Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I have to say, I couldn’t put this book down. Each chapter had me wanting more. But that’s part of the problem. The ending of this book is sudden and abrupt. The story was getting to a place where I needed to know more of what was going to happen, just for me to look down at my Kindle progress and see 99% finished. For that reason, I have to give it 3.5 stars. Still a good rating, but I wish the author included just a little more at the end to finish off with a satisfying ending.

I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Meredith Turits crafts a compelling and emotionally complex tale in Just Want You Here, a novel that explores love, betrayal, and the weight of secrets. The story follows Ari, whose world is upended when Morgan abruptly ends their relationship—only for her to later find herself entangled in a situation she never expected: becoming the other woman.

The premise is undeniably intriguing, diving deep into the messy realities of heartbreak and blurred moral lines. However, while the novel’s themes are rich and thought-provoking, the pacing is slow at times, and the narrative occasionally feels disjointed, making it a bit difficult to stay fully engaged. That said, Turits’ writing shines in its introspective moments, offering a nuanced look at the emotional turmoil Ari experiences.

For readers who enjoy character-driven stories with complex relationships, Just Want You Here delivers an interesting exploration of love’s complications, even if the execution feels uneven at times.

Thank you to the author. Little A and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Like others that have reviewed, I wanted to like this book. Novels that explore friendship and romance, and all the nuances in between are something I like to dive into. However, I really could not get into this. A female protagonist who gets out of a decade-long relationship, and immediately into an affair with her boss? Her very married boss? I am no saint myself, but that was one line I always drew very clearly and there is no leeway as far as I'm concerned, whether in real life or in novels. Maybe if the character development had given some insight into the character's thinking - but that was non-existent and the book ended with them at the same place as they began. I missed emotion and connection - and once things really went off the rails, I just could.not. Sorry, not for me.

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)

Publication date: 11 March 2025
Publisher: Little A

This book serves up a hefty dose of emotional turmoil, like a coming-of-age story that's had a few too many shots of existential dread. Ari, our suddenly single protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery that involves a morally questionable affair with her married boss because second chances come with a side of ethical dilemmas.

Turits crafts a compelling portrait of Ari's emotional landscape. The raw vulnerability and confusion of navigating heartbreak and unexpected attraction are palpable. The writing is evocative, capturing the messy, complicated nature of human relationships. You'll find yourself empathising with Ari's struggles, even when you want to shake her and yell "girl, what are you doing?"

The exploration of Ari's relationship with Wells is where the book shines and also where it stumbles a bit. The forbidden attraction is undeniably intense and Turits skillfully portrays the intoxicating pull of a connection that defies logic. However, the dynamics with Leah, Wells' wife are often murky and uncomfortable, leaving a lingering sense of unease.

The book raises thought-provoking questions about love, loyalty and the pursuit of happiness. It delves into the gray areas of human relationships, refusing to offer easy answers. But sometimes, the lack of clear moral direction can leave the reader feeling adrift. The pacing can be a bit uneven, with moments of intense emotional exploration interspersed with somewhat rushed plot developments.

Ultimately, this book is a complex and emotionally charged read that will resonate with those who enjoy exploring the messy realities of love and relationships. It's a solid three stars – a bit uneven, a bit uncomfortable but undeniably thought-provoking.

Just Want You Here is a story about growing up, making amends, and having second chances in life. Ari and Morgan were together for a decade had gotten engaged and were highschool sweethearts until they weren't anymore. They needed time to reconstruct and learn who they were and they made good and bad decisions always supported (during bad and good times) by Summer and Luke their long time friends. Ari cannot see her worth or that she is able to do things on her own after the break up with Morgan, she lets herself get swallowed into other people's lives just to feel wanted and does not realize she is breaking herself even more. Beautifully written, Just Want You Here is an entertaining story about how relationships change, people growth, and the need of moving on.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

After a decade together, navigating the highs and lows of adolescence into young adulthood, Ari's relationship with Morgan has ended. After rationing how many more times she can say his name, be enamored with the private, mundane things that happen everyday, they go their separate ways, move to new places and get new jobs. Apparently, Morgan gets to keep their double dating companions- Summer and Luke who were destined to follow in Ari and Morgan's footsteps. Is it harder to start over when someone else makes the calls or is it harder to walk away of your own accord? Is it harder to forget a love or to fall into it with someone new?

