I am not even sure where to begin when it comes to properly reviewing Start Here by Trish Doller. This book really struck a cord with me. So far, I’d say it is my favorite of Doller’s books that I’ve read which honestly, all have been spectacular. This one though, just kind of stands out even more to me. It’s the story of an uneasy friendship and two girls who learn that they’re made of sterner stuff than they had previously believed.

Start Here opens with a chapter narrated by Finley, who unfortunately dies. Finley is the glue between the trio of Finley, Willa, and Taylor. She knows she’s going to die as her cancer came back. Yet, she leaves behind the journey of a lifetime for her two best friends. You see, before Finley died, the three girls went in together on a boat and had a plan to travel from Ohio to Key West by boat the summer before college begins. They essentially will travel what is called the Loop. Yet, with Finley gone, the trip almost doesn’t come to fruition. After all, Taylor and Willa aren’t really friends without Finley there to act as a buffer.

However, a promise is a promise. And so, the two girls take the trip and follow a set of clues and coordinates that Finley has left for them, along with a video. What happens is the trip of a lifetime and a trip I actually kind of want to take myself now. The two girls fight often and don’t magically become the greatest of friends. Yet, there’s bonding that happens. They learn to apologize. They learn to trust and rely on themselves. There’s also a little bit of romance. And to me, the best part, when they travel from Ohio to upstate NY to right by where I live, and then on to the rest of their journey. It was really cool to actually drive over to my library which is right by this waterway that they use in the book. It just added extra meaning to me, knowing these places they are journeying in my heart.

Beyond that, there’s just some gorgeous scenes and ugh, I loved it. I can’t really describe how because I am not a writer at all. But, Taylor and Willa are vulnerable in different ways. And I love a good story about girl power and friendship and kind of reckoning with your own internal stuff going on. Plus, they are dealing with their grief. Not only that, but even the minor characters are wonderfully written (Captain Norm for the win). I think this is a spectacular book and absolutely one of the top 10 books I’ve read so far in 2019.

This was such a refreshing summer read.
I loved all the adventure aspects of it and at some points I didn’t want to put it down.

I loved watching the girls bond and build their friendship. I also really enjoy books about friends on road trips so this felt perfect for me.


Thank you to Simon and Schuster via NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book even though it was slightly predicatable and nothing I’ve never seen before. I liked the different characters and felt the author did a good job of making them unique but I just didn’t find myself caring about them too much. It just wasn’t my cup of tea but I still enjoyed it.

Reading a Trish Doller book never gets old. Each new story she has to tell will always find a special place in my heart. This one is no exception.

Start Here is a book about friendship, grief, letting go, & forging your own path. As three teenage girls made a promise to sail part of the Great Loop, just after high school, life decides to sway their plans. After one dies, the other two grapple with keeping that promise. What begins as a “we have to do this for our dead best friend”, morphs into a personal journey of their own.

I loved the attention to detail that Trish gave each point on the map as they sailed on through —a place in the Outer Banks with wild mustangs, especially. Knowing Trish & her personal life, it was neat to see her own stories scattered throughout the pages (especially those Ft Myers references!). This is a story that begins with a “Start Here” on a map, but truly it’s the final destination where both girls start the rest of their lives & learn they have the power to choose their own destinies.

Unable to open file but looks like a great read based on the summary of the book! will check it out when it is published!

This book has so much heart and is the perfect summer read.

Full of adventure and friendship, but more than anything, this book is about strength and forgiveness. It is about believing in yourself and the people around you when you are in your deepest feelings.

I loved that each of the girls has her own transformation during their adventures. This journey made me love each girl for her own reasons.

I started out relating the most to Willa and thinking I was going to resent Taylor. The strength she shows time & again builds so much respect. She may seem harsh, but she is just a bit broken. Taylor's journey to putting herself back together is beautiful. Willa's forgiveness gives me so much hope.

By the end of this book, I found myself wanting to know how the girls are doing.

One thing that may be refreshing for readers who aren't usually into YA: Although the book has a hint of romance, it is not a romance. This book focuses more on the girls and their friendships than their love life.

Beautiful story. Grand adventure. Perfect beach read.

I loved this story. I found myself googling some of the locations or sailing terms they mentioned because I found it so interesting. What an adventure to go on! This book is about friendship, a little romance, celebrating a life gone too soon and growing up. Sweet story!

I have thought all of Trish Doller's previous works were wonderful and would work well with young adults. This novel was a departure, however. It did not flow well and will be hard for young adult audiences to follow.

Start Here by Trish Doller is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Jen Malone. It had the same friendships and traveling vibes and it's the PERFECT book to read in the summer or if you're just on vacation.

I really enjoyed reading this book and was glad that I have the new Nook Glowlight Plus because PDF's look GREAT on it. At least two out of three PDF's have looked like an actual book.

I wish we could have gotten to know Finley a bit better, though I get that she died and we couldn't really get to know her at all. I liked how Willa and Taylor were trying to become friends even though Finley was the glue. Also, Pumpkin was adorable, I love pets in stories. I really liked Wyatt and Willa.

This book is perfect if you're looking for books about summer or even if you just need a break from those cold winter nights in the winter. That cover is fun too!! Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book. It was a four out of five star rating.

A review will also be posted on my blog on Tuesday 6/18/19.

Start Here is told in chapters from Taylor and Willa’s perspectives. Willa has spent her life studying and is from a lower income family. Taylor comes from a wealthier family and is an inexperienced sailor, averse to risks. Both were only friends because of Finley, who died of leukemia. Finley planned the sailing trip. Embarking on the journey, they must now figure out how to get along.

Though it took me longer to appreciate Taylor, I loved both protagonists. They have contrasting lives and personalities. They both matured by the end of the novel. I loved the ending, it suited both their characters.

I liked the writing style of the novel, Doller describes settings wonderfully. Some complaints on the prose are annoying filter words and the similarity of Taylor and Willa’s POV sections. Their voices and narration styles are identical, variation would have been nice. While their love interest were likely, I wish they had received more development.

Additionally, the plot moved too quickly in certain parts. For example, Willa spends four days with her love interest, this period is condensed into a paragraph. We don’t see them spending time together.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Willa and Taylor were ready to spend their summer sailing from Ohio to Key West with their best friend Finley. But Finley dies before graduation and the girls have to decided if they still want to take the trip. It's their best friends last request but their friendship is strained. They decided to take the once in a life time trip and find themselves along the way. They are tested mentally, physically and emotionally but they come out stronger. Start Here was a beautiful story of loss, friendship and finding your way.

A few years ago I was in a strange mindset and I was craving books of this nature. Those that dealt with death and grief. This fits in perfectly with all those I read back then.

I also happen to love stories about friends road tripping, so it's a bonus.

Finley has passed away and being the friend that held the group together makes this book what it is. Her loss brings the other two together. As does her instruction for them to sail using her clues as a guide.

I loved watching the girls bond. It's refreshing to see that as opposed to so many others in which the girls are catty and hateful towards each other.

It's a slow-building plot, driven by the characters, which I also love. It's a great summer offering that deals with heavy, real topics. Everything is very well done, to the point you could almost physically be on the trip with them.