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Накъдето ме водят мечтите
Вдъхновяваща история за смелостта да преследваш мечтите си.
Мечтата на Клоуи Пиърс е да учи в балетната консерватория. И когато вкъщи ѝ забраняват да кандидатства, тя съставя план тайно да отиде с колата си до най-близкия град, в който се провежда прослушване, докато майка ѝ е на круиз с приятеля си.
Но първата пречка по пътя на Клоуи се оказва дразнещият ѝ съсед Илай, който настоява да пътува с нея. Той заплашва, че ще я издаде на майка ѝ, ако не вземе него и миризливото му куче Гийзър. И ето как, докато се опитва да осъществи мечтата си, Клоуи се сдобива с двама нежелани (но донякъде сладки) спътници в колата си, пеперуди в стомаха и наистина неприятна музикална плейлиста...
Мечтата на Клоуи Пиърс е да учи в балетната консерватория. И когато вкъщи ѝ забраняват да кандидатства, тя съставя план тайно да отиде с колата си до най-близкия град, в който се провежда прослушване, докато майка ѝ е на круиз с приятеля си.
Но първата пречка по пътя на Клоуи се оказва дразнещият ѝ съсед Илай, който настоява да пътува с нея. Той заплашва, че ще я издаде на майка ѝ, ако не вземе него и миризливото му куче Гийзър. И ето как, докато се опитва да осъществи мечтата си, Клоуи се сдобива с двама нежелани (но донякъде сладки) спътници в колата си, пеперуди в стомаха и наистина неприятна музикална плейлиста...
260 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2019
108 people are currently reading
14023 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Forest
11 books2,706 followersKristina Forest is the USA Today bestselling author of romances for both teens and adults. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.
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April 16, 2021This was the perfect palette cleanser read just like I'd hoped it'd be! After reading a big intense fantasy I always crave something light, fluffy, quick, and easy, and this was all that and more! It was super cute and easy to read. It's a fun road trip featuring two childhood friends turned enemies who end up reconnecting. I liked watching their adventures as Chloe is trying to get to an audition to try and live out her dream to be a ballerina. Both characters have parents who think they know what's best and they're working to move past it and overcome that. Chloe was a really fun character to follow, so passionate about dance and headstrong about achieving her dreams. Eli was a great counterpart to her and I felt like the hate part of their relationship did have enough of a foundation for me to get behind it. Overall, this was super cute and the perfect spring read!
August 11, 2020
When I was six, I was in a ballet class.
You don’t know this about me, because to you I am a mere joyless phantom behind a computer screen, writing criticism no one else cares about at great length, but I am extremely clumsy. Sixteen years after those fateful Sunday afternoons at the Community Arts Center, I still have the approximate dance skills of one of those inflatable creatures outside of car dealerships.
Maybe it is this low-level curse that relegates me to a lifetime of embarrassment that makes me have so much respect for ballerinas. I don’t know.
But the fact is that this book is largely about a girl trying to achieve her dream of being a ballerina and STILL I was bored.
This was a quick read and it was also very forgettable. Unlike my ballet classes, which were unending and emotionally scarring.
Bottom line: I have approximately eighty times more to say about my experience with community dance than I do about this book.
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anyone want to take a road trip down the east coast with me and fall in love and achieve our dreams along the way?
review to come / 3 stars
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picked up this book to read a few pages and accidentally almost finished it
You don’t know this about me, because to you I am a mere joyless phantom behind a computer screen, writing criticism no one else cares about at great length, but I am extremely clumsy. Sixteen years after those fateful Sunday afternoons at the Community Arts Center, I still have the approximate dance skills of one of those inflatable creatures outside of car dealerships.
Maybe it is this low-level curse that relegates me to a lifetime of embarrassment that makes me have so much respect for ballerinas. I don’t know.
But the fact is that this book is largely about a girl trying to achieve her dream of being a ballerina and STILL I was bored.
This was a quick read and it was also very forgettable. Unlike my ballet classes, which were unending and emotionally scarring.
Bottom line: I have approximately eighty times more to say about my experience with community dance than I do about this book.
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anyone want to take a road trip down the east coast with me and fall in love and achieve our dreams along the way?
review to come / 3 stars
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picked up this book to read a few pages and accidentally almost finished it
September 22, 2020
GORGEOUS COVER + ballerina girl who is trying to chase her v difficult dreams + friends to enemies to lovers + ROAD TRIP + soft summer vibes = such a cute, wholesome, lighthearted summer read 🥺🥺
August 4, 2020
So. Freaking. Cute. Oh my gosh. I don't read a lot of YA these days, but this one was a road trip romance and hate to love, so I was super excited to pick this up.
