In this opposites attract romance for fans of Begin Again and Better Than the Movies, a fresh start doesn't have to mean changing yourself.

I love a boarding school story. This was a new take from Dahlia Adler and I think the years of development she mentioned in the acknowledgements showed.

This book was fun. And if I was in high school would make me jealous that I wasn’t attending boarding school. I always appreciate a good story about finding yourself. And I love how young adult romances just make me feel. I love the adventure and the group of characters. It’s very whimsical as they tackle hard things. This is the first dahlia book I’ve read and while I was disappointed it was not a queer couple, I’m excited to go back and visit the remainder of her books.

As a certified banter lover, this hit the sweet spot for me – to the point where I read it entirely in one sitting. The characters were fun and charming and for the most part they were also incredibly unique, which I appreciate a lot. I must say, however, that the main character felt a bit childish at some points, though that is believable in a highschool romance and considering her inner turmoil and beyond that I don’t have any complaints. Overall a very fun and bingeable read!

Another awesome book from Dahlia Adler! I loved “Going Bicoastal” and this was even better. Salem and Evie are adorable in the same way and I loved the slow-burn of friends to lovers. It was a great plot line to have pure joy come from a terrible experience, and I loved how it all came about. The secondary characters were also great and not confusing at all, despite there being so many. Great story, great characters, can’t wait for the sequel!

There will be a sequel, right?

Loving Come As You Are just as much as Home Field Advantage, Dahlia Adler proves she writes stories that wriggle into my heart!

Yes, this is a romance, but it's honestly so much bigger than that! It's about friendship, personal growth, and realizing your own self worth - and it's so flipping relatable! Evie was so undeniably cool, already trying to forge her own path in life. Salem's parents did something so right raising him and his twin sister Sabrina! Fantastic side characters round out this cast, and I'm all for them being the youth of tomorrow!

What else?
-this book had such a fun premise and I loved the name mix up that led to some interesting dorm circumstances!
-I appreciate that title nod to Nirvana
-I was smitten over this shameless plug: "a romance between a football player and a cheerleader!"

Once again, the highest compliment: this is one I'd want my daughter to read!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the complimentary copies to read and review.

This was absolutely adorable! Every time I think maybe I’m too old and jaded for contemporary ya, a new book pulls me in. I’ve enjoyed Adele’s previous books as I always fly through them and enjoy their sense of humor but I think maybe this was my favorite. I was rooting for Evie almost immediately. Having a sister who would sleep with her own sister’s boyfriend is a huge red flag and it became so important for me that Evie enjoy her new boarding school and set off on a new, cool life for herself. Ending up in the boys dorm was a clever hook and right away I was rooting for Evie and Salem. The best relationships are ones that begin with friendship and this was SUCH a good friends to more.

Although the plot begins with Evie trying to learn to be “bad” from Salem while she helps him to be good, I felt the real joy in this book was just being with these kids as they hung out together. I loved the different relationships Evie finds herself in and this really felt like such a good coming of age. I wished we had a little more resolution with the sister but at the end of the day life is messy and sometimes not every end gets tied up nicely. What matters is that Evie is ok and happy and then so am I.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this wasn't what I had imagine upon reading the synopsis and starting the book but it ended up being a lovely YA read with some fun characters and important topics!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. This was a pretty fast read and I liked it. Evie gets put into the wrong dorm after assumptions of her being a boy (named Everett really) and the comedy of errors ensues. Seeing Evie grow into herself and her eventual relationship with Salem was very sweet and well written for them to help each other. I also appreciate someone who is also oblivious at times when it comes to social cues or what people may or may not truly think of her. 4 stars.

an adorable YA with a semi-complicated female lead and an amazing array of side characters who teeter on found family. salem was such an influential character in this book and absolutely loved his sarcastic little soul

This was a fun YA book that kept me on my toes! Bad boy gone good is a fun trope, and I would have loved this in high school. Dahlia Adler books never seem to miss, and this one isn't an exception. What a fun summer read!

Okay, y’all. I feel like Dahlia Adler is one of those authors who just doesn’t get enough recognition for writing emotionally real, genuine, and hilarious characters and character casts. I mean, I know she gets recognition. But like… every time I read one of her books, I go in expecting high entertainment and a fun story, and I get so much more. She seems to hit the perfect balance between humor and vulnerability. The friendships between characters feel as real and complex as those we encounter in real life. I love the antics between friends and the banter between characters with the potential to be more.

