ABOUT THE BOOK
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, romantically, and–annoyingly enough– even physically, Evie’s quest feels like one dead end after another. 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 forged with people who know exactly who you are.
MY REVIEW
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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dahlia Adler is an editor by day, a freelance writer by night, and an author and anthologist at every spare moment in between. She’s the founder of LGBTQReads.com; her novels include the Kids’ Indie Next picks Cool for the Summer, Home Field Advantage, and Going Bicoastal, a Sydney Taylor Honor book; and she is the editor of the anthologies His Hideous Heart, That Way Madness Lies, At Midnight, For the Rest of Us, and co-editor of Out of Our League. Dahlia lives in New York with her family and a wall of overflowing bookcases.
Follow Dahlia on her website, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Amazon.
