What do you think?
Rate this book
Come As You Are
Now in paperback!
Can we alter our dreams and stories from the past to create a better future for our children?
Zane and Skye are two misfit teens drawn together by their love of music and their loneliness, both part of Seattle’s grunge scene in the early ’90s. They dream of moving to LA together, Zane’s music career following the trajectory of Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder, and Skye drawing Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice Beach boardwalk. When a tragedy violently catapults them from best friends to lovers, their bond is forever strengthened and their relationship destroyed. Ten years later, they must come together as parents, putting aside abandoned dreams and broken promises. The question is, can they face the truth of who they are and become the parents their daughter needs them to be?
Can we alter our dreams and stories from the past to create a better future for our children?
Zane and Skye are two misfit teens drawn together by their love of music and their loneliness, both part of Seattle’s grunge scene in the early ’90s. They dream of moving to LA together, Zane’s music career following the trajectory of Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder, and Skye drawing Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice Beach boardwalk. When a tragedy violently catapults them from best friends to lovers, their bond is forever strengthened and their relationship destroyed. Ten years later, they must come together as parents, putting aside abandoned dreams and broken promises. The question is, can they face the truth of who they are and become the parents their daughter needs them to be?
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 21, 2023
About the author
Jennifer Haupt
10 books200 followersJennifer Haupt's debut novel, In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills, was awarded the Foreword Reviews Bronze Indie Award for Historical Fiction. She is also the editor of ALONE TOGETHER: Stories of Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19, which received the 2021 Washington State Book Award. Come as You Are, a contemporary family drama, will be published in March 2022.
Haupt's essays and articles have been published in O, The Oprah Magazine, Parenting, The Rumpus, Spirituality & Health, The Sun and many other publications. She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, and double-doodle Sasha Fierce.
Haupt's essays and articles have been published in O, The Oprah Magazine, Parenting, The Rumpus, Spirituality & Health, The Sun and many other publications. She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, and double-doodle Sasha Fierce.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
February 1, 2024
The Beatles Were Wrong – Love Is Not All You Need
Zane and Skye are two teenagers who are best friends, struggling with the typical teenage angst, stuck in bodies that are waiting to be fast forwarded into the future, hearts filled with big dreams. However, after experiencing a tragedy, the two end up taking comfort in each other and facing an unexpected pregnancy. Now, ten years later, Skye and Zane are facing each other again.
Come As You Are was an emotional roller coaster that had amazing character development and perfectly conveyed complex relationships, characters who were trying to chase dreams, characters who were trying to establish boundaries while still being open to love, characters who failed again and again. This book showed what “happily ever after” really looks like, and it felt real.
This book tackles an extremely important topic: Sometimes love isn’t enough. Some partners have very severe drug or gambling problems. Partner A might want to get married, have kids, have pets, and own a cute little house just outside of town while Partner B never wants to get married, never wants to have kids, hates pets, and only wants to live in a big chaotic house filled with roommates. These partners might have an incredible connection. They might see each other and connect spiritually. Their names might be etched onto each other’s souls. But the relationship is doomed to fail in the long run. It might be really fun to hang out with someone, but it is another to build a life with someone, making ends meet, compromising, putting in the day-to-day work.
There was only one thing that I would change about this book. Come As You Are was told with shifting timelines, providing glimpses of the history between the characters. However, the very beginning of the book involved the death of three major characters so it started off in a somber mood. Personally, I think it would have been better if the book had been told in chronological order.
Overall, this is the love story of 2022. Hopefully, this will be picked up for a movie.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
Zane and Skye are two teenagers who are best friends, struggling with the typical teenage angst, stuck in bodies that are waiting to be fast forwarded into the future, hearts filled with big dreams. However, after experiencing a tragedy, the two end up taking comfort in each other and facing an unexpected pregnancy. Now, ten years later, Skye and Zane are facing each other again.
Come As You Are was an emotional roller coaster that had amazing character development and perfectly conveyed complex relationships, characters who were trying to chase dreams, characters who were trying to establish boundaries while still being open to love, characters who failed again and again. This book showed what “happily ever after” really looks like, and it felt real.
This book tackles an extremely important topic: Sometimes love isn’t enough. Some partners have very severe drug or gambling problems. Partner A might want to get married, have kids, have pets, and own a cute little house just outside of town while Partner B never wants to get married, never wants to have kids, hates pets, and only wants to live in a big chaotic house filled with roommates. These partners might have an incredible connection. They might see each other and connect spiritually. Their names might be etched onto each other’s souls. But the relationship is doomed to fail in the long run. It might be really fun to hang out with someone, but it is another to build a life with someone, making ends meet, compromising, putting in the day-to-day work.
There was only one thing that I would change about this book. Come As You Are was told with shifting timelines, providing glimpses of the history between the characters. However, the very beginning of the book involved the death of three major characters so it started off in a somber mood. Personally, I think it would have been better if the book had been told in chronological order.
Overall, this is the love story of 2022. Hopefully, this will be picked up for a movie.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
March 1, 2022
“ Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old
Memoria, Memoria” - Nirvana
This story is a SLICE OF LIFE, from the 90’s Seattle grunge scene, vividly described through the beautiful prose of author, Jennifer Haupt.
In the mid eighties, four bands from Seattle had attained Global success-Nirvana , Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Grunge, an alternative rock genre fusing elements of punk rock with heavy metal was born-a sub-culture in itself.
Zane, the front man for the (fictional) band, the “BiPolars” was hoping to be the next Kurt Cobain, or Eddie Vedder. His best friend, and biggest groupie, Skye, was planning to move to Los Angeles with him so he could pursue his dreams, while she would help with album cover Art, and draw and sell Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice boardwalks.
Then tragedy struck.
Skye’s older sister, Lauren suffers a fall off a dock, and doesn’t recover. As Zane comforts Skye, the two cross the line from friends to lovers, forever altering their friendship.
Ten years later, after promises were broken and dreams forgotten, Skye, now a single Mom to Montana (Tana) is living in Albuquerque, N.M. She has a wonderful support system in her boyfriend Aaron, and his mother, Enola who treat both as family.
But another tragedy in Seattle will force Skye to confront Zane, and their history together. Can they face the truth of who they are and how they really feel about each other, and finally be the parents that their daughter needs them to be?
Sometimes you need to go back, in order to move forward.
This book is their story.
If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction, this book is for you!
Don’t worry-it doesn’t read like YA, nor does it delve deeply into the Seattle grunge scene-those are just the backdrops for this moving family drama. And, everything about it, rings true.
I wasn’t familiar with the author’s work prior to reading this, but I have every intention of reading “In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills” (published in 2018) now that I have discovered her work.
This title is AVAILABLE NOW!
I would like to thank Jennifer Haupt for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old
Memoria, Memoria” - Nirvana
This story is a SLICE OF LIFE, from the 90’s Seattle grunge scene, vividly described through the beautiful prose of author, Jennifer Haupt.
In the mid eighties, four bands from Seattle had attained Global success-Nirvana , Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Grunge, an alternative rock genre fusing elements of punk rock with heavy metal was born-a sub-culture in itself.
Zane, the front man for the (fictional) band, the “BiPolars” was hoping to be the next Kurt Cobain, or Eddie Vedder. His best friend, and biggest groupie, Skye, was planning to move to Los Angeles with him so he could pursue his dreams, while she would help with album cover Art, and draw and sell Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice boardwalks.
Then tragedy struck.
Skye’s older sister, Lauren suffers a fall off a dock, and doesn’t recover. As Zane comforts Skye, the two cross the line from friends to lovers, forever altering their friendship.
Ten years later, after promises were broken and dreams forgotten, Skye, now a single Mom to Montana (Tana) is living in Albuquerque, N.M. She has a wonderful support system in her boyfriend Aaron, and his mother, Enola who treat both as family.
