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.

I really enjoyed this book. I love a good second-chance romance, and I felt like the author did a good job of giving us backstory on Charley and Ethan’s past while also moving their relationship forward in the present. This is the perfect summer read!

A love a good second chance romance. The author balances the current setting with flashes of the past building up to the event that nearly wrecked their friendship. Charley and Ethan are childhood friends. They had very different experiences growing up- Charley's family was constantly on the move and Ethan's was stuck in town with a family business- as a result they want different futures. Their happiness depends on them admitting their feelings and balancing their lifestyles. I loved the journey they went on- both literally and emotionally. There's great character growth in this story for our main characters and the side characters. In summary, it's a warm hug of a book!

4.5 stars rounded up! I am a sucker for a friends to lovers trope, and this one did not disappoint. I really enoyed how different Ethan and Charley were. There differences were so stark that it was hard to understand how they could possibly ever get together. Charley was so type A and had to have everything in order. She wanted a partner that would be stable and give her everything that her own parents couldn't. She moved around so much growing up that she just wanted a place to really call home and to feel like she belonged. Ethan was the opposite. All he wanted was to get out of the town he grew up in and not be stuck in one place too long. When Charley gets engaged, both her and Ethan have to deal with how it will change their relationship. I loved getting the dual timelines, and seeing how Charley and Ethan met and how their friendship grew. It was also fun to see Charley pushed out of her comfort zone, but that Ethan was always there to make sure she was ok and comfortable. I also loved the hijinks of Charley trying to stop her sister's wedding. There were several parts that had me laughing so hard. Overall, such an enjoyable read and I will continue to read more from this author.

After a somewhat chaotic childhood where her parents moved around and weren't always living together, Charley craves stability. She went to law school, got a steady job as a patent lawyer, and married a nice, stable man... except now he's realized that they never should have ended up together and they are getting divorced. Then Charley's sister Laurel drops a bomb on her - Laurel is running off to propose to and elope with Petey, her on-again/off-again boyfriend since childhood. So Charley asks Ethan, the fourth in their childhood group, to go with her on a road trip to stop the wedding. But along the way, Charley learns that the way she has always viewed her friendship with Ethan doesn't line up with reality.

I think I'm suffering from some romance burnout because I really have nothing much to say about this one other than it was perfectly adequate. It had humor but was borderline absurd at times. It was a friends-to-lovers, road trip romance with only one bed trope. All of the characters except Petey and Laurel were unlikeable at times but I think everyone was coming from a good place. The highlight of the book for me was the journey between Charley and Laurel.

Overall: 3.5/5 rounded up
Spice: 1/3

Five stars, no notes. For me, this was one of those rare books that just hit—right plot, right timing, right emotional payoff. I really enjoyed Palmer’s debut, Four Weekends and a Funeral, but I absolutely adored this one.

It includes several of my favorite tropes: dual timeline, second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, road trip, and even a hint of epistolary romance. If any of those are your thing, you’ll likely enjoy this as much as I did.

The story centers on a road trip gone wrong, as newly divorced Charley and her estranged best friend, Ethan, who set off to attend the impromptu wedding of her sister, Laurel, and their mutual friend, Petey. As the trip progresses, old tensions resurface and new truths come to light. What began as a simple trip quickly turns into something messier—and far more meaningful—than any of them expected.

The plot is engaging, and the character development is equally satisfying. Charley is Type A to a ‘T’—if not by nature, then by sheer force of will. Her need for structure is a survival mechanism, born from childhood chaos. But she slowly realizes that the control she clings to may be doing more harm than good. Ethan, her once-close best friend, is her opposite—a literal nomad making a living on the college indie music circuit. Beneath all that wanderlust, it’s clear the only place he’s ever really wanted to stay is wherever Charley is—even if she’s never truly been available.

The chemistry between these two is fantastic. Writing male longing from a female point of view isn’t easy—it’s a delicate balance, clueing the reader into his emotion while keeping her in the dark, but Palmer nails it. This portrayal of long-simmering, unspoken yearning is one of the best I’ve read in a while.

I also appreciated the broader relationship dynamics—Charley, Ethan, Laurel, and Petey. There’s a nice contrast between Charley’s tightly managed life and Laurel’s more heart-led, instinctive approach to the world.

Overall, I loved this book, and I’m sure I’ll be revisiting it again soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Thank you NetGalley and Ellie Palmer for the ARC!

Ellie is a local, Minnesota author, and I've been excited to check out her first book (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and got lucky enough to snag this ARC of her latest, due out August 5th!

This was such a fun summer read, especially if you're a fan of friends to lovers. Set in Minnesota the story was even more relatable as many of the locations featured are some of my favorites in the North Shore. The characters may have their flaws, but years of friendship and understanding lead them to a pretty solid HEA.

There were a lot of moments I enjoyed in this book, but there were some moments I just couldn’t get through. The story line is phenomenal though and the characters are both relatable. I think my favorite character is the sister as I love the chaos that surrounds her. I would still highly recommend this book to any romance lovers as I think this is going to be a huge success!

I was very pleasantly surprised to read Ellie Palmer‘s Anywhere With You. This is a friends to lovers romance that takes place on a dual timeline with the main characters Charley and Ethan, who are childhood friends. What I really loved about this book was Charley just seemed so relatable in her career struggles and, overall thinking of what she wants out of life and what she thinks her life should be about. The relationship with Charley and her sister was just as much at the forefront which added a lot of depth. I thought this was both a summery beach read, but it also had a lot of heart in terms of all of the inner soul-searching that Charlie has to do. I also thought this book was hilarious which really helped with the readability and just overall flow of the book. All in all, I loved this book and definitely so excited for the upcoming release.

A slow burn, friends to lovers set on a road trip… say less! I really enjoyed this story. It took its time to develop (almost too much time) but it worked. There were many layers to the story; daddy issues, divorce, job struggles, sisterhood, friendship and more. There was a whole cast of unique characters and very wacky events. It was funny and sweet. I had a good time all throughout!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.