Ellie Palmer's second book was a hit! I loved this story between Charley and Ethan as they reunite and go on a road trip so Charley can stop her sister's wedding. As they fall back in to old habits, they also give in to their attraction for each other and Charley begins to wonder if the right person has been standing in front of her for her whole life.

I had a really good time reading this book! I love Ethan and he is just a soul that is too pure for this world! Charley just got divorced and has become a little bit of a cynic when it comes to love! She is a very type-A workaholic that thinks that she’s fine and thinks that the divorce hasn’t fazed her up until her sister tells her that she’s goin got get married to her on and off again boyfriend that she’s been seeing since high school. She knows one thing and it is to stop her sister from making a mistake that she thinks she’s making. Everyone did it hav the greatest opinions of her ex-husband and after they broke it of she was able to rekindle with her ex-best friend Ethan who is a guitarist that lives life going with the flow and lives in a camper van! This wedding to be has set the two best friends on an unexpected road trip to see if Charley can talk some sense into her sister before she goes through with a wedding. I love the banter, but most of all I love the hope that Ethan always held! I love that this book was deeper than just crashing a wedding, how deeply Charley family’s trauma is really impacting her and how she’s the one that can’t let go! How she’s the one that’s afraid to take risks because she fears that everyone is going to leave her behind! I also just love how her sister stood her ground, she been to therapy and she has tried to heal herself from their parents trauma. I also like that Ethan really put himself fully out there this time, the boy was truly wearing his heart on his sleeve and she really just never noticed. If your look if for a good FADE TO BLACK SPICE level book and friends to lovers, this is one you should add to your TBR.

Tropes:
best friends to lovers
reverse grumpy x sunshine
lawyer x musician
one bed
family trauma
forced proximity
he falls first
road trip
First person POV

Anywhere With You is my first book by Ellie Palmer and I'll definitely be reading her again! I found the book to be both funny and real when it comes to our thoughts on love/getting hurt. It's a beautiful story of a woman who never saw love growing up and now that she's an adult, thinks love= stability. How does one overcome that childhood trauma to know that love is all encompassing in a special way?

Charley is recently divorced and her sister just messaged her that she's planning on proposing to her on-off boyfriend. Thinking she's lost her mind, Charley is bound to talk some sense into her sister... but to get to her she must go on a road trip in a van, through the woods, fight off truck stop woos, and take a kayak trip down the river. I hope Charley knows what she's doing....

Along for the ride, and owner of the said van is Ethan, Charley's best friend. There's some tension currently between the two- he hated her husband and didn't show up to the wedding- but they're also happy to see and spend time together with each other again. Ethan's hoping maybe Charley will finally see he's been here the whole time and this forced proximity between the two will allow feelings to come to the surface finally.

The truck stop scene and the naked fun run through the forest had me cackling! So much so I read the latter scene out loud to my husband because he was like what is so funny. I just thought this was a beautiful story and I definitely recommend it!

Charley's divorce recently became final when she learns her sister is suddenly going to get married in northern Minnesota. Determined to keep her sister from making a mistake, she convinces her best friend Ethan to road trip with her to the wedding in his camper van.

Ellie had me laughing out loud from page one. The humor, witty banter, and pop culture references gave me Gilmore Girls vibes. I loved Ethan and the friends to lovers tension. Pick this up if you want a funny, closed door romance with a side of some serious character growth perfect for summer!

Friends to lovers is treating me so well lately! This book hooked me from the very first sentence. Seriously, what a hilarious opening. And the humour does not stop!

Charley is a 29-year-old lawyer, freshly divorced and clinging to her predictable routine—until her passionate, impulsive sister decides to elope with her messy on-again, off-again boyfriend. Cue the panic and an impromptu road trip (and canoe ride!) to Minnesota with Ethan, Charley’s wanderlust-filled childhood best friend who is incredibly charming but reliably unreliable.

The inside jokes, the shared history, the genuine comfort between Charley and Ethan—their chaotic platonic friendship was so giddy-inducing. Add in some unexpected pit stops and camper van snuggles, and this story brought so much banter, big laughs, and simmering tension!

And beyond the fun, there were also some really great moments about learning to slow down and just breathe. Letting yourself want more. Taking risks for the chance at something fulfilling. I did get a little frustrated with Charley at times, mostly with her resistance to seeing Ethan as a possibility, but even with that bump, I really enjoyed this!

4/5 ⭐️, 0.5/5 🌶️ (fade to black), 0.8/5 💧

🏕️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
🏕️ Road Trip Romance
🏕️ Opposites Attract
🏕️ Work Life Balance
🏕️ Single POV
🏕️ Dual Timeline

The writing style of Ellie Palmer is very distinct, and it may not be for everyone. For me it can be a little wordy and internal dialogue-y, but there are just some really unassuming humor that catches me off guard and makes me laugh out loud.