But another tragedy in Seattle will force Skye to confront Zane, and their history together. Can they face the truth of who they are and how they really feel about each other, and finally be the parents that their daughter needs them to be?
Sometimes you need to go back, in order to move forward.
This book is their story.
If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction, this book is for you!
Don’t worry-it doesn’t read like YA, nor does it delve deeply into the Seattle grunge scene-those are just the backdrops for this moving family drama. And, everything about it, rings true.
I wasn’t familiar with the author’s work prior to reading this, but I have every intention of reading “In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills” (published in 2018) now that I have discovered her work.
This title is AVAILABLE NOW!
I would like to thank Jennifer Haupt for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
March 1, 2022
When you see the title Come As You Are, are you at risk of having the opening guitar riff from Nirvana’s popular tune in your head all day? For me, the answer is a resounding YES DANG IT, but even if you have no idea what I’m talking about you can still enjoy this coming-of-age novel by Jennifer Haupt.
The heart of the story is the relationship of Zane and Skye, two teenage friends stoked in ‘90s-era grunge and ambition who end up knockin’ (Doc Martens) boots one night and make a baby. Ill-equipped to handle parenthood together at such a young age, they go their separate ways. Skye finds love and stability with another man, while Zane turns to drugs and alcohol. They are forever bonded by their daughter though, and circumstances will bring them back together to confront the mistakes of their past.
For the first half of the book, time jumps to and fro between the mid-90s and 2002. We visit Seattle, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Joplin, and Provo, so it takes awhile to connect with the characters and storyline. The latter half follows a linear timeline, which is when the novel really hits its stride.
Despite the age of its characters, Come As You Are is intended as an adult novel rather than YA. I’d probably shelve it as New Adult if I was a librarian, but that shouldn’t deter older readers from picking it up when looking for a story about the complexities of relationships. Especially when hoping for one with a truly satisfying conclusion.
3.5 stars
My thanks go to author Jennifer Haupt, who graciously sent me an advance copy to review. Come As You Are is now available and can even be found on the Hoopla library app.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
The heart of the story is the relationship of Zane and Skye, two teenage friends stoked in ‘90s-era grunge and ambition who end up knockin’ (Doc Martens) boots one night and make a baby. Ill-equipped to handle parenthood together at such a young age, they go their separate ways. Skye finds love and stability with another man, while Zane turns to drugs and alcohol. They are forever bonded by their daughter though, and circumstances will bring them back together to confront the mistakes of their past.
For the first half of the book, time jumps to and fro between the mid-90s and 2002. We visit Seattle, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Joplin, and Provo, so it takes awhile to connect with the characters and storyline. The latter half follows a linear timeline, which is when the novel really hits its stride.
Despite the age of its characters, Come As You Are is intended as an adult novel rather than YA. I’d probably shelve it as New Adult if I was a librarian, but that shouldn’t deter older readers from picking it up when looking for a story about the complexities of relationships. Especially when hoping for one with a truly satisfying conclusion.
3.5 stars
My thanks go to author Jennifer Haupt, who graciously sent me an advance copy to review. Come As You Are is now available and can even be found on the Hoopla library app.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
December 8, 2022
"Come As You Are" by Jennifer Haupt is a beautifully written character-driven story!
Skye and Zane are free-spirited teens who grow-up living across the street from each other and developing a unique friendship. They connect through the music of the Seattle grunge scene.
Skye is Zane's #1 fan believing he is a talented musician and song writer. They make plans to move to Los Angeles together so Zane can pursue a music career and Skye can fulfill her dream of becoming an artist.
Then a tragic event takes the life of Skye's sister, Lauren. Zane offers solace to Skye to help her through her loss and their relationship quickly moves from friends to lovers.
Ten years later, Skye is living in Albuquerque with her daughter, Montana. She has a boyfriend who wants a future with her and Montana.
Skye feels like she's moved on with her life, so why is she still thinking about Zane? Should she insist that their daughter meet her father even though Montana says she hates Zane? Can Skye even trust Zane after everything that's happened between them in the past?
This is a character driven story told in two timelines, the past and the present, with a third person narrative. I love the author's use of this format to trickle bits and pieces of the back-story to the reader as the present timeline continues to move forward. It fits perfectly with this story's lingering sense of suspense.
These characters are fully developed, complex and the author makes it easy for the reader to get to know them and their connections within the story. The topics covered are heavy and emotional: death and loss, making poor choices and living with guilt, learning to let go through forgiveness and moving on. There is also alcoholism and drug abuse!
The author does an amazing job of vividly creating the multiple settings in this story making it easy for the reader to visualize each of them as they read. Overall this author's writing is so easy to fall into that I was literary engaged from the very first page of this book!
A beautiful story and a satisfying read that I loved! I will definitely read this author again and I highly recommend this book to those readers who love beautifully written character driven stories!
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Jennifer Haupt for a free ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Skye and Zane are free-spirited teens who grow-up living across the street from each other and developing a unique friendship. They connect through the music of the Seattle grunge scene.
Skye is Zane's #1 fan believing he is a talented musician and song writer. They make plans to move to Los Angeles together so Zane can pursue a music career and Skye can fulfill her dream of becoming an artist.
Then a tragic event takes the life of Skye's sister, Lauren. Zane offers solace to Skye to help her through her loss and their relationship quickly moves from friends to lovers.
Ten years later, Skye is living in Albuquerque with her daughter, Montana. She has a boyfriend who wants a future with her and Montana.
Skye feels like she's moved on with her life, so why is she still thinking about Zane? Should she insist that their daughter meet her father even though Montana says she hates Zane? Can Skye even trust Zane after everything that's happened between them in the past?
This is a character driven story told in two timelines, the past and the present, with a third person narrative. I love the author's use of this format to trickle bits and pieces of the back-story to the reader as the present timeline continues to move forward. It fits perfectly with this story's lingering sense of suspense.
These characters are fully developed, complex and the author makes it easy for the reader to get to know them and their connections within the story. The topics covered are heavy and emotional: death and loss, making poor choices and living with guilt, learning to let go through forgiveness and moving on. There is also alcoholism and drug abuse!
The author does an amazing job of vividly creating the multiple settings in this story making it easy for the reader to visualize each of them as they read. Overall this author's writing is so easy to fall into that I was literary engaged from the very first page of this book!
A beautiful story and a satisfying read that I loved! I will definitely read this author again and I highly recommend this book to those readers who love beautifully written character driven stories!
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Jennifer Haupt for a free ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
March 9, 2022
Skye and Zane met in the early 90s as teenagers, and quickly bonded. Their friendship was strong, and they were thick as thieves as they maneuvered through their hometown of Seattle…going to Nirvana concerts, hanging out at the dock, relieving themselves of loneliness. Zane was in a band and wanted to be a famous musician. After tragedy struck, Skye and Zane became intimate. A baby was the result.
Ten years later, Skye is raising her daughter, Montana, in New Mexico. She’s engaged to a nice man named Aaron, and tries to do right by her daughter since Zane is no longer in the picture. A death in the family puts Zane back into contact after 6 years. He says he’s changed, and he wants another chance to be an amazing father to Montana. Can Skye trust him after all of the hurt he caused? Is Zane really past his demons that were holding him back?
⚠Outlier Alert⚠
I didn’t love this one. The first half was interesting, and I loved the Seattle atmosphere. However, about halfway through, I started noticing how the shifts in timelines created confusion and annoyance…instead of intrigue. I didn’t really like any of the characters, and found the whole thing extremely corny. I wouldn’t be surprised if a film adaptation debuts on Lifetime TV soon.
Overall a mixed bag for me. Enjoyed 50% and not the other. Many other readers have loved this one, so please check out those reviews too.
