When Random House wrote with the suggestion that I download this new romance by Kasie West I was all "Yes, please!" because I needed something fun and easy right at that moment. This did not disappoint. Like all the best romances, there's more happening that brings just a little depth to the story (in addition to the expected obstacles to the inevitable romance). The mystery of what was happening with some? all? of the parents kept me turning pages quickly to find out the answer. The supporting cast of characters added to the story and I loved the changing setting as they traveled throughout the west to places I have been to and wish to go to myself.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Places We've Never Been is a contemporary YA Romance that follows two childhood friends turned enemies...or are they?

In terms of plot and even character, I wouldn't say this story really does anything new, but it does do the "sweet young love" thing pretty well. In all honesty, I think the "enemies to lover" descriptor doesn't really apply here. I mean yes, one of the characters is distant and even rude for a while, but even that period has moments of sweetness. I also felt the relationships between family members were more fun to read than the romance. All in all a fun, quick read but not one I expect to stay with me.

I’ve never read Ms. West’s work before but I absolutely loved it. It was funny, poignant and dealt with family issues, boyfriends and growing up. I loved Ezra, Willow, Paisley, Skyler and Norah and their budding relationship and how Norah didn’t give up on her dreams as one door closed

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read that everyone can find interesting with romance and plot-twists. I didn’t love how this book ended. It felt too abrupt. A huge build up to what’s happening with the main character and the conflict of the story, to just skip 1 year in order to resolve the conflict. I would have loved for the ending of the story to developed further so it’s not just suddenly over.

It’s been a little while since my last Kassel West read, but this one helped me remember what I love about her books. Short, sweet and charming her YA books always bring me back to the best parts of the teen years - even the tougher moments, I just get this calming sense of nostalgia.

Once again, she’s written realistic, likable characters- they feel like people you actually know. I liked both Norah and Skyler - I appreciated their quirkiness and the enjoyed seeing their story unfold. The whole estranged childhood friends to love interest was a fun angle, I appreciated the pacing and reasoning behind the rift too.

No spoilers, but I was relieved on a number of levels with how certain bits turned out. A sweet, fast read that I definitely recommend for YA fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacourte Press for the chance to read an early copy, and a perfect Sunday of reading. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This entire book took me by surprise in the best way possible! I was expecting there to be a good story because I am a fan of the author; however, this story raised the bar for other books! This book is one my favorites of Kasie West so far. The storyline was expertly written with the families, the friendships, and the sweetness of each relationship throughout the book was amazingly done. This book was a joy to read with a storyline that kept you invested throughout the whole thing. It wasn't overdone where it could have and all the different characters add such a unique part to the story that keeps the reader involved. I loved how the middle/ending was handled as well, and thought it was beautifully done by the author. This was an amazing read and would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good story!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was so fun!! I loved this best friends to strangers to lovers YA romance--it was the perfect palette cleanser for my back to back school reading assignments :))

The characters were very well developed in my opinion, their backstory and the events that led the towards the path they took was super believably, and I overall just had a good time. I really enjoyed all the side characters as well, especially Willow. I would've appreciated even more Willow in the story or maybe a companion novel about her???🤭

TWs for cancer, bullying, I think thats it.

I'm a huge fan of Kasie West, and her newest book doesn't disappoint.
Two best friends who have drifted apart are now stuck together on a road trip with their moms and siblings. Norah and Skyler are likable, and although the book only covers a few weeks, since it has flashbacks to when Norah and Skyler were growing up together, it feels like you've known them longer.
The plot is steady and the addition of the road trip destinations is a bonus for travelers. It's a fast read that is sure to please fans and have us looking forward to the next book by West.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters of Norah and Skyler, loved their history, loved their connection, and loved seeing them get together as young adults. I especially loved Norah's humor and creativity. I felt like the first 80% of the book was much better than the last 20% - it felt like random things being brought up for the sake of conflict, but none of the conflicts really led anywhere. It wasn't as enjoyable. But all in all, I loved this love story!

Number 13! I feel like I’m an expert by now on Kasie West books, haha.

I’ve always loved all her books, so of course I loved Places We’ve Never Been!

This book follows Norah as she spends 2 weeks on a cross-country road trip with her family, her childhood best friend, and his family. It starts just before the trip, when Norah is excited to see her childhood friend Skylar, only to find he’s changed and has no interest in spending time with her.

I loved all the different components coming together in this book. We have our romance, which is a mix-up of childhood-friends-to-lovers/ enemies-to-lovers—it was cute, it was funny... I may have smiled to myself more than a sane person....
We also saw Norah trying to figure out who she wanted to be as a person and an artist (ALSO! Norah wants to be a video game designer. How cool is that?). Plus, there was some family drama mixed in.

I like that it was a lighthearted story, but it was starting to take in some tougher issues which I haven’t seen from Kasie West’s books, so that was refreshing and fun. It felt a little more mature and real. It’s interesting to see a bit of a change in her writing too.

I’m excited for the next one!

I think that Places We've Never Been is my favorite Kasie West book yet.
Norah and her family embark on a road trip with another family, including Norah's former best friend Skyler. The slow burn, the touch of enemies-to-lovers was just perfect.
I loved it and I know my students will, too! I can't wait to have a physical copy!

Kasie West always knows what she’s doing. This book features summer, travel, reunited best friends, and also some harder topics of sickness and secrets.

I really enjoyed Norah and Skylar’s relationship from previous best friends, to briefly enemies, back to friends, and eventually lovers! I also always love a book with a strong group of secondary characters, and this hit the mark.

Overall, this is a very sweet and quick YA novel that will be perfect to take with you to the beach or read out on the grass this summer.

This enemies to lovers romance was so good! I loved the tension between Norah and Skyler in the beginning. The added layer of childhood best friends who have an awkward reintroduction really adds a lot of tension to the story. Norah’s character growth and choices towards the end of the book spoke to her development and really made the story. Such a good book!

I was fully prepared to not like this book. At the get go, the premise seemed forced and the characters under developed. But, about half way through, I found myself really invested in Norah & Skyler's relationship and loved the value added by their moms and siblings. I found the moment when Norah & Skyler reconciled their friendship to be sweet and believable. I wish there was a little more depth to Miranda and Olivia's (the moms) relationship. They're supposedly lifelong best friends but we never learn much about their relationship beyond this fact. I was also confused that Paisley, Skylar's younger sister, is supposed to be 14 - her character spoke and behaved more like a 9 or 10 year old. I read this is one sitting and was rooting for Norah & Skylar through the second half of the book. The book is recommended for ages 12&up, and even through the main character is 17, this felt appropriate (nothing beyond some sweet kisses and adorable hugs). Fans of "To All the Boys I Loved Before" and "The Kissing Booth" will be drawn to this sweet friendship turned romance.

This was a cute, easy read that fans of Kasie West’s other books will enjoy. Norah is excited to see her former best friend, Skyler, for the first time in years when their families get together for a road trip. Immediately, though, she finds that he is standoffish and their friendship isn’t want it used to be, and she doesn’t know why. Meanwhile, something seems to be up with her mom, and she’s desperate to figure out what. How can she deal with all of this while also preparing for the college interview that lies at the other end of the trip?

The romance between Skyler and Norah was my favorite part of the story. It felt realistic and sweet, and I never felt that it was forced. Her emotions and reactions surrounding him made her feel like a real teenager, and their relationship conversations never made it seem like they were older than they were meant to be.

I did get a little tired of all the secrets everyone was keeping! Everyone in this book seemed to have either a secret they were keeping or one they were trying to get someone else to reveal. Of course, this is what the plot was built on, but it got to be a little much.

There was one scene that really bugged me in terms of plot holes. At once point in the story, there’s no cell service, and as part of the plot Norah has to walk some distance to get a signal. Later, in the exact same location, her brother receives plot-related texts that she sees. Yes, signal can sometimes come and go, but it seems way too convenient that they didn’t have service when they needed to make a phone call but suddenly had it once they no longer “needed” it. Surely her brother could have gotten those texts on a different day to fix this problem?

Overall, while there were some tense scenes in the book, it was generally a lighthearted read that will be a good pick for teen romance readers.

Kasie West is, in my opinion, queen of YA. I will read, and love, anything she writes. This book was no different. I enjoyed the road trip aspect. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Following Norah as she’s about to embark on a 3 week RV trip with her mom, brother, mom’s best friend, and her best friend in the whole world that had moved away 6 years prior. They were inseparable but since moving had lost touch, only occasionally DMing each other on social media. Norah was so excited to see Skylar again, but then it turns out, he wasn’t as excited to see her at all. And now she is stuck with him for 3 weeks exploring the western US.

This book was so cute!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was so cute seeing Norah and Skylar find each other again and work through their issues. It was also cute seeing the dynamics between both families. I thought the added Mom has cancer story was a little strange and unnecessary to put in the book… I thought Norah’s and Skylar/Ezra and Willow story was enough entertainment, the added speculation and mystery about what was happening with their moms was totally unnecessary and took away from the other story… made no sense with the theme of the book tbh. I still really enjoyed it though, 3.5/5 stars

Places We've Never Been is everything you'd expect out of Kasie West. Norah is an aspiring video game creator who is great at art. She hasn't seen her childhood best friend in years until their families go on an RV trip together. Skyler is standoffish and Norah can't figure out why. I love the self discovery and the moments between Skyler and Norah are absolutely adorable. All the characters are well fleshed out with a nosey little sister and teasing older brothers. This is definitely a five star read for anyone who loves YA romances. I'm only sad that I have to wait a while for the next Kasie West book.

This is a good look at old friends reunited and how their friendships can grow and change. Kasie West has a way with digging deep into characters and making them fun and lovable.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's Delacorte Press for providing me an e-book copy of PLACES WE'VE NEVER BEEN to review.

I'm a middle-aged woman and I'm a huge fan of Kasie West. All of her books are perfect for readers navigating those tough teen years. Back in my time, when we had to walk five miles for school in the snow (just kidding), we didn't have many romance books to read. Of course, Judy Blume and Sweet Valley High were amazing, but today the choices are vast. Thank goodness.

I love how Kasie can take the nervous feelings of those first crushes and loves and make them relatable for all ages. She also focuses a lot on the family unit, for better or worse, while tackling hard grownup issues without being preachy.

In PLACES WE'VE NEVER BEEN Norah is heading on a three-week RV road trip with her mother, brother and another family who just so happens to include her bestest childhood friend and first love, Skylar.

What's this, though? He's aloof, he's mad at her for some reason and he's not excited to see her. What's happened?

As Norah tries to unravel Skylar's beef with her, she realizes her family is carrying a secret. Oh, and she's also prepping for an interview at a college to reach her dream of being a video game designer.

It's a lot for Norah to handle, hence, the teen years are just HARD.

Our two love interests have a longing and slow-burn for each other which makes this a great friends to enemies to lovers trope.

I rate PLACES WE'VE NEVER BEEN five out of five stars.