Ok so the more I think about this one, the more I had to take off a star. While this was no doubt fun and easy to finish in nearly 1 sitting, I did find this to overall feel unfinished and half baked.

The pact premise between Salem and Evie felt flimsy at best, but I did love seeing their activities and how each of them pushed the other. The bad fork day was especially very cute and funny. Overall I loved all the scenes with Salem and Evie, their banter and relationship felt very natural, same thing for his twin Sabrina and Evie as well.

And this is where I think the overall “romance” with Salem just wasn’t needed. They worked so well as friends with so little in terms of feelings or more being present honestly that when they ultimately do get together, it felt too abrupt and at the cost of a lot of other relationships that were brewing. The second half especially felt like it took an axe to a lot of the friendships and growth Evie was having by trying so hard to make her pivot into jealousy that it felt jarring. It felt like Evie and Sabrina started to have a more superficial friendship at the cost of giving Salem and Evie more moments with Salem being the first person Evie confides in for 2 major secrets which made me wonder when, if ever, she would tell Sabrina, which contrasted sharply with the beginning with how Sabrina was Evie’s rock and who she first explains her home drama to.

There’s also a secret Evie keeps where by the end, I can’t even say the mental gymnastics given to justify keeping it were there, it’s more so a glancing statement that Evie will continue the charade and secret for very flimsy reasons. It was especially out of character yet because by the end of the book, Evie seems to come through on the other side of her home drama, yet this secret very similarly reflect that situation and Evie chooses to do nothing about it. Even as she sees another girl being set up like she was. Never mind that Evie again never confides in Sabrina…

So ultimately, while this was fun, I feel like it was at least 50-100 pages too short, trying to shoe horn in a romance at the end at the cost of significant developments in Evie’s character and Evie’s relationship with others, both of which were main drivers in the beginning — not getting a boyfriend.

This was my first Dahlia Adler book and now I totally understand the hype. I was hooked from the very first page and didn’t want to put it down.

Kayla is such a layered character. I really felt for her as she tried to navigate what she wanted, who she was, and how to move forward after everything she’s been through. Em was the perfect counterpart. Steady, grounded, and a little mysterious in the best way. Their chemistry felt so natural and the slow build made every moment between them feel earned.

I also really enjoyed the friend group and the way the school setting added just enough chaos and comfort. There were moments of humor, introspection, tension, and growth, all wrapped up in a very satisfying romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Really cute contemporary romcom where our FMC mistakenly gets placed to live in an all male dorm.

I really loved the FMC and the hijinks with the side characters in this one.

After suffering a dramatic betrayal by all of her boyfriend, sister, and best friend, Evie escapes to boarding school where she can start fresh as a new sophomore. But she doesn't anticipate her new beginning including accidentally being placed in a boy's dorm--and the rumors and gossip that come with it. Evie is determined to transform herself into the cool bad girl everyone thinks she is, and enlists her dorm mate Salem to assist.

I was very excited to read this, as I am a big Dahlia Adler fan and I also went to boarding school, so I was curious to see how it was portrayed. This book had a slow start and it took me a while to get into it, but by the time I was about halfway I was really enjoying it. It's a bit more general YA fiction than pure romance, with her growing connection to another character being much more of a subplot and later development (and perhaps that's why it took me a while to get into it). I do think it was a fun summer read, though, and ultimately happy I read it!

Thanks to Wednesday Books for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

I've read and loved some of Dahlia Adler's other books, but I just don't think this one in particular was for me. I do appreciate a good spin on the "girl in an only boy's dorm" trope however, so I give Dania props for that and making it fun as well!

I am trying to catch up with all of Dahlias backlist and I truly enjoy her writing, her quips, the stories. While I do prefer the queer stories, I did really enjoy this one too! I think I went in being unsure what to expect, and dahlia just has such a way with words and making you nostalgic for the days of old (albeit some people hated high school I still think no matter what a YA story dealing with STRONG feelings resonates with everyone). The boarding school setting, the feels, the chaos of youth. Beautifully done.

Grumpy/sunshine! I enjoyed that trope more than I thought I would. While I enjoyed this title, I didn't really like how some things were not resolved. I liked the premise of this story but it did take me a little while to get into it. Once I did, I really enjoyed the story. Dahlia Adler does it again!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. My opinions are my own.*

I absolutely loved Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler; it was witty, full of heart, and such a fun read from start to finish! Though the characters are in high school, the story definitely reads more like New Adult, with mature themes around identity, heartbreak, self-worth, and the messy, wonderful complexity of figuring out who you are.

