Conform by Ariel Sullivan
on October 14, 2025
Published by Random House Genres: Fiction / Dystopian, Fiction / Romance / Science Fiction
Pages: 416 
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Source: NetGalley and the PublisherEvery once in a while, a book comes along that feels uncomfortably close to possible. Conform by Ariel Sullivan is a dystopian debut that explores control, choice, and what it means to rebel when every part of your life is dictated for you. This one had me hooked from the first chapter.
The Premise:
Emeline lives in a future society ruled by the Illum, where marriage and procreation are dictated by genetic contracts. Her job in the Archives is to destroy fragments of the past, erasing anything that doesn’t fit the perfect narrative. On the surface, she is compliant, but beneath it all she is restless, curious, and quietly dangerous in a world that values obedience above individuality.
When she is paired with her assigned Mate, Collin, and drawn into the orbit of Hal, a resistance leader, the story quickly escalates. What begins as a personal choice between two men becomes a much larger struggle for survival and self-determination.
What I Loved:
The world Sullivan creates is unnerving in its plausibility. The monitoring of bodies, the contracts that strip away choice, and the erasure of history are all themes that hit hard. Emeline’s journey is not just about romance but about values. Collin represents safety and compliance, while Hal embodies freedom and risk. That dynamic made the love triangle feel more layered than most, adding emotional depth to the rebellion at the heart of the story.
I also appreciated the way Sullivan tied Emeline’s personal struggle to bigger questions. The balance between doing what is expected and following your own convictions is something that resonates well beyond dystopian fiction.
What Fell A Lil Short:
While I enjoyed the pacing overall, some twists were a little predictable if you are familiar with dystopian romance. A few of the secondary characters, especially within the Elite class, leaned into archetypes, and there were moments I wanted more detail about how ordinary life functions under Illum control. And some of the quick mind changes were a little off-putting to me. None of this ruined my experience, but I noticed it.
Final Thoughts
Conform does not completely reinvent dystopian fiction, but it delivers an engaging mix of romance, rebellion, and timely social commentary. If you are a fan of The Handmaid’s Tale, Matched, or Divergent, this book deserves a spot on your list.
I closed the last page curious to see where Ariel Sullivan takes this world next, and I will definitely be watching for her future work.
🫶🏼 - Ali
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I received this book for free from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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