Dahlia Adler does not miss. I flew through this because I was having the best time. Evie is a delightful mess, Salem is secretly a sweetie pie (and while we’re at it, so is Matt), Sabrina is just an all around delight, and Isabel is just so pretty (if you ask Evie, who is certain she is straight).

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the review copy, all thoughts are my own!

Early 2000s teen romcom vibes: a ridiculous plot, cute romance, fun banter, and an excessively PDA-filled ending. Sure it's tropey, but the characters are all entertaining in their own way, and the expected happy ending is well-earned and satisfying. (We also get the rare curly haired FMC!) I got what I came for and I'm happy.

Dahlia Adler is a master at writing complex and lovable YA characters! The plot to this story is very simple, but her characters are so sweet and well-developed that you don't even mind. This was a lighter story about finding yourself in high school and realizing the importance of friendship. I loved that every relationship wasn't magically fixed by the end, but that the characters learned and grew through that struggle. I really enjoyed this simple romance and can't wait to pick up what Dahlia Adler writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I actually yelled out loud when the acknowledgments page popped up because I wasn’t ready for this book to end. It was so sweet and was an all around enjoyable read.

Everett is running away from heartbreak on three levels. From her ex boyfriend, best friend, and sister. She's convinced her parents to send her to a boarding school for a fresh start away from everyone, and is looking forward to reinventing herself. Until a name mix-up slots her in the boys dorm, and the rumors start swirling. Now convinced she needs help to set up a new reputation, she reaches out to bad boy Salem for a reciprocal reputation re-do.

*****

This was such an interesting idea in a novel but I think the author missed her opportunity to write her leads in the correct ages they're represented as. These kids are 15/16 and act like they're college aged. One character has a never-ending parade of hookups, and sent Evie on a task to grab copious amounts of condoms and lube for the boys dorm, but we're supposed to believe these are high school kids. It just didn't fit, and I struggled to see their relationships develop, and how hands-off adults are for the age groups present in the novel. It left a decent portion of the book with me picturing the students are much older than they are, and therefore struggling with their choices.

Aside from that, I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation, as well as Evie, Salem and Sabrina. The underlying message of finding yourself and investing into relationships that are right for you was a great one. I was a little surprised we didn't get a resolution to the secret Evie is carrying, as it greatly affects her over the entire novel, but maybe that comes about in future books.

The slow burn was sweet and done so well, and overall it was an okay read, but I'm not sure I'd pick up another book from this author within this age group.

*****

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is definitely YA--so know that going in. There are some things I liked (great banter, fun playlist) and it started out strong but it didn't really keep my interest and seemed a bit far-fetched as to what people/situations in real-life might actually be like. This book was "mid" as they say :) **I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I adored this book so much from the first page! It was funny, cute and actually pretty swoony for a YA! There was no unnecessary drama and it just felt so good to read. I devoured it in one day! Plus, you know I love books set at boarding schools. Give it a try!!

Come As You Are comes out next week on May 27, 2025, and you can purchase HERE!

"Great! Hold my hand."

"I'm sorry, hold your what now?"

I hold out my hand. "Take it. Obviously we're not going to let people think we're really dating, but it's good for us both if people see us as the kind of people who can get dates. We just want people talking."

"I literally do not ever want people talking. I'm perfectly happy with the entire world shutting the fuck up, always."

This was a delight! I absolutely felt for the scenario Evie found herself in, and loved seeing how she navigated each new challenge. I also wish I had friends like the side characters when I was in school, as I can only imagine it would have been a lot more fun.

This was really cute. Through a questionably believable administrative error, Everett (aka Evie) ends up in a boys' dorm at her new boarding school. She quickly makes friends with (forces her presence on?) the other new misfits in the class and decides to form a mutual reinvention pact with dormie Salem. (she makes him less grungy, he makes her less "nice girl") It's a trope, and there are plenty others scattered throughout, but I enjoyed the characters and their personalities so much that you're happy to just go with it. It was consistently humorous, and the main characters were likeable enough that you genuinely cheer their happy ending. My true rating would probably be a 3.5, but it was such fun that I'm willing to round up.

