"...love isn't finite. It isn't a thing you have. It's something you do. Love is a verb, babe."

I was so excited to jump into this ARC by Ellie Palmer after thoroughly enjoying Four Weekends and a Funeral and I was NOT disappointed.

Charley is overly committed to her job, her hydration, and her walls to prevent herself from being too vulnerable. She is focused on doing what she "should" in order to reach the goals she's "supposed to" have. When she finds out her sister is going to elope with her messiest situationship she's struggled with for half her life, Charley knows she has to do something. It leads her back to her childhood best friend, Ethan, who embodies everything she's scared of. He lives in a van (which screams fleeting and unreliable) and he is the only man that's ever known Charley so deeply. They road trip together to intervene on this impulsive elopement, but could it lead to something more?

This story was unique, poignant, and beautiful. The PINING!!! I feel like Ellie Palmer has such a talent for building characters that defy generalizations. They are simultaneously one-of-a-kind and wildly relatable. Getting to know Charley felt like such a treasure as she learns that she is lovable and not broken. Also I loved the parallel process of Char witnessing that within Laurel too!

This book does what it sets out to do and it does it so splendidly. It is a beautiful exploration of friendship, PINING, sisterhood, and love (and its many different presentations!). I adore her reluctance to (but inability to not) love others.
“Loving people is so unbearable." // "Loving people might as well be an incurable disease."

I can’t wait to buy a copy of this for my shelf <3

What a cute book!!! I love Ellie’s book four funerals and a wedding so I knew I needed to read this! It was a wonderful journey of fun and happiness. A must read!

I enjoyed this book so much!

Friends to lovers is a difficult trope because there are usually too many opportunities when the main characters should have gotten together and didn’t. In this book I really enjoyed the story between the two main characters but also her sister and Pete. Parts of this book were a little over the top (the naked 5k) but in the best way and kept things light and fun! I also loved the ending to this book - it was exactly what I expected and wanted at the end!

tl;dr I loved it!! I stayed up late on the night we lost an hour because of DST because I was so invested in this book.

There are just some authors that I feel like write directly for my specific brain, where I just feel immediately warm and safe and immersed when starting their books and Ellie Palmer is one of those authors for me. With an outstanding sophomore novel, Ellie Palmer has easily cemented herself as one of my "if they write it, I will read it", auto-buy authors.

One of the highlights of her books are obviously the characters and their relationships with eachother. They somehow feel so real and fully fleshed out in a way that I find is often missing in contemporary romances. They're so complicated and often a little messy, but it just makes them so relatable and loveable. The sibling and family dynamics were painfully real, and I feel like Ellie does such a good job at developing characters that are consistent in who they are.

I, of course, cannot end this review without shouting about the BANTER, the TENSION, the ROMANCE???? Ellie Palmer delivers all of this in spades and with such great pacing that the tension just builds so perfectly. (also I am BEGGING for a Ethan POV bonus chapter)

There are *a lot* of pop culture references, and I normally am not a huge fan of these, but I feel like these specific references were perfect for my millenial brain so I'm not complaining. Her flashbacks mentioned little details (music, mostly) that took me back to the early 00's so viscerally.

Thank you Putnam for the ARC!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy of this book!!

When Charlotte Bellamy, affectionately known as Charley to her friends and family, is left by her husband after only one year of marriage, she begins to realize that her perfectly laid out plans for her life are not resulting in a life of real happiness.

The day Charley finds out her husband is done with their marriage, she texts “turns out, you were right,” to her best friend Ethan, whom she hasn’t spoken to since the night of her bachelorette party. One year later on the day Charley’s divorce is finalized, Ethan sends her a text to let her know he is in town if she wants to meet up. The story follows with them reconnecting on a road trip to fulfill a special mission that you will have to read the book to find out about!

I loved this book! I the start of the book didn’t hook me right away, but once I was around 15% in I was really invested. I love a good friends-to-lovers and second chance romance. I loved the secret pining that went on for years. I also really enjoyed how this book jumped back and forth in time so we get to see how Ethan and Charley first met when they were 13 years old. We see how their friendship continued even after Charley’s family moved away 1 year after they first met.

I also really loved the relationship between Charley and her sister. Their relationship isn’t perfect, it’s messy and feels real. Throughout the book we see the messed up perception of love Charley and her sister hold onto because of their parent’s broken relationship. It takes Charley a lot of heartache to realize that she’s been so wrong in her beliefs about her value and self-worth. There were a few times when I wanted to shake Charley for her choices, but I loved her growth and I loved the book’s conclusion.

I definitely recommend this book!

Days after her divorce is finalized, Charley Beekman's older sister announces she's eloping with her childhood sweetheart. Desperate to stop the wedding, Charley finds herself on a road trip with her childhood best friend, Ethan Powell.
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This is such a good slow burn romance! Charley and Ethan have known each other since they were children and while there's been an underlying tension since college, neither has acted on their feelings.

Palmer is able to write her characters in a way that makes it feel as if they're old friends of yours. The time jumps allow the reader to really understand the depth of Charley and Ethan's relationship and what they mean to each other. When it comes down to it, their love is based on accepting each other as they are.

And while this is a romance, Palmer dives into Charley's relationship with her sister as well as how the instability of their parents' relationship affected them. Charley's life hasn't gone as expected (which is *so* relatable!) and she finds herself at a crossroads. In order to find her happiness, she'll need to overcome her desire for a 'safe' life to figure out what she really wants and what she's actually afraid of.

You'll laugh at the mishaps and cheer for the characters when they figure out how to be honest with each other and themselves.

This is the first book I've read by Ellie Palmer. Starting with the things I liked about 'Anywhere With You' - as a Minnesota native, I enjoyed that it took place mostly in my home state. I loved the references to places I'm so familiar with. When I requested this book, I was drawn to the idea of a roadtrip or "van life" that the cover suggests. I also liked the main male character, Ethan, for the most part.
There were many times throughout this book that I audibly scoffed or had to go back and make sure I read what was happening correctly. Without giving spoilers, I'll just say that it seemed that all of these unlikely events kept happening on a very unrealistic timeline just to draw out the obvious conclusion of the book. I wish the events had been more believable and just a bit less chaotic. And I wish those events happened in an amount of time that makes sense. I think the main issue that I had with this book is that I don't find Charley very likeable. And her relationship with her sister made me mad - as someone who has a complicated relationship with my own sister.
I wish I had liked this more. The premise of the book sounded great! I really hope that it finds it's audience. That audience just isn't me.

thank you so much for the approval- i cannot wait to dive in, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! i will be sure to leave a review on GR/retailers to come! 💞

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer is the kind of book that sneaks up on you with its depth and heart. Charley and Ethan’s road trip might have started with a mission to stop her sister’s wedding, but it quickly becomes something much more personal—especially for Charley, who is at a crossroads in her life. Ethan is this steady, unwavering presence as she struggles with what she wants, what she fears, and what’s been holding her back for years. Through the dual timelines, we get to see the full scope of their relationship—from childhood adventures to the slow, quiet build of something more—and it makes their connection feel so real. Watching Charley slowly let her guard down around Ethan, piece together what he’s meant to her all along, and realize that love doesn’t have to be something scary was incredibly satisfying.

One of the things I really appreciated about this book was how it tackled mental health, especially through Laurel’s character and her emphasis on therapy. It added another layer of emotional depth and reinforced that growth—whether personal or relational—takes real work. And that’s exactly what makes Charley and Ethan’s love story so beautiful. It’s not about grand, sweeping gestures (though, let’s be honest, Ethan’s devotion is pretty swoon-worthy); it’s about acceptance. Ethan sees Charley for who she is, insecurities and all, and loves her anyway. And Charley, in turn, realizes that Ethan isn’t just some restless wanderer—he’s home. Their story is messy, emotional, and full of yearning, and I adored every bit of it.

Ellie’s second novel is another hit! I love how she creates moving stories that suck you in from the very beginning. The FMC was harder for me to like but I loved the MMC and ultimately it was a sweet and redeeming second chance friends to lovers romance. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This book was too cute. I'm so glad that Charley decided to quit being such a stick in the mud post divorce and she realized she loves Ethan I like him way better

"But best friends get it all- our best selves and our darkest versions- even when they've never asked for it." Ethan & "Chuck" (Charlotte) are best friends and have been for 15 years. Through phone calls, letters, social media they stay in touch until... Charlotte craves stability, plans and love on her terms. Ethan craves music, travel, and Chuck, his best friend. Through some antics of their own and others' making, old cravings are satisfied and new ones are born as best and darkest versions are revealed during an impromptu camping wedding. Because shouldn't love prevail for everyone?

Ellie Palmer- I will read whatever you write! Thank you & NetGalley for this ARC.

This hooked me so hard that I had to get up and pace my room at 1:21am.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this book is the Why. The comfort, the security, the ease. The knowing that they already know you in every way that matters and they love you. And. And!

Even before either of them realized it was more, Ethan and Charley’s friendship is as steady as it is chaotic. Distance, time, the uncontrollability and uncertainty of youth - it didn’t matter because they chose each other, and chose to stay (if only, sometimes, metaphorically). Ethan knows exactly why Charley feels the way she feels and acts the way she acts, and though at times it guts him, he never resents her for it. He knows it’s something she has to work through on her own, and he’s just hopeful he’ll be able to be with her while she does.

And though she has a hard time comprehending it, Charley is always supportive of Ethan living his dreams. She WANTS it for him, even if it also gives her stress hives. They’re supportive of each other to the point of tearing themselves apart - until they finally realize that they’ve already formed their lives into each others.