The LGBTQ+ representation in this book was fantastic, and I especially loved how naturally it was woven into the fabric of the story without feeling tokenized or overly explained. The banter? Top-tier. The characters? So well-written and layered. Evie and Salem’s dynamic was hilarious, touching, and full of chemistry--I devoured every interaction between them.

Also, I need a spinoff. Some of the side characters totally stole the show (and it ended perfectly for their story to continue), and I would happily spend more time in this world.

If you love grumpy/sunshine dynamics, boarding school hijinks, and stories that balance humor with vulnerability, Come As You Are should be on your radar!

**I received an eARC of Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler is a young adult boarding school romance about a girl named Evie who mistakenly ends up in the boy's dorm.  It was set to be published on May 27th, 2025.  I rated it 5 stars on Goodreads:

Here is the summary from Goodreads:

Hot on the heels of a broken heart, Everett “Evie” Riley arrives at Camden Academy ready for a new beginning - one far away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, the sister who stole him, and the best friend who let it happen. But her fresh start is stopped in its tracks when she's accidentally placed in an all-boys dorm, with no choice but to stay.
When rumors and gossip about Evie's housing predicament spread like wildfire, she decides the only way to survive is to lean into her questionable new reputation... but she's definitely going to require help. Her grumpy emo dorm mate Salem Grayson isn't exactly her first choice, but he does need her help to repair his relationship with his parents every bit as much as she needs his to learn how to be cool. And so they make a pact - he'll teach her how to be bad, if she teaches him how to be good.
It's a flawless plan, except while Salem thrives academically, even romantically, and - annoyingly enough - even physically, Evie's quest feels like one dead end after another, and the girl she's becoming certainly doesn't feel remotely cool. But when Evie realizes what she wants more than anything, she'll have to contend with her thrice-broken heart and figure out how to become someone capable of chasing happiness.
Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

I actually ended up listening to this one as an audio arc, though I also had access to the eARC.  I've just had more success with audiobooks lately.  I've also been really enjoying romance books lately, so it was so much fun to read this book and get into the life of Evie as she tried to pursue her fresh start.  The narrator for the audiobook was great, and really brought Evie to life as a character.

The meet-cute premise in this one of Evie ending up accidentally in the boy's dorm and then striking up a deal with Salem to 'better herself' was such a fun concept.  I found myself giggling a bit as she attempted to navigate the crisis that came with her trying to advocate for herself because her traditionally masculine full name caused a bit of a mix up.  It was just the kind of absurd that I really enjoy.  I also really enjoy boarding school stories, so that was a really fun aspect.  

Evie was a really compelling character to me.  She was well-written and well-developed.  You knew a lot about her, and she demonstrated a lot of growth over the course of the book.  I found her character arc really relatable, and I imagine it will be even more relatable for teens.  I also enjoyed most of the side characters.  Salem and his twin sister were both really interesting characters.  I also liked the popular girls that Evie befriended.  They really made the story come alive.  I have students in my classes who very much remind me of these characters in some ways, so it's wonderful to see such realism.

On the whole, I had a fantastic time reading this book.  If you like cute young adult romances, I would highly recommend that you check this one out.

I enjoyed this boarding school romance - but felt a little disconnected from the characters. A cute quick read.

🃏eARC Book Review🃏

“I was a peach. Now I’m a bad apple.”

Come as You Are by Dahlia Adler
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5)
Spice: (0/5)

Summary:
After her sister lets her down and a tough breakup, Everett “Evie” Riley just wants a fresh start. She enrolls in a boarding school where she gets placed in the boys dorm due to a clerical error. While trying to redefine herself and get her bearings in a new environment, Evie learns who she is and who she wants to be.

Review:
I absolutely love Dahlia Adler. I really wish I had her stories growing up. Her ability to tap into a high schoolers mind and have their voice is so great. I loved Salems growth along with Evies. Every character in Dahlia’s books always becomes a better version of themselves and I love it.

If you like:
- Boarding school
- Unexpected romance
- Phish
- Found Family

QOTD: What club would you join if you were back in school?

Thank you to Net Galley and Wednesday for proving me with an eARC of this novel.

DNF @ 10%

I was really excited about this book, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me. It is marketed as YA but it didn't feel like it. Evie is a sophomore in high school, but I felt like she should've been older. The YA genre shouldn't have spice because it's marketed towards 12 to 18 year old, which is why I was confused on why Evie almost had sex with a guy. Besides that, she realizes that the guy that came on to her is actually dating someone she knows, but decides NOT TO TELL HER, even though she's been cheated on?? Unfortunately, I don't approve of this so I had to DNF this book. I also wasn't quite vibing with the main character. I have read another book by Dahlia Adler, which I enjoyed, but this one was not for me.

