Places We've Never Been
By: Kasie West

Thank you @netgalley for the gifted eARC!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars

Kasie West books are just a sure thing for me at this point! Places We've Never Been is no exception!

Long story short:
In this vacation read we are on the road for 3 weeks with your former best friend and his family! Those said former friend seems to be giving you the cold shoulder and you think you maybe wanna kiss him?

My take:
This book brought out all the summer travel vibes I was desperately looking for!

While light hearted there were some tough topics sprinkled in there.

The chemistry between our MC and the love interest worked beautifully and brought me back to days of puppy love!

This is YA and a very speedy read and definitely add it to your summer reading list!

Also be sure to add sunkissed to your list by the same author! That one has a dirty dancing feel!

Well, this was adorable! Places We’ve Never Been is Kasie West’s newest young adult. Two families reuniting to travel cross country in RVs. Skyler and Norah were best friends in the past but when his family moved across the country for work years ago, their friendship kind of fizzled out. Now, they are forced back together and things don’t go great in the beginning but as the weeks go by with them traveling together, they find their way back to each other.

All of the characters were great and added a ton of value to the story. The story moved at a good pace. The descriptions of places were very detailed and you were able to imagine it easily. There were lots of good messages in here as well. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Skyler was Nora's best friend, but after he moved away years ago, their friendship has been reduced to liking each other's Instagram posts. So when their families decide to do a joint RV road trip, Nora can't wait to rekindle their friendship. Except when Skyler arrives he's distant and cold. As they travel to fun destinations, can the two set aside their differences and find out what really happened to their friendship, and maybe turn it into more?

I haven't read many books about friendship breakups before so I was very interested in picking this up! I enjoyed learning about Skyler and Nora's past and seeing how their friendship evolved over time. I thought that the progression of their frenemy relationship was well done and not rushed. Unfortunately, I wish that we saw the same level of growth with the side characters and had time to get to know them more. Nora was probably my favourite character because she dreams of becoming a game designer. It was fun to see how she viewed the world through video games and her passion to go into a field mostly dominated by men. The RV trip itself was fun to read about and I enjoyed the various settings and places the families visited. There was another plot point that we didn't really get to see until the end of the book and I wish it had been more developed. The romance was very cute and I'd recommend this book to fans of the friends to lovers trope.

Overall this was a fun, fluffy summer read but I wish that we got to delve into some aspects more.

This was a super sweet friends to lovers, summer road trip romance!! It's not summer for me until there's a new Kasie West YA romance to binge. This was a most anticipated read for me and it did not disappoint!! Norah and Skyler are RVing with their mom's and siblings for one last trip before college. Childhood best friends Norah and Skyler have lost touch since Skyler's family moved away four years ago. Will they be able to rekindle their friendship?? The summer is full of fun camping adventures, new romance and family secrets. I loved every second! Especially how Norah is an artist and aspiring videogame animator. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Jenny Han or Sarah Dessen. Much thanks to NetGalley for my advance review copy!

It’s been much too long since I’ve read a Kasie West novel & this book reminded me just why I love this author’s writing so so much.

Places We’ve Never Been was hard to read, not because I didn’t like the storyline (Loved it actually) but because after losing a friendship that was so dear to me, I couldn’t help but empathize with the main characters. This story drew me into it so much so that I practically finished it in one sitting and whereas I always feel like I need more of a story once reaching its end, this one just ended in such a way that I was smiling through the end.

Skyler & Norah’s story had me crying into the early hours of the morning both because I was happy with how the story was going but because two people who were so right for each other, got a second chance.

Kasie West has the ability to write about love in a way that makes you long for it all the more, has the ability to write characters that stay with you long after you finish the book. While this book may have been the first book I’ve read of this author’s in so long, it certainly won’t be the last nor will I allow too much time to pass before I read her books.



*ARC gifted in exchange for an honest review*

Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West is a sweet story revolving around a summer RV trip between two families. Featuring childhood best friends who reconnect, a relatable main character, and family secrets, this book is a recipe for a heartwarming read. Fans of Kasie West will not be disappointed in her latest novel, and for the uninitiated, this is the perfect road trip book for those looking for a cute summer contemporary.

After Norah’s childhood best friend moved away, the connection between the two weakened, so when their moms plan a summer RV trip between both families, she is excited to reunite with him. However, when Skyler finally arrives, Norah is shocked to learn that he is nothing like his old self and goes out of his way to ignore her. Their relationship may be rocky, but as Skyler and Norah are forced to spend time together in an RV, they become more comfortable with each other and realize that there is potential for them to be friends again, and even something more.

❀ LIKEABLE MAIN CHARACTER

Norah is a likeable main character, and I enjoyed accompanying her on this road trip. I really felt for her as she feels the need to be the filtered version of herself around the one person she used to be so open with, and I was glad to see her slowly start to rekindle that friendship. What I especially enjoy about Norah–and all of Kasie West’s characters–is how realistic she is. She’s an artist and a gamer preparing for a university interview, and she has the perfect amount of awkwardness. I always appreciate when YA characters actually act their age and make mistakes, so I was happy to see Norah still learning so much about herself.