Ari's new job in Boston quickly turns her life around, for the better and possibly the worse. She and her tech CEO boss, Wells, become romantically entwined despite his beautiful, successful, blunt wife and young son. Having been with one partner for such a large portion of her life, it's easy to see why Ari is quickly enamored with the people she builds relationships with. Her inability to set boundaries, or abide by them lead to these codependent relationships with both Wells and his wife, Leah. The tension in the first half of the book keeps you turning pages before you're met with a spin you may not have expected. I did think this would be a typical "other woman" plot that panned out in one of two ways, but was happily proven wrong. However, the tension slowly building up in the second half of the book ultimately fell a bit flat and felt hurried. Aside from that, it was obviously unhealthy. Which, I think, is one of the points of this story. The bonds we create with others can be because of so many different things: proximity, similar interests, time, trauma; the bonds we lose can be just as varied: proximity, lies, love, deception/betrayal, death. While troublesome, I did appreciate Ari's relationship in the second half of the book more than the relationship from the first half. Unfortunately, her best friend Summer is not a good friend (and the way she drops that bomb so cavalierly, so quickly? UGH!). After so many trials and errors, Ari is finally stepping towards what she deserves, what is best for her, towards the light from the singular window opposite the open door of a dark room.

While some plot points were a little silly, unbelievable, out of nowhere, this book does offer us a chance to reflect on some of our own relationships, the things we have done for love or happiness. Life is messy, sometimes because of our own choices, but it's also full of potential. Overall, I'd rate this as 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I feel like this book had so much potential but fell short. I didn't really like the characters and the book wasn't executed well. I also feel like the first part of the book was really different from the second part. Thank you, NetGalley.

In the wake of a breakup, Just Want You Here tells the story of Ari as she tries to discover who she is and what she wants from life as an adult. Ari and Morgan had been together for ten years, high school sweethearts, engaged to be married, when Morgan decided their relationship was lacking something and broke up with her. Devastated, Ari begins trying to come up with a new plan for her future and moves to Boston after getting a job as an assistant to a tech CEO, Wells. Ari and Wells are instantly attracted to each other, despite Wells' wife and young son. Ari has to learn who she is without Morgan around and how far she is willing to go to get the things she wants.

This was a really interesting, introspective book focusing on Ari's relationships with the various people who she centers her life around. I thought it was going one way and then it really took a turn at the halfway point. I enjoyed the unexpected route the story took, but then I felt like I was spending half the book waiting for the other shoe to drop, which was a bit stressful. All of the characters in this book were quite well developed except for one of Ari's childhood friends, but that was a more minor character. The story was told in alternating perspectives with Ari remaining the same throughout and various characters offering their own perspectives at various points in the narrative. I think I might have enjoyed the book a bit more if it was all Ari's perspective, but you did get to see the same events through other characters' eyes. This will be a great one for readers who enjoy stories about relationships of all sorts and really character-focused narratives.

Thank you to Little A publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
This book is a wild ride. It is full of angst and heartbreak.
Ari is the protagonist who is dumped by her longtime boyfriend and firsts of everything. She has given up everything to support him and this becomes a theme throughout the book. The sacrifice she makes putting everyone's needs ahead of her own. She becomes a security blanket to everyone, but no one seems to do the same in return.
This leads her to make questionable decisions, enter into an affair with her boss, and creates a messy love triangle. This book is full of unexpected moments and relationships that drive up the tension, the angst, and the uncertainty of where Ari's life is headed.

All of the characters are dealing with demons and have questionable morals. The characters are complicated and self-serving making for a delicious read.

Ari has only ever loved Morgan. Engaged and planning a life with him in New York, Ari is shocked when Morgan tells her that their decade-long relationship is over. Twenty-eight years old and suddenly alone, Ari throws herself into a new job in Boston as assistant to a tech CEO, Wells. Wells is twelve years her senior, a devoted husband and father. He is also captivated by Ari, and despite their own instincts, they dive into a fiery affair. Life becomes more complicated when Ari finds herself intricately tangled with Well’s wife, Leah. Suddenly, Ari must make a choice if she is to be happy.
I enjoyed seeing how Ari’s life changed from her relationship with Morgan to one with Wells. This is about Ari’s journey to discovering who she is and the inner strength she had to find happiness. An interesting read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m always down for an emotional, introspective read, and this one delivered! Ari is a bit of a whirlwind—constantly making questionable choices—but that just made her journey all the more captivating. Even when I wanted to shake some sense into her, I couldn’t put the book down.