Thank you Dahlia Adler and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the premise of the accidentally wrong-gendered dorm arrangement and the friendships that are in this story! While I didn’t love it as much as Dahlia’s previous titles, it was still a great read!

3.5 ⭐️ Cute contemporary YA novel about a teenager named Evie trying to find herself after betrayal and heartbreak. She transfers to a boarding school for a fresh start but due to a housing mix up she ends up rooming in an all boys dorm. There she meets Salem, a quiet, emo classmate who turns out to be more thoughtful and kind than he first appears.

Their slow burn “romance” is sweet and well developed, with the classic grumpy sunshine dynamic. The book also explores deeper themes like self worth, trust, and the struggle to feel truly seen for who you are.

The book had its funny moments but also had some more serious topics as well such as drug use, sex etc. which could upset some readers as these are sophomores in high school.

Still, Evie’s journey is engaging and the story delivers a comforting message about embracing your true self even when it’s messy or complicated.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler is a standalone YA romance novel and was actually a really good book! Honestly, I went in half hearted, but it pulled me in right from the start and I read it in one sitting.

I got the teen suffering nostalgia and was rooting for Evie the whole time. I loved that it was drama from the start and just kept leveling up as the story progressed. Between backstabbing friends, horrible sister and boyfriend, and being totally mislabeled at a new school, there was so much to deal with.

I understand wanting to just get away from everything and changing things up. I liked how parts of it felt like Easy A and Mean Girls, but twisted into its own version. There is a lot of deep seeded family trauma within as well and things Evie has to work through in general. It’s a good book for teens who may be going through similar situations.

The biggest thing that was a struggle for me was her reminding herself of her problem with her sister so much. I get overthinking and everything circling back to the initial problem, but it felt like a little too much and could’ve been done slightly differently. Aside from that, this has been a really fun story and I’m really looking forward to reading more from Dahlia.

If you are ready to dive into a YA romance that’s filled with drama, a boarding school, being stuck in the wrong dorm, is a grumpy sunshine dynamic, and is lgbt friendly, then you’ve found your match! Dive in and enjoy the ride!

Some other books by Dahlia to check out are Cool for the Summer, Going Bicoastal, and Being the Scenes.

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Come As You Are from Dahlia Adler via NetGalley

"You are like goodness incarnate, Evie Riley. You are a fucking literal ball of sunshine."

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was really good. I thought it was a great fun YA book that would be great for a teenage audience. It isn't too heavy or emotional, and it provides a great fun story. Although, it does provide a great message about showing up as your true self, no matter what, and that the right people will love you as you are.

"Pretty sure the point of being in a relationship is for someone to be your last, not your first."

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Come As You Are follows teen Everett Riley as she is accidentally placed in the boys' dorm at her new school, where she enrolled to escape her past,

Dahlia Adler is an auto-buy author for me, because her books are always just an absolute delight, and Come As You Are is no exception. I had a lot of fun getting to know Evie and watching her navigate this tumultuous time. I'm also always a fan of anything that even comes close to smelling like a fake dating trope, so this book hit the mark for me in a lot of ways. The story does require a decent amount of suspension of disbelief on the reader's part -- you mean to tell me they would rather put her in a single room in the boys' dorm than shove a third bed into a room in the girls' dorm? And there were no other indicators of gender ID on her enrollment forms?? -- but once you set aside some of the sillier, more frivolous things that Definitely Wouldn't Happen In Reality, Evie's journey of self-worth is so thrilling and fulfilling.

Come As You Are 🌙🌲🏡
4⭐️
This was a cute YA read! I liked that while it was a YA setting with younger characters in boarding school, it still felt very real and tacked real-life issues. I think that in YA books it is easy for both authors and readers to gravitate towards topics and titles that are geared more towards everything being happy-go-lucky with the exception of plot points necessary to add a little zest to the story, but I always really appreciate it when a YA book can tackle more mature themes but in a way that is easy to be stomached by those who are a bit younger. Overall, I enjoyed this a lot!

2.5 stars

I don't think the themes quite went with the age of these characters, if it had been like a first year college situation or maybe even a Senior year it would be more believable situation and storylines, or maybe its just been forever since I was 15/16. I did enjoy the banter and the friendship groups and I will absolutely try another book from Dahlia!

Thank you to St. Martins Press, St. Martins Press Early Readers and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Come As You Are is a witty, heartfelt YA romance about Everett “Evie” Riley, who transfers to a new school after a messy breakup and ends up living in an all-boys dorm. Forced to team up with her grumpy dorm mate Salem, their uneasy pact slowly turns into genuine connection.

Dahlia Adler delivers sharp writing, authentic characters, and a natural slow-burn romance. Themes of self-acceptance and growth shine through, making this a relatable and engaging read for fans of contemporary YA romance.