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Any Place But Here
Fans of Morgan Matson and Sarah Dessen will fall in love with this contemporary coming of age story set at a picturesque Virginia boarding school.
That's what Jess was to me. I was the ground; she was the rain. I wasn't anything until she woke me up.
Seventeen-year-old June is completely wrapped up in her best friend Jess. The two are inseparable and June feels so lucky that they found each other. Even if everyone else around her thinks Jess is a bad influence. Even if June is starting to question if she likes Jess as more than just a friend.
But after June is expelled from school at the end of her first semester of junior year, she's forced to move to Virginia, to live with her grandmother and attend an all-girls boarding school. She'll be miles away from her home, from her family, and from Jess.
June is miserable at first and counts down the days until she can come back home for the summer. But when she befriends two new girls and meets a boy named Sam, who she is instantly drawn to, life in Virginia starts to feel more real. Except Jess is always on her mind, and she can't deny her feelings anymore, even as Jess starts to pull away from her.
June can't let Jess go―but she needs to figure out how to move forward, and how to find the place she really belongs.
That's what Jess was to me. I was the ground; she was the rain. I wasn't anything until she woke me up.
Seventeen-year-old June is completely wrapped up in her best friend Jess. The two are inseparable and June feels so lucky that they found each other. Even if everyone else around her thinks Jess is a bad influence. Even if June is starting to question if she likes Jess as more than just a friend.
But after June is expelled from school at the end of her first semester of junior year, she's forced to move to Virginia, to live with her grandmother and attend an all-girls boarding school. She'll be miles away from her home, from her family, and from Jess.
June is miserable at first and counts down the days until she can come back home for the summer. But when she befriends two new girls and meets a boy named Sam, who she is instantly drawn to, life in Virginia starts to feel more real. Except Jess is always on her mind, and she can't deny her feelings anymore, even as Jess starts to pull away from her.
June can't let Jess go―but she needs to figure out how to move forward, and how to find the place she really belongs.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2021
15 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Van Name
3 books54 followersSarah Van Name grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and now lives and works in Durham with her family and dog. She is the author of three young adult novels: These Bodies Between Us (2024), Any Place But Here (2021), and The Goodbye Summer (2019). You can find her on Instagram @sarahvanname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 16, 2021
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 they surround themselves with affect their choices and the consequences.
overall, this is a nice book. not something that will stick with me personally, but objectively this is decent.
thanks sourcebooks fire for the ARC!
↠ 3 stars
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 they surround themselves with affect their choices and the consequences.
overall, this is a nice book. not something that will stick with me personally, but objectively this is decent.
thanks sourcebooks fire for the ARC!
↠ 3 stars
February 22, 2021
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)
(Disclaimer: this book is dedicated to me)
June 13, 2022
4.5 STARS | ANY PLACE BUT HERE is a DAZZLING and TOUCHING book! Perfect for Pride Month, it has lesbian and bisexual characters with pure taste! I found this book on my Amazon book recommendation list, and was curious by its cover and blur. Thankfully, I brought it, read it, and was not disappointed! Seventeen-year-old June loves her best friend, Jess, and can’t imagine a life without her. That is until June is expelled from school at the end of her first semester of her junior year. Forced to move to Virginia to live with her grandmother, she then attends an all-girls boarding school. She is miles away from her home, family, and from Jess. June is miserable living in Virginia, and can’t waits to go home for the summer. But when she meets dashing Sam, a boy she is instantly drawn to, she feels maybe living in Virginia is not bad after all. And as she begins to question if she has more than just a friendship with Sam, Jess pulls away, leaving June with more questions. June can’t let go of Jess, but needs to figure out how to find the place where her heart belongs. A wonderful book that EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ!
May 3, 2021
Any Place But Here is a quiet, character-driven, and contemplative novel. June's entire world is her best friend Jess, but when they get caught underage drinking June is sent to live with her Oma in Virginia.
This novel tackles a lot of issues young women face as they grow up and grow apart from their friends. Jess is a bad influence on June's life, and she recognizes that, but her loyalty and deep love for her clouds that. However, as June continues her life away from North Carolina and finds new friends, hobbies, and a new lifestyle, she recognizes the damage Jess has done to her life.
