Queer Roommates, Queer Magazine

Liz Baker lives with Jane, Katie, and Lydia in Brooklyn, all working at the Nether Fields, a beloved but struggling queer magazine. The magazine's closure looms, threatening their jobs and their found family. Their dynamic is playful, messy, and deeply supportive, but the stress of impending unemployment brings out both their best and worst selves. Liz, the sex and advice columnist, feels stuck in her career and personal life, longing for something more meaningful. The roommates' banter and mutual care set the tone for a story about queer community, chosen family, and the search for belonging.

The Magazine's Last Chance

Just as the staff prepares for a farewell party, Charlotte, the magazine's founder, announces that a private buyer has rescued the magazine. The new owner is Bailey Cox, a wealthy, well-meaning lesbian, joined by her business partner Daria Fitzgerald, a reserved, sharply dressed butch. The staff's relief is mixed with anxiety about the future, as rumors swirl about the new owners' motives. Liz, secretly hoping for a layoff to pursue her writing dreams, is thrown into uncertainty as the magazine's fate is suddenly extended.

New Owners, New Tensions

Bailey is enthusiastic and eager to connect, while Daria is businesslike and critical, especially of the magazine's "fluff" content. Liz's first impression of Daria is disastrous, marked by awkward jokes and mutual disdain. Daria's focus on cost-cutting and efficiency makes her unpopular, and her weekly reports of declining metrics demoralize the staff. Meanwhile, Bailey's genuine admiration for Jane, the magazine's head writer, sparks a mutual crush. The staff is caught between hope and dread as the new owners' intentions become clearer.

Flirting, Fights, and First Impressions

Liz's dating life is a string of failures, culminating in a flirtation with Weston, a charming butch she meets at a lesbian bar. The roommates' love lives are tangled: Katie pines for Lydia, who is oblivious; Jane and Bailey's chemistry grows. Daria's presence at social events is awkward, and her tension with Liz simmers. The group's camaraderie is tested by jealousy, unrequited feelings, and the stress of their uncertain futures.

Dating Disasters and Office Drama

Liz's budding relationship with Weston is complicated by Daria's past: Weston and Daria were college roommates, and Daria allegedly got Weston expelled out of jealousy. Liz's trust in Daria erodes further, even as her own feelings toward Daria become more complicated. At work, Daria's relentless cost-cutting and critical attitude alienate the staff, while Bailey's growing affection for Jane becomes the office's worst-kept secret.

Bailey, Jane, and Forbidden Crushes

Jane and Bailey's mutual attraction deepens, but the power imbalance and Daria's protectiveness create obstacles. Liz warns Jane against getting involved, suspecting unresolved history between Bailey and Daria. Meanwhile, Liz's own feelings for Daria are a confusing mix of irritation, attraction, and resentment. The magazine's future remains precarious, and personal and professional boundaries blur.

Daria's Cold Calculations

Daria's approach to saving the magazine is ruthless: she slashes expenses, questions the value of "fluff" content, and prepares for possible layoffs. Her emotional distance is a defense mechanism, shaped by past rejection and a need for control. Liz's animosity toward Daria intensifies, fueled by misunderstandings and office gossip. Yet, moments of vulnerability hint at a more complex person beneath Daria's icy exterior.

Pride, Pool Parties, and Secrets

At Bailey's Pride pool party, the staff's joy is undercut by personal anxieties. Liz feels out of place, struggling with her gender presentation and self-worth. Jane and Bailey finally act on their feelings, while Liz and Daria share a rare moment of connection during a walk on the beach. Daria's discomfort with her ex, Caroline, and her complicated friendship with Bailey add layers to her guardedness. Liz's relief at the magazine's survival is tempered by her own stalled ambitions.

The Weston Revelation

Liz learns from Weston that Daria's actions in college were more complicated than she thought. Weston's version paints Daria as vindictive, but later, Daria's own account reveals she was protecting Bailey from a toxic relationship. The conflicting stories force Liz to confront her own biases and the dangers of believing only one side. The revelation deepens the novel's exploration of trust, loyalty, and the messiness of queer community.

Road Trip to Boston

Liz and Daria embark on a road trip to interview Moira Campbell, a forgotten queer photographer. The trip is awkward at first, but shared vulnerability and honest conversation break down their defenses. Daria opens up about her struggles with gender, family rejection, and the pressure to perform masculinity. Liz confides her own insecurities about writing and identity. The trip culminates in a night of passion, but the aftermath is fraught with shame and miscommunication.

Moira's Wisdom, Daria's Walls

Moira's story of resilience and joy in the face of adversity inspires Liz to pursue her own writing dreams. Moira's advice—to focus on the possibilities of living authentically, not just the risks—resonates deeply. Meanwhile, Daria's internalized fear and need for control resurface, leading to a painful rift with Liz. Their inability to communicate honestly leaves both feeling rejected and misunderstood.

Sex, Shame, and Fallout

The night in Boston is a turning point: Liz and Daria's physical connection is electric, but Daria's immediate withdrawal and fixation on cleaning up symbolize her fear of messiness—emotional and literal. Liz flees, convinced she's been used and discarded. Both are left reeling, unable to bridge the gap between desire and trust. The fallout affects their work, friendships, and sense of self.

The Viral Article Catastrophe

In a moment of anger, Liz writes a scathing, unfiltered article blaming Daria and Bailey for the magazine's demise. Lydia, desperate to save the magazine, steals and publishes the draft without Liz's consent. The article goes viral, damaging reputations and friendships. Jane is collateral damage, as the article hints at her relationship with Bailey. Liz is forced to confront the consequences of her impulsivity and the pain she's caused.

Apologies, Forgiveness, and Growth

Liz's apology is public, heartfelt, and specific: she takes responsibility for her words, acknowledges her misjudgments, and praises Daria's true character. The process of making amends is slow and painful. Jane, hurt by Liz's carelessness, demands real change. Katie and Lydia's betrayals come to light, leading to confrontations and, eventually, healing. The roommates' bonds are tested but not broken.

The Magazine's Final Days

As the Nether Fields prepares its final issue, the staff reflects on their impact and legacy. Jane lands a new job, Bailey and Jane reconcile, and Katie finds her own path. Liz, inspired by Moira and her friends, decides to pursue her blog and creative writing full-time, embracing her identity as a "fluff" writer who brings joy and validation to queer readers. The closure is bittersweet, but the characters emerge stronger and more self-assured.

Running Toward Redemption

Their mutual participation in the Pride Runners group becomes a metaphor for their journey: awkward, exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. Through shared effort and honest conversation, they begin to rebuild trust. Daria's acts of kindness—recommending Jane for a job, submitting Liz's writing for a fellowship—demonstrate her growth and capacity for love. Liz learns to focus on possibility, not fear, and to accept her own worth.

Confessions and Second Chances

In a final, cinematic chase through Prospect Park, Liz confesses her love for Daria, who reciprocates. Both have learned to let go of fear, embrace vulnerability, and accept themselves "just as they are." The novel ends with the promise of a joyful, authentic future—one built on honesty, community, and the courage to pursue happiness.

Characters

Liz Baker

Liz is the heart of the novel: a witty, self-deprecating sex and advice columnist who feels stuck in her career and uncertain about her gender presentation. Her relationships—with her roommates, her writing, and her love interests—are marked by both deep care and self-sabotage. Liz's journey is one of learning to accept her own complexity, to take responsibility for her mistakes, and to believe she is worthy of love and success. Her impulsivity causes pain, but her willingness to apologize and grow is her redemption.

Daria Fitzgerald

Daria is the enigmatic, sharply dressed butch co-owner of the magazine. Her cold exterior masks deep wounds: family rejection, a history of protecting friends at her own expense, and a fear of emotional messiness. Daria's journey is about learning to let down her guard, to trust others, and to accept that vulnerability is not weakness. Her relationship with Liz is fraught with misunderstanding but ultimately transformative, as both learn to see and love each other's true selves.

Jane Wilson

Jane is Liz's best friend and the magazine's head writer. A Black trans woman, Jane is principled, hardworking, and deeply loyal. Her romance with Bailey is complicated by power dynamics and Daria's interference, but Jane's capacity for forgiveness and growth is a model for the entire group. Jane's friendship with Liz is tested by betrayal but ultimately endures, grounded in honesty and mutual support.

Bailey Cox

Bailey is the wealthy, well-intentioned new owner of the magazine. Her enthusiasm and generosity are genuine, but her lack of business acumen and history of toxic relationships make her vulnerable. Bailey's romance with Jane is sincere but threatened by her own insecurities and Daria's protectiveness. Bailey's arc is about learning to trust herself and others, to set boundaries, and to pursue happiness without self-sabotage.

Katie

Katie is the curvy, meme-loving roommate who pines for Lydia. Her unrequited love and tendency to play second fiddle are sources of pain, but Katie's eventual decision to prioritize her own well-being marks a turning point. She is the emotional glue of the group, offering forgiveness and support even when hurt.

Lydia

Lydia is the wild card: charming, impulsive, and often oblivious to the feelings of others. Their betrayal—posting Liz's article and sleeping with Weston—forces the group to confront the limits of loyalty and the need for accountability. Lydia's inability to change leads to their isolation, a cautionary note in the story.

Charlotte Liu

The founder of the Nether Fields, Charlotte is a mentor to the younger staff. Her journey from idealistic upstart to pragmatic leader mirrors the magazine's arc. Charlotte's acceptance of the magazine's end is bittersweet but dignified, and her support for Liz and Jane is unwavering.

Weston

Weston is Liz's love interest-turned-ex, whose history with Daria is a source of drama and misunderstanding. Weston's inability to commit and tendency to manipulate are ultimately exposed, forcing Liz to reevaluate what she wants and deserves in a partner.

Caroline Hillier

Daria's ex-girlfriend, Caroline represents the pressure to conform and the temptation to retreat into old patterns. Her reappearance tests Daria's growth and Liz's resolve, but ultimately, Daria chooses authenticity over comfort.

Moira Campbell

The forgotten queer photographer Liz interviews in Boston, Moira embodies resilience, joy, and the importance of queer history. Her advice—to focus on possibility, not fear—becomes the novel's guiding principle.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative of Professional and Personal Growth

The magazine's struggle for survival is a metaphor for the characters' own quests for identity, love, and purpose. The professional stakes—job loss, creative fulfillment, legacy—are inseparable from the personal stakes: friendship, romance, self-acceptance. The collapse and rebirth of the Nether Fields parallels Liz and Daria's journey from mistrust to intimacy.

Miscommunication and Misjudgment

The novel's central tension arises from characters' misreading of each other's motives—Liz's belief that Daria is cold and controlling, Daria's suspicion of Jane's intentions, Bailey's trust in Daria's judgment. These misunderstandings are exacerbated by gossip, past trauma, and the insular nature of queer community. Resolution comes only through honest conversation and vulnerability.

Social Media as Connection and Catalyst

Instagram stories and DMs become a modern form of courtship, allowing Liz and Daria to communicate when words fail in person. The viral article scandal demonstrates the double-edged power of online platforms: they can destroy reputations but also offer opportunities for apology, connection, and redemption.

Queer History and Chosen Family

Moira's photographs and stories provide a sense of lineage and possibility, reminding the characters that queer joy and resilience are not new. The roommates' found family is a source of strength, but also of conflict, as loyalty is tested and boundaries are redrawn.

Redemption Through Action

The novel insists that forgiveness is a process, not a given. Liz's public apology, her efforts to repair friendships, and her commitment to personal growth are what ultimately allow for reconciliation—with Jane, with Daria, and with herself.

Analysis

Just as You Are is a vibrant, contemporary queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice that centers the messy, joyful, and sometimes painful realities of chosen family, queer love, and self-acceptance. Camille Kellogg's novel is both a love letter to queer community and a sharp exploration of the ways we hurt and heal each other. Through Liz and Daria's journey—from mutual disdain to hard-won intimacy—the book interrogates the dangers of snap judgments, the necessity of vulnerability, and the radical power of joy in the face of adversity. The story's modern setting—complete with viral scandals, Instagram courtship, and the precarity of queer media—grounds its themes in the lived experience of today's LGBTQ+ readers. Ultimately, the novel argues that there is no one right way to be queer, to love, or to succeed; what matters is the courage to show up, to try, and to accept yourself and others "just as you are."

Last updated: May 5, 2025