Places We’ve Never Been
Author: Kasie West
Pages: 336 pages
Genre: YA Romance
Published: 31st May 2022
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Synopsis:
A sweet and swoony contemporary Young Adult novel about a cross-country family road trip that puts one girl and her childhood best friend on an unexpected road to romance!
Norah hasn’t seen her childhood best friend, Skyler, in years. When he first moved away, they’d talk all the time, but lately their relationship has been reduced to liking each other’s Instagram posts. That’s why Norah can’t wait for the joint RV road trip their families have planned for the summer.
But when Skyler finally arrives, he seems…like he’d rather be anywhere else. Hurt and confused, Norah reacts in kind. Suddenly, her oldest friendship is on the rocks.
An unexpected summer spent driving across the country leads both Norah and Skyler down new roads and to new discoveries. Before long, they are, once again, seeing each other in a different light. Can their friendship-turned-rivalry turn into something more?
My Review:
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, NetGalley, and Delacourte Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Check out the rest of the tour schedule here.
Kasie West is an immediate buy author for me as I’ve loved her books for years, so I jumped at the chance for an ARC.
One thing I like about her books, is the nostalgia I feel when I read them. I have never been on a road trip through America, but I was immediately transported to that situation. I adore childhood best friends to strangers to partial enemies to friends to lovers and this was perfect!
‘You think I’m not going to remember that when I’m gone? I’ve loved you for half my life. I’m not going to forget.’
Norah and Skyler used to be attached at the hip, but since Skyler moved away, they haven’t seen each other for years. Norah is extremely excited to be going on this RV trip with Skyler’s Mum and siblings, but when Skyler never gets out of the car to say hello, she realises it may not be the trip she had been dreaming of. Skyler keeps his distance from Norah, but acts normal with her siblings. This creates a hostile environment, and Norah decides to give him a similar treatment.
‘Love is a pretty powerful thing. It doesn’t take away all of life’s disappointments, but it can provide a nice place to fall.’
Not only does Norah have to deal with Skyler’s weird behaviour, but she has a university interview to prepare for at her dream school. She is a very organised character, and I like that during this trip, she became a bit more spontaneous. Skyler also comes out of his shell more throughout the novel, and embraces his younger self that he seems to have shoved in a deep hole.
I adored the relationships in this book, Norah and Skyler’s journey was so cute, and there were many sweet moments. Norah’s relationships with her family, and Skyler’s younger sister were great also and I think Skyler’s sister helped him open up a bit more to Norah again. This book has a sad undertone as there is a reason for this trip, which has come about very quickly. However, I loved the family atmosphere that was created. Overall, this was such a fun and sweet read and Kasie West never fails to disappoint!
Keep reading,
Georgia x
Lost in Neverland 
This one’s on my list so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I loved it so hope you do too!
LikeLike