2.5 stars.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now Available.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Ten years later, Skye is raising her daughter, Montana, in New Mexico. She’s engaged to a nice man named Aaron, and tries to do right by her daughter since Zane is no longer in the picture. A death in the family puts Zane back into contact after 6 years. He says he’s changed, and he wants another chance to be an amazing father to Montana. Can Skye trust him after all of the hurt he caused? Is Zane really past his demons that were holding him back?
⚠Outlier Alert⚠
I didn’t love this one. The first half was interesting, and I loved the Seattle atmosphere. However, about halfway through, I started noticing how the shifts in timelines created confusion and annoyance…instead of intrigue. I didn’t really like any of the characters, and found the whole thing extremely corny. I wouldn’t be surprised if a film adaptation debuts on Lifetime TV soon.
Overall a mixed bag for me. Enjoyed 50% and not the other. Many other readers have loved this one, so please check out those reviews too.
2.5 stars.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now Available.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
March 20, 2022
In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills is on my shortlist of very favorite books. Jennifer Haupt is a fine writer, and my favorite part of her books: the characters with huge hearts.
Come As You Are begins in Seattle in the 1990s- what a place to be during that time. I’m loving seeing more books set during the 90s. This one has other timelines, as well, and the storylines shift and come together.
It’s the story of Skye and Zane, two teens who bond over the music of the time (what music! 😍). They have big dreams of moving to LA together; Zane in a band and Skye as an artist. A tragedy changes their dynamic from friends to lovers, and at the same time, their bond is destroyed. A decade later, they are reunited, but they are no longer the same people they were as teens.
Haupt’s writing is vivid and jumps on the page, especially as she creates the settings; just as Rwanda was captured in 10,000 Hills. I fell into the story and its readable prose. Secrets, drama, addiction, second chances, music, coming-of-age, healing, forgiveness, mother/daughter relationships, and hope; this one has it all. The book requires patience for all the storylines to converge. The ending brought it all together in the best way for me. Another huggable book by Jennifer Haupt.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Come As You Are begins in Seattle in the 1990s- what a place to be during that time. I’m loving seeing more books set during the 90s. This one has other timelines, as well, and the storylines shift and come together.
It’s the story of Skye and Zane, two teens who bond over the music of the time (what music! 😍). They have big dreams of moving to LA together; Zane in a band and Skye as an artist. A tragedy changes their dynamic from friends to lovers, and at the same time, their bond is destroyed. A decade later, they are reunited, but they are no longer the same people they were as teens.
Haupt’s writing is vivid and jumps on the page, especially as she creates the settings; just as Rwanda was captured in 10,000 Hills. I fell into the story and its readable prose. Secrets, drama, addiction, second chances, music, coming-of-age, healing, forgiveness, mother/daughter relationships, and hope; this one has it all. The book requires patience for all the storylines to converge. The ending brought it all together in the best way for me. Another huggable book by Jennifer Haupt.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 1, 2022
4.25 Nirvana stars
*now available
Framed in the Seattle grunge music scene in the 1990s, this powerful coming-of-age story is full of young love, secrets, addiction, and lost chances.
Two teens, Skye and Zane, start out as friends and have big plans to move to California to pursue Zane’s musical dreams and Skye’s artistic dreams. A tragic life event derails their plans. Their friendship develops into something more, but the relationship seems to be doomed. A teen pregnancy drives a splinter into Skye and her father’s relationship and eventually Skye ends up as a single parent in Albuquerque and finds love with another man.
Years later, another tragedy brings Skye back to Seattle, and she realizes she must confront her past with Zane and determine what role he can play in her life and their daughter’s life. Is Skye’s rightful place with Zane or with Aaron back in Albuquerque?
I loved this author’s first book, and she returns here with the same strong writing and characters. Jennifer Haupt realistically writes about alcoholism and addiction and the challenges it presents in relationships. There are alternating storylines, so it takes the full book to get the complete story. I did like the ending for this one, I think it was very realistic!
Thank you to author Jennifer Haupt and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this one.
*now available
Framed in the Seattle grunge music scene in the 1990s, this powerful coming-of-age story is full of young love, secrets, addiction, and lost chances.
Two teens, Skye and Zane, start out as friends and have big plans to move to California to pursue Zane’s musical dreams and Skye’s artistic dreams. A tragic life event derails their plans. Their friendship develops into something more, but the relationship seems to be doomed. A teen pregnancy drives a splinter into Skye and her father’s relationship and eventually Skye ends up as a single parent in Albuquerque and finds love with another man.
Years later, another tragedy brings Skye back to Seattle, and she realizes she must confront her past with Zane and determine what role he can play in her life and their daughter’s life. Is Skye’s rightful place with Zane or with Aaron back in Albuquerque?
I loved this author’s first book, and she returns here with the same strong writing and characters. Jennifer Haupt realistically writes about alcoholism and addiction and the challenges it presents in relationships. There are alternating storylines, so it takes the full book to get the complete story. I did like the ending for this one, I think it was very realistic!
Thank you to author Jennifer Haupt and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this one.
April 7, 2022
Jennifer Haupt blew me away with In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills and although this one didn't quite have the impact on me that that book did, Come As You Are: A Novel still leaves a strong impression.
Life - how it gets in the way, changes things, affects things and brings about change. Seattle is known as the birthplace of Grunge (or Seattle Sound as it has been called) and it is where Zane and Skye grew up, became friends then when tragedy strikes Skye's sister, they become lovers.
Told in two timelines we see them as they are friends with a common love of music, and eventually finding solace after loss. Then we see them ten years later when Skye is a single mother raising her daughter, Montana.
Another tragedy will bring them back together...
Jennifer Haupt is such a talented and gifted writer. She creates characters that are fully realized and flawed. I am instantly transported to their world and into their lives. This took a little bit of time for me to be fully engaged but once I was, she captured my attention and never lost it.
This is a character driven book that focuses on relationships, love, addiction, music, starting over and friendship.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Life - how it gets in the way, changes things, affects things and brings about change. Seattle is known as the birthplace of Grunge (or Seattle Sound as it has been called) and it is where Zane and Skye grew up, became friends then when tragedy strikes Skye's sister, they become lovers.
Told in two timelines we see them as they are friends with a common love of music, and eventually finding solace after loss. Then we see them ten years later when Skye is a single mother raising her daughter, Montana.
Another tragedy will bring them back together...
Jennifer Haupt is such a talented and gifted writer. She creates characters that are fully realized and flawed. I am instantly transported to their world and into their lives. This took a little bit of time for me to be fully engaged but once I was, she captured my attention and never lost it.
This is a character driven book that focuses on relationships, love, addiction, music, starting over and friendship.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 15, 2022
‘Come as you are, as you were’ …. etc is now playing in my head, luckily I love this Nirvana song! In Albuquerque, New Mexico, in October 2002 Skye finds a message on her answer machine from Zane O’Rouke after six years of silence, following his abandoning of her and the three year old daughter Montana. Skye is now engaged to Aaron, who treats Tana as his daughter. Shortly after getting the message Skye receives news that her father has died but so many serious things make it impossible for her to return home to Seattle for the funeral. The novel then backtracks to 1987 to Skye and Zane meeting age 12 and 14 respectively, they start hanging out together and make a pact to be best buds. We learn how their relationship develops and of the tragedies that haunt them both. Can Skye and Zane confront their issues and find peace for the sake of their daughter?
