Just as You Are: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

Equal parts witty and steamy, this debut rom-com brings a healthy dose of queerness and a whole lot of heart to a Pride and Prejudice-inspired enemies to lovers romance. The only thing worse than hating your boss Being attracted to her. Liz Baker and her three roommates work at the Nether Fields, a queer magazine in New York that's on the verge of shutting down-until it's bought at the last minute by two wealthy lesbians. Liz knows she's lucky to still have a pay check but it's hard to feel grateful with minority investor Daria Fitzgerald slashing budgets, cancelling bagel Fridays, and password protecting the colour printer to prevent "frivolous use." When Liz overhears Daria scoffing at her listicles, she knows that it's only a matter of time before her impulsive mouth gets herself fired. But as Liz and Daria wind up having to spend more and more time together, Liz starts to see a softer side to Daria-she's funny, thoughtful, and likes the way Liz's gender presentation varies between butch and femme. Despite the evidence that Liz can't trust her, it's hard to keep hating Daria-and even harder to resist the chemistry between them. This page-turning, sexy, and delightfully funny rom-com celebrates queer culture, chosen family, and falling in love against your better judgment.

Reviews

There have been plenty of Pride and Prejudice retellings, but nothing quite like this one. . . . Kellogg gives everything a contemporary sapphic twist. . . . This thoughtful and playful reimagining celebrates the unexpected.Gay Times

Ive never read a book that so honestly and relatably explores being a queer woman in your 20s, from queer community and friendships to exploring gender presentation and so much more. . . . The part that most spoke to my soul, though, was the protagonist grappling with the value of writing and reading queer fluff novels and celebrating seeing yourself in joyful books.Susie Dumond, author of Queerly Beloved, for BookRiot

When you tell me it features a butch 4 gender-confused mess you know Im going to drop everything to read it.Yashwina Canterfor Autostraddle

Warm, witty, and wonderful!Readers will be utterly smitten by this clever, queer romance that, at its heart, is about embracing yourselfjust as you are.Alexandria Bellefleur, nationally bestselling author of Written in the Stars

Camille Kelloggs beautifully queer interpretation of a beloved classic is both familiar and fresh, brimming with heart, spice, and humor.Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesnt Care

This book is like The L Word, but better. The world Camille Kellogg has created is both lighthearted and heartfelt, filled with queer characters of every stripe. I felt like I was being told the juiciest gossip by my closest friends. Just as You Are was just what I needed.TJ Alexander, author of Chefs Kiss

Just as You Are isthe queer Pride and Prejudice retelling Ive been waiting for! This is a story about assumptions, forgiveness, and finding your own path, and a rom-com that blends my needs for sexual tension and sentimentality. Pick this book upyou will be happy you did!Alison Cochrun, author of The Charm Offensive

Very sweet, very sexy, and tender in all the right ways, Just as You Are is a juicy sapphic romp, steeped in queerness from the first word to the last.Gabrielle Korn, author of Everybody (Else) Is Perfect

Just As You Are is one of the mostgloriously queerthings I've ever read. While their romance is easy to root for,at its heart, this book is a tribute to queer friendshipsand being young in New Yorklike if The L Word had beenabout anxiety-ridden writers in Brooklyn. In other words:a delight.Anita Kelly, author of Love & Other Disasters

A sincere, funny book that successfully uses Jane Austens characters and plot as a means to explore queer identity, gender expression, and the intersection of admiration and attraction . . . will charm readers looking for a queer spin on Pride and Prejudice and relatable stories about finding ones place in the world.Library Journal (starred review)

Author Bio

Camille Kellogg is a queer writer based in New York City, where she works as an editor for children's and young adult books. She studied English and creative writing at Middlebury College and attended the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference on a fiction scholarship. She's passionate about queer stories, cute dogs, and bad puns.