I loved the side characters in this novel, I felt that they were all well-developed with separate lives and feelings apart from June. Her Oma was fabulous as well. A lot of complex issues were brought up but handled with grace and finesse, like discovering your passion, discovering your sexuality as a teen, and growing apart from childhood friends. The writing was not complex but contemplative and meaningful, not one word was out of place.
Overall, a wonderful and necessary novel about finding yourself apart from a friend. I will definitely recommend this title to others. 4.5/5
This novel tackles a lot of issues young women face as they grow up and grow apart from their friends. Jess is a bad influence on June's life, and she recognizes that, but her loyalty and deep love for her clouds that. However, as June continues her life away from North Carolina and finds new friends, hobbies, and a new lifestyle, she recognizes the damage Jess has done to her life.
I loved the side characters in this novel, I felt that they were all well-developed with separate lives and feelings apart from June. Her Oma was fabulous as well. A lot of complex issues were brought up but handled with grace and finesse, like discovering your passion, discovering your sexuality as a teen, and growing apart from childhood friends. The writing was not complex but contemplative and meaningful, not one word was out of place.
Overall, a wonderful and necessary novel about finding yourself apart from a friend. I will definitely recommend this title to others. 4.5/5
February 22, 2021
I liked this book a lot. (Disclosure: the author is a friend.)
March 12, 2023
well she didn’t fall in love…so it was okay I guess?
April 10, 2021
“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.***
February 14, 2021
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.
March 20, 2021
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.
April 1, 2021
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.
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.
April 29, 2021
A heartfelt, coming of age novel about discovering your true authentic self. Honest, real and relatable.
August 17, 2023
Rep: bi mc, Jewish li, bi side character, lesbian side character
CWs: toxic relationship
CWs: toxic relationship
March 3, 2021
*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!
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!
October 28, 2021
"I arrived in northern Virginia on January 1, the metaphor of the fresh start laid out in front of me as bright and wide as the river itself. But it had been predestined."
While I really like this quote, I couldn't rate this book higher than three stars. This might've been a me thing, but I feel like this might've been a case of telling and not really showing. The description made me think this book was going to be a little heavier than it actually was, I thought was a deeper problem with June than it really was. Basically, June gets "asked to leave," her previous school because she and her best friend Jess get caught drinking at a school dance. Her friend Jess gets to stay because her parents made a large donation to the school. So June's parents send her to live with her grandmother, who teaches at an all girls boarding school in northern Virginia. Frankly, I feel a little mislead because from the plot synopsis on the back of the book it looked like her friend Jess had died or something because it says that she can't imagine life without her best friend....when it's revealed that it's actually drinking it wasn't the more hard hitting book I was expecting. I realize this is my fault for not fully understanding, but I don't know...
I also wanted a little more from the writing. At times it kind of felt like there was a lot of "I did my homework, then this happened and time passed," kind of thing. Again, this is an example of telling the reader what happened without showing the reader what's been happening. I also wanted to know more about June's parents, why they felt the need to send June to another state. It was like we (as the reader) were supposed to know why June really left, because Jess was clearly a bad influence, but I felt like there should've been more there. June's father even says something like "you know why you're really here," at the start of the book and June thinks that she doesn't understand, and that's never brought up again. I think June could've benefited from knowing more about her parents thinking.
Anyway, I know that many people might like this more than I did. Like I said, it wasn't bad, I just had some problems with it.
While I really like this quote, I couldn't rate this book higher than three stars. This might've been a me thing, but I feel like this might've been a case of telling and not really showing. The description made me think this book was going to be a little heavier than it actually was, I thought was a deeper problem with June than it really was. Basically, June gets "asked to leave," her previous school because she and her best friend Jess get caught drinking at a school dance. Her friend Jess gets to stay because her parents made a large donation to the school. So June's parents send her to live with her grandmother, who teaches at an all girls boarding school in northern Virginia. Frankly, I feel a little mislead because from the plot synopsis on the back of the book it looked like her friend Jess had died or something because it says that she can't imagine life without her best friend....when it's revealed that it's actually drinking it wasn't the more hard hitting book I was expecting. I realize this is my fault for not fully understanding, but I don't know...
I also wanted a little more from the writing. At times it kind of felt like there was a lot of "I did my homework, then this happened and time passed," kind of thing. Again, this is an example of telling the reader what happened without showing the reader what's been happening. I also wanted to know more about June's parents, why they felt the need to send June to another state. It was like we (as the reader) were supposed to know why June really left, because Jess was clearly a bad influence, but I felt like there should've been more there. June's father even says something like "you know why you're really here," at the start of the book and June thinks that she doesn't understand, and that's never brought up again. I think June could've benefited from knowing more about her parents thinking.
Anyway, I know that many people might like this more than I did. Like I said, it wasn't bad, I just had some problems with it.
October 7, 2025
When I first started this book, I was only reading it because someone had gifted me it and I needed to do a book report. I thought this would have been a boring book but I actually found myself reading it and interested in the story.
I usually read horror or stories with twists, but this book was a nice simple book to read and felt like reality. I really enjoyed the character development and growth that our main character gave us and the significance of photography. When I first read this book I saw myself as June.
When I was first in freshman year of high school, I too wasn’t friends with a girl that was the greatest influence. I would do stuff to seem cool even if I got in trouble by my parents. After she moved and we stopped talking, I changed and reflected. Promising myself to never be like that again. Also like June, I got really into film photography which led me to take multiple photography classes.
Though it was a simple and short book, I did enjoy it. It was perfect for a quick read while I had nothing to do and I found it easy to give a book report on as I didn’t get bored and abandoned it. It kinda reminds me of a book you read in the fall all bundled up by the rainy window drink a warm drink. Perfect for teens.
I usually read horror or stories with twists, but this book was a nice simple book to read and felt like reality. I really enjoyed the character development and growth that our main character gave us and the significance of photography. When I first read this book I saw myself as June.
When I was first in freshman year of high school, I too wasn’t friends with a girl that was the greatest influence. I would do stuff to seem cool even if I got in trouble by my parents. After she moved and we stopped talking, I changed and reflected. Promising myself to never be like that again. Also like June, I got really into film photography which led me to take multiple photography classes.
Though it was a simple and short book, I did enjoy it. It was perfect for a quick read while I had nothing to do and I found it easy to give a book report on as I didn’t get bored and abandoned it. It kinda reminds me of a book you read in the fall all bundled up by the rainy window drink a warm drink. Perfect for teens.
April 13, 2021
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 a little bit at the end. But I loved reading how her time with her Oma changed her. I loved seeing her become strong and sure.
I just — there are too many good things to say. Please read this.
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 a little bit at the end. But I loved reading how her time with her Oma changed her. I loved seeing her become strong and sure.
I just — there are too many good things to say. Please read this.
October 8, 2021
The information I had about this book was… misleading. It’s hard to find new YA contemporary books that I actually like, lately I’ve been gravitating towards more adult contemporary content. But this really portrayed the way I felt about my sexuality during 2017-2018, so, points for that. Other than that I feel like it’s a bit of a shallow book, but I’m certain that if I had read this when I was 14-15 I would have loved it so much more than now.
August 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐
Adored this YA novel about friendships, love and self discovery.
Writing style completely drew me in.
Short chapters, true to life and couldn't put it down.
Great setting and great characters.
Will be reading her other novels.
Would recommend 💕
Adored this YA novel about friendships, love and self discovery.
Writing style completely drew me in.
Short chapters, true to life and couldn't put it down.
Great setting and great characters.
Will be reading her other novels.
Would recommend 💕
Read
April 11, 2024An honest story of a lost girl finding and understanding herself
August 15, 2024
this was so good!! would have loved in high school!!
February 27, 2025
No es normal la falta de respeto que se tiene a sí misma, tardo todo el libro para darse cuenta
June 1, 2021
"Well, sometimes the best representatives of ourselves aren't the most aesthetically pleasing."
June and Jess are best friends. But when they are found drunk at a school dance, rather than be expelled, June leaves town to live with her grandmother and start afresh at the school her grandmother teachers at.
But how is June meant to survive in a new town and a new school without her friends, and most importantly Jess? Was what they did that bad? Of course they were drinking, it's what everyone does. June feels cut off from her friends and her family.
But despite her resolution to keep to herself and mark time until she gets to go home for the school holidays, June does make friends and she begins to find herself in the quiet small town she finds herself living in.
This is a coming of age story, a story about toxic friendships and a story not so much about re-inventing yourself but maybe finding your true self.
Thanks to Negalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc to review.
Merged review:
"Well, sometimes the best representatives of ourselves aren't the most aesthetically pleasing."
