Jayme Reviews: Come As You Are by Jennifer Haupt

Set against a backdrop of Seattle in the early ’90s, Haupt’s second novel 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. 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?

“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 will be AVAILABLE on March 1, 2022 so mark your calendar or pre-order now. 

I would like to thank Jennifer Haupt for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!