This is a very well written character driven novel with several elements to it. First of all, it must be evident from highly appropriate title that music is important. A major part of the storytelling is the teen scene in Seattle where the pair grow up, with bands particularly Nirvana and Alice In Chains with the belief that music is religion, the excitement of the mosh pits and also the accompanying drug scene. Both the characters love the music but it has the biggest influence is on Zane with art especially in LA being an influence on Skye. The Seattle setting is evocative of an era but equally atmospheric is the New Mexico setting and as Aaron is Native American that also adds something special to the plot line. This is highly appropriate too as native beliefs are all about harmony and this is a novel about finding harmony in difficult circumstances and with challenging dynamics. There is tragedy colouring in the background and the necessity to bring secrets into the open and search to find that truth and peace.
Secondly, the dynamics are fascinating between all the key characters with the glue between them being Montana. Most characters are very likeable, some are flawed, but they all feel authentic.
The nonlinear timelines take a bit of getting used to, it feels choppy to start with but then you appreciate the necessity of telling the story in this way. It builds well to a realistic ending.
Overall, this is a very well worth while read. It is reminiscent of youth, of yearning, of longing, of love and coming to terms with loss and grief. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Central Avenue Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is a very well written character driven novel with several elements to it. First of all, it must be evident from highly appropriate title that music is important. A major part of the storytelling is the teen scene in Seattle where the pair grow up, with bands particularly Nirvana and Alice In Chains with the belief that music is religion, the excitement of the mosh pits and also the accompanying drug scene. Both the characters love the music but it has the biggest influence is on Zane with art especially in LA being an influence on Skye. The Seattle setting is evocative of an era but equally atmospheric is the New Mexico setting and as Aaron is Native American that also adds something special to the plot line. This is highly appropriate too as native beliefs are all about harmony and this is a novel about finding harmony in difficult circumstances and with challenging dynamics. There is tragedy colouring in the background and the necessity to bring secrets into the open and search to find that truth and peace.
Secondly, the dynamics are fascinating between all the key characters with the glue between them being Montana. Most characters are very likeable, some are flawed, but they all feel authentic.
The nonlinear timelines take a bit of getting used to, it feels choppy to start with but then you appreciate the necessity of telling the story in this way. It builds well to a realistic ending.
Overall, this is a very well worth while read. It is reminiscent of youth, of yearning, of longing, of love and coming to terms with loss and grief. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Central Avenue Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 1, 2022
3.75 Stars
‘Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive’
– Sir Walter Scott
Set in Seattle in the 90’s as this begins, this brought back memories of flannel shirts and combat boots, teens sharing their angst through their attire like ‘strategically ripped fishnets’ and the music they listened to - Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, to name a few. A far cry from the 50’s mid-calf poodle skirts with white anklets and shirts with peter pan collars for girls, and boys who dressed like younger versions of their fathers, and Elvis - who was once thought to be obscene by parents and swoon-worthy to teen girls. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
This story revolves around Skye and Zane who meet when she is twelve, and he is fourteen. These two lonely souls bond over a love of music, and a shared dream of one day living in Los Angeles. Zane wants to be there for the music, and Skye wants to be an artist. Theirs is a somewhat convoluted take on the standard ‘boy meets girl’ story, both displaying a social uneasiness around others, both are social misfits, but find comfort with each other. Skye’s older sister is against their relationship, and when an accident happens, it changes everything, it changes everyone. Friends become lovers, and a pregnancy follows.
This is a love story, a story of young love, of a mother’s love for her child, of love lost and found. A story of life and the complications that come with living, secrets withheld, and a mother who struggles with making the right decision for them all.
A story of love, hope and forgiveness.
Published: 01 Mar 2022
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Central Avenue Publishing
#ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley
‘Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive’
– Sir Walter Scott
Set in Seattle in the 90’s as this begins, this brought back memories of flannel shirts and combat boots, teens sharing their angst through their attire like ‘strategically ripped fishnets’ and the music they listened to - Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, to name a few. A far cry from the 50’s mid-calf poodle skirts with white anklets and shirts with peter pan collars for girls, and boys who dressed like younger versions of their fathers, and Elvis - who was once thought to be obscene by parents and swoon-worthy to teen girls. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
This story revolves around Skye and Zane who meet when she is twelve, and he is fourteen. These two lonely souls bond over a love of music, and a shared dream of one day living in Los Angeles. Zane wants to be there for the music, and Skye wants to be an artist. Theirs is a somewhat convoluted take on the standard ‘boy meets girl’ story, both displaying a social uneasiness around others, both are social misfits, but find comfort with each other. Skye’s older sister is against their relationship, and when an accident happens, it changes everything, it changes everyone. Friends become lovers, and a pregnancy follows.
This is a love story, a story of young love, of a mother’s love for her child, of love lost and found. A story of life and the complications that come with living, secrets withheld, and a mother who struggles with making the right decision for them all.
A story of love, hope and forgiveness.
Published: 01 Mar 2022
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Central Avenue Publishing
#ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley
February 7, 2022
My hopes were high for this book, as I thought it would be a nostalgic trip back to the 90's, being a student and discovering grunge - yep, I'm from that generation. Alas, apart from the nice nostalgic vibe, there was very little that could draw me in.
First the good: the writing style is beautiful and Jennifer Haupt can craft a story, that is for sure. The settings were vivid and I was really in the scenes, whether on a underground club in Seattle, or on the beach of Belize, so kudos for that. The only problem that appeared now and then was that there was some spatial discrepancies where characters seem to jump from one place to another in the same sentence.
However, the characters were terrible. I don't mind a good villain in a story, but here all characters but one are just complete wrecks, making all the terrible and bad decisions one can make. There is Skye who thinks the best thing she can do when discovering she is pregnant is to run away from home and her support system. Then Zane, who impregnates every girl he meets and then thinks the best way to treat his migraines is to take heroin. Skyes mother who is the worst meddler I have ever encountered, real life or in books, unless it is for the benefit of her own daughter, then she stays silent and chooses the comfortable side of her husband. Again, nothing wrong with flawed characters, but when every one of them is dragging a child in its destructive wake, I really couldn't feel a thing for them except wishing they would just for once keep the interest of their child at heart instead of continuing making selfish choices. When a the end, everything turns out for the best, it felt more like a fairytale than a credible story. The only character that made sense - and had any sense - was Aaron, who of course gets hurt the most.
I know I'm in the minority here, and this book might just be perfect for you, so I really encourage you to read the raving reviews.
A sincere thanks to Central Avenue Publishing, the author and NetGalley for and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
First the good: the writing style is beautiful and Jennifer Haupt can craft a story, that is for sure. The settings were vivid and I was really in the scenes, whether on a underground club in Seattle, or on the beach of Belize, so kudos for that. The only problem that appeared now and then was that there was some spatial discrepancies where characters seem to jump from one place to another in the same sentence.
However, the characters were terrible. I don't mind a good villain in a story, but here all characters but one are just complete wrecks, making all the terrible and bad decisions one can make. There is Skye who thinks the best thing she can do when discovering she is pregnant is to run away from home and her support system. Then Zane, who impregnates every girl he meets and then thinks the best way to treat his migraines is to take heroin. Skyes mother who is the worst meddler I have ever encountered, real life or in books, unless it is for the benefit of her own daughter, then she stays silent and chooses the comfortable side of her husband. Again, nothing wrong with flawed characters, but when every one of them is dragging a child in its destructive wake, I really couldn't feel a thing for them except wishing they would just for once keep the interest of their child at heart instead of continuing making selfish choices. When a the end, everything turns out for the best, it felt more like a fairytale than a credible story. The only character that made sense - and had any sense - was Aaron, who of course gets hurt the most.
I know I'm in the minority here, and this book might just be perfect for you, so I really encourage you to read the raving reviews.
A sincere thanks to Central Avenue Publishing, the author and NetGalley for and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2022
"Music is religion. They don't need God; they are young. Fucking demigods. Free."
