The Price of Admission

by Dustin Thao

Two teens, divided by class, find each other in this heart-wrenching coming-of-age short story about belonging and second chances by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao.

Evan never imagined anyone could notice him—let alone Dalton, the son of a wealthy hotel chain owner. While the two grew up together, they lived in different worlds. Evan, the son of a maid, did his homework in the supply room while Dalton lived a life of leisure. When their paths cross one fateful day, they find themselves drawn to each other as they navigate loss and inevitable change.

Dustin Thao’s The Price of Admission is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Genres: Short Stories, Young Adult, Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, LGBT

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Dustin Thao is a Vietnamese American writer based in New York City. He graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Political Science, and is currently in a PhD program at Northwestern University. He writes contemporary fiction, and his debut novel You’ve Reached Sam is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Reviews

[Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Honestly, this story took a turn I didn't expect, but I thoroughly appreciated it.

It is a heartfelt tale about the importance of standing tall, embracing your true self, and relinquishing the need for external validation. The narrative emphasized that regardless of one's achievements, it isn't necessary to prove one's worth to others; simply knowing you've earned it is enough.
Despite what the blurb suggests, this isn't a romantic love story but rather a reflection on self-acceptance and authenticity.

By the end, I felt a deep sense of pride for Evan, and that sense of self-pride is what truly matters. I do wish the author had expanded this into a full-length novel rather than a novella, as a longer format would have allowed for greater development and added layers of depth to the characters and themes.

In conclusion, it was an enjoyable story.

[vaishnavi ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠* · Rating 2 out of 5]

iconic dedication! I have to give this book that 👏🏻


unfortunately, I do not think making this a novella was the right choice :( I know the entire point of these Amazon originals is to be short reads, but this one would've really benefited from being a longer book.

I could not connect with Evan at all. the writing was so dry and detached. the entire time, I felt like I was listening to someone explain a dream they had rather than experiencing a story. things happened, but I never felt invested in them. the abrupt tense shifts didn't help either and kept pulling me out of the narrative 😕

the dialogue was actually pretty good, but outside of them, the writing felt bland. I kept thinking this story had potential, especially since it's a coming-of-age with an exploration of class difference, but there simply wasn't enough room to develop the characters or make me care about them.

[Mai H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride Month 2026 #4

Eat the rich

[aira · Rating 3 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 2.75/5

I liked how different this was from the usual books I read...and bonus points for it being a short story.

I think the problem with these short stories is that these have the content to be a whole longer story so it being pushed into a shorter amount of pages kind of takes away from the story. It's not bad this way, but it would make more sense as longer length stories because it would give more space for the story to be developed. I know it's contradictory to what I said above, but I love the short novellas but I also wish this stories would be longer because the storyline would be more enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this arc!

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts
By now I think it's safe to say I'll read anything and everything this author puts out, his stories just tug at my heart effortlessly, whether it's a 300 page read or 40 pages, never fails to hit me in the feels one way or another! Absolutely loved this one!

Plot Summary
Evan and Dalton grew up in the same place but in completely different worlds, separated by class and circumstance. When life brings them together again, they form an unexpected connection while helping each other navigate loss, change, and the possibility of a fresh start.

My Bookstagram

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

An enjoyable coming-of-age story!

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: James Aaron Oh
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1h 8m

[lauren ౨ৎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

the reason for my lower rating is that i don’t think this story was the right choice to be a short story… the content was rushed and not fleshed out as well as i think it could of been if it was in long form.

i do really like his writing though! i was obsessed with his previous book you’ve reached sam, so im glad i got to read something else by him!

[mandie ੈ♡˳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay this had such an interesting premise and i honestly flew through it. i really liked seeing the commentary on class differences and watching the main character navigate a system that was never built for him while trying to make the most of the hand he was dealt. i just wish this had been longer because there was so much packed into such a short story, and i never fully bought into the romance because everything moved so fast. still, it was a solid listen and i'm glad i picked it up.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another quick read from The Edge of Everything collection, and while the story is definitely a bit cliché at times, I still found myself enjoying it.