It's been Chloe's dream to move to New York and work at the conservatory founded by her favorite male ballerina. When the chance to audition pops up, Chloe is absolutely devastated when her mom says no. I really felt for Chloe and how strict her mom was, especially when it came to Chloe's future. Parents often think they know what's best, even when it goes against everything their child wants, and that was what Chloe was dealing with. Chloe decides to sneak away during Spring Break while her mom goes on a cruise with her boyfriend and ends up being blackmailed by her infuriating neighbor to take him with her. Chloe and Eli have quite a history that we aren't told until about halfway through the book, which I actually didn't mind. We knew Chloe really hated Eli, but there was some history that explained it and had to do with their friendship before.
I really loved all of the side characters in here, specifically Larissa and Trey. While this book was pretty short, there was a lot that happened and a lot Chloe and Eli went through together on their trip. I enjoyed how important dance was to Chloe and how she was trying to chase her dream. It was frustrating how much all of the parents wouldn't just listen to their kids in this book, but I appreciated how a dialogue opened up between them by the end of the book. And the romance wrapped up in a realistic way that I actually really liked. I liked where Eli and Chloe left things and I thought their relationships was just adorable by the end.
If you haven't yet, I'd highly recommend picking this up! I already can't wait to read Kristina's next book releasing next month!
It's been Chloe's dream to move to New York and work at the conservatory founded by her favorite male ballerina. When the chance to audition pops up, Chloe is absolutely devastated when her mom says no. I really felt for Chloe and how strict her mom was, especially when it came to Chloe's future. Parents often think they know what's best, even when it goes against everything their child wants, and that was what Chloe was dealing with. Chloe decides to sneak away during Spring Break while her mom goes on a cruise with her boyfriend and ends up being blackmailed by her infuriating neighbor to take him with her. Chloe and Eli have quite a history that we aren't told until about halfway through the book, which I actually didn't mind. We knew Chloe really hated Eli, but there was some history that explained it and had to do with their friendship before.
I really loved all of the side characters in here, specifically Larissa and Trey. While this book was pretty short, there was a lot that happened and a lot Chloe and Eli went through together on their trip. I enjoyed how important dance was to Chloe and how she was trying to chase her dream. It was frustrating how much all of the parents wouldn't just listen to their kids in this book, but I appreciated how a dialogue opened up between them by the end of the book. And the romance wrapped up in a realistic way that I actually really liked. I liked where Eli and Chloe left things and I thought their relationships was just adorable by the end.
If you haven't yet, I'd highly recommend picking this up! I already can't wait to read Kristina's next book releasing next month!
October 15, 2020
To be honest, The cover initially sold me on this book (How beautiful is the artwork, right? 💖🤗)..I'm a sucker for amazing art on books. However...the story, unfortunately, fell a bit flat 😕.
The story centers around Chloe, a Ballerina who plans to sneak out and audition for a ballet conservatory in, New York. Unwillingly, her neighbor Eli (a former friend turned enemy) convinces her to let him tag along. Sounds promising right?? but to be honest, the story was on the verge of being boring. 😴
[I blame it on the fact that I've been reading Fantasy romances for weeks, so a YA is a bit of a stretch for me 😆]
It was a cute story. I liked Chloe's passion for dance, and Elijah's love of art. If you want something clean and sweet, this is it.
It's definitely geared more towards middle grade/ YA audiences. It has the roadtrip element which I liked, but it was a bit young for me personally. I feel like someone closer in age to the characters could appreciate this more than I could.
Overall, it was a sweet story of taking chances and discovering yourself.
(3⭐'s)
The story centers around Chloe, a Ballerina who plans to sneak out and audition for a ballet conservatory in, New York. Unwillingly, her neighbor Eli (a former friend turned enemy) convinces her to let him tag along. Sounds promising right?? but to be honest, the story was on the verge of being boring. 😴
[I blame it on the fact that I've been reading Fantasy romances for weeks, so a YA is a bit of a stretch for me 😆]
It was a cute story. I liked Chloe's passion for dance, and Elijah's love of art. If you want something clean and sweet, this is it.
It's definitely geared more towards middle grade/ YA audiences. It has the roadtrip element which I liked, but it was a bit young for me personally. I feel like someone closer in age to the characters could appreciate this more than I could.
Overall, it was a sweet story of taking chances and discovering yourself.
(3⭐'s)
March 31, 2020
This was a cute little romance featuring black teens which is a rarity in YA. I can't name too many romance stories featuring black girls as the lead. And then when we do have a black lead lately she's often in an interracial relationship. That's nice and all but our black girls who prefer relationships with black boys need representation too! Another thing I appreciated was that the teens were able to be just normal teens. Wondering about their futures, anticipating school dances, sneaking around behind their parent's backs. Every YA story does not have to be about activism and aimed to please adults. Instead we get a story about Chloe, a ballerina with a dream to attend a new conservatory. During a time when we're seeing more visible black ballerinas it's nice to have a character within that world. But though dance is a big part of Chloe's life it isn't the main focus of this story. Her neighbor Eli ends up turning what was supposed to be a quick trip into an adventure. This book is a fast read and you get all those great slow-burn romantic feels.