💫💫 Synopsis :
Set against a backdrop of Seattle in the early '90s, "Come as you are" is a compelling family drama and love story that explores the question: Can we alter our dreams and stories from the past to create a better future for our children?
Zane and Skye are two misfit teens drawn together by their love of music and their loneliness, both part of Seattle’s grunge scene in the early ‘90s. They dream of moving to L.A. But again we all dream as teens. How many of us can actually live them?
When a tragedy violently catapults them from best friends to lovers, their bond is forever strengthened and their relationship destroyed. Ten years later, they must come together as parents, putting aside abandoned dreams and broken promises. Now they have to overcome their
💫💫 My Review :
Written in two different time line, "Come as You Are" covers the span of about fifteen years. The narrative alternates between the early nineties and the present time in 2002. Skye and Zane narrates the story.
I found the writing style 'okay'. It isn't great. It isn't bad either. The writing lacks a steady flow. It's description heavy. It seemed like the author is telling you what has happened instead of showing you. I don't like that kind of writing style. I like to be present there with the characters when something important happens. I think the book could also use more dialogues and interactions between the characters.
The shifts in the timelines and narrators are haughty and confusing. It degraded the standard of the story. There are also some flashback which added an unnecessary layer to the story. However, I personally didn't face too much problem with the writing except at the very beginning. The first couple of chapters will confuse anyone but later on it gets easier to adjust with the sudden alternations.
I liked the characterization. There are two main characters and a few side characters. All of them are well crafted and realistic. I won't say they are easy to connect with because I had difficulties to do that. But they are very relatable and realistic. All of the characters make bad decisions at times. When you'll read about them, you are bound to think " Wouldn't I do the exact same thing if I was in their shoes? " The characters are not lovable and a little frustrating. In my opinion it made the story even more interesting.
Skye and Zane were neighbours. They were very young when they meet for the first time. Both were loners. Their loneliness and live for music brought them together despite their two years of age gap. I loved their frienship. It was pure and wonderful. Though their friendship becomes a bit problematic at times, I found it very realistic. The romance is not the focus of the story. Infact, I doubt that it can be called a romance. The author portrayed the romance as merely a small part of their lives, which I really appreciate.
Jennifer Haupt has painted an accurate picture of the 90's Seattle. She brings that time back to life through her writing. The mentions of 90's music and culture are real and correct. There are mentions of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the Screaming Trees back before they were known. I believe the 90's kids and teens will enjoy this book immensely. It would be an amazing tour to the memory lane. I'm not a 90's kid, I was born in the 2000'. So, the re-capture of that glorious time didn't mean much to me. Still, I enjoyed it.
The ending is the best part of the book. It ends in a very realistic way. I really wanted the book to end in a specific way and I'm extremely glad that Haupt didn't disappoint. Many poeple may get angry at the ending. But I thought it was perfect.
"Come As You Are" is a beautiful novel. It's intense, gritty and very dark at parts. It fits perfectly to the grudge period of the nineties. The story is raw and emotional. It wasn't anything unique or complex but still very thought provoking and education. The book has its drawback but overall I really enjoyed it. It was an easy and quick read. I had a pleasant time. Would recommend.
☆ Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
Dear Readers, I am thrilled that Come As You Are is finally being published, after 11 years in-the-making. At it's heart, this is the story of two misfit teens who bond over their love of music. A violent tragedy pushes them over the line between friendship and something more, bonding them and, ultimately, tearing them apart. Six years later after parting on less-than-amiable terms, Skye and Zane must come together for the sake of their daughter. They both must grow up, face their fears, and give up certain dreams that will never come true to become the parents their daughter needs. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll stop here. I hope you love reading CAYA as much as I have loved writing it. Please drop me a note and let me know what you think!
Warmly
Jen
Warmly
Jen
March 7, 2022
Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy by Nirvana
An ode to Kurt Cobain about two misfits drawn together by their loneliness and love for music in the early nineties. The grunge scene in Seattle. A dual timeline.
I love it when I have no expectations, and a book surprises me in such a good way. The premise sounded interesting, and from the moment I started reading, Jennifer Haupt drew me in with her beautiful writing.
When Skye and Zane meet, at twelve and fourteen, they become best friends despite their two years age difference. They’re both loners and have a shared dream: going to Los Angeles after graduation, Zane for the music scene, Skye to draw. But when an accident turns their world upside down, they hook up, and Skye gets pregnant. Fast forward ten years. Skye is raising their daughter on her own and is engaged to Aaron, a Native American. Zane is out of the picture. But then Skye’s dad dies.
Come as You Are is written in a dual timeline, in the first part alternating between Skye’s and Zane’s teen years in the early nineties and the present time in 2002. It’s not your standard tearjerker family novel. The story is raw and gritty and dark at times, so fitting to the grunge scene in the nineties. Even though there are two timelines, Jennifer Haupt also uses flashbacks. It could feel confusing, and it did at first, but at the same time, those flashbacks gave the story an extra layer and even more darkness. The music references were spot on, especially for fans of Nirvana. There were other references too, like the one about a Johnny Depp wannabe, referring to the first years of 21 Jump Street. If you don’t know Johnny Depp from that time, just google!
I’m so glad I got to read this story and highly recommend it to everyone who loved the nineties, Nirvana, or just loves to read a raw and dark story about love, growing up, and parenting imbued with hope. Be aware of drug use and self-destructive behavior, though, especially in the first part.
I received an ARC from Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy by Nirvana
An ode to Kurt Cobain about two misfits drawn together by their loneliness and love for music in the early nineties. The grunge scene in Seattle. A dual timeline.
I love it when I have no expectations, and a book surprises me in such a good way. The premise sounded interesting, and from the moment I started reading, Jennifer Haupt drew me in with her beautiful writing.
When Skye and Zane meet, at twelve and fourteen, they become best friends despite their two years age difference. They’re both loners and have a shared dream: going to Los Angeles after graduation, Zane for the music scene, Skye to draw. But when an accident turns their world upside down, they hook up, and Skye gets pregnant. Fast forward ten years. Skye is raising their daughter on her own and is engaged to Aaron, a Native American. Zane is out of the picture. But then Skye’s dad dies.
Come as You Are is written in a dual timeline, in the first part alternating between Skye’s and Zane’s teen years in the early nineties and the present time in 2002. It’s not your standard tearjerker family novel. The story is raw and gritty and dark at times, so fitting to the grunge scene in the nineties. Even though there are two timelines, Jennifer Haupt also uses flashbacks. It could feel confusing, and it did at first, but at the same time, those flashbacks gave the story an extra layer and even more darkness. The music references were spot on, especially for fans of Nirvana. There were other references too, like the one about a Johnny Depp wannabe, referring to the first years of 21 Jump Street. If you don’t know Johnny Depp from that time, just google!
I’m so glad I got to read this story and highly recommend it to everyone who loved the nineties, Nirvana, or just loves to read a raw and dark story about love, growing up, and parenting imbued with hope. Be aware of drug use and self-destructive behavior, though, especially in the first part.
I received an ARC from Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
I'm sure it's no coincidence the title of Jennifer Haupt's latest novel Come As You Are brings to mind the Nirvana song of the same title. There are many parallels between the two works - the song was incredibly successful largely because it was so catchy and I found the novel to be one of those where once started I didn't want to put it down. The lyrics of the song have been said to allude to drug use and the book contains drug and addiction themes. But others have said the song was about "acceptance and misfits, that it was an ode to accepting someone for who they are" and it is this interpretation that most closely aligns to the book. Perhaps though the link to Nirvana was simply a way to set the scene for Seattle 1992, the music scene that was central to the lives of our young characters Zane and Skye. Whatever the authors intent, I loved this book and felt the title was apt.
As the book opens it's 1992 and Skye a seventeen year old girl has fled her Seattle home and readers quickly get the sense she's been through some recent trauma. She's grieving the death of her sister and we learn she's pregnant and hoping her best friend Zane will persuade her not to leave.