❀ FOCUS ON FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP

One of my favourite aspects of this book is the focus on family and friendship. Beyond Norah rebuilding her relationship with Skyler, the story also emphasizes the friendship between their moms and the closeness between both families. Kasie West has done an excellent job capturing the fun and the teasing energy within this group, especially between siblings. While the family secrets and the real reason behind the trip were a little predictable for me, I also enjoyed this bit of intrigue.

❀ A SWEET CONTEMPORARY

Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West is a sweet contemporary about a cross-country road trip. I loved the concept of an RV trip between two families, and the main character is realistic. The story’s emphasis on family and friendship is especially touching, making this a great read for those looking for an uplifting summer read.

Kasie just writes the sweetest stories. The sibling relationships are everything! I'm not sure the ending was everything I wanted and everything it could have been but it is a very cute, sweet and fun summer road trip story.

Super cute YA book with friends turned enemies turned lovers. The setting was fun and unique with them being on a RV trip with their moms and siblings. Added plot line of them trying to figure out the secret their moms are hiding from them and combined with a typical coming of age struggle of finding yourself and what you want for your future. This book was just pure joy to read, not very complex but just a fun easy summer read with a cute couple and characters you can root for. The ending with the reveal was a bit rushed, I would have liked to see more depth from the characters regarding that.

Growing up, Kasie West was one of my favourite authors. However, this novel just didn't do it for me. I thought the characters were too immature for their age and the story was slow. I recommend this book for younger readers just starting out with the YA genre.

There is just something about picking up a new Kasie West book that fills me up with joy.. I just love how I know what to expect. I know there will be a great family story, a sweet romance, and of course fantastic friendships. 'Places We've Never Been' was no exception and has now been added to one of my favorites from Kasie West! I'm a sucker for old childhood friends turning to something more.. And the road trip aspect of this story was so much fun! I would definitely recommend this book to all the Kasie West lovers out there.

This book was so good I wanted more ! It’s a light hearted YA romance. The ending was really rushed but overall 4/5 thank you NetGalley for this arc !

Casey West knew what she was doing such a good romance author! The characters are very likable that you can get attached to them. In the beginning of the book Schuyler acts mean but if you give him a chance you’ll understand his reasoning. The RV trip was very cute this book was very sweet and soft also had a little sad twist. But I still enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it!

Kasie West books have often been comfort books for me over the years and Places We’ve Never Been fits into that category. During a time when I picked up and set down several books I couldn’t get into, this one kept my attention to the point where I finished it in under 24 hours.

I thought most of the characters were pretty likable and I enjoyed the good relationships between the siblings. While the romantic arc wasn’t quite the hate-to-love that I expected, I shipped it and thought they were cute together.

I did have a few issues with the book, though. There wasn’t really a lot happening most of the time, so even though it was a fast read, the pace of the story itself felt extremely slow. I also thought the big secrets Norah was trying to uncover were super obvious and found it kind of frustrating how long it took her to figure them out. And once she did, I felt like the resolution came way too easily. It was like the problem was presented, there was some mild angst, and then came the epilogue set a year in the future where everything was fine. I felt like all the real character and relationship development was left off the page.

Overall, I did enjoy Places We’ve Never Benn, but not as much as I was hoping to. While I did like the characters and the romance, I felt like it could’ve gone a lot deeper on some things that were kind of just glossed over once they were brought up. While this definitely isn’t my favorite West book, I’ll look forward to what she writes next.

There are times when adding all the possible feels to a story makes it overly dramatic and a bore to read, then there are the magical times when a writer like West suffuses every possible feeling a teenager can have into a story and it feels real and endearing. I felt like I could relate to everything that Norah was going through despite the many years that separate my current age from hers.
There is also a lot going on despite what the simple premise might imply. It's not just a road trip with a long-lost friend, it's also getting to truly know her family and finding herself.
Norah is such a unique personality that she's found that it's usually better to tamp it down in order to be around people, but seeing her realize that the people that love her for being herself are the ones she needs on her side was a delight and probably my favorite part out of all the great things that happen in this book.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the emotional read!

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!

Songs that describe this book:
Mary's song by Taylor Swift
Gameboy by HBD
Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart

RV Roadtrip - Check
Childhood Best Friends Who Lost Touch - Check
Second Chance Romance - Check
Forced Proximity - Check
Video Game References = Check
Slow Burn - Check

Kasie West is the queen at Ya Romance, and today with Place's We've Never Been, she is keeping her crown. The video game theme of this one had me in, and I loved every single second of it. Norah and Skyler were BFFs during their childhood, and he is the person who taught Norah how to draw. After he moved away, the two lost track to the point where Skyle was rude and ignored her. Their families decided to take an RV summer road trip together. Skyler wants nothing to do with Norah, but the stubborn video game-loving gal will not go down without a fight. It has everything a great summer YA novel needs. The only reason it is not a 5 star read for me is the number of italics used in this. It's just super difficult to read, and I wish authors and publishers would try to avoid it. It takes the enjoyment out of reading when I must stop every other page and struggle to read the front. I suggest my dyslexic friends pick up the audiobook of this one. You won't regret it.

