I was only mildly invested in this until Kennedy’s backstory and then the Event at around 75% (IYKYK) and my jaw dropped. Reid continues to examine human nature and make you wonder why people do what they do.

This is a character drives novel set in the dorms of an Arkansas university in 2017 surrounding a journalist, Agatha, interviewing a few female students for a story. These female students are obnoxiously over the top drawing the reader in like onlookers to a train wreck. This book though is not to be written off a fluff piece about college antics, it is filled with deep, complex topics like competitiveness, racism, classism, and overall cultural commentary. And the ending

This book is an iron hand in a silk glove. I highly recommend this thought-provoking book.

Thank you for access to this ARC. Unfortunately I will not be able to read this and give it a proper review. I apologize, and if I have time to properly review it I will return to it.

I gave this author another chance but alas her writing is just not for me. The pacing seemed off and the characters fell flat.

Come and Get It is a compelling novel set in 2017 at the University of Arkansas, focusing on Millie Cousins, a 24-year-old senior and resident assistant. Millie is determined to graduate, secure a job, and buy a house. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers her an unusual opportunity. As Millie becomes entangled with Agatha and a group of unruly students, she navigates complex social dynamics, desire, and the consequences of indiscretion.

Kiley Reid explores themes of class, privilege, and ambition within the microcosm of a college campus. Her sharp social observations and authentic dialogue bring depth to the characters. However, I found it difficult to follow the story, characters and stay engaged.

I enjoyed Reid's debut, Such a Fun Age. I did not have the same experience with this novel.

I DNF'd this book around 30%. I was nothing like Reid's first book, Such a Fun Age, which I really enjoyed. This one was boring and disjointed. I just didn't see what it was she was trying to accomplish here.

Set on a college campus, this gripping story explores the intricate dynamics between dormmates and their RAs, delving into issues of race, class, and morality. Told through multiple perspectives, it reveals how small, morally ambiguous decisions can spiral into unexpected chaos. Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the early copies!

Mostly read this because it had a bunch of buzz around it. It’s fine? It was well written and the characters felt fairly fleshed out. But, I really struggled to care what happened to any of them. Maybe just not in the right mood.

ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but the opinions are my own.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid is a daring and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of desire, ambition, and the price of success. Set in 2017 at the University of Arkansas, the story follows Millie Cousins, a super-senior resident assistant who's just trying to graduate and secure a job, when an unexpected and morally murky opportunity arises. Agatha Paul, a visiting professor, offers Millie a deal that could help them both climb their respective ladders, and thus begins a compelling exploration of what happens when ambition collides with personal ethics.

Reid’s writing is sharp and unflinching, capturing the nuances of the characters' inner lives with precision. The novel is a biting commentary on the lengths people are willing to go for success, and how power dynamics shape their choices. Millie’s vulnerability and Agatha’s opportunism create an intriguing tension that drives the plot, though some readers may find the pacing slow in parts, especially as the narrative focuses on internal conflicts rather than external action.

What makes Come and Get It stand out is Reid’s ability to weave together themes of self-interest, manipulation, and the fine line between ambition and exploitation. The characters’ bad behavior is both relatable and uncomfortable, prompting readers to reflect on their own moral boundaries. However, the novel can feel a bit disjointed at times, and some plot twists may feel more contrived than earned.

Overall, Come and Get It is a bold and engaging exploration of modern desire and the price we’re willing to pay for our goals. It’s a strong 3.5-4 star read, with rich, complex characters and an underlying critique of societal expectations. Perfect for readers who enjoy morally ambiguous stories and character-driven narratives.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid is a story of ambition, desire, and the complicated relationships that can arise in a college setting. While the story is definitely engaging with its dark humor and tension-filled moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The characters were interesting, but the chaotic mix of personal ambitions and entanglements left me feeling a little detached. It’s an intriguing read, but not one I’ll be rushing to revisit.

If you’re into stories that explore the complexity of desire, recklessness, and ambition with a touch of scandal, this book will probably resonate more. It was fine, but not my favorite.

I like Kiley Reid, but this one didn’t speak to me. The pacing felt of. The characters were relatable and my favorite part. It was good enough that I’m still looking forward to more of Kiley’s work.

I went into this book with high hopes. I adored "Such a Fun Age," and really wanted to love this one too. Unfortunately, I DNFed it about 60% in. I think this was meant as a lengthy character study of a number of different main characters, but it ultimately fell flat for me. I wish that Reid had had a more effective editor, as there was potential and she is clearly a talented writer. I will not give up on Reid for her future work though!

A well told story about young women in college trying to find their own path while weaving their way through complicated relationships and interactions with one another. The characters are so real and relatable. I was truly impressed with this amazing work.

Thank you to Kiley Reid, Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for an eARC of Come and Get It!

Kiley Reid's books are always a great commentary on life and racism. She creates these scenes and situations in her books and I find myself at first thinking, "Oh... this isn't so bad..." Then she delves deeper into the background of the characters, situations, and catalysts and I find myself thinking "Yikes!" Context is huge for her books and the more context we get about their lives, the worse and worse I felt for these characters.

This story was a mix of plot driven and character driven. We can see all the actions and decision of the main characters building up to a boiling point where we know something bad is going to happen, but so much of the novel is also about how these characters have grown over the past few years. Having read Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age in the past, I knew this book would have a subtle but life changing crescendo for all the characters. I think it is helpful as a reader to go into this book knowing there isn't going to be something the characters are consciously working towards, but instead their choices will impact each other and possibly change their outlook on life.

I find Reid's novels thought provoking and they often make me reevaluate how I look at certain situations.

3.5/5 stars rounded up.

I felt kind of torn about this one. There were parts that I love and others that made me a bit uncomfortable. I like Kiley Reid in general.

I loved her first release, so I was excited for this one. Especially being a Good Morning America pick. I didn't hate this but also wasn't my favorite. There seemed to be a lot going on. I will say, I do expect to pick up more books by Kiley Reid.

Enjoyed this and all the characters. The actual plot itself was a little lacking, and I couldn't make myself get excited about it, but overall I liked it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Come and Get it by Kiley Reid!

I loved Reid's first novel, Such A Fun Age, so I was really excited to read her second novel. It took me a while to actually get into it, but I think it's because none of the characters were actually very likable. Reid is such a talented writer, I love her style, but maybe a story about spoiled college kids is not for me?

The MC Millie is an RA at a Southern University, and one of the only Black people at her dorm. She's also older having taken a year off to work and spend time with her mother when she was ill. She meets a middle-aged professor named Agatha when Agatha comes to interview a group of students about their ideas surrounding weddings. The white college students are vapid and materialistic, and not to mention a little racist - but this gives Agatha the idea to change her research focus from weddings to young people and money. She begins to see Millie more frequently to "research" the group of students - with their leader Tyler being one of the worst types of selfish young women imaginable. There are other supporting characters in the suite, and one young transfer student named Kennedy who is obviously dealing with some mental health issues, and when we learn her backstory, it's more strange than sad.

I enjoy Reid's writing, but I wasn't really sure where the story was going, other than showing us how people can be crappy to one another by hiding things and keeping secrets and not necessarily lying.

I will definitely look forward to reading Reid's next novel.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

COME & GET IT by Kiley Reid is a multi-POV campus novel that follows a conflict between roommates that escalates to new heights as the residential director develops a relationship with a professor. In my honest opinion, the plot is one large misunderstanding that could’ve been avoided if these women weren’t afraid of conflict. I don’t know why this needed to be a book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The only character I liked was Kennedy - everyone else can go kick rocks lol. There was some impressive visceral description of Kennedy’s social anxiety which I thought was superb. Every other character was so flat.

I get that the campus novel is “in” right now in the lit world, but this one is not it. There’s a plot but it’s so narrow it reads as weak and unclear. I’m not too sure what themes were even explored in depth - SUCH A FUN AGE was much better in my opinion. This sophomore novel feels deeply unfinished and lacking in any sort of scope.

TBH I didn’t get the entire experience of reading this book.