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Any Place But Here

Sarah Van Name (Goodreads Author)

4.04 · Rating details · 23 ratings · 13 reviews

Seventeen-year-old June can't think of anything worse than being separated from her best friend, Jess. But at the end of her first semester of junior year she's expelled for drinking at a school dance. It's bad enough being expelled, but her parents decide to send her away to live with her grandmother in Virginia and attend the all-girls boarding school where her grandmoth ...more

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Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 1st 2021 by Sourcebooks Fire

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Mar 10, 2021 jessica rated it liked it

there is a saying that goes along the lines of 'you are an average of the people you surround yourself with' and this story showcases that really well.

i think many young readers will find the value in the messages this story portrays - the importance of friends, what true friendship means, personal growth, and identity. while i may be a bit too old to personally relate, i can understand the importance of junes story for those in a similar situation - young adults who are learning how the people ...more

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Feb 22, 2021 Ben rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book. The characters and the setting felt very real to me, and pulled me into the story the way a good book should.

(Disclaimer: this book is dedicated to me)

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Feb 22, 2021 Sarah rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

I liked this book a lot. (Disclosure: the author is a friend.)

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Mar 20, 2021 Janice rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Any Place But Here takes the reader on a journey of self discovery and reflection. Sarah Van Name’s new book isn’t just for young adults. Van Name challenges readers of all ages to reflect on their own teenage angst, family dynamics, and community relationships that impact who we are today. The word pictures Van Name creates are delightful and bring the characters and the message of the story to life.

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Feb 14, 2021 Dr. Don rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a wonderful young adult book about friendship and self-discovery. The prose is delightful and engaging. The character development is captivating. It was hard to put down because I wanted to find out what happened next to each of the characters. Ms. Van Name did a great job with The Goodbye Summer and has grown in her skills as an author with Any Place But Here. I am looking forward to her next endeavor.

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Mar 03, 2021 Katja (Life and Other Disasters) rated it really liked it

*I was provided with an eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*

CW: underage drinking

Any Place But Here is my first encounter with Sarah Van Name’s writing and I immediately felt drawn into the world of her characters. You meet June and Jess at an evening that feels like it could be any night of the week for them, beyond tipsy and definitely drunk, just that it’s at a school venue and things are spiraling fast after they get discovered with booze in the bathroom.

Aft *I was provided with an eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*

CW: underage drinking

Any Place But Here is my first encounter with Sarah Van Name’s writing and I immediately felt drawn into the world of her characters. You meet June and Jess at an evening that feels like it could be any night of the week for them, beyond tipsy and definitely drunk, just that it’s at a school venue and things are spiraling fast after they get discovered with booze in the bathroom.

After that, no matter what June says, her parents don’t trust her anymore and send her off to live with her grandmother (lovingly called Oma, which is also what I have always called my grandmothers too) to attend an all-girls-school. In the beginning, I struggled a bit with that punishment. I understand the concern of June’s parents and the way they mostly blame it on her “friendship” with Jess, but June is literally a straight A studen and … I come from a country where the legal drinking age is 16, so I always roll my eyes a bit at American laws. Of course, there is a difference between drinking responsibly and just getting wasted and I don’t condone the reckless kind since I’m not much of a drinker myself, but it’s always a bit difficult for me to wrap my head around why it is such a huge deal. I literally had bartending classes at my school when I was 16, but I’m veering off course. This conflict sets up the rest of the novel and does so really well.

Who would want to leave behind everyone they know, including the person they care about most, to live in a town where they know no one and nothing ever happens? I can tell you that the answer is not June.

As we see the world through her eyes, it quickly becomes clear that June’s relationship with Jess was more than “just” a friendship. Whenever she speaks about her, their shared bond seems undeniable, but the longer they spend apart, the harder it becomes. And you also start to wonder what held them together in the first place. Things become even trickier when June’s new friends bring up the question of her sexuality (in an intimate and non-pressure related setting) and June has no real answer for it, especially since she finds herself drawn to one of the new acquaintances. I find it’s not often that bisexuality is explored in young adult books, but I enjoyed the way it was done here.

I have spent my fair share of time away from family and friends and I always felt like I was a different person when I came back. Sometimes I was shocked to see how much had changed in my absence, other times I found myself annoyed with the lack of change in my environment when I felt so utterly different. This book perfectly mirrored my emotions and dealt with how hard it can be to let go or fight to keep someone in your life. It’s always a decision you have to make and sometimes you don’t ultimately get what you want.

When you meet new people that enrich your day to day and you find new hobbies that bring you joy, it can be hard to arrange and combine this with your old life. Things change and so do people. Aside from this beautiful exploration of love and friendship, it was also a great but nonchalant portrayal of family. The messiness of it, but the love that was woven through all decisions really warmed my heart. Even with them being miles apart, June’s younger siblings were always present in her thoughts and the struggle with her parents was so relatable. They always made her feel like she had to compete for their approval, but when she lived with her grandmother she experienced such a different parenting style and through that could actually find things she enjoyed.

Overall, I loved being on this ride with June and seeing her find her own way. It also got me really interested in photography, which I didn’t expect, but hey, maybe I’ll find my own Sam there.