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April 14, 2020
I want to be wherever finished copies of this book are.
UPDATE: I got a finished copy of this book and it’s adorable and fun.
UPDATE: I got a finished copy of this book and it’s adorable and fun.
August 30, 2018
I was so lucky to get to read this book early, and I read it in one straight sitting.
I Wanna Be Where You Are is the perfect summer read! It's breezy and sweetly romantic, but it also is very much about growing up and becoming who you were always meant to be, even if your parents don't exactly agree with that.
The protagonist, Chloe, is relatable, self-assured and takes absolutely no bullshit. In short, she's my kind of protagonist. She and Elijah both grow as characters in a believable way that never made me feel like they were too mature for their ages as high school students (this is something I tend to take issue with in YA contemporary romance). Forest handles their development with a deft hand and the way she writes Eli is really wonderful. He's bombastic and funny, but under the surface he is also struggling with his own journey of growing up and making his own choices regardless of what his parents want.
And it's so refreshing to see a story where the characters are black, but not defined by their blackness or oppression. This book lets Chloe and Eli have the fun, rollicking adventure that is usually reserved for romcoms about white couples.
I have no doubt that whoever reads this will be eagerly waiting for Forest's next book. She's going to be a voice to be reckoned with in YA contemporary romance.
I Wanna Be Where You Are is the perfect summer read! It's breezy and sweetly romantic, but it also is very much about growing up and becoming who you were always meant to be, even if your parents don't exactly agree with that.
The protagonist, Chloe, is relatable, self-assured and takes absolutely no bullshit. In short, she's my kind of protagonist. She and Elijah both grow as characters in a believable way that never made me feel like they were too mature for their ages as high school students (this is something I tend to take issue with in YA contemporary romance). Forest handles their development with a deft hand and the way she writes Eli is really wonderful. He's bombastic and funny, but under the surface he is also struggling with his own journey of growing up and making his own choices regardless of what his parents want.
And it's so refreshing to see a story where the characters are black, but not defined by their blackness or oppression. This book lets Chloe and Eli have the fun, rollicking adventure that is usually reserved for romcoms about white couples.
I have no doubt that whoever reads this will be eagerly waiting for Forest's next book. She's going to be a voice to be reckoned with in YA contemporary romance.
July 19, 2020
2020 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: There Was Only One Bed
This is legit amazing. An excellent kisses-only YA romance + road trip + enemies-to-lovers. CW for parental death and car accident.
It fits Only One Bed because while they’re on the road trip, they check into a hotel and there are only deluxe rooms available (one king-sized bed). So they have to sleep in the same bed (and the heroine is a little nervous about it), but nothing remotely sexual occurs. I think it still counts for the bingo square.
This is legit amazing. An excellent kisses-only YA romance + road trip + enemies-to-lovers. CW for parental death and car accident.
It fits Only One Bed because while they’re on the road trip, they check into a hotel and there are only deluxe rooms available (one king-sized bed). So they have to sleep in the same bed (and the heroine is a little nervous about it), but nothing remotely sexual occurs. I think it still counts for the bingo square.
January 29, 2022
there wasn’t enough romance for me🥴
September 8, 2023
4/5 ⭐️
- This was the perfect happy fluffy easy romance that I was looking to read! It gave me Better Than The Movies vibes because she didn’t get along with her neighbor. I found myself smiling and giggling while reading this one.
- Even though this book was YA, it did feel middle grade at times but overall I still really loved the story. I loved all of the side characters and really fell in love with her entire community! I feel like so much happened in this book and the pacing was so perfect that I stayed interested the entire time!
- I loved reading about a girl following her dreams and doing anything to make them happen despite her fears. This was such a happy little rom com!
- This was the perfect happy fluffy easy romance that I was looking to read! It gave me Better Than The Movies vibes because she didn’t get along with her neighbor. I found myself smiling and giggling while reading this one.
- Even though this book was YA, it did feel middle grade at times but overall I still really loved the story. I loved all of the side characters and really fell in love with her entire community! I feel like so much happened in this book and the pacing was so perfect that I stayed interested the entire time!
- I loved reading about a girl following her dreams and doing anything to make them happen despite her fears. This was such a happy little rom com!
January 2, 2021
A fun own voices novel featuring an enemies to lovers romance with the boy next door. These kids grew up together and after a major fallout, they hate each other but they rely on each other to chase their dreams of something bigger. She wants to be a professional ballet dancer. He wants to pursue the arts. Both come from complex backgrounds featuring overbearing parents or parents who aren't active enough. I'm taking a star off because it's supposed to be a YA book with senior characters but the writing felt like middle grade. Everything else was great and cute and heart wrenching.
unfinished
June 14, 2020I bounced on this at the setup chapter in a "it's not you, