A review by booksonmars
Just as You Are by Camille Kellogg

emotional hopeful informative lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

picked this up on a whim and i really enjoyed it! i didn't realise this was a pride and prejudice retelling until about three chapters in, and the references to the source book were fun to find. although i wasn't too sold on the romance, i felt that the only reason the characters were together was because they were the elizabeth and darcy counterparts. the jane and bailey relationship was more believable if i'm being honest. the plot and characters were lovely and i could lose myself in them. having the bennett sisters as this queer found family of roommates/coworkers and the setting being a queer magazine was really ingenuitive and heartwarming, i really enjoyed liz's relationship to each of her sibling counterparts, particularly jane. there was exploration on identity and relationships (both platonic and romantic), and conversations around lesbian identity were very insightful and tender. i actually liked that liz didn't really find an answer at the end of the book, i think it depicted the realness of the character.

aside from the social media aspect (i hate social media in books) this was a thoroughly enjoyable novel and perfect for a bit of light reading.