I did a weird hiccup-sob thing a concerning number of times. I kept going “I actually have to go to sleep after this chapter” and then I did in fact not go to sleep after that chapter (or the next, or the next, until there were no more chapters) and now here I am, writing this review at 1:30am and trying not to do another weird hiccup-sob thing.

Ethan was never afraid to jump, but Charley was. But he realized she felt brave enough i he held her hand, and she realized he would always do just that.

2.5 ⭐

This is a total disappointment. I haven't had time to read in almost a week, and regrettably, I wasted my precious time on this. How is this written by the same author of four weekends and a funeral? I hated the pop culture so much that I didn't care to understand what was being said. The FL is so selfish and self-centered. She's been living in her head until the last three chapters. I really am dissatisfied

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I loved "Four Weekends and a Funeral" so much that once I saw this book I had to request it and Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam delivered 🤭

This story was fun and overall very sweet. The best friend relationship and deep bond the love interests have for each other was comforting and heartwarming. Many of us have a childhood best friend that we’ve held on to throughout our lives that knows us on a different level, the love between Ethan and Charley let us live out that what if best friends could make it work in adult life. I love how developed each character was and the relationship Charley and her sister have. The sister relationship felt authentic that sometimes you hate your sister as much as you love her. The big moment where feelings are finally shared and accepted had me tearing up.

This book was a rollercoaster of emotion. The drop post divorce to the wild ride of everything else happening here I was up and down and happy and sad, but consistently I was anti-Rich. I honestly wasn't sure how I'd feel about a van life MMC but somehow his whole vibe worked for the story. I was giddy, giggling and counld't put this down. Overall, this book shouldn't have worked but it really, really did.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for an ARC of this wonderful read!

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer is the perfect mix of nostalgia, angst, and slow-burn romance that had me completely hooked. Charley and Ethan’s road trip starts as a mission to stop a wedding, but it quickly turns into something much bigger—an emotional journey of self-discovery, unresolved feelings, and years of hidden longing finally bubbling to the surface. The dual timeline was so well done, giving us glimpses into their childhood friendship, college years, and all the little moments that built up to this trip. And Ethan? Absolute dreamboat. He’s been quietly, hopelessly in love with Charley for years, and watching him wear his heart on his sleeve while she slowly lets her guard down was so satisfying.

What I loved most was how much heart this story had beyond just the romance. Charley’s struggles with love, self-worth, and figuring out what she truly wants in life made her feel so real and relatable. While Ethan was there, patiently showing her what she deserved, this was ultimately her journey to healing. Their chemistry was undeniable—the flirting, the tension, the stolen glances—but what really got me was how deep their connection ran. Add in a fun, chaotic road trip, fantastic side characters, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and this one was an absolute win for me. If you love childhood-friends-to-lovers with a touch of angst and a whole lot of heart, this book is a must-read!

I absolutely adore the "friends to more" trope, and when you add in a road trip, I’m definitely hooked! Ellie Palmer’s latest romantic comedy, “Anywhere With You” captivated me right from the start. This sweet novel revolves around endearing characters who share an undeniable chemistry that draws you in and makes you root for their happiness.

One of my favorite aspects of any rom-com is the witty banter between the couple, and this book certainly delivered! The dialogue was sharp, funny, and heartfelt, adding a layer of authenticity to their relationship that kept me smiling throughout. For anyone who shares a love for romance novels like I do, “Anywhere With You” is an absolute must-read! You won’t want to miss this charming journey of love, friendship, and adventure.

Charley Beekman is thriving. Is she financially strapped, languishing in her legal career, and very likely the youngest divorcee at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on a Friday night? Yes. But, now that she's accepted the flaws inherent in all romantic relationships, she finally has life all figured out! She's definitely due for an upswing. So when her free-spirited sister announces her plan to elope with her messy on-again-off-again childhood sweetheart, Charley knows she has to stop the wedding, even if it means road-tripping into the northern woods of Minnesota in a camper van with her childhood best friend, Ethan, who’s as gorgeous as he is chronically unreliable. But when their cozy journey ignites a spark she's tried to ignore for years, Charley tries to write off her feelings as fleeting. Because after failing at marriage so spectacularly with the most responsible man she's ever known, Charley definitely shouldn't risk it all for her non-committal, nomadic, musician best friend, right?

Thoughts
This was a fun friends to lovers journey. The characters have their messy history and personal struggles to overcome, but it makes the read more compelling and satisfying. There were also a few parts where I was laughing out loud.

This book was a steady, cozy read. I loved the dual perspectives with the sister bond thrown in. This is my first book I’ve read hr Ellie but I already have “Four Weekends and a Funeral” on my TBR list. As a MN native either celiacs I did enjoy that small piece of the story too.