Come As You Are

A journey of self-acceptance and unexpected friendships

Dahlia Adler author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Publishing:12th Jun '25

£9.99

This title is due to be published on 12th June, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Come As You Are cover

In Come As You Are, Evie navigates a new school and an unexpected living situation while learning about self-acceptance and true friendship.

In Come As You Are, we follow the journey of Everett 'Evie' Riley, who arrives at Camden Academy seeking a fresh start after a painful breakup. With a cheating ex-boyfriend, a sister who betrayed her, and a best friend who stood by as it all unfolded, Evie is determined to leave her past behind. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she finds herself placed in an all-boys dormitory, forcing her to navigate a new environment filled with rumors and gossip about her unusual living situation.

To survive her new reality, Evie decides to embrace her questionable reputation, but she soon realizes that she needs help. Enter Salem Grayson, her grumpy emo dorm mate, who is not her ideal ally. Despite their differences, they form a pact: Salem will teach Evie how to be bad, while she helps him mend his relationship with his parents. This unlikely duo embarks on a journey of self-discovery, as they challenge each other to step outside their comfort zones.

As Evie tries to find her footing, she encounters numerous obstacles that test her resilience. While Salem seems to excel in every aspect of life, Evie's path is riddled with setbacks. Ultimately, Come As You Are is a heartfelt exploration of self-acceptance and the importance of forging genuine connections with those who truly understand you. Evie's quest for happiness leads her to confront her past and redefine what it means to be herself.

Heartfelt and hopeful. In Come As You Are, Dahlia Adler deftly combines the witty dialogue of a grumpy-sunshine romance with the emotional turmoil of searching for self-acceptance. This is the royal flush of YA romances! -- Kristy Boyce, bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama
Dahlia Adler’s uplifting Come As You Are is full of snappy banter, personality-plus characters, and the chaos and complications that come with being sixteen. Plus, a giggle-inducing grumpy-sunshine romance. This fresh take on the boarding school story is a delightful way to spend the afternoon! -- K.L. Walther, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules

ISBN: 9781405980265

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 35mm

Weight: 500g

400 pages