Conform surprised me.. What starts as a familiar dystopian setup quickly becomes something deeper.. layered with emotional conflict, moral gray areas, and a twist I didn’t see coming. Emeline’s journey from obedience to self discovery is messy, raw, and compelling.

While the romance felt rushed at times, one love interest added the right amount of mystery and tension. The world is eerie and oppressive, and though some details were confusing, the emotional beats landed hard, especially one line that still sticks with me: “I was so desperate to be loved, I hadn’t bothered to look too closely.”

If you’re into fast, twisty reads with rebellion, inner turmoil, and high-stakes choices, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for he arc in exchange for an honest review!

Many thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Conform in exchange for an honest review.

After nuclear war, society is split into three groups based off of defects detected in DNA, Elites, Minors, and Majors. Emeline, a Minor, has been accepted to mate with an Elite, something she’s been trained to do her whole life. But when her Mate turns out to be a part of the Elite ruling class, and she starts having feelings for the rebellion leader of the Majors, she finds herself being pulled in opposite directions. Which side will she choose? The Elites? The Rebellions? Or will she make her own path.


Ok, ok, ok, I really thought this book was going to be cheesy. The world building is kind of a cross between A Handmaids Tale and The Hunger Games. At first there were some basic romantic dystopian cliches, but as the story gets more flushed out and more intricate I couldn’t find myself putting it down!

Really great characters with lots of twisty turns (the one at 88% of the way through the book floored me!) I am extremely eager to know what happens in the next installment.

So over all I liked this book! Really gave me Handmaid's Tale vibes at times. It was high stakes and a believable dystopian romance and I liked the love triangle aspect of the story I found myself looking forward to when we would see one of the MMC's again. I did start to doubt Hal about half way through and I did feel like it was a little obvious he was trying to get Emmeline on their side/get info and I do wish that there was a little more personality with Collin but I do see how that could be a book 2 thing. This book gave me YA vibes at first and I was happy their was a sprinkle of heat but wish their was more. More passion between MC's would have been a plus! I was also very happy with the cliffhanger and will be reading book 2!

This book was weird, chaotic, dark, and somehow still a blast to read. I’m not even sure what genre it truly falls into…sci-fi? Dystopian? Fantasy? Yes. All of the above. The world was familiar in the worst ways and unsettling in the best, and while the plot was a bit predictable at times, it still managed to feel like a fresh take on a familiar framework.

I enjoyed the writing style. Ariel Sullivan has a strong, confident voice that made the pages fly by, even when the plot felt rushed. One night the main character is receiving smuggled chocolates and clandestine gifts and on top of the world, the next night she’s emotionally spiraling and ready to defect and risk it all.

The relationship dynamics were… complicated. The romance arc felt especially abrupt and underdeveloped. The relationship moved at light speed without much emotional groundwork. Yes, there’s some spice in the book, but for me, it felt uncomfortable more than anything. When you’re not rooting for the love interest, those moments can feel more obligatory than earned.

The other love interest, on the other hand, had my full attention. Mysterious, calculating, and much more layered… he was sending chocolates, he had secrets, and he seemed to represent something bigger than himself. But by the end, even he takes a darker turn. I haven’t decided if he truly means well or if he’s just another pawn in a much larger system. Either way, his presence added a welcome layer of complexity, and I wanted MUCH more of his story.

Some aspects of the worldbuilding were a little confusing… like the main character’s job, which seemed like a performance of oversight more than actual responsibility? But even with some unanswered questions, the world felt sterile, eerie, and effectively oppressive.

There were also moments of surprising emotional resonance. One line in particular: “I was so desperate to be loved, I hadn’t bothered to look too closely”, which hit like a punch to the gut. That moment of reckoning, of emotional burnout after clinging to something that never earned her trust, elevated the whole story in my eyes. We’ve all been there, we’ve all had our blinders cruelly ripped off and have been forced to see ourselves through a lens of truth. Really felt for our girl, in those moments.

The ending was disorienting in a way that ended up making sense? Information comes quickly, but never in a clean, satisfying package. Instead, you’re left second-guessing what’s true, who to trust, and what might still be coming.