Fazit: 4/5 stars! A great read about changing relationships, family and expectations. Enjoyed it a lot! ...more

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Apr 09, 2021 Lacy rated it really liked it

Shelves: bellarke, reading-rainbow, mental-health, demi-lovato

“I don’t think I’m gay,” I said to Kitty, and this time, I was surprised at how quiet and scared I sounded. I had never talked to anyone about this before, ever. “I’ve had crushes on guys before. I had a boyfriend one summer. I didn’t like him all that much, but still.”
Kitty rustled the bedcovers again and turned to face me. “Bisexual people exist,” she said. “Claire is bisexual. I am not, but I thought for a while I might be. In fact, I assume that everyone is bisexual until proven otherwis

“I don’t think I’m gay,” I said to Kitty, and this time, I was surprised at how quiet and scared I sounded. I had never talked to anyone about this before, ever. “I’ve had crushes on guys before. I had a boyfriend one summer. I didn’t like him all that much, but still.”
Kitty rustled the bedcovers again and turned to face me. “Bisexual people exist,” she said. “Claire is bisexual. I am not, but I thought for a while I might be. In fact, I assume that everyone is bisexual until proven otherwise.”
I smiled. “Valid approach.”

To not be a big Contemporary reader, I've hit some kind of jackpot lately. And they have all been bi/pan positive books. (The others are Follow Your Arrow and Perfect on Paper) As much as I love queer books, it's like being bi in a different-gender relationship is a huge taboo. And it's annoying we don't have many books/shows/other media that represent it.

Something I keep thinking about, I remember reading the Adaptation duology by Malinda Lo and absolutely loving it. But I also remember hoping and praying the main character ended up with the guy. Honestly, at the time, I didn't know why I wanted it so bad because I was 100 percent on board with the ending. But looking back now, it's because I had never really seen much bisexuality in media. Luckily, things seem to be changing. Slowly. But, also, please don't get me started on my Bellarke bs.

Any Place But Here starts out with bffs, June and Jess, get caught drinking at a school dance and June's parents decide to send her to an all-girls boarding school where her grandmother, Oma, teaches. Of course, June doesn't want to leave Jess. Jess is her constant. But, June quickly befriends girlfriends, vibrant Claire and somber Kitty, and Claire's cousin, Sam, who takes a photography class with her. As the school year continues, June slowly learns more about herself and just how toxic her friendship (and feelings) with Jess really is.

I literally wasn't expecting to relate so much to this book. I actually sobbed a few times and had to set the book aside and walk away. I had a Jess. She was controlling and manipulative and not a very good person. She is still a friend but I can remember, all these years later, the moment I realized our friendship had changed. I also had an Oma. She was my real bestfriend. And I miss her everyday.

“Everything is almost the same as when I left, but not quite,” I answered. “The things that are different, I don’t recognize. And the things that are the same, I don’t want to be part of anymore.”

Any Place But Here is a quiet contemplative book. There are no big romantic scenes. There are feelings. And love. And so much friendship. But those are the things that make it powerful.

***Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with a review copy. Quotes are subject to change.***

...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Beary Into Books rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Rating 4

I really enjoyed this story. "Any Place But Here" started out strong and I knew right away I would like June's character. She was unsure of herself when she wasn't with her best friend Jess. That's because Jess is the leader and the decision maker while June pretty much goes along with anything. June just loves spending time with Jess so when she is forced to move life as she knows it is over. Until June starts living life in a new way, her way and she finds she isn't as miserable as she ...more

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Feb 22, 2021 Brooke rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

17 year old June and her best friend Jess are inseparable. When they get caught drinking at a dance, June is sent to live with her grandmother in Virginia for a semester. June is outraged, as this means she won’t be able to see Jess for a long time. She can’t wait to go back home, but the more time she spends at her new school, the more she begins to discover about herself.
I’ve vowed to read more teen & young adult fiction this ...more

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Apr 12, 2021 bridget rated it it was amazing

Shelves: six-stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy of this book!

Wow. I really am having trouble finding the words to express how much I loved this book. The narrator’s voice was so strong, and the pacing was incredible — it allowed for slow and subtle growth that was realistic and believable. That’s something I find incredibly special in a book because it allows me to get so utterly lost in it — I sometimes forgot it was fiction.

My heart ached for June at the start, in the middle, and still ...more

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Mar 31, 2021 Darryn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: approved-edelweiss

Thanks to Edelweiss for a digital copy of this book.

There is something so relaxing and real about the books Sarah Van Name writes. Don't expect a lot of drama from this book. It is more of a slow unwinding of what it means to discover yourself. ...more

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Apr 13, 2021 Caroline David rated it liked it · review of another edition

This just didn't do it for me. I felt like it was just too much of a slow burn. I think the plot itself has so much potential and maybe it was the writing that just didn't work for me but I can see that this book will do well. ...more

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Feb 28, 2021 Andrea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: LGBTQ+ and teen readers

Recommended to Andrea by: The Nerd Daily

Reminded me a lot of "You Don't Live Here" by Robyn Schneider. You can read my full review here: https://butterflybookblog1.weebly.com... ...more

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About Sarah Van Name

Sarah Van Name

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Sarah Van Name grew up in North Carolina and attended Duke University twice, once for a teenage creative writing camp and once as an undergraduate. She lives and works in Durham with her husband, Ben, and her dog, Toast.