June and Jess are best friends. But when they are found drunk at a school dance, rather than be expelled, June leaves town to live with her grandmother and start afresh at the school her grandmother teachers at.
But how is June meant to survive in a new town and a new school without her friends, and most importantly Jess? Was what they did that bad? Of course they were drinking, it's what everyone does. June feels cut off from her friends and her family.
But despite her resolution to keep to herself and mark time until she gets to go home for the school holidays, June does make friends and she begins to find herself in the quiet small town she finds herself living in.
This is a coming of age story, a story about toxic friendships and a story not so much about re-inventing yourself but maybe finding your true self.
Thanks to Negalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc to review.
June and Jess are best friends. But when they are found drunk at a school dance, rather than be expelled, June leaves town to live with her grandmother and start afresh at the school her grandmother teachers at.
But how is June meant to survive in a new town and a new school without her friends, and most importantly Jess? Was what they did that bad? Of course they were drinking, it's what everyone does. June feels cut off from her friends and her family.
But despite her resolution to keep to herself and mark time until she gets to go home for the school holidays, June does make friends and she begins to find herself in the quiet small town she finds herself living in.
This is a coming of age story, a story about toxic friendships and a story not so much about re-inventing yourself but maybe finding your true self.
Thanks to Negalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc to review.
Merged review:
"Well, sometimes the best representatives of ourselves aren't the most aesthetically pleasing."
June and Jess are best friends. But when they are found drunk at a school dance, rather than be expelled, June leaves town to live with her grandmother and start afresh at the school her grandmother teachers at.
But how is June meant to survive in a new town and a new school without her friends, and most importantly Jess? Was what they did that bad? Of course they were drinking, it's what everyone does. June feels cut off from her friends and her family.
But despite her resolution to keep to herself and mark time until she gets to go home for the school holidays, June does make friends and she begins to find herself in the quiet small town she finds herself living in.
This is a coming of age story, a story about toxic friendships and a story not so much about re-inventing yourself but maybe finding your true self.
Thanks to Negalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc to review.
May 5, 2021
Any Place But Here by Sarah Van Name is a heartfelt and emotional story about friendship, identity, belonging, and more. As surroundings change, people do too, and for June, there is much to learn about herself and the people around her.
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When a boozy school dance leads to June’s high school expulsion, her whole world is turned upside down. June is forced to head miles from home to attend the all-girls boarding school where her oma is a well-liked teacher. Life in June’s new Virginia home is much quieter than what she is used to. Here, her new friends follow the rules, and June soon finds that she does too. June steers clear of alcohol, works hard in class, and stays true to her curfew, maybe because the local diner and the town cemetery stand alone as places a rule-breaking teenager might visit after nightfall.
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June’s character development is an important part of Any Place But Here. At the beginning of her story, June is proudly devoted to her best friend back home, Jess, but as the book progresses, June’s new friends, Kitty, Claire, and Sam, bring out new elements of her personality. June discovers a passion for photography and learns to have fun sober. She questions and comes to terms with her not-straight sexuality, and she begins to realise the influence Jess and the other people in her life have on who she is, at least when she is around them. By understanding the impacts of a new environment and social group on her own behaviour, June is able to develop a stronger, clearer sense of self. This is an important and refreshing arc in YA lit.
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If you enjoyed The Castle School for Trouble Girls by Alyssa Sheinmel and The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life by Dani Jansen, you might like Any Place But Here! Expect themes of identity, friendship, romance, family, and belonging—all staples of great YA contemporary.
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Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC!
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When a boozy school dance leads to June’s high school expulsion, her whole world is turned upside down. June is forced to head miles from home to attend the all-girls boarding school where her oma is a well-liked teacher. Life in June’s new Virginia home is much quieter than what she is used to. Here, her new friends follow the rules, and June soon finds that she does too. June steers clear of alcohol, works hard in class, and stays true to her curfew, maybe because the local diner and the town cemetery stand alone as places a rule-breaking teenager might visit after nightfall.
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June’s character development is an important part of Any Place But Here. At the beginning of her story, June is proudly devoted to her best friend back home, Jess, but as the book progresses, June’s new friends, Kitty, Claire, and Sam, bring out new elements of her personality. June discovers a passion for photography and learns to have fun sober. She questions and comes to terms with her not-straight sexuality, and she begins to realise the influence Jess and the other people in her life have on who she is, at least when she is around them. By understanding the impacts of a new environment and social group on her own behaviour, June is able to develop a stronger, clearer sense of self. This is an important and refreshing arc in YA lit.
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If you enjoyed The Castle School for Trouble Girls by Alyssa Sheinmel and The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life by Dani Jansen, you might like Any Place But Here! Expect themes of identity, friendship, romance, family, and belonging—all staples of great YA contemporary.
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Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC!
July 30, 2021
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 thought she would be. She starts creating her own path in life by finding new friends, new passions, and a level of self respect. June spends majority of the book being confused with her relationship with Jess along with her new life. But in no way did I find this annoying or to be too much. This was nice because I think a lot of people can relate to June and what she was going through. I am happy that her new friends created a safe place for her to explore her thoughts and feelings without being judged. It is obvious that Jess is not a very good person and her and June have a very toxic relationship. I really enjoyed the supporting characters I thought Kitty, Claire, and Sam were all equally fantastic. How all four of them became friends seemed real and all of their interactions seemed genuine. I liked the scenes with just Sam and June and I am happy that June made all of the right decisions when it came to her actions with him. Overall, this story was enjoyable and I recommend it for anyone who wants a book about self discovery.
**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
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 thought she would be. She starts creating her own path in life by finding new friends, new passions, and a level of self respect. June spends majority of the book being confused with her relationship with Jess along with her new life. But in no way did I find this annoying or to be too much. This was nice because I think a lot of people can relate to June and what she was going through. I am happy that her new friends created a safe place for her to explore her thoughts and feelings without being judged. It is obvious that Jess is not a very good person and her and June have a very toxic relationship. I really enjoyed the supporting characters I thought Kitty, Claire, and Sam were all equally fantastic. How all four of them became friends seemed real and all of their interactions seemed genuine. I liked the scenes with just Sam and June and I am happy that June made all of the right decisions when it came to her actions with him. Overall, this story was enjoyable and I recommend it for anyone who wants a book about self discovery.
**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
August 18, 2023
One of the characters in this book remarks that spring of junior year in high school is the best time ever, because you are old enough to have a great time with your friends, and college is still far enough away that you're not freaking out about impending changes. Unfortunately June can't be that chill about her situation. She's been expelled (asked to leave but who are we kidding?) from her high school for drinking on campus, and has been sent to live with her grandmother to attend an all-girls school, far away from her soul sister and BFF Jess. Over the course of the next few months, June starts to look at herself and Jess differently, and wonders if her feelings for Jess were ever platonic. Meanwhile she makes new friends and discovers a surprising interest in photography. June's struggles to hold on to her past while also realizing she wants to make some changes is portrayed insightfully, with a touch of humor and characters you want to get to know even better. I enjoyed Van Name's debut novel, The Goodbye Summer, but this book clearly shows her growth as a writer.
Disclosure: Sarah is the daughter of friends, but my review is objective. I read a fair amount of YA novels (especially for someone approaching their 60th birthday) but this book could stand alongside the best of Sarah Dessen's work.
Disclosure: Sarah is the daughter of friends, but my review is objective. I read a fair amount of YA novels (especially for someone approaching their 60th birthday) but this book could stand alongside the best of Sarah Dessen's work.
February 23, 2021
*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 year, and this book was sublime. It started out strong and kept that momentum throughout. The author has crafted realistic characters, and I enjoyed the dynamic between everyone. There are also vivid descriptions of the surrounding scenery, so you’re able to perfectly imagine the sparkling river that June is looking at. Also, is Harold’s diner a real place? Because it sounds amazing!
The friendship between June and Jess might have been toxic, but it was also so utterly real. I have been involved in friendships like that in my teens and as an adult. I saw so much of myself in June, and I know other readers will too. As you journey with June on her road to self discovery, you’re aware of how far she has come and how much stronger she is, and you’re rooting for her the entire time.
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 year, and this book was sublime. It started out strong and kept that momentum throughout. The author has crafted realistic characters, and I enjoyed the dynamic between everyone. There are also vivid descriptions of the surrounding scenery, so you’re able to perfectly imagine the sparkling river that June is looking at. Also, is Harold’s diner a real place? Because it sounds amazing!
The friendship between June and Jess might have been toxic, but it was also so utterly real. I have been involved in friendships like that in my teens and as an adult. I saw so much of myself in June, and I know other readers will too. As you journey with June on her road to self discovery, you’re aware of how far she has come and how much stronger she is, and you’re rooting for her the entire time.