For my recommendation: If you’re in the mood for a dark, fast-paced dystopian read with emotional grit, shadowy allegiances, and a touch of romantic chaos… this one’s worth your time. It’s not a sweeping epic, but it is a sharp, thought-provoking read that doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.

Quick note of appreciation: Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy. There’s no pressure to love an ARC, but I’m genuinely glad I had the chance to read this one early.

2.5/5, rounded up.

Every character in this book is a terrible person, which I suppose is what happens when you have a completely divided society with the "Elites" and the "Defects" and women are nothing more than broodmares. Conform was an easy read, following Minor Defect Emeline as she enters a "mating contract" with Collin, a man who is part of the ruling class, even higher than the elites. Emeline's "defect" is that she has heterochromia. Oh, the horror.

Emeline is also an ignorant fool. Early on she reveals a secret told to her in confidence to her Mate™ Collin, and then is just absolutely SHOCKED when the person she heard it from is punished. I can't get too far into it without a lot of spoilers, but Emeline will trust anyone with pretty eyes.

Also a warning that this ends in a cliffhanger - you don't "find out" who the mystery person is, but it's pretty dang obvious by the end. I hope in book two Emeline grows a spine and advocates for herself.

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the opportunity to read this book.

YES YES YES

I was kicking the covers last night while finishing this and, I'm regretting reading this ARC so soon because, I need to talk about it! I learned about Conform through the Romancing The Phone substack, trying to fill the void of Silver Elite. Dystopian romance is coming our way and it's coming in HOT. I just can't get enough.

I don't want to compare too much but Conform is giving Handmaids Tale vibes in The Hunger Games' The Capitol but it's also completely it's own. Something Ariel Sullivan did so well was the pacing. She gives you a slow integration into the world, let's you get to know Emeline before strapping you in for a rollercoaster of twists, turns, and betrayals.

The characters are maddening in a good way, they all are hiding something and protecting something and you are desperate to know what. We are getting the story from Emeline's perspective and I just loved seeing her grow into her thoughts, make mistakes, and try her hardest to just figure out what is the right side. The love triangle is JUICY. There is no clear cut choice and I just loved the push and pull of both Hal and Collin. I have to say though, cringy nickname choice. Just so you are warned. The explanation behind it was gorgeous but the constant use of it was a little much.

I am obsessed with this story and cannot wait for what's next! Thank you Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC!

*Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Honestly, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the premise and the characters were really well thought out and developed and there were no characters that felt like unnecessary extras, or out of place. I also really appreciated how easy it was to read. On the other hand, this book just felt a little awkward. Part of me expected more world building or a deeper explanation into different aspects of the plot, but it was very surface level. I also struggled with the love triangle and I really don't understand the connections going on with how brief some of the interactions were. Good dystopian concept, with some romance, but just not a personal favorite.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Like creating any alternative world, it takes some time to paint the picture and create the dynamic. I appreciated how the author described the new world and identified the classes based on heredity and then color ranking. Admittedly, I could benefit from another read because I was so anxious to discover "what happens next" that some of the development is a bit blurred but I know what was intended. I always love a strong FMC and Emeline did not disappoint. I will say that where things headed (and Tabitha's rationale) at the end really threw me (including the spy - I thought it was a Starling for sure!).

I sincerely cannot wait for the rest of this Trilogy and more from this author. For book two, I hope to learn more about Emeline's birth mother, Helen, and what happened to her third birth brother (I think his name is Richard - other than the dinner and one other mention, it was only Gregory and Phillip the remainder of the book).

I like dystopian fiction. But by chapter two, I was already rolling my eyes. Everything about this screamed YA - is it supposed to be YA? It feels like the publisher was chasing the next Fourth Wing and grabbed this to fill the dystopian romance slot without making sure it brought anything new to the table. The familiar love triangle, the underdeveloped world-building, the overly dramatic inner monologue—it all felt like something I’ve read before in better books.

The premise had promise: a world rebuilt around genetic perfection, where women are sorted and assigned based on their DNA. It could have been sharp and socially resonant, but the execution was flat.