In Come As You Are, Evie has enrolled in boarding school to escape a horrifically toxic family situation. The only emotional hiccup for me as I read the whole book was that I wanted to grab Evie’s parents by the ears and shake them, or I wanted her to be able to do that. And the truth is, as the kid in the situation, it’s not her job to address the problem. She did fine. And the truth is that sometimes, we do not have the power to initiate a healthy confrontation within our family circles. Sometimes the healthiest thing is to find a way to create boundaries and space. That’s really what Evie did, and bravo to her for it.

I had a great time reading this book. Every book I read by Adler is my new favorite of hers, and this one is no exception. If you’re looking for a smart, funny summer romance, grab this one immediately.

Everett “Evie” Riley transferred to a boarding school to get away from her sister, her cheating ex, and a best friend who hid things from her. She is looking forward to a new life and the chance to be someone else, since maybe being a bad girl will get her what being good never did. Things start out rough when her boyish name lands her in the all-boys dorm with no space for her anywhere else. Her plan is looking likely to fail until she meets a bad boy in need of looking good, who is better to help her attain a bad girl persona than someone who knows what being bad is like?

It's a fun story with characters you can empathize with from the very beginning and grow to like more as the story reveals more facets. There is the mandatory teenage angst of feeling like you don't belong, yet as much as that's a bit part of the plot, it's mostly showing that you can find your people in unexpected places if you're willing to go out and try. I also really enjoyed the parts of the story that are all about not trusting first impressions and being willing to get to know people beyond what they initially show you. It goes both ways as to good and bad people, making it a solid message for teen readers.

Overall, it's sweet, funny, and perfectly romantic. A very enjoyable read.


Happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the read!

I really enjoyed seeing Evie discover herself. She came to this boarding school after being in some disheartening friend, family and relationship drama. Was put in the boys dorm since she has a masculine sounding name. Cause why would we ever double check preferences on the applications? Left with who I think will be lifelong friends for her and some interesting life lessons.
To no one's surprise, I love Salem. I will take a broody character any day of the week. He and his sister are a riot! The banter between Evie and Salem is so good. Their friendship feels very pure in the sense... when you're a kid and you find someone random and just point to them and go "You. You're my friend now." Salem is very much swept up in Evie's chaos. But it's so good. They're just what the other needed.
Now, Evie does make some questionable decisions. Especially considering the parallels of some of them. But I had to remind myself they're still teens. And these type of decisions come with the age.

COME AS YOU ARE follows Evie, who upon transferring to a boarding school for her sophomore year of high school, discovers her housing assignment has placed her in the all-boys dorm. She makes a pact with her upstairs neighbor, Salem, to help her develop a bad reputation, while she teaches him how to form a good one.

I’m a big fan of Dahlia Adler’s books, but this one missed the mark for me.

Admittedly, I kept forgetting this book took place in high school. The characters all sounded older and were dealing with more adult themes than you’d normally find in YA. It surprised me when Evie would mention APUSH or other AP classes, and I was reminded that this was, in fact, not taking place in college.

And while the characters had witty banter and Adler’s classic sarcastic dialogue, the characters themselves weren’t particularly likable. There was a lot of teenage angst happening, and as I’ve mentioned before, I think I’m growing out of that phase of reading because it frustrates me more than it used to.

The plot also meandered for a while in the middle of the book, and the plotline of Salem and Evie helping each other be “good” and “bad” respectively dropped in and out, which I was disappointed by because I really enjoyed that element of the story.

I also found it interesting how Evie held such a grudge against her best friend Claire for hiding the fact that Evie’s boyfriend and sister were sleeping together behind Evie’s back, but on Evie’s literal first day at Camden, she finds herself keeping a similar secret from a new friend of hers, and she never ends up revealing it to the girl throughout the entire book. It felt pretty hypocritical.

The ending also felt incredibly abrupt. I was surprised to turn the page and, instead of finding a final chapter like I’d thought, seeing the acknowledgements page. I definitely think we could’ve used more resolution around Evie and her sister and what it was that exactly happened to her sister, since we never got those answers, aside from a vague explanation.

Don’t get me wrong—there were parts of this story that were really strong, like the chemistry between Evie and Salem, the slow-burn romance, and the friendship dynamics between Evie and her new friends. I also enjoyed the boarding school setting and seeing the tasks Salem and Evie set up for each other.