May 10, 2021
I enjoyed escaping into June's world while reading Any Place But Here. It was a journey into a quiet contemporary story, one in which the main character finds herself coming into her own. June has developed her personality so entirely around her best friend, Jess. Which has left their lives entwined to the point where being sent away gives June the chance to find out who she is as herself. The stakes are not exceptionally high, but a journey into one's self is never inconsequential.
I adored the way that Sarah used the process of development in traditional black and white photography almost as a metaphor for the growth of June's character. June, like the development of film in a dark room, goes through a process of metamorphosis. And like the processing of film, June's growth is a process of exploration. June's development is one that takes time, and as she grows, she grows with her flaws--she is not a perfect character, and that makes her all the more likeable, and all the more real.
I feel like this is a book that I will come back to again in the future when I want an escape into a quiet contemporary that is oh so beautifully written.
I adored the way that Sarah used the process of development in traditional black and white photography almost as a metaphor for the growth of June's character. June, like the development of film in a dark room, goes through a process of metamorphosis. And like the processing of film, June's growth is a process of exploration. June's development is one that takes time, and as she grows, she grows with her flaws--she is not a perfect character, and that makes her all the more likeable, and all the more real.
I feel like this is a book that I will come back to again in the future when I want an escape into a quiet contemporary that is oh so beautifully written.
November 16, 2022
Any Place But Here is a simple novel that tackles complicated situations. The novel shows June coming to terms with her toxic friendship with Jess, as well as her identity.
June’s discovery of her sexuality was portrayed in a very realistic way, which I really enjoyed. She struggles to understanding whether her feelings toward Jess are platonic or romantic. She struggles when she starts to understand the negative ways in which Jess has influenced her, and the clash between her love for Jess and the deeper understanding of their friendship is painful.
My only complaint towards the novel would be that the relationships between the other characters and June felt more surface level. I wish there would have been more development shown of her friendships with other characters.
Overall, I loved this novel and I think its heartfelt portrayal of friendship and painful growth is very important.
June’s discovery of her sexuality was portrayed in a very realistic way, which I really enjoyed. She struggles to understanding whether her feelings toward Jess are platonic or romantic. She struggles when she starts to understand the negative ways in which Jess has influenced her, and the clash between her love for Jess and the deeper understanding of their friendship is painful.
My only complaint towards the novel would be that the relationships between the other characters and June felt more surface level. I wish there would have been more development shown of her friendships with other characters.
Overall, I loved this novel and I think its heartfelt portrayal of friendship and painful growth is very important.
July 14, 2021
I don't know if knowing the author of a book (disclosure: she's a friend) just naturally increases your ability to picture in your mind everything that's happening in the story, but I also see how Sarah's attention to detail makes everything as beautiful and shining as the river in this book. I think this fact about her writing hit me with an example like this -
"I moved the photo to the water bath, my hands shaking around the tongs. The emotion had risen in me suddenly, and I wanted to put it away again, to make the darkroom go back to a quiet isolated space. But Oma was waiting for an answer, and I knew it wouldn't be possible. The waters had already been disturbed" (p. 161).
Like *mic drop*, y'all. Loved this story, I'd like to go to Harold's now, I hope everyone has an Oma, Kitty, Claire, and Sam in their life, and you should read this book. That is all.
"I moved the photo to the water bath, my hands shaking around the tongs. The emotion had risen in me suddenly, and I wanted to put it away again, to make the darkroom go back to a quiet isolated space. But Oma was waiting for an answer, and I knew it wouldn't be possible. The waters had already been disturbed" (p. 161).
Like *mic drop*, y'all. Loved this story, I'd like to go to Harold's now, I hope everyone has an Oma, Kitty, Claire, and Sam in their life, and you should read this book. That is all.
June 23, 2023
so the gist of this book is that is is unfinished. like it is a complete book with a beginning middle and end but also like this book was very dry. June gets in problem for drinking at a school party and has to move in with her Oma in Virginia to attend an all girls school. what fun things can happen then? the answer is photography homework, 2 girls without personality, a strong fixation on coffee. Nothing really happened and no character was developed. the grandmother influence? no. the best friends? nah. LOVE INTEREST? omg he was so boring. but like june was good, she was discovering shit about herself. so proud of her.
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