Character-wise, Emeline is hard to root for. She’s inconsistent, passive, and her development feels surface-level. She’s meant to be trapped in a system and starting to question it, but her choices don’t reflect much internal change.

There are glimmers of something more meaningful. The book touches on themes of moral ambiguity and systemic corruption.

Maybe it’s just me—I'm in my early thirties, and I find it hard to connect with main characters who don’t seem to know what they want. That kind of indecision might resonate more with a younger audience, but I was hoping for a protagonist with more agency, or at least more complexity.

SHEEESHHH...I should have held off on reading this because now I have to wait for the next book! This book was super interesting. The premise was also super unique and something I had never come across. AMAZING read! I NEED more. Ariel Sullivan had a really great idea and I am glad she wrote this. READ READ READ...but maybe wait until the next book comes out so you don't have to wait as long.

I'm afraid this one wasn't for me. It was overwritten at the sentence level, where the style and substance couldn't overcome the sameness of many well-trafficked tropes of the romantasy category, only applied to dystopian this time. I do appreciate that we're genre-blending, just not this particular execution.

Let it be known that I am not a fantasy reader these days, BUT, I really enjoyed this fantasy book!

This had the perfect formula for me with a "normal" enough world that I was able to consider it as a real potential. We had likable characters, interesting premise, lots to grow into within what is to become a trilogy. The plot moved along at a good enough pace with not a lot of down time.

In a futuristic time, we meet Emeline, a reject who is not allowed into high society. She goes about her day doing menial labor (burning famous art pieces that about killed me), eating the same foods, and not expecting much from life. Lo and behold, big things happen in her world and it is upended in what seems to be a really good way. A whole new life is introduced to her and she's getting what people of her class only dream of. BUT, a darkness lurks, and problems begin to stir, can Emeline stay true to who she is amongst this concerning and volatile time?

I picked this up as I saw that Jenna Bush Hager was working on bringing this book to the table. I'm definitely going to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the gifted e-arc of this book.

Conform by Ariel Sullivan will be a bestseller of epic proportions. It has everything a dystopian romantasy needs, great world building, political intrigue, romance, and distrust of anyone. The world is described brilliantly so that you feel as though you are living in this drab gray society along with Emeline. You feel her frustration and disappointment with her life, but you also sense her uneasiness at her future. You understand her plight to become someone more but yet feel her naiveté at trusting what the world has planned for her.
This story makes you uncomfortable. It makes you want to scream and throw the book across the room in anger. It makes you sad and it makes you feel hope. You want Emeline to overcome her circumstances but you also want her to stop being so trusting of others. You'll be fully invested in Emeline and what happens to her.
I can not wait until the next book in the series. Read this is if you like romantasy that is mildly spicy and if you like dystopia.
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of the book.

This book elicited a familiar feeling - one I'm quite fond of when reading dystopian books. I was immediately intrigued by the world our main character, Emeline, is a part of during this story set post Last War. Her class/position in this fictional world, felt eerily realistic, given the implanted chips with tracking technology utilized by the governing force, the Illum. The struggles and challenges faced in this book can be easily compared to those in our society today. I found this interesting to think through the real life implications and ways in which this novel could one day be a reality.

I was instantly rooting for Emeline to find herself and to peel back the layers to learn more about her. I felt like there is so much more depth to uncover with our main character in books to come! She finds herself in the midst of a sticky situation through her assigned Mate, Collin, a member of the Illum, and Hal, a charming young man from the lower class society of this world. It's a constant back and forth between which of them I am rooting for throughout the story.

I loved exploring the depths of the resistance and rebellion but was left with so many questions!!! I need book two ASAP!

I found the components of this book to satisfy all my needs as a reader - dystopia, romance, family, thrills, this book truly had it all.

The plot sucked me in and I kept waiting for some huge twist or revelation and while that was satisfied, it lead to more questions and a need to dive deeper into this world to better understand what happened, what is happening, and what will happen!

Overall, a great read and I'm excited to hear what others think of this world and who you were rooting for along the way!