I had the pleasure of creating a playlist to go along with this story. It's a mixtape jam for your next roadtrop. You can find it at my Blog: https://purposelyunperfect.com/places-weve-never-been/

Thank you to Netgalley, Delacorte Press, TBR and Beyond Tours for the advance reader copy of Places Never Been in exchange for my honest review.

Kasie West is a new, favorite author of mine. I first read her book P.S. I Like You last summer in one sitting. I loved the author’s writing style and the emotions she was able to convey into the characters. Because of this, I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of her newest release Places We’ve Never Been. It lived up to and exceeded all my expectations! This sweet friends to enemies to lovers story is full of heart, laughter, and tears.

Norah hasn’t seen Skyler since he and his family moved across the country when they were 14. When he first moved away, they talked constantly, but distance separated them and slowly their friendship dissolved. Now she is so excited to reunite with him as their family takes an RV trip up the West coast. Three full weeks to reignite their friendship, something Norah has missed every minute Skyler’s been gone. However, he doesn’t seem to be on board with this plan. Instead, he acts as if he barely knows her and only tolerated her. Is Norah remembering their relationship through rose colored glasses or is something else going on? She has three weeks in an RV to figure it out.

I absolutely loved this story! Norah is so much fun, even if she is a bit naive. Her excitement for this trip is evident in the first few lines of the book which in turn made me as the reader excited. Skyler’s ambivalence hurts Norah and in turn us as the reader. I was just as determined as Norah to suss out the problem. Unlike Norah, I figured it out as soon as they were forced to share space with one another. I adore these two. The shared history as friends works well as a basis for becoming something new. West writes their story so realistically. I found myself laughing, crying, and in general feeling all the same feelings Norah felt. It’s a refreshing read!

Overall, I loved Places We’ve Never Been. Summer is full of adventures, and what better way to start summer than taking a roadtrip with friends. While the story focuses mostly on Norah and her relationship with Skyler, both of their families are present and fully fleshed out. I adored Paige, Skyler’s little sister. She’s spunky and full of innocence at the cusp of young adulthood. She brings levity to the story. I also love that the moms are present and involved. It was fun getting to know these characters through Norah. If you are looking for a sweet summer read, I highly recommend it.

Places We’ve Never Been ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Norah hasn’t spoken to her childhood best friend, Skyler, since his family moved away a few years ago. A joint family RV trip will be the best way to reconnect. That is, if Skyler decides he wants to stop ignoring her.

I’ve read a few Kasie West books in the past and although this one isn’t my favorite, it’s still a very sweet, fun YA romance. Sometimes that’s exactly what I need!

I think this is one of those YA books that I would’ve enjoyed more as a teen, but there’s still plenty to love. I wanted more time to focus on the friendship between the moms but I think that just means I’m old?

Read this book if you like
-RVs and road trips
-second chance-ish
-families
-video games
-nostalgia

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Skyler moved away Norah floundered not knowing her place in the cliques at school and having to make new friends. She finds herself a new best friend, Willow, who helps this awkward gamer girl find a place in “the popular group” at school. A place she’s not very comfortable inhabiting. This trip is a chance for her to be herself and not “play” at being this cool girl she really isn’t. Skyler has also changed a lot. His once gawkiness has now changed into a buffer more attractive guy. Facing each other as they are now, or who the other believes they are, isn’t the easiest relationship to navigate. I liked how this novel took the ‘everything is not as great as it seems on social media’ approach and made them face that head on. They both have misconceptions that they’ll have to overcome before they can become friends again, and maybe something more.

One of the things I love about Kasie West’s novels is that they are so truthful and her characters are easy to identify with and like. Places We’ve Never Been was so easy to read and our two main protagonists were so easy to like. Heck, their families were awesome and the dialog was so witty I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. Skyler’s little sister especially had some great one liners. This novel isn’t all LOL’s though, there is quite a lot of teenage and adult angst but this author has a talent for portraying life very accurately without being overdramatic. I bought into the story 100%.

Are you looking for a book you can dive into? Do you like an occasional young adult novel? Places We’ve Never Been is a clean, easy to read, very enjoyable escape. I highly recommend reading it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Norah and Skyler grew up togetherand are best friends. When they turn 13, Skyler moves across the country and their friendship becomes distant.

Their mothers are best friends and decide to do an RV Road trip. Mothers & children only. Norah is super excited to reconnect with Skyler. But Skyler is not happy to be here and on this trip.

I really enjoyed Norah and Skyler's friends to enemies to friends again trope. I loved all the siblings interactions. Figuring out the secret that instigated the trip. This was such a fun read. I could not put it down.