I especially enjoyed the way the author brought her characters to life. As readers we feel the friendship developing between Skye and Zane from 1987 when she was twelve and something of a loner. We know their history and understand the ways they were good for each other. As the story alternates we fast forward to 2002 and readers now feel the love between Skye, Aaron her fiance, and Montana her 9 year old daughter. He may not be Montana's Dad but he's the only father figure she's known for the past six years. I was so thrilled Skye had such a loyal and loving partner who adored her and her daughter.
As the story progressed and Zane made a reappearance into their lives in 2002 I felt torn on behalf of Skye. Both men had a stronghold on her heart and she on theirs so I just didn't want any of them hurt. We learn the ways Zane had failed Skye and Montana, the hurt she still hung onto and the regrets he harbored. But readers can't help notice the spark between them and wonder what might be best for each of them. Which man will br thevright choice for Skye.
In introducing the characters I've made this sound like something of a romance novel but there was so much more to it than that. The various characters had experienced grief and as readers we saw the lasting ramifications of decisions made, of their actions and inactions. We felt the regrets that came with missed opportunities - Zane's lost music career, Skye's unresolved conflict with her father - and we followed Zane on the slippery slide into addiction and joined him on the rollercoaster of addiction, rehab, and relapse. We felt the bouyancy provided by the hope of forgiveness and reconciliation, but also the depths of despair that threatened to overwhelm.
I loved Jennifer Haupt's first novel In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills and though this was completely different the writing remained extraordinarily good, the characters complex and real and the story compelling. My thanks to her, to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
As the book opens it's 1992 and Skye a seventeen year old girl has fled her Seattle home and readers quickly get the sense she's been through some recent trauma. She's grieving the death of her sister and we learn she's pregnant and hoping her best friend Zane will persuade her not to leave.
I especially enjoyed the way the author brought her characters to life. As readers we feel the friendship developing between Skye and Zane from 1987 when she was twelve and something of a loner. We know their history and understand the ways they were good for each other. As the story alternates we fast forward to 2002 and readers now feel the love between Skye, Aaron her fiance, and Montana her 9 year old daughter. He may not be Montana's Dad but he's the only father figure she's known for the past six years. I was so thrilled Skye had such a loyal and loving partner who adored her and her daughter.
As the story progressed and Zane made a reappearance into their lives in 2002 I felt torn on behalf of Skye. Both men had a stronghold on her heart and she on theirs so I just didn't want any of them hurt. We learn the ways Zane had failed Skye and Montana, the hurt she still hung onto and the regrets he harbored. But readers can't help notice the spark between them and wonder what might be best for each of them. Which man will br thevright choice for Skye.
In introducing the characters I've made this sound like something of a romance novel but there was so much more to it than that. The various characters had experienced grief and as readers we saw the lasting ramifications of decisions made, of their actions and inactions. We felt the regrets that came with missed opportunities - Zane's lost music career, Skye's unresolved conflict with her father - and we followed Zane on the slippery slide into addiction and joined him on the rollercoaster of addiction, rehab, and relapse. We felt the bouyancy provided by the hope of forgiveness and reconciliation, but also the depths of despair that threatened to overwhelm.
I loved Jennifer Haupt's first novel In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills and though this was completely different the writing remained extraordinarily good, the characters complex and real and the story compelling. My thanks to her, to Central Avenue Publishing and to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
November 5, 2022
Zane and Skye are teenagers in Seattle in the 90s during the grunge movement and, yes, Nirvana. There is plenty of nostalgia here for someone who was a teenager in the 90s (like me) but also for the simplicity of youth. For the naive assumption that everything is going to workout in your world. Even with the trauma that both Zane and Skye previously experienced, they maintained a level of optimism that only the young can pull off. The result when things don’t go as planned is devastating to all involved. Come As You Are is a coming of age story wrought with grief and trauma but also with hope. It is filled with complex characters experiencing complex emotions and Jennifer Haupt’s ability to put it into words in such a palpable way is amazing. I highly recommend this author if you have not already read her.
November 24, 2021
(Do you have the Nirvana song in your head just from looking at the cover? Of course you do! As do I, and as we should.) Jennifer Haupt does a masterful job of bringing the '90s (and early '00s) back to life in this novel, not in the glamorized way we might have memorialized it in movies and MTV, but as lived by the real teens in the grungy clubs of Seattle. We really did wear thermal underwear under our ripped jeans, and said "no doubt" as an answer to everything. Ha! I'd forgotten. I'm not sure how Haupt recovered those little details, but I treasured them.
The characters all felt very real too, and I applaud Haupt for being brave with them, because their lives and flaws and tragedies are difficult subjects to write about. She pulls it off well, and I came away with a humble sense that despite all our own flaws, we should all do as Skye, Zane, Carolyn, and Aaron do, and move ahead anyway, trying our best to treat our loved ones well. What more can anyone wish to do? That's worth much more than fame and wealth as a grunge star.
I also liked that we get New Mexico as a secondary setting (other than Seattle)—it's got its own brand of magic, and I enjoyed the tastes we're given of the culture and scenery there. A well-rounded blend of a novel all around!
The characters all felt very real too, and I applaud Haupt for being brave with them, because their lives and flaws and tragedies are difficult subjects to write about. She pulls it off well, and I came away with a humble sense that despite all our own flaws, we should all do as Skye, Zane, Carolyn, and Aaron do, and move ahead anyway, trying our best to treat our loved ones well. What more can anyone wish to do? That's worth much more than fame and wealth as a grunge star.
I also liked that we get New Mexico as a secondary setting (other than Seattle)—it's got its own brand of magic, and I enjoyed the tastes we're given of the culture and scenery there. A well-rounded blend of a novel all around!
December 17, 2021
I think a reader's reaction to this book would be heavily informed by their own history and whether or not they experienced the grunge scene in Seattle during the early 1990's first hand. Some of the other reactions were through the roof, fond remembrances of an original music scene in a rainy city while wearing torn jeans, flannel, and going umbrella-less taking pride in their drenched clothes and hair. Switching back and forth between the Seattle scenes and ten years in the future in New Mexico, however, highlighted Haupt's theme of bad decisions based on family tragedy and their consequences. I did like the characters, flawed as they were, and enjoyed Skye's journey in particular.
January 11, 2022
One of my fav authors, whose latest brilliantly captures the Seattle grunge scene and two troubled teens who reflect the angst of the era. If you adore deftly written tales and coming of age stories, you will love this book! Out March 1.
Thanks to Jennifer, Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
#ComeAsYourAre #NetGalley
Thanks to Jennifer, Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.
#ComeAsYourAre #NetGalley
March 15, 2022
This is the second book I have read by author, Jennifer Haupt. I am not disappointed. In fact, I am looking forward to reading her next book. As soon as I started reading this book, I was instantly transported back in time. It is as if I could see everyone as clear as if they were standing in front of me.
Zane and Skye shared a complex history that was filled with sorrow, heartache, friendship, and love. Yet, the way that they interacted with each other was lovely. They showed how much they grew from the teenagers that they were to the adults that they had become.
This book is very character driven and I am all for it. Thus, the reason that I enjoyed this book so much and Jennifer as an author. She really does infuse such life into her characters. This is a book you will want to check out.
Zane and Skye shared a complex history that was filled with sorrow, heartache, friendship, and love. Yet, the way that they interacted with each other was lovely. They showed how much they grew from the teenagers that they were to the adults that they had become.
This book is very character driven and I am all for it. Thus, the reason that I enjoyed this book so much and Jennifer as an author. She really does infuse such life into her characters. This is a book you will want to check out.