As the blurb says, Evan grows up as the son of a maid working for Dalton's wealthy family. Their lives occasionally intersect, but they're never exactly childhood best friends. Everything changes after Evan's mother passes away and he's forced to move with his aunt. Thanks to a scholarship, he ends up attending an elite school where he reconnects with Dalton, and from there, the two slowly develop a friendship/ situation-ship.

What I appreciated most about this story was Evan's journey. More than the romance, this felt like a story about belonging and figuring out where you fit. Evan spends a lot of time trying to adapt, trying to fit into a world that often reminds him he doesn't belong there. Eventually, he learns that changing yourself won't magically make certain people kinder or less judgmental.

As for Dalton... yeah, we need to have words!!!

Things between them start off well enough, but once Evan gets accepted into a top university while Dalton is left waiting, Dalton's true colors start showing. Watching him stand by while Evan was treated badly and refusing to defend him despite their history, was incredibly frustrating. Needless to say, Dalton did not end up being my favorite character.

Everyone, repeat after me: We DO NOT like Dalton!!!

Thankfully, I loved where Evan's story ultimately went. I was happy to see him find people who genuinely appreciated him and to watch him build a future that made him happy.

Overall, this was a solid coming-of-age story about class differences, friendship, identity, and finding your place in the world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC.

https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...

[annes_mesmerizing_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this novella on NetGalley and, as a Dustin Thao fan, I immediately started reading.

The premise is a strong and important one: two teens divided by class find each other and navigate loss and inevitable change. I also think this story would shine as a fully fleshed‑out novel.

As a novella, it felt rushed to me (it starts when Evan is nine and ends when he finishes college) and a bit too telling for my taste. Because of that, I struggled to fully connect to Evan and Dalton.

But… if Dustin Thao ever expands this into a full novel, I’d buy it in an instant.

Thank you, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, for the ARC.

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[Olga Rudnitska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about the rich and the poor, the privileged and the underprivileged.
I hope Evan doesn’t come across any Daltons on his journey.

[har. [busy!!] · Rating 3 out of 5]

┆ ⤿ 📚 ⌗ started: july 2, finished: july 2

3 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹

summary: ⋆˚࿔
evan has spent his whole life feeling invisible. as the son of a hotel maid, he grows up on the sidelines while dalton, the son of the hotel's wealthy owner, lives a completely different life. despite the gap between them, the two form an unexpected connection that forces them to confront grief, privilege, belonging, and the paths others expect them to follow.

thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
this was a really good story! one thing i've loved about the edge of everything collection is that every novella has a deeper message hidden beneath the surface if you take the time to look for it.

for me, this one was about not always following the path that's been chosen for you. whether it's expectations from your family, your social class, or the life people assume you'll live, it's okay to choose what truly makes you happy instead.

i do wish this had been a little longer because i wanted more time with evan, but overall i thought it was a heartfelt and meaningful read with a message that really stuck with me.

ⓘ thank you to amazon original stories, dustin thao, and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ OUT NOW

[Moon_child31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was very neutral, almost bland. There was no excitement in it– very descriptive and leaning almost to “and then… and then…”.

The shortness of the story did not allow me to connect with it or to the various characters. I did not really like anyone, which is a shame, and I feel this novella could have been fleshed out a lot more.

All in all, not for me.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

[Mirinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Evan's story and found the themes of class and belonging especially interesting. His journey felt realistic, from wanting to fit in with wealthier classmates to figuring out what truly mattered to him.

The story covers a lot in a short space, so some parts move quickly, but I liked the direction it took and thought the ending worked well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[ren ౨ৎ (in a tiny slump) · Rating 1 out of 5]

you know that feeling when someone is just yapping at you and you keep going "mhm" because you don't know how to respond and you just sort of want them to stop talking? that's what this book feels like it embodies.

it's completely the definition of telling and not showing, which is one of my greatest pet peeves as a reader.

nevermind the price of admission, this was the price of substance in a book.

[Daniel Myatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another tale of coming of age, this time focusing on the decisions we make growing up, aren't always the right ones, but if we are willing to learn from them and grow, that's the important thing! 😁

[Savannah Curci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very empowering for those of us who have had to work hard for everything in life

[felicia]

New novella series
Authors :
Nicola Yoon
Ann Liang
Rainbow Rowell
Dustin Thao

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
Working class boy realizes his rich avoidant boyfriend ain't shit.