In this book, I thought the start was a little slow and the pacing stalled for me a bit. There were some very funny moments but I couldn’t get hooked with the story like I normally do. It took me nearly a week to read a romance which usually takes a day or two, maybe 3 days for a longer one or if I’m really busy. I had time but just was not drawn to pick this one back up. Possibly I was in a slump, but I was just not captivated by the story or characters to start. The fmc was even unlikeable at times, and some of the plot points felt ridiculously over the top.

The latter quarter of the book was great though. As soon as the reveal of what happened that caused the initial falling out (as presented in the beginning of the book) was revealed, pieces of the story started falling into place and I was fully invested in the story and didn’t want to put it down. There were some emotionally moving moments that pulled at the heartstrings and left me feeling angsty, which I loved.

I think the part Ellie is masterful at is creating realistic characters in a very familiar way that you feel like these could be people you meet in real life. There’s just a narration that injects some random hilarious commentary and then some ridiculous moments that solidify that this is indeed a fiction novel.

If you like a slow burn filled with yearning and internal dialogue, peppered with some unassuming hilarious bits, opposites attracts and friends to lovers, this would be a good one to read!

“—𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.”

I absolutely loved the fast pace of the writing, like watching the Gilmore girls banter. That combined with the quick funny wit of the main character really impressed me. As usual, I found myself frustrated when the expected drama happened but that’s a me thing. I’d love to see a story where the drama isn’t between the couple at all and instead of a blowup they discuss it like adults and live happily ever after. See, a me thing. 😂

This is my second novel by Ellie Palmer and both have been lovely reading experiences. I’ll definitely be reading more from her in the future!

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc via Netgalley.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Ellie Palmer could write a grocery list and I'd read it! After I read Four Weekends and a Funeral, she quickly became one of my favorite romance writers. This story also did not disappoint. Best friends to lovers, close proximity, and so much more all come together to create an emotional rollercoaster of a story full of chaos, humor, and so many tender moments.
Charley was probably one of the most relatable female characters I've read in a romance book. She's jaded about love and marriage after her divorce. She gave parts of herself up for what she thought was love only to find it wasn't truly what she thought it was. She settled for something that was just ok rather than allowing herself to take what she really wanted. I felt for her so much. Much of the book is her spent spiraling out of control as she tries to prevent her sister from what she thinks is the biggest mistake of her life: marrying her on again/boyfriend. She enlists her best friend to help her and along the way learns what true love really is. It was great to watch Charley bloom and open and see what true love from someone who really cares can be like.
Ethan, ugh, what can I say. He was so great. Definitely a golden retriever of a character. And his banter with Charley is top notch. I found myself laughing out loud so many times during this book. I loved all their interactions and I loved watching Charley learn Ethan wasn't exactly who she thought he was, even though they had been friends for so long.
Of course there were times when I wanted to smack both characters around to get them to open their eyes, but they needed to go through the experiences to get there. But their chemistry was so amazing I often overlooked being annoyed with them.
The pacing was done really well with this one. I loved all the experiences Charley went through that helped reshape her frame of mind. Palmer did a great job inserting. And I really enjoyed the dual timeline. Flashbacks tell so much about characters and are such a great way to build a story and relationships. I didn't want to put the book down because I really had to see what happened that once tore Ethan and Charley apart. I did figure it out a bit early on but that didn't take away from me wanting to continue on with reading the story. I also loved that Palmer didn't just make it about Charley and Ethan. Charley's sister's storyline was essential to the plot, and to Charley realizing real love can and will endure. Laurel and Petey really were a great addition to the cast of characters and their plot played in well with Ethan and Charley's relationship growth.
I'm pretty sure there's nothing Palmer will ever write that I won't love. I cannot wait to see what else she brings in the future. This was a fast read for me that I can see myself picking up again, maybe in audio!

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer takes Charley and Ethan on a chaotic road trip to try and stop a wedding. What ensues is well meaning chaos and tender moments.

I feel like I’ve never related to a character more than I do to Charley. Charley is very organized, she has ideas on the way her life should go/should be, she has itineraries that she follows, and she is divorced and is now a pessimist when it comes to love. I feel like I could really relate to these aspects of Charley and could understand where she was coming from. She felt like such a real and raw character. She had so many layers and such dimension.

I loved Ethan and how well he compliments Charley. I feel like they work well together and they have insane chemistry. I love to see that in romances. Together they have a really good relationship.

I really loved the flashbacks and getting to see how their relationship progressed into what it is now. I think it really helped me understand both characters and where there thought process/actions were coming from.

When recently divorced Charley finds out that her sister is planning to elope, she teams up with her long-lost best friend Ethan to stop her from making the same matrimonial mistake she herself is still paying for. But as the weekend unfolds, Charley starts to suspect she may not have it all figured out..or have anything figured out at all, actually.