My only complaint? The ending felt way too quick. I love a story that moves, but I wish there had been more time to really sit with everything before it wrapped up. Still, this was such a compelling read, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you love stories about messy, complicated characters!

I love "sad girl litfic" books and coming-of-age stories, and this book will definitely appeal to fans of both! While Ari was quite the messy, self-sabotaging protagonist, that made her character all the more interesting, in my opinion, and I was interested to keep following her journey, even in her more frustrating moments. In terms of things I would have liked to see more of, while I don't mind a fast-paced ending, I felt like the ending was a little too abrupt here, and wished that it had been drawn out a bit! Still, this was a really compelling story, and I'd be interested to see what Meredith Turits writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for the ARC.

I could not get into this book. I did try and I did push through but I felt his story was all over the place. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I wanted to like this book. I love coming-of-age novels that explore the complexities of friendship and romance, but unfortunately, this one missed the mark. The narrative felt disjointed, more like a series of loosely connected stories than a cohesive whole. Because of the lack of character development, I struggled to connect with the protagonist and never felt truly invested in her journey. Her abrupt transition from a decade-long relationship to an immediate affair with her boss felt random and unconvincing, with no real groundwork to explain her choices. Ultimately, I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for the eARC.

An absolute trainwreck of a main character. Hard to root for her when she just sabotages herself at every turn,

** spoiler alert ** *** I received this book from Netgalley and publisher for an honest review.

In this book we follow Ari at a very challenging time in her life. She went from having a plan and a very defined life with her best friends and boyfriend for it to change and no longer be. This felt relatable up to this point. We get the POV of Morgan, Ari's now former fiancé, have his own reasons for ending their 10-year-relationship. After this, we see Ari just make one terrible decision after another while basically ruining her chances at improving her situation. She begins this very superficial but extremely entangled relationship with her boss and later on befriending his widow. The worst part is that you see the train wreck and you can't stop it. This was truly enmeshment and trauma-bonding at the worst degree. Ari has internalized everything and acts like a people-pleaser but, in my opinion, she was just extremely selfish while using everyone else's "need for her" as an excuse to do the crappy things she did. Her friends really tried to continue being her friends. I liked that Summer did not hold back and kind of got tired of Ari's b.s. Ultimately, for two years nothing evolved to a better place for Ari. She never recognized to address her family issues and remained in limbo building relationships with fake intimacy. I only liked Summer and Luke and that guy Soren. Anyway, one thing I can say is that I wanted to see how this would finish and it is what kept me going. The end was worst than I thought it was going to be as we got NOTHING!

You've been warned... this is not for everyone.

I ended up enjoying this a lot more than I expected! It's really well written and is definitely a new sort of sad girl, mid twenties coming of age book that I think a lot of people will like. I do want to mention that I had some issues with it, mostly that it really falls into the cliché of girl-and-guy break up and then girl gets so lost in herself and can't remember who she is while guy gets into new relationship and sleeps around which felt really juxtaposed by the rest of the book. Especially because we start in Morgan's POV and we learn early on that he's struggling I just felt like going this easy route with his character post break was really dull and really made me lose all momentum with how much I was enjoying it at the end.

This was so wordy. A chapter felt so long with nothing really happening. I struggled a lot w/ this but was intrigued what would happen. Might just be based on reader’s writing style they prefer

Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for the advanced reader copy.

It's hard to believe that JUST WANT YOU HERE is a debut novel. It's so well paced and filled with characters that I wanted to continue living with long after I finished the book (that's my one biggest gripe--I wanted to see more of what happens with Ari after the wedding!). Ari was infuriating, as a character who couldn't always see her own worth. Turits is a skilled writer who had me running back to the book with any free time I had just to get a few more pages in. This book guts you in the best possible way--a reminder of how the choices we make (and the ones we don't) can have wide ripples into other people's lives.

I will eagerly await what comes next from this author.

Just Want You Here is out March 11, 2025