-dystopian
-Love triangle

Very original idea but the whole mating thing kinda made me sick. I know that’s the whole point but it was a bit hard to read. I read to enjoy.
Handmaid’s tail vibes

The writing, especially the dialogue can be a bit clunky/unnatural. A lot of repetitive phrases and words.
The world building was unique but I feel like wasn’t done as well as it could have. Some information was just skated over and left me with more questions than explanations.

The romance between Emaline and Hal felt a rushed and forced. They don’t really interact that much but suddenly it’s like they have this super special bond? The nickname “moonlight” and the whole explanation that went along with it felt very forced. I feel like it would have meant more if we learned moonlight meant he thought about her all the time if we learned that later in the book and not after literally two meetings. What guy just spews all their thoughts and feelings immediately like that?
To be honest, I felt myself feeling for Collin.

Emaline really made me mad throughout the book. Her slip ups were driving me wild. I get it, she’s suppose to be this dumb, naive girl but I was fuming reading.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. Would I continue the series? Maybe.

I'll preface this by saying I love dystopian and am happy to see it coming back and gave SILVER ELITE five stars essentially for being a fun read--which it was, due to being competently executed and exactly what it's marketed as--but this book just wasn't for me, and is also... sorry, I'm too tired to go into all the specific ways it is not very good, but it is not very good. Also according to the author's note it's the first book in a NINE BOOK SERIES of three trilogies? I can't even contemplate two let alone eight more books of this. I think the publisher is describing it as just one trilogy and even that's already too much--and as usual they overpaid for it, in this case because it's the first title in Jenna Bush's new imprint--but I guess we'll find out in 2028? My thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, and I'm sure I'll like the next thing I request better (especially given that Del Rey also publishes some favorite authors like Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Naomi Novik, Katherine Arden, Pierce Brown, George R.R. Martin, etc.).

Conform continues the resurgence of dystopian romances, and I can say I like it much more than the recent release Silver Elite. This should be a massive hit when it releases.

Much like Silver Elite, Conform’s writing is accessible - at times, the language can be repetitive, which I find detrimental. I think the novel could have pushed more into the politics and used a more sophisticated vocabulary, but this book is clearly for the romance market, not lovers of hardcore dystopia, despite elements similar to those in The Handmaid’s Tale.

The FMC, Emeline, is somewhat of a blank slate, though not inherently unlikable. I’m more drawn to side characters Nora and Gregory. There are 2 MMCs, Collin and Hal, that form the points of the love triangle; however, I hope Emeline ends up with neither because both have shown themselves to be controlling and manipulative in ways that are impossible to overcome.

I’m on the edge of my seat for book 2 after the ending, and I’d love to see a new, better love interest and for Emeline to no longer be a pawn in everyone else’s game.

3 starts - This one left me feeling... meh. The premise is intriguing — a near-future society grappling with identity, control, and the cost of fitting in — but the execution just didn’t land for me. It reads like a concept that could’ve been great with a little more time in the oven.

There are glimmers of sharp commentary and interesting world-building, but they’re buried under surface-level character development and a plot that moves too fast to ever fully breathe. The pacing feels rushed, almost like the author was racing to get to the end rather than letting the story naturally unfold.

I wanted to care more, feel more, be more grabbed — but instead, I just kind of floated through it. It’s not bad by any means, just not memorable either. A decent read if you’re into speculative fiction with a strong concept, but don’t expect it to linger.

This was a great debut and I thoroughly enjoyed it! A dystopian novel set in a world of hierarchies, with the Illum ruling everyone, and women only being “vessels” to carry on the Greater Good. Forced into contracts with their “Mate”, women do everything they can to elevate their stature in life to a more comfortable existence. That is…until one woman decides to question the establishment. With a love triangle thrown in and a world in flux at the end, I am very excited to continue this trilogy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

Loved this one. Reminded me of Divergent and Bone Season.

I believe this will be the next big thing this fall. With Jenna Bush publishing it, how could it not be?

Also how do I get my hands on the next one? The ending 🤯