This was just such a fun read. I absolutely adored the characters in this book (except Sierra because WHO DOES THAT?) Evie was such a great FMC and I loved her journey from timid good girl to standing up for herself and what she deserves. Also, Salem was EVERYTHING. Their banter was so cute and funny. I loved seeing their friendship grow and evolve into more. ALSO (part two), Matt was an absolute delight and I would love a sequel on him or Sabrina! I love a boarding school setting so much and the atmosphere was top notch. I just had such a great time reading it and I felt like I had a smile on my face the entire time. I loved Going Bicoastal so I was so excited to read this one and it absolutely lived up to the hype in my head.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the digital reader’s copy!

*4.5 Stars*

I really liked this one. What really got me was the snark. I love a good snarky main character and this one definitely had that, it also had lot of snarky secondary characters and the love interest. So much snark. It was great, made me laugh out loud a few times and I just had a great time. I absolutely flew through it and was invested from beginning to end. I even shed a few tears. The background was interesting and felt quite original and the characters felt deep and interesting. I really like the whole boarding school of it all too and I just really liked this one. I cannot wait for the next Dahlia Adler book!

When you're the only girl in an all boys dorm trying to transform yourself into a "bad girl" by getting the help of your emo dormie while also turning him into a "good guy" things only get more complicated when you begin falling for him... and he's dating one of your friends. Evie is trying to escape her recent heartbreak after catching her sister sleeping with her boyfriend and also having her best friend abandon her for her sister. Evie is tired of being the "good girl" and wants to rebrand herself as a "bad girl" who can keep a guy. But her life is turned upside down when the new school she applies to puts her in an all boys dorm by accident. There she meets Salem, the grump "emo" boy who is a "bad boy" and when he finds out her plan he offers to help her in exchange for her helping him transform into a "good boy." Salem and and Evie begin their plans and become friends... but the unfortunate fact is that Evie is falling for him despite the fact that he's dating and sleeping with her new friend. Can she work out her feelings before she becomes her sister? When I read this book I'm going to be honest, I hated every second of it. Evie is unlikeable, and honestly just not a "girls girl". The fact that Salem is characterized as an "emo" boy but has ZERO ZERO AND I REPEAT ZERO Emo boy tendencies... like as a former emo kid, this is just kind of sad. Honestly, the fact that Evie kisses one of her other friends boyfriends (before knowing he is her bf) and then proceeds to never tell said friend, meanwhile this guy is probably going to be cheating with other girls?? YOU YOURSELF WERE JUST CHEATED ON HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL HER?? WHAT HAPPEN TO GIRL CODE??? And the way Salem was sleeping with Evie's friend to "try and get over her" despite both of them knowing he was into Evie was just gross. I can't. There is zero romance or chemistry between the main lead. The fact that the love interest's nickname for her is "Skeevey" is not cute or fun at all. Evie's entire inner monologue constantly being "nice girls finish last" "woe is me for not being as hot or as pretty as these other girls" "i need to be not like other girls", it got boring real fast. This book was just a bad time all around and honestly I don't even know who this is for. I adored the author's other books and loved that they were fun queer romances... but this book was just so far a departure from the other books that I can't fathom it.

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Y'all, if you want a cute, fun, coming of age YA romance set at a boarding school, with a FMC who is a card shark, good girl and a MMC who is kinda dark and broody but also a great basketball player, this is your book!

Evie (birth name Everett) Riley is mistakenly assigned to the boys dorm at her new boarding school. They have no other rooms for her on campus so she hangs tight in the boys dorm while trying to be more of a badass than her goodie two-shoes days. she meets Salem Grayson, who's pot-smoking, bad boy antics got him and his twin Sabrina sent to the boarding school. Evie and Salem team up to help the other improve.