Let me start by saying that I love love LOVED Palmer's debut, Four Weekends and a Funeral, and was so honored to receive this eARC! Thank you, @NetGalley!

I also know that I will continue to read everything this woman puts out because it feels like she is writing from the inside of my brain. The phrases she uses, the way her characters move from one thought to the next..she gets me. I get her. I laugh way too hard at her jokes because I do the same thing to my own. This writing feels accessible to me in a way I'm not sure I've felt before, and I think that has to have something to do with being in the same generation/phase of life as the author. Whatever it is, it makes me forget I'm reading and feel like I just live in the story.

However.....this couple does not feel end-game for me. Like, I don't think them being together is a good idea. I KNOW..YIKES!

I actually feel as though I am Lauren and Charley's third sister, inserting myself into their lives and romantic decisions..but are we really going to ignore the toxicity of the past decade of Lauren and Petey's relationship? I really think Charley has a point with the whole stop the wedding deal, and she just gets distracted by Ethan and his glacier eyes!! And Charley..girl has been through it in the last year. Who WOULDN'T start to consider the grass may be greener on the other side? I could go on..meet me in the comments if you want to fight (affectionately).

Whew. Okay. So obviously the fact that I still give this book 3 stars for how hilariously, deliciously it is written even though I have major beef with the plot means I suspect that LOTS of you will still love it and should read it!

Anywhere With You
Ellie Palmer
Pub: 8/5

This was such a fun summer romance! I absolutely love reading books set in MN by MN authors, and Ellie’s sophomore novel definitely hit the spot.

Charley and Ethan were friends to lovers gold. Their story was hilarious, chaotically fun, heartfelt, and full of undeniable chemistry. I adored watching these two as they navigate emotional baggage, friendship (past & present), and ultimately love.

Such a fun adventure from beginning to end and I cannot wait for what is up next from Ellie.

What I adored;
🌲 Childhood Friends To Lovers
🌲 MN Setting
🌲 Only One Camper Van
🌲 LOL Banter
🌲 Heartwarming Romance
🌲 Road Trip Adventures

Absolutely would recommend. A huge thank you to Putnam, PRHAudio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies!

I love friends-to-lovers, it’s always been you, and secretly pining, so this book did hit the spot. It leaned more on the women’s fiction side, but Charley’s relationship with Ethan was a big part. I loved Ethan. Charley could be annoying at times, mainly when it came to her relationship with her sister. I thought the ending was a little abrupt and wish it had been more fleshed out. I also detest the nickname Chuck. 3.5⭐️

Ellie Palmer’s Anywhere With You is like your favorite chaotic rom-com got lost in the Minnesotan woods, hopped in a camper van, and decided to unpack all your emotional baggage...while making you laugh the whole way through.

Charley Beekman is 29, freshly divorced, drowning in career ennui, and just trying to hold it together when her sister drops the ultimate bombshell: she’s eloping with her on-again, off-again childhood sweetheart. Cue Charley’s spiral (relatable), and an ill-advised mission to stop the wedding. Her partner in crime? Ethan Powell, the charmingly unreliable childhood bestie she hasn’t spoken to since The Incident (cue dramatic music).

Their road trip is a hot mess in the best way: canoe rides, surprise detours, van snuggles, emotional landmines, and enough unresolved tension to power a soap opera. Charley and Ethan's banter is electric, their chemistry is undeniable, and their shared history is basically begging for a slow-burn reunion.

Yes, you’ll want to shake Charley occasionally. Yes, you’ll scream at Ethan to just say the thing. And yes, the dual timeline might test your patience if you’re not into hopping between past and present. But trust...once this story finds its rhythm, it’s a one-sitting, grinning-at-your-book-like-a-weirdo kind of read.

What you’ll get:
🌹Childhood friends to lovers (with a side of emotional whiplash)
🚐A camper van full of feelings
❤️Banter that flirts, cuts, and occasionally wounds
😍A bonus romance subplot (because why not double the mess?)
👯‍♀️Strong sister vibes and the kind of growth that hurts so good

It’s not just a romance...it’s a full-blown quarter-life crisis on wheels. And if you’ve ever thought “maybe I should drop everything and road trip to Minnesota to stop a wedding,” this book gets you.

This was my first Ellie Palmer book and I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the plot and the development between Charley & Ethan for their relationship, as well as the overall character development.

The biggest pain point was how immature Charley seemed - especially when it came to how she felt about her sister's wedding. I would have liked to see her have a more open mind when it came accepting it.

Overall, I loved the book and I can''t wait to read more books by Ellie Palmer.