Unfortunately, not my favorite book from Adler, but I do think I’ll continue to pick up whatever she publishes next, since I’ve enjoyed her previous stories so much.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<i>"You weren't mine either -- who cares? I'm pretty sure the point of being in a relationship is for someone to be your last, not your first."</i>

TL;DR: A sharply sweet comedy-of-errors that expertly avoids falling into the pitholes of cliqueish cliches. Plus Adler's narrative voice draws you in and doesn't let go.
<b>I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review</b>

Vibes: She's The Man / Twelfth Night + the subverted tropes of Sex Education

Genre: YA Boarding School Romance

Romance Meter: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 ♡

Verdict: 5 stars, hands down. Maybe it's because I'd just read a string of mediocre books with flat, one-dimensional characters, but I adored this book.

I'm a sucker for a snarky, witty, sharp-tongued heroine who can verbally hold her own against stubborn men (I'm looking at you, Elizabeth Bennet) and from the first page of this book, that's who Everett Owen Riley proves herself to be.

This was an absolutely delightful romp of a book -- and one which reminded me of both Shakespearean comedy-of-errors and the British TV show Sex Education. The former because of the way characters misconstrue and misunderstood other's actions and the latter because of the way Adler deftly avoids clique cliches. The goth kid? Really good at basketball and is friends with the jock. The seemingly douchey guy who sleeps with all the girls? A big 'ole heart and is never anything but honest with them. The prettiest girl in the school? Super nice and not exclusionary.

Definitely adding the rest of Adler's books to my summer TBR.

Where has this author been all my life? Wow, I am blown away by this beautiful coming-of-age story that captures the essence of finding friends in the most unexpected places.

I love the quirky and delightful Everett “Evie” Riley. Life has really dealt her a crappy hand when it comes to love, family, and friendships. I admire her bravery to pack up and move away to start fresh at a boarding school. Seriously, how many of us could make such a bold decision? My heart broke for the betrayals she faced back home, but I found myself cheering for her growth and the strength she shows while asserting herself in the chaotic environment of a smelly, loud boys’ dormitory. Watching her transition from the new girl to the cool chick in her dorm was hilarious, and it’s all thanks to her quirky and animated personality. Plus, her card skills? Absolutely on point! No wonder grumpy Salem Grayson finds himself drawn to her.

Salem has this mysterious vibe that intrigues and captivates. While he presents himself as a ne’er-do-well slacker, there’s so much more beneath that stoner persona. His relationship with his goth sister adds depth to his character, and it’s refreshing to see him accept Evie for who she truly is even when she comes up with some hare-brained schemes. Sure, he makes a few questionable choices that only a teenage boy might, but the way he ultimately shows concern for Evie’s well-being really sealed the deal for me.

What I loved most about this book, though, was the friendships. Evie has a knack for making friends effortlessly with her fantastic sense of humor and laid-back attitude. Salem’s sister, Sabrina, is a natural extension of his character, and their sibling dynamic is both fun and meaningful. Then there’s Isabel, one of the popular girls, who surprises everyone (including Evie) by taking her under her wing. And let’s not forget Matt, the charming player who’s always got some witty banter for Evie. Their rapport is just perfect!

My favorite moment was watching Evie mend her relationship with her friend Claire back home. It opens up a whole new chapter in her life, especially in dealing with her nasty, spoiled sister, Sierra, who truly doesn’t comprehend the harm she caused.

If you’re looking for something vibrant, funny, and heartwarming, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I can’t wait to dive into more of Ms. Adler’s stories.

Thank you to Ms. Adler for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

A fun take on how certain names can lead to tricky situations. This book reminded me of the movie She's the Man from the late 2000's and it scratched that nostalgic itch for me. I really enjoy this author and her work and this one did not disappoint. This is a great summer read for sure.

I really enjoyed this one! It was cute and fun. Evie, the main character was super relatable and loved seeing her growth and learning more about herself. The secondary characters, especially Matt and Sabrina were fantastic.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters both main and side. Salem is amazing. Love him and his grumpyness. I really enjoyed how Evie and Salem's relationship grew from strangers to friends to lovers. It was great! Perfectly done. I also really liked Salem's sister and Salem's roommate. I appreciated that his roommate was not an asshole. He had a reputation but he was actually a good guy and became a good friend to Evie. Throughout the book there were a lot of cute and funny moments and I enjoyed them all. Overall a great read.

content warning: infidelity