Pre-reading:
I read You've Reached Sam and thought it was fine to bad.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Server and rich boy always makes me think of Raven Boys.

Dude, he sucks.

What, like it’s hard?

That's not a good burn.

This is the first one in the collection that actually feels like a complete short story.

Post-reading:
A passable little snippet. It has nothing new to add to class commentary. There’s nothing particularly memorable about the prose. It’s not really romantic. You can zip through it without any jarring flaws pulling you out of the story, but once again, you'll probably never think of it again.

Who should read this:
YA queer romance fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
No

Would I buy this:
No

Similar books:
* The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater-YA magical realism, paranormal, romance, queer
* Sirens and Muses by Antonia Angress-lit fic, academia, queer, romance
* In Tongues by Thomas Grattan-lit fic, queer
* The Secret History by Donna Tartt-dark academia, thriller, ensemble cast, queer, social commentary

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[sara ۫ ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

─── 3.5 stars ᯓ★ˎˊ˗
⤷ started: july 25, 2026┊finished: july 25, 2026

even though i felt like the plot didn’t end up going anywhere i’m still happy with what i read. i loved seeing evan stand up for himself and the way his mother’s death affected him in positive ways as well. dalton can suck it

[maddie's reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for the arc!

Rtc

[Bianca Swart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how this shows how status affects everyone. It really showed if well with Evan and Dalton and how Dalton treated him in the end.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Nik's Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one!

[Nicole Mellott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella 4 in the Edge of Everything series. A good story about learning to accept yourself and stand up for who you are.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the sampler

The Price of Admission by Dustin Thao is a first person-POV YA contemporary short story. As a child, Evan never fully understood what his mother meant when she mentioned that members of the elite would never accept people like her and Evan, people who don't come from wealth, or that they'd earned their accomplishments. He learns the hard way just how true her words are.

Dustin Thao did a great job setting the scene in regards to class differences and how hard it is to break those differences down when other people seek to uphold them. Evan is more optimistic than some and that optimism is what makes this so heart-wrenching, but also believable. The bits about Evan’s mom also helped sell everything as she would be more aware due to having more life experience and she never hid how class impacted how Evan would be viewed.

This is definitely not a romance, but is instead a contemporary that has romance threads. I've never read anything by Dustin Thao, so I'm not sure if this fits into the brand his books have created, but the synopses for his books imply heartache as well as grief and learning to move on and that's what this short delivered.

I would recommend this to fans of YA contemporaries that are more heartbreaking than romantic

[cyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what exactly it is about this novella but it genuinely reminded me of those GLMMs I used to watch when I was 12. Like I can’t explain it but it really does

My feelings for this novella is all over the place, which is quite a feat considering the entire thing is like 40 pages long. I didn't hate it, but I also... didn't like it. The novel follows Evan, a poor working class boy who navigates life, love, and his own self-worth as he studies in a posh private high school. Evan and Dalton didn't "find" each other as much as "exist in the same school", imo.

It's a quick read. We skimmed through most interactions and Evan's voice was very detached. The novel's explorations of class dynamics was meaningful & will probably be interesting for a lot of people. Thao was mostly repeating things I already knew, which is why this novella didn't work for me. The ending was sweet, though, so I'd probably still recommend it for lower YA.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC; all thoughts are my own.

[Arin Kate (Trying my best, but really stressed) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Oh, okay...

Thats about all I can say about this story.

It was NOT for me. There was so content I wasn't comfortable with, so I almost DNFed it. I stuck with it only because of my Netgalley ratio.

1. I couldn't tell whether the main character was a girl or boy.

2. Every character was really rude.

3. The writing style wasn't for me.

I liked the plot, but it just wasn't good.

I hope if you guys read it, you love it, but it wasn't my type of story.

Content warnings: LGBTQ+ content, kissing, death, and toxic friends.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨

This is a coming of age story addressing class differences in high school and college settings. I felt connected to the main character experiencing his world through his POV. I enjoyed watching him grow and develop his voice to stand up for himself in the face of discrimination. Overall a great quick emotional read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing the book for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.