Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer | Book Review

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer
Published by GP Putnam's Sons on August 5, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 360
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Mail)
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From the beloved author of Four Weekends and a Funeral, a nostalgic, heartwarming romance about a Type-A woman who road trips through the Minnesotan woods with her non-committal childhood best friend . . . only for their long-suppressed sparks to burn like wildfire.

Twenty-nine year old 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 inherent flaws that lie 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?

I loved, loved, loved Four Weekends and a Funeral last year so when I was given the opportunity to read Ellie’s sophomore novel I snatched it up immediately. This romantic comedy gives you a road trip, forced proximity, and the cutest friends to lovers trope. It gave me a much-needed escape and lots of goofy giggles. Ellie Palmer’s writing is just lovely, and I enjoyed this story so much. She does such a great job balancing humor and serious topics, giving readers a well-rounded and satisfying story. She’s also amazing at creating characters you can’t help but fall in love with.

Anywhere With You focuses on Charley and Ethan, childhood best friends who lost touch after Charley got married to a major jerk that Ethan hated from the get-go. One year later, Charley finalizes her divorce (Ethan was right) the same day her sister, Laurel, tells her she’s eloping with her own childhood best friend, Petey (who is also Ethan’s brother). Charley, Ethan, Laurel, and Petey were a dynamic group as kids, always together and always there for each other. I would have loved a friend situation like that! Heck, I still would! So when Laurel, whose a bit of a wildcard, announces that she’s getting married Charley starts to spiral. Ethan comes to town to help her recover from her divorce as only a best friend can, but instead the two of them set off on a road trip so Charley can make it to her sister’s marriage in time… to stop it. Ethan is all for Laurel and Petey getting married, but is supportive of Charley and drives her to the wedding in his fancy van (that he lives in).

The road trip was my favorite part. Ethan and Charley experience a spider incident, an ugly hangover, an unfortunate truck stop shower situation, finding themselves at the mercy of a man who controls all the goings-on in a small town, a very cold lake moment, and so much more. Their journey had me laughing so much, not to mention craving Dove Promises chocolate.

Charley is hilarious. The entire book is told from her point of view, and her inner dialogue and thoughts were so much fun to read. Ellie Palmer comes up with some of the funniest things. Charley’s anxious thoughts, self-deprecation, panic, and insecurities made me both laugh and sympathize with her. I don’t usually enjoy books that are so heavy on a character’s personal thoughts and reflections, but Charley was very entertaining. I loved that she has this big house, but has moved everything she owns (including her fridge) into her bedroom because she wants more control over her life and wants to contain it all in a small place. I loved that, in a panic, she throws together a bag of things she needs for this road trip but ends up not packing enough to actually be able to keep her going while she’s gone. She’s a workaholic, but learns to balance work and her life. She’s so regimented and rigid, and Ethan helps her learn to let loose a little. Ethan, a musician and van life influencer, never stays in one place for long. Unless you count Charley’s heart as a place, that is. Ethan has lived there forever, and I loved that. And who wouldn’t have a place for Ethan in their heart? He writes romantic songs and sends emergency chocolate and will drop anything to drive hours away to help someone he cares about through a tough time. He’s a wandering free spirit who, deep down, wants a reason to stay in one place. The two are so different, and that’s what makes them so perfect for each other. I loved Laurel and Petey, too. They are such funny characters, but also fiercely loyal. I loved Petey’s relationship with Ethan and Laurel’s relationship with Charley (even though it’s fiery and gets them into a little trouble every now and then).

I think my favorite part of a friends to lovers romance is the history between the characters. Flashback chapters allow us to delve into Ethan’s and Charley’s past, which I loved. They had the sweetest friendship as kids/teens. There’s also a lot of feelings and some confusion and a lot of mutual pining that has spanned years. I love a romance that has this kind of weight behind it. It just feels like it’ll work. And IT DOES. These two go through quite the confusing journey from friends to lovers, and it’s filled with tension and steam and passion. Charley’s fears of embracing more than just a friendship with Ethan felt very real and easy to understand.

All in all, I really enjoyed Anywhere with You! It’s funny, romantic, real, heartwarming, and even a little heartbreaking at times. I felt all the things, and ended up with a wonderful happily ever after. Ellie Palmer is two for two in my book, and I’m so excited to see what she writes next!

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