This has some plot holes, but overall I really like Evie's character and Salem is so wonderful too. There are some miscommunication things, but for 15-16 year olds it tracks. I loved the characters (esp. Mm art and Sabrina), setting, the banter between Evie and Salem, and the antics. Very cute, very fun and fast read!

A fun high school story with relatable characters and a unique plotline. The sister dynamic was interesting and the friendships seemed natural.

DNF at 27%. There’s nothing wrong with this book so far, but I am not the demographic for it. So I’m not going to finish it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler is an absolute gem that had me hooked. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a boarding school, this novel beautifully captures the tumultuous journey of teenage romance, self-discovery, and the inevitable growing pains of adolescence.

The characters are richly developed, each with their quirks and complexities that make them feel incredibly real. The romance is sweet, authentic, and layered with the kind of emotional depth that resonates long after you’ve turned the last page. Adler masterfully blends humor with heartfelt moments, creating a perfect balance that keeps the story engaging and relatable.

What truly stands out is the exploration of identity—encouraging readers to embrace who they are, flaws and all. The witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments are the cherry on top, making it not just a heartfelt read but an incredibly fun one too.

Come As You Are is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about finding your place in the world, navigating the highs and lows of young love, and laughing along the way. I couldn’t recommend it more!

Thank you @WednesdayBooks for my ARC copy of Come As You Are.

Plot: Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler follows Everett “Evie” Riley, who arrives at Camden Academy ready for a new beginning after her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with her sister and her best friend let it happen. But when she arrives, she finds out that she was accidentally placed in the all-boys dorm. Rumors and gossip about Evie’s housing placement start to spread and she quickly decides that she should lean into her new reputation so makes a deal with her dormmate, Salem Grayson. He’ll teach her how to be bad and she will teach him how to be good so that he can repair his relationship with his parents.

Overall thoughts: This was a great book that featured a cast of memorable characters, was funny as it had witty banter, was full of heart, had great queer and Jewish representation and was also a great portrayal of self-acceptance. Furthermore, the relationship between Evie and Salem felt believable as it did not feel rushed and built on their friendship. However, the ending was a bit abrupt and it felt like a possible sequel was being set up at the end. 4.5/5

TRIGGER WARNINGS: toxic sibling relationship, past cheating, sexual content

Come As You Are is a classic "coming of age" teen/YA romance that follows Everett - “Evie” - as she transitions from her hometown high school to a private boarding school with the goal of starting over. Right off the bat, her housing situation causes problems when she is mistakenly placed in the male dormitory, and she is saddled with a new reputation she didn't ask for. Still devoted to "starting over", Evie tries to ignore teasing from male peers and continue to put herself out there, make new friends, and mold herself into the person she has always wanted to be.

Evie ends up making a pact with her dorm mate, Salem, who is the classic "bad boy". Evie hopes that Salem can teach her to be less of a goodie-two-shoes, while Salem hopes that Evie can help him fix his act and repair his ruined reputation after being expelled from his previous high school.

While I enjoyed the plot, the banter and relationship between Evie and Salem (and the friendship between Evie and Salem's sister, Sabrina), and the slow-burn romance, I found other aspects of the book to be hard to follow. The prospect of a private school where the students are allowed so much freedom, where Evie is allowed to remain in the all-boy's dorm, and details such as these were a bit difficult to grapple with. However, this book does a great job of highlighting the struggle of the teenage experience and the ups and downs of self-discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Dahlia Adler for providing an early digital ARC of this novel. "Come As You Are" is available for purchase beginning May 27, 2025.

This was my first time reading a book of Dahlia Adler and I was not disappointed! I was invested in the story from the very beginning. Come as You Are is a very fun YA read and I was always looking forward to what was coming next. The characters are very lovable and their relationships are relatable. Loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin Press and Spotify Audiobook for the ARC and ALC.

I picked up the ARC partly because of the cover and I absolutely loved it; although I felt it ended a bit abruptly. Most YA's I've read have been good, but not great. I loved the banter, queer rep and it was a super quick read. Would have loved more.