Honestly, there are just too many rom-coms out there that are severely lacking in the “comedy” BUT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud (there was no ROFLing but there were many LOLs). Make me laugh in a book and I will overlook any plot holes, underdeveloped characters, or pet peeve tropes you include (thankfully none of those made it into this book either). Ellie Palmer proved with her second book that she has staying power. Her writing is equal to Abby Jiminez and Emily Henry in my opinion. There was never a dull moment in this book and did I mention it was funny?

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

I LOVE Ellie Palmer's first novel and absolutely had to request her second, "Anywhere With You," and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed this charming friends-to-lovers story! Rather than the typical angst surrounding the admission of feelings, it takes a wonderfully unexpected turn.
Charley, 29 and recently divorced, is tired of her legal job and struggling with bills. When her sister Laurel announces her engagement to her childhood sweetheart, Petey, Charley's estranged friend, Ethan, shows up and together, they embark on a journey to prevent the wedding. Ethan and Charley share the most delightful banter and undeniable chemistry. The tale is filled with humor, yearning, and the memorable incident at Charley's bachelorette party that caused their rift. Laurel and Petey contribute to the excitement, giving everyone an opportunity for second chances. Perfect escapism read with lots of character, banter and a dash of romance!

Anywhere With You
•
“Now that I have you, this whole other part of me has finally come alive, like the best things only exist when you’re a part of my life.”
🛶🏕️
I loved this book! I couldn’t read it fast enough and literally took no notes 🤗💕 This book perfectly blended past and present chapters, we get such a deep understanding of Ethan and Charley and their friendship. I loved the roadtrip / camping setting, Charley could be a bit frustrating at times, but I honestly loved all the characters and you feel yourself growing with them throughout the story! Filled with great banter, some spice, tension, it was just an adventure and I think you’ll eat it up! And titled chapters which are my absolute favorite. It’s a fun read, but we also tackle some deeper topics - divorce, soul sucking jobs, family troubles, and I think one of the bigger ones is understanding your sibling and loving all parts of who they are. I can’t see anyone disliking Ethan. He’s honest, silly, kind, he’s someone who brings the best out of those around him. This is definitely a book you’ll want to cozy up outside with a big blanket and read it in one sitting ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
•
Thank you @elliepalmerwrites @netgalley and @putnambooks for this e-arc, it comes out August 5th! This is my first book by this author, but definitely won’t be my last!

⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️ 1/5

Thank you Putnam (@putnambooks) for the advanced copy!

Oh I loved this book so so much! I am not typically a fan of childhood friends to lovers, but I really enjoyed this romance, especially when he has been in love ALL ALONG! Swoon! 🤭 I also loved that we got a second-chance romance from two side characters too!

I loved how fun this story was, especially when straight-laced Charley sets off in a camper van with her ex-best man to stop her sister’s very last-minute wedding. The most absolutely bonkers things happened to these characters in the woods. I found myself sputter-laughing out loud on multiple occasions! SUCH a fun time!

With any story told through a dual timeline, I enjoyed seeing Charley and Ethan’s past unfurl, leading up to the moment when everything went wrong. It really tugged at my heartstrings. Not only the relationship with our MMC, but also Charley’s relationship with her sister. It added a lot of depth to this story.

This is my first book from Ellie Palmer, and I really fell in love with her witty and humorous writing style. It is truly unique. I cannot wait to go back and read her debut soon!

I want to start by saying I am not a friends to lovers dual timeline girl..BUT THIS WAS FANTASTIC! I loved Ethan and his patience for Charley was key to this book and made me fall in love with Ethan!

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all, many thanks to @NetGalley, @ElliePalmer, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Anywhere With You is a great summer romance that follows Charley and Ethan—childhood best friends who’ve always had feelings for each other but were too afraid to act on them. Charley, shaped by a chaotic and rootless childhood, craves stability and structure. She dreams of a life with everything neatly in place. Ethan, on the other hand, is a free-spirited musician determined to escape the small-town life and the family business he’s expected to inherit. All he wants is to chase his dream of making music and living life on the road.

Their paths cross again when Charley’s divorce is finalized, and they reunite for a spontaneous road trip in Ethan’s van—on a mission to stop Charley’s sister from marrying her on-again, off-again boyfriend. Along the way, they share wild adventures and old feelings resurface.

One of the strongest moments in the book is when Charley confronts how their unstable upbringing affected both her and her sister. She realizes that she’s been living life by checking boxes, seeking safety instead of happiness. She thought she knew what was best for her sister but she couldn't be more wrong. Her journey leads her to a beautiful shift—embracing the unpredictability of life and love, especially with someone like Ethan.

This is a fun, romantic, and emotionally grounded read with classic tropes like friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance, forced proximity, and opposites attract. It’s my first book by Ellie Palmer, and now I’m excited to read Four Weekends and a Funeral too.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with depth and heart, I definitely recommend Anywhere With You.