February 28, 2022
Gritty. Raw. Intense. Come As You Are is a compelling family drama that takes us from Seattle to Los Angeles to New Mexico as we follow the tangled lives of Skyler and Zane. Best friends as teenagers, their lives become more complex when they become parents, then spiral as Zane succumbs to addiction. Their lives are a series of connections and disconnections, always haunted by their pasts, their mistakes, and tragedy. There are many twists and turns in this novel, as they hurt and heal, suffer and recover, love and hate, punish and forgive.
December 18, 2022
Our story opens in Seattle in 1992. Skye is on Zane's motorcycle getting out of town. Her family is fractured from the death of her sister Lauren. She dropped out of school and she's pregnant by Zane, who was just her platonic best friend before a night of grief changed things.
Zane didn't know she was pregnant at the time and considering her options and he doesn't need to because she kept the baby girl, Montana aka Tana. They tried to make things work and have a family but it just didn't and Zane is in and out of rehab and has never done anything for Tana.
Tana considers Aaron, Skye's fiance, a father to her. It's why Skye is considering marrying him even though she has her doubts and still thinks about Zane and the trauma they went through.
When a tragedy happens, Skye is going to have to stop thinking about it and start facing it, if for no other reason than Tana.
I wanted to like this more than I did. It was propped up on nostalgia and that is what drew me in but the story was not very exciting and I hate the names. Skye, Zane, and Montana? It just wasn't an easy book to read, not from the content but remembering these names and nicknames and it felt very long-winded. None of it rolls off the tongue. I just didn't love the writing style or the characters and it lost my interest several times. It's not a bad story it just wasn't for me.
If you liked Our Little World and Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance, you might want to check this out too!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.
Zane didn't know she was pregnant at the time and considering her options and he doesn't need to because she kept the baby girl, Montana aka Tana. They tried to make things work and have a family but it just didn't and Zane is in and out of rehab and has never done anything for Tana.
Tana considers Aaron, Skye's fiance, a father to her. It's why Skye is considering marrying him even though she has her doubts and still thinks about Zane and the trauma they went through.
When a tragedy happens, Skye is going to have to stop thinking about it and start facing it, if for no other reason than Tana.
I wanted to like this more than I did. It was propped up on nostalgia and that is what drew me in but the story was not very exciting and I hate the names. Skye, Zane, and Montana? It just wasn't an easy book to read, not from the content but remembering these names and nicknames and it felt very long-winded. None of it rolls off the tongue. I just didn't love the writing style or the characters and it lost my interest several times. It's not a bad story it just wasn't for me.
If you liked Our Little World and Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance, you might want to check this out too!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.
February 6, 2022
Jennifer Haupt has captured something really special in Come As You Are. While the title reference to Nirvana may drive many readers in, I think maybe the lyrics to Liz Phair's Divorce Song might be more fitting:
"That it's harder to be friends than lovers
And you shouldn't try to mix the two
'Cause if you do it and you're still unhappy
Then you know that the problem is you"
Skye and Zane are best friends. All they want to do is leave Seattle and move to LA so Zane can make it as a rock star and Skye can be an artist. Ten years later, Skye lives in New Mexico with their daughter and they no longer keep in touch.
The switch of timelines - between the past and 'present' - to when they were kids to now as adults - to navigating the future to navigating reconnecting and being parents, it's heavy. This book is more emotional that I expected and I really appreciated that it was. I loved the small glimpses and hints of Seattle in the 90s, at the cusp of the grunge explosion....without being too gossipy or cheesy. The emotion behind the friendship turned relationship between Zane and Skye was easily felt with each passing chapter. It was obvious that they loved each other from the beginning and will to the end - and sometimes, that love between friends is deeper than anything else.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
"That it's harder to be friends than lovers
And you shouldn't try to mix the two
'Cause if you do it and you're still unhappy
Then you know that the problem is you"
Skye and Zane are best friends. All they want to do is leave Seattle and move to LA so Zane can make it as a rock star and Skye can be an artist. Ten years later, Skye lives in New Mexico with their daughter and they no longer keep in touch.
The switch of timelines - between the past and 'present' - to when they were kids to now as adults - to navigating the future to navigating reconnecting and being parents, it's heavy. This book is more emotional that I expected and I really appreciated that it was. I loved the small glimpses and hints of Seattle in the 90s, at the cusp of the grunge explosion....without being too gossipy or cheesy. The emotion behind the friendship turned relationship between Zane and Skye was easily felt with each passing chapter. It was obvious that they loved each other from the beginning and will to the end - and sometimes, that love between friends is deeper than anything else.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 1, 2022
TITLE: COME AS YOU ARE
AUTHOR: Jennifer Haupt
PUB DATE: 03.01.2022
SYNOPSIS:
Zane and Skye are two misfit teens drawn together by their love of music and their loneliness. They dream of moving to L.A. together: Zane’s music career following the trajectory of Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder, and Skye drawing Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice Beach boardwalk. When a tragedy violently catapults them from best friends to lovers, their bond is forever strengthened and their relationship destroyed.
REVIEW: Wow this book is quite the read. I was taken for an emotional roller coaster ride in this story mostly set in the 90’s grunge music scene in Seattle and Los Angeles. Haupt’s gorgeous writing of Zane and Skye, in this character driven story is so masterful. The story is compelling and heartbreaking, where there is tragedy, grief, and loss, but also forgiveness, love, and triumph. This novel explores complex family relationships and kept me glued to this book for days. Check this book out! It’s relasing 3/1/22.
AUTHOR: Jennifer Haupt
PUB DATE: 03.01.2022
SYNOPSIS:
Zane and Skye are two misfit teens drawn together by their love of music and their loneliness. They dream of moving to L.A. together: Zane’s music career following the trajectory of Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder, and Skye drawing Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice Beach boardwalk. When a tragedy violently catapults them from best friends to lovers, their bond is forever strengthened and their relationship destroyed.
REVIEW: Wow this book is quite the read. I was taken for an emotional roller coaster ride in this story mostly set in the 90’s grunge music scene in Seattle and Los Angeles. Haupt’s gorgeous writing of Zane and Skye, in this character driven story is so masterful. The story is compelling and heartbreaking, where there is tragedy, grief, and loss, but also forgiveness, love, and triumph. This novel explores complex family relationships and kept me glued to this book for days. Check this book out! It’s relasing 3/1/22.
November 2, 2021
Thank you Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for sharing Jennifer Haupt's thoughtfully crafted examination of two lives, Skye and Zane. These two characters are entwined through at first an early adolescent friendship forged from loneliness and a sense of outsiderness and then into a more complex relationship when Skye and Zane have a daughter together. The pressures of unexpected young parenthood, grief over the sudden accidental death of Skye's sister (and Zane's friend), and lack of support from Skye's parents, particularly her father, lead Zane to leave Skye and their daughter without notice. A few years later and Skye is working multiple jobs to care for her daughter and preparing to marry when her father dies and she is drawn back to her past with her family and Zane. Zane, who is struggling still with a desire to be a musician and a history of addiction, and still his love for Skye.
This story poses interesting questions to the reader and examines the complexity of young love and how the past informs the present, how moments in time have enduring impacts (what happened to Lauren, actions that lead to unplanned pregnancy, perceptions and decisions to leave/stay). I think it is important for readers to also have an appreciation for the time in which the story unfolds, to read the book as it presents the music scene and Seattle life that shaped Skye and Zane and to understand that teens in the 90s had different influences and experiences that adolescents today; Gen X grew up outside of social media, without cell phones, and with the noted diffidence and ambivalence that captures 90s music and grunge (here we are now... entertain us). This context is part of the book and matters to how a reader can understand Skye and Zane and the settings and attitudes that shaped them as individuals, as a couple/friends, and then as parents. This is one aspect of the book and writing that I really liked, the placement of the story within a very specific time and place, with key references to music groups and songs.
I also liked how, even as Skye was a challenging character to like at times, she was written in a realistic way; she was hurt by her family, stubborn in her independence, genuine in her sorrow and committed to parenthood. Her movement towards understanding how Zane is a part of her life and to her daughter, to understanding that to raise a daughter in the present she must reconcile her past.
Recommended for those who can appreciate how the 90s shaped these characters and fans of character driven books. I think this would work well for general book clubs as well!
where to find this review in the coming weeks
dont-stop-reading.com
goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
instagram https://www.instagram.com/pageus_of_b...
and the book is listed on my bookshop affiliate page https://bookshop.org/shop/pageus
This story poses interesting questions to the reader and examines the complexity of young love and how the past informs the present, how moments in time have enduring impacts (what happened to Lauren, actions that lead to unplanned pregnancy, perceptions and decisions to leave/stay). I think it is important for readers to also have an appreciation for the time in which the story unfolds, to read the book as it presents the music scene and Seattle life that shaped Skye and Zane and to understand that teens in the 90s had different influences and experiences that adolescents today; Gen X grew up outside of social media, without cell phones, and with the noted diffidence and ambivalence that captures 90s music and grunge (here we are now... entertain us). This context is part of the book and matters to how a reader can understand Skye and Zane and the settings and attitudes that shaped them as individuals, as a couple/friends, and then as parents. This is one aspect of the book and writing that I really liked, the placement of the story within a very specific time and place, with key references to music groups and songs.
I also liked how, even as Skye was a challenging character to like at times, she was written in a realistic way; she was hurt by her family, stubborn in her independence, genuine in her sorrow and committed to parenthood. Her movement towards understanding how Zane is a part of her life and to her daughter, to understanding that to raise a daughter in the present she must reconcile her past.
Recommended for those who can appreciate how the 90s shaped these characters and fans of character driven books. I think this would work well for general book clubs as well!
where to find this review in the coming weeks
dont-stop-reading.com
goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
instagram https://www.instagram.com/pageus_of_b...
and the book is listed on my bookshop affiliate page https://bookshop.org/shop/pageus
October 16, 2021
Jennifer Haupt is such a great storyteller! She is especially good at telling the kinds of stories that explore grief, whether it's personal or societal, and mapping out ways to reconcile the past to create a kinder future. I appreciate it so much.
November 29, 2021
What a great trip back in memory lane. If you fondly remember Nirvana and flannel, this is a great book for you.
Come As You Are is the story of Skye and Zane, forever entwined by a lovely child named Montana and the mysterious death of Skye's sister. Through a series of flashbacks and diary entries we learn more and more about Skye's preteen and teenage life in Seattle and her current life in New Mexico with her boyfriend Aaron. The chapters flow seamlessly as there is a bit of a mystery and the tenseness of a thriller as you can't help but be sucked in to the lives of these two charming characters and root for them to make the right decisions.
Jennifer Haupt is such a talented writer. Her prose draws you in and in this case both New Mexico and Seattle were painted so well that they seemed like characters in the novel. I couldn't help but squee a bit when there were mentions of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the Screaming Trees back before they were known...
The story is beautiful and afterwards you will feel like Zane and Skyler are old friend. Highly recommend if you want to look back to your grunge years (or your parent's grunge years), like a little snap in your coming of age stories.
then Come As You Are is for you #ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley
Come As You Are is the story of Skye and Zane, forever entwined by a lovely child named Montana and the mysterious death of Skye's sister. Through a series of flashbacks and diary entries we learn more and more about Skye's preteen and teenage life in Seattle and her current life in New Mexico with her boyfriend Aaron. The chapters flow seamlessly as there is a bit of a mystery and the tenseness of a thriller as you can't help but be sucked in to the lives of these two charming characters and root for them to make the right decisions.
Jennifer Haupt is such a talented writer. Her prose draws you in and in this case both New Mexico and Seattle were painted so well that they seemed like characters in the novel. I couldn't help but squee a bit when there were mentions of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the Screaming Trees back before they were known...
The story is beautiful and afterwards you will feel like Zane and Skyler are old friend. Highly recommend if you want to look back to your grunge years (or your parent's grunge years), like a little snap in your coming of age stories.
then Come As You Are is for you #ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley
November 15, 2021
Thanks to the author and @centralavepublishing for the gifted ARC
I read this book in two sittings!
Jennifer Haupt has written a moving story about how life informs us and decisions chart the course of our life, especially the ones we make in youth when we don’t have the wherewithal or wisdom to decide differently. The backdrop of the Seattle Grunge scene intertwined with Native American wisdom is a perfect setting for two lonely teenagers as they grow into adulthood, Skye and Zane, and all the people in and out of their lives. Not wanting to give too much away, let me just say you won’t want to stop reading once you start. You’ll root for all of the characters to succeed. And you’ll come away with an awareness of how flawed beings are still lovable and even perfect in their own way.
I read this book in two sittings!
Jennifer Haupt has written a moving story about how life informs us and decisions chart the course of our life, especially the ones we make in youth when we don’t have the wherewithal or wisdom to decide differently. The backdrop of the Seattle Grunge scene intertwined with Native American wisdom is a perfect setting for two lonely teenagers as they grow into adulthood, Skye and Zane, and all the people in and out of their lives. Not wanting to give too much away, let me just say you won’t want to stop reading once you start. You’ll root for all of the characters to succeed. And you’ll come away with an awareness of how flawed beings are still lovable and even perfect in their own way.
December 13, 2021
Come as You Are is a story mainly based in Seattle and Albuquerque, the background in these two cities set the stage for the story of Skye and Zane. The timeline jumps back and forth from the 1990’s to the 2000’s. This is a very character driver story and the author gives us rich details on all of the characters allowing the reader to really understand all of the dynamics behind each character’s actions. Driven away from Seattle because of a tragic family event, we mainly have the story told through Skye’s perspective as she struggles with life’s decisions and how to connect with people. Each character has dealt with the tragedy in different ways and the author does a good job of giving us a birds-eye-view of the life of a family. Not every character is likeable per se, but because of that detailed back story we can at least understand and feel for everyone involved.
This felt like a very realistic story. The referenced to 1990’s Seattle and the scene going on there felt genuine. The story also felt authentic. This is a good read for those who love a character driven story about loss and family.
This felt like a very realistic story. The referenced to 1990’s Seattle and the scene going on there felt genuine. The story also felt authentic. This is a good read for those who love a character driven story about loss and family.
March 1, 2022
The prologue to this is book is probably one of the best and most succinct intros I have read in recent times. In a handful of pages Haupt telegraphs to us vivid snapshots of the primary protagonists, the central conflicts/themes, and even throws a couple of early plot twists our way.
At it core, Come As You Are, is a tale of two childhood bestfriends who love each others in more ways than one but who also carry too much trauma and emotional baggage to actually maintain a healthy relationship. At various points I was pleasantly delighted by the unexpected directions the author decided to take the characters where no one was who they seemed to be on surface and everyone was primed for redemption and empathy. The dialogue felt a little stilted at time but for the most part I was to engrossed in the plot to notice.
-------------------------------------------------------
Give it a go if you liked Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane, it's tonally adjacent.
At it core, Come As You Are, is a tale of two childhood bestfriends who love each others in more ways than one but who also carry too much trauma and emotional baggage to actually maintain a healthy relationship. At various points I was pleasantly delighted by the unexpected directions the author decided to take the characters where no one was who they seemed to be on surface and everyone was primed for redemption and empathy. The dialogue felt a little stilted at time but for the most part I was to engrossed in the plot to notice.
-------------------------------------------------------
Give it a go if you liked Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane, it's tonally adjacent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews