Right where we belong was a very fun read! The time travel element was really interesting and well written. I thought it was a really fun way of handling time travel, since you don't always really think about how changing the past can completely change the future. The characters were very entertaining and I really enjoyed their dynamics, especially the romance between Delaney and Sumner. 3.5 Stars

This sweet, heartfelt YA story with the lightest touch of sci-fi might hit perfectly for the right audience, but it missed the mark for me. As other reviewers have noted, this book felt a lot more like it was talking about things rather than actually showing them to us. It was a lot of introspection and memories, and not a lot of actual plot or character interactions. As such, I felt like it was really easy to get lost in the mush throughout most of the book. I felt that it could have been a lot shorter, and I wished that we had more active scenes and a more complex plot. I do think that the overall vibes were really fun and had a lot of potential, and I could absolutely see how this might be a more fitting book for a younger reader, especially one who might have experience with grief.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the early copy, but unfortunately I did not finish Right Where We Belong. It was just not my jam.

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

This is a beautiful Young Adult coming of age story with a delightful time travel element where our narrating main character finds her place. Tender, emotional scenes of grief are portrayed very well. There is a clean YA romance sub plot and it is very sweet, and it does not overpower the story. Highly recommended!

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️

Spice: 1/5 (tension and kisses)

Main Tropes: rivals to lovers, brother’s best friend, love triangle, YA romance (with a touch of time travel magic)


Review:

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me on a whirlwind. I honestly didn’t plan to rate it as highly as I did at first, mostly because I found myself generally disliking Sumner for much of the book. He was immature, frustrating, and (the thing that bothered me most of all) supportive of hazing???

The characters were well developed, even if the teenage boyness of Sumner made me want to sock him on many occasions. The rivals to lovers dynamic was honestly so well done though — I was frustrated right alongside Delaney through it all. However, I will say that I think there could have been more softness, more tension and romance, built into their relationship earlier. For most of the book, he feels like just a tired, immature teen boy — which is sort of exactly who he is. From a character development stance, he was spectacular. From a romance stance, I wish it had been done differently.

As mentioned above, my biggest criticism and the piece that held me back most from fully enjoying Sumner’s character, and the book as a whole, was the hazing plotline. To me, this added nothing to the plot, except for make Sumner less likable and to weaken his character. While he does not perpetuate the hazing, he condones it, saying that it’s for the best to fit in socially at their school. While this may be “accurate” in some settings, I found this to be aggravating and unnecessary in this story. Just because something is realistic does not mean it should be included with a character who readers are meant to like. Again, all it did for me, was serve to cheapen William’s growth and make me want to sock Sumner every time he showed up on page. As a result, it made me have a much harder time having sympathy for Sumner, swoon when I was supposed to swoon, or even root for him in the love triangle. If I were to be so bold as to offer any advice (and if editing were still viable at this stage in the ARC process), I would suggest removing hazing and find a new way of showing William get connected within the school, a way for him to actually earn other’s respect that doesn’t include mild bullying. And yes, I know that to some, this may seem like a silly complaint, but as someone who experiences bullying as a child, this was so disappointing to see in an otherwise exceptional book.

But, I’ll say that besides that, I love his core emotional arc and the dynamic between him and Delaney. I started the book literally giggling at their rivalry and their banter, telling my family I thought this book had the potential to be one of my all-time favorites. Once the hazing scene occurred, I was fully team William for a while, until more like the last 80 pages or so and (reluctantly at first) got back on the Sumner train. Their relationship is full of chemistry and tension, especially at the beginning and end of the book.

& the rest of the characters: Delaney is such a wonderful character. She is so well developed, relatable, and likable. Her core emotional arc is so well thought out, and it was so satisfying to see her grow. Lionel is a sweetie pie, and I felt so protective of him. I loved Sabine and Inessa — they are the sort of best friends you know would go to war for you. But I was ambivalent about Analiese and Delaney’s siblings.

The plotline was wonderful. I loved how it felt like a mix of Ali Hazelwood’s STEM heavy storylines, Back to the Future’s time travel shenanigans, rivals to lovers chaos, so much subtle yearning, identity exploration, grief & healing discussions, and star symbolism. In so many ways, it felt like a book that was made for me.

The author has an exceptional way with words. She shows that she knows people SO WELL. & she knows how to write a killer rivals to lovers ARC.

I 100% recommend checking this book out on October 27, 2025 when it comes out! Enjoy the cosmic chaos, friends. ✨

Delaney and Sumner are old friends who feel attracted to each other, but have kept the attraction age-appropriate by sublimating it into rivalry at school. Both have a lot to deal with, between their schoolwork, their school social lives, and their family situations; Delaney's father has died, and both Sumner and Delaney are facing their last school year without their favorite people from previous years. And there's talk about the school having to close, even before Sumner and Delaney can graduate, for lack of money. In the spirit of the cliche about adding one more problem, their various emotional conflicts seem to sort themselves around the ones set up when they meet a new English boy who seems as if he belongs to a different century on campus.

Lord William happens to fit neatly into the place left when another boy doesn't come back to school for the new term, but he really is a visitor from the nineteenth century. In the fictive fact of the story, he's actually the founder of the school. If he doesn't have a positive experience at a coeducational boarding school 150 years after his time, he might not decide to come to the US and found one. If he doesn't get back to his own century in time, the whole school, and even the second- or later-generation members of its community such as Delaney, might cease to exist.

Sumner, Delaney, and a few of their best friends have to help William through what becomes an insightful romance with a generous seasoning of physics. Too much physics for some? I didn't like physics or do well in it, and I found the story easy to follow. Probably people who are attracted to a novel about a prep school with a STEM focus are people who did reasonably well in school, themselves, and can follow the story.

Right Where We Belong is a heartfelt coming-of-age story laced with just enough magic to make reality feel a little less heavy. Farrah Penn has crafted a tender and emotionally grounded YA novel that centers grief, self-discovery, and friendship, with time-travel adding a light, whimsical layer rather than dominating the narrative.

At its core is Delaney, a teen caught in the turbulent aftermath of loss, whose journey toward healing is written with remarkable care. Her emotional arc is the heartbeat of the novel—raw, honest, and at times beautifully understated. The way she navigates identity, change, and the uncertainty of her future feels deeply personal, especially within the setting of a boarding school where every hallway echoes with both memory and potential.

The addition of a historical figure—Lord William Cromwell—suddenly dropped into the modern world offers a fun twist, though the humor that could’ve come from this fish-out-of-water dynamic felt slightly restrained. There’s definitely charm in watching William adjust to phones and slang, but those moments are fleeting, more backdrop than spotlight.

Romance plays a softer, more peripheral role here. Despite a love triangle setup—with William and Sumner (her brother’s best friend)—the swoon factor is subdued. If you’re expecting high drama and breathless declarations, this one leans more toward quiet conversations and tentative steps forward. That said, Sumner brings some compelling emotional tension, and his connection to Delaney adds to her growth in meaningful ways.

For readers who like:
-Contemporary YA
-Slow-burn relationships
-Strong themes of friendship, healing, and finding your place

Final Verdict
Right Where We Belong delivers where it truly counts—with heart, hope, and a heroine you’ll quietly root for. It’s not a grand love story, but a quiet reckoning with grief, identity, and belonging. A thoughtful read for fans of emotionally resonant young adult fiction with a magical twist.

Grateful to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group and Farrah Penn for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

This was such a sweet, heartfelt time-travel romance with a dash of magical realism and a whole lot of teenage longing.

Right Where We Belong blends grief, nostalgia, and identity with a fun, fish-out-of-water premise that totally charmed me, though I did have a few mixed feelings along the way.

Delaney is in the middle of a lot: mourning her dad, trying to survive her senior year at boarding school, and freaking out over Ivernia possibly shutting down. So when a desperate wish somehow conjures a literal 19th-century boy into her life… chaos (and feelings) ensue.

Enter William Cromwell of Dunbry, a charming, Regency-era heartthrob who is equal parts confused and captivating. I really loved his gentlemanly mannerisms clashing with modern-day reality. It gave me Kate & Leopold meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before vibes.

But what I didn’t expect was how layered the book would be emotionally. Delaney’s grief is woven throughout the story in a way that feels honest, and the book gently explores how we try to hold on when everything around us feels like it’s slipping away. Her struggle to find a sense of belonging was really touching.

Sumner, her brother’s best friend, plays the "annoying-but-actually-understands-her" role really well. Their banter gave the book some of its brightest moments. I kind of wish we got more of their dynamic earlier on, it felt like it clicked a little late in the game.

The reason I couldn’t rate this higher was because of one main thing. The magical mechanics of the time travel felt a little rushed or under explained. I had to suspend a lot of disbelief, and sometimes the emotional stakes felt higher than the logistical ones (which isn’t a bad thing! Just something to note depending on your mood).

However this is a great pick for fans of soft magical stories with romantic heart.

Right Where We Belong is a tender coming-of-age tale that balances fantasy, friendship, and healing. Delaney’s journey through grief is handled with sincerity, and the historical twist adds whimsy. While it isn’t a borderline-romcom, its emotional depth and character growth (alongside a slow-burn romance) will appeal to readers who cherish heartfelt YA narratives more than full-time swoon. If you’re looking for a contemporary YA with a strong emotional core and a unique time-travel element, this book may still work for you. But if you’re hoping for a sweeping, passionate love story, this might not hit the mark. The romance feels secondary, almost like an afterthought, which clashes with the expectations set by the premise and cover.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for allowing me an ARC!
3.25/5
"To be loved by someone who fundamentally understands who we are," William says after a while, tone hushed, "is indeed one of the greatest fortunes we're offered."
Ok, so first off the pros. I loved the characters, Delaney’s humor and Williams' gentleman..ness? The boarding school setting with a sort of twist on Back to the Future, was so fun. For my cons though, I despised the love triangle, not because it was a love triangle, but because I didn’t know it was one. I felt like William and Delaney were personally never going to work out in the end, but it would have been so bittersweet. On the Other hand there was the brothers best friend, who honestly, I couldn’t see as a contender until 2/3rds into the book, and by that part, I felt like it was rushed. Overall, it was a great urban fantasy with the aura borealis and great humor, for the romance I felt could have been better.

Let’s start off with the opening chapter. The capture the flag game. The faculty would for sure know about it if it’s been happening as long as was mentioned. This book I’m sorry to say was boring and flat.

A heartfelt YA with time travel chaos, tender grief, and sweet character growth.

Farrah Penn’s Right Where We Belong caught my eye with its promise of a swoony time-bending romance, but what I ended up loving most was Delaney’s journey through grief and self-discovery. This book is really about a daughter learning how to let herself want something different than what’s expected — all while trying to save her beloved boarding school and keep a very charming nineteenth-century visitor from unraveling her entire timeline.

The premise is fun (Lord William Cromwell trying to adapt to the modern world could have been a little bit more funny), and Sumner, the best friend of Delaney’s brother, adds great tension. With two love interests, I thought romance would be front and center, but it actually takes a back seat. I would have liked a bit more swoon and page time for the romantic threads.

That said, Delaney’s grief is honest and really moving. I loved seeing her figure out who she wants to be and watching all the characters grow alongside her. The boarding school setting, the friendships, and the little bits of time travel chaos were all highlights.

Overall, a solid YA contemporary with a magical twist — not quite as romantic as I’d hoped, but full of heart and hope.

Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the ARC.

Right Where We Belong is a charming YA time-travel romance full of heart, humor, and emotional depth. Delaney Carmichael’s senior year at Ivernia is spiraling—her father has passed away, the school might close, and she’s completely lost. But a desperate wish leads to an unexpected twist: the arrival of Lord William Cromwell, a swoony and confused boy from the 19th century.

While this book wasn’t what I expected, it still wasn’t terrible. I have mixed feelings on the plot and in my opinion, there should’ve been more romance since that’s a main drawer for attention. Delaney was a good character struggling with many emotions but I feel she could’ve had more depth. Overall, I have mixed feelings on the story but mostly good feelings.

Right Where We Belong took a different direction than I anticipated; instead of being a young adult time travel romance, the story centered more on the theme of grief. While I found some aspects of Delaney relatable, I struggled to connect with both the characters and the writing style. To be clear, I did appreciate certain parts of the book, and it met my expectations for tackling difficult themes. However, I had anticipated that romance would be the main focus, as indicated by the marketing, which it ultimately was not. I think readers will enjoy this book if they approach it with the right mindset, whereas I was looking for a different experience than what was delivered.

𐙚⋆°🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡ 2.75

first off, just know it pains me to give this my 2.75 rating, it really does because this book had so so much potential! it really did, but it fell flat for reasons unknown.

first off, i remember absolutely nothing about this book. even though the notes app in my phone has notes about it and the little 100% mark of me reading it shows i read it. i remember jack frickin squat. which is fine sometimes if the vibes hit, but the vibes didn't.

first off, the cover? i thought the romance innitatlly was going to be between our time traveling bestie boo, william and our mc delaney. of course it wasn't, it was between delaney + sumner (naur offense, i thought sumner was his last name. spoiler: its not).

also sumner really wasn't that annoying, the second he stepped on page i was like oh? him? he's just playing with delaney and hes probably in love with her

DING DING DING

guys call me a writer for the way i pegged this entire plot so badly that i could write the next chapter. i did love the friend group and all the different characters btw, thought that was fun. there's this trophy plotline as well which confused the crap out of me im ngl but that may be my problem.

𐙚⋆° 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𐙚⋆°


delaney

i wish i could say she had a personality but her main personality in the beginning was being annoying imo. she's okay, ive seen white bread with more gusto

sumner

brothers annoyingly hot messy best friend who somehow starts dressing + acting nicer + cleaning his room when delaney's interest shifts to william? wow

william

ah yes, the main glue of the plot. the showstopper, the je ne sais quoi might i even say. william is from the 19th century. aka, broski said why on earth is a lady wearing pants. and where is my butler? but pookie honestly was a sweetheart and kept me reading. william dunbry, i probably would have slapped some sense into you if you questioned my "trousers" but u slayed


𐙚⋆° 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𐙚⋆°

er, what romance? i mean this so nicely but the chemistry that sumner and delaney had wasnt even really there because she'd had a major crush on him and vice versa but she shoved it away and he did too (bro code) and then they had sex-- 💀

their romance was not swoon worthy

swoon worthy is me giggling at my phone at 2am not staring at the screen with the wendy williams "what was that??? gif in my head

𐙚⋆° 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 𐙚⋆°

the plot was actually decent! we had the time traveling, the science, the friend group who really wanted in on the action, the tea, the gossip, the boarding school, it slayed! everything else didn't !!

all in all, an okay book, nothing special! i was going to add in a quotes section but i highlighed nothing saurr

────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────

so yes there are my very rambly reviews, if it makes no sense i'm blaming the energy drink i chugged and my extremely late night. i wish i could have liked this book but life is too short to like mediorcre books! hopefully someone else will !!

happy reading loves!
xx jo

i really wanted to like this, i really did.
frtc!

thank you to netgalley + the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Right Where We Belong wasn't what I expected; instead of a YA time travel romance, the story leaned into its exploration of grief. While I was able to relate to Delaney, and I highlighted a few quotes early on, I ultimately struggled to connect with the characters and writing style. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed aspects of this and it delivered on my expectation of handling difficult themes, but I was anticipated the romance to take center stage based on the marketing, and it really didn't. I think readers will really enjoyed this book with appropriate expectations going into it, and I was hoping for it to be more of something that it's not.

This story wasn't awful. It just wasn't for me . For some reason I just couldn't get into it. I would try again later but I just couldnt connect to the story. The writing wasnt the problem because the way the grief coping was written was nice. The charcter tropes maybe just weren't for me. I'm not sure what it was .

This one was not what I was expecting and maybe that was on me. I thought I was getting into a YA time travel romance with a side of the brothers best friend trope. And while that was there... some what...this was much more focused on a daughters grief of losing her dad and learning how to push back on expectations that are set for you v what you want. And that was done well...it just wasn't what I was expecting or looking for. I had a hard time with how much this book tells v shows. There are pages on pages of backstory and memories that all just felt unnecessary and slowed the story down. With 2 love interests, I expected more page time spent on the romance, but no. And I just could not get over University of Michigan being called UMich repeatedly....it's U of M. This one was not for me unfortunately.
2 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.