemistry between the two. This story was so dang cute and I really liked the vibe of the queer working world which had me swooning for that big city queer life! This story was filled with romance, fun, and some steam.

Love reading Debut novels, then through it current topics and im sold. Liz, a twentysomething journalist writing fluff pieces at queer online magazine the Nether Fields, is a wonderfully complex protagonist with the heart of Lizzy Bennet and the unrestrained chaos of Bridget Jones. I loved her and how real she felt to me. I read a lot of queer books, but it is always such a treat to feel so seen in a novel. With JUST AS YOU ARE, Kellogg captures so many very uniquely lesbian experiences—and so many experiences that I incorrectly and naively thought were unique only to me!—in a way that feels thoughtful and nuanced. Reading about both Liz and Daria’s struggles with gender presentation; the unknowns of What Comes Next in your twentysomething future; the ups and downs of young, fraught, ferocious friendship; all the things that make up this lovely, funny, and tender novel felt so grounded and real when I compared what I was reading to my own queer life.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperbackand NetGalley of allowing me to read this ARC

I've heard so much hype about this book and although I enjoyed it I think the hype is too much. I didn't really get it. however I do recommend this book.

What a fun and wonderful book! Loved the voice. Very much looking forward to reading more of Camille's books in the future.

"Just as You Are" is a queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in modern day New York. Liz Baker, a writer at a queer magazine called Nether Fields with her friends and roommates. The novel begins with the magazine's imminent death being delayed after being bought by two lesbian investors, enthusiastic Bailey and stuck-up Daria. Despite her attraction to the latter, Liz soon makes an enemy as her skills as a writer are doubted. However, Liz will soon learn that impressions are not always what they seem in her journey of finding love and a sense of self.

I absolutely loved this! While it is obviously a retelling, the change in setting and premise keep it fresh and authentic. The tension between Liz and Daria was engaging and realistic. All of the characters were well written and I found each of them enjoyable to read - even those who turned out to be unfavourable. Overall, the character development was great and made me want to read more of these characters.

In terms of critiques; I found the ending feeling a bit rushed. This is a really fast book and it flows super easily but the ending almost snuck up on me and it could've been a bit more fleshed out. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone looking for a fun romance to enjoy.

3/5 stars! A Pride and Prejudice re-telling? Sign me up. I have complicated feelings about this story. I appreciated a queer remake of this classic, but it felt like some of the depictions of queerness had an underlying judgment to them that I wasn't fond of. I did like our Darcy character in Daria, but was less fond of Liz. Overall, it was a quick, page-turning Pride and Prejudice retelling, but not one I would read again.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Camille Kellogg created a cute and sweet Pride & Prejudice retelling that takes a dive at queer relationships. I truly enjoyed the representation throughout the novel, the characters were depicted with so much respect and depth that it brought you right into the story. I appreciate that Camille created a bond as she showcased the co-worker friendship. Definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a cute, fast read that incorporates diversity and gives us a beautiful take on a retelling.

Just as You Are is perfect!! I loved loved loved Liz and was thrilled to be along for the ride as she went through that best character development I've read in awhile. I also may be bias but reading about Liz, Jane, Lydia, and Katie, felt like I was reading about myself and my own roommates. Everything was so real for me, the only difference being the media me and friends create in and the coast we live on. I also can never get enough Pride and Prejudice retellings so I was sold from the very beginning.

Thank you soooooo much to Camille Kellogg, Dial Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of JUST AS YOU ARE!

I was able to read an advance reader copy of this. It was so lovely! I love Pride and Prejudice and loved seeing this new reimagining of it. The characters were all so great - even those that I didn't like. As I got further and further into it, it was hard to put it down. Everything I love about a good rom com! Highly recommend.

First book by Camille that I've read. I enjoyed the plot of the book and all the characters throughout the story. There was character development from the characters and showed the friendship bond created between co workers and how sometimes it's not always rainbows and butterflies. Seeing the characters go through ups and downs in their friendship was also relatable..

Thanks to Rondom House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

Liz and her roommates, Jane, Katie and Lydia work for a queer magazine. They learn that the magazine has new owners, Daria and Bailey. Bailey is sweet and encouraging, Daria is quiet and standoffish. Liz finds herself pulled to Daria even though she thinks she hates her. She realizes that she had the wrong end of the stick all along and discovers Daria is actually wonderful, just shy.

I did not know going into this book that it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling. It became obvious at some point and then I found myself strangely disappointed. I really enjoyed the discussion about queer relationships and presentation towards the beginning. Still worth the read because of the great representation!

⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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Just As You Are tells us the story of a group of queer journalists in New York City that are working for a failing magazine. Just as the magazine was about to close its doors, it got purchased by two investors, Bailey and Daria, who immediately join the team and turn their operations upside down to try to save it. Liz, the FMC, writes “fluff” pieces for the magazine - like listicles, quizzes, and sex toy reviews - and immediately butts heads with the angsty, quiet Daria. A wild ride entails of love, betrayal, and finding themselves, but can they save the magazine? Can they learn to all love themselves and find love elsewhere?
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The premise of this book is really, really good but the execution fell entirely flat. The writing is, honest to God, quite awful. It pains me to say it. Liz was the most one dimensional character I ever read, her friends were awful and emotionally abusive, Daria’s communication skills were worse than a kindergarteners and I found everyone extremely unlikeable because of how the author wrote the story. There was soooooo much telling as opposed to showing, and the dialogue was underdeveloped, weak, and exhausting to read. I ended up skimming the latter 40% of the book. I was super disappointed because I had really high hopes of a queer Pride & Prejudice retelling, but this does no justice to the premise itself.

This book was peak millennial dialogue and honestly even plot points. Overall, I'll be completely honest, I did not enjoy this book. I am a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice and all the retellings, but this adaptation felt as if they were forcing the various plot points to happen rather than them being the natural order of events. The Jane and Bingley characters getting together and as every Pride and Prejudice retelling goes, breaking up, and then getting back together again wasn't well-developed and felt rushed. I also think that as a 21 y/o this book was simply not meant for me. The characters were older and I think that the slightly older queer community might find more enjoyment from this book, but I was simply not a fan.

Liz Baker and her three roommates work at the "Nether Fields," a queer magazine in New York that’s on the verge of shutting down—until it’s bought at the last minute by two wealthy lesbians, Bailey Cox and Daria Fitzgerald (unfortunately neither are Kristen Stewart).

There are a lot of characters introduced in a short time and it took me a moment to be able to tell them apart without having to go back and reread the sentence to double check. But everyone is so well developed that it didn't take long to begin rooting for them all. I was quickly pulled in with the beautiful portrayal of everyday queer life and the spectrum of gender expression. I even found myself bawling at one point. The "Pride and Prejudice" retelling captures emotional moments, focuses on self-discovery and is an authentic experience.

The relationship between Liz and Daria is wonderfully crafted–with disdain, false assumptions, tension so thick one could cut it with a knife, stolen glances, desire and angst, so much angst. The main romance highlights how you are enough, even when you are too much. It was wonderful seeing them both grow into better versions of the themselves. I only wish the ending extended longer passed the resolution. I NEEDED MORE!!!

I will say the conflict was definitely blown out of proportion and I think everyone was too hard on our mc, considering the circumstances. Liz is definitely flawed, insecure and judgemental, but it's also what makes her so endearing. However, Lydia is trash. I have a really soft spot in my heart for Jane and wish her nothing but the best.

There is great discourse surrounding the queer struggle of not feeling butch enough while also not feeling femme enough–is the presentation of oneself still valid if neither? I think many readers will be able to connect with this question.

If you enjoy sapphic romances with a slow burn, messy office dynamics, found family, pining and enemies-to-lovers then look no further. "Just As You Are" is dedicated “to everyone whose doubted if there’s a happy ending out there for them” and it made me feel seen so I appreciate that too.

Just as You Are is the queer rom-com we deserve and need! As a journalist, I love when characters share their profession or work at a magazine so this entire story was an absolute treat for me. It was really refreshing to see two masc adjacent lesbians fall for each other when it's usually a masc-presenting and fem-presenting couple. Loved the friendship group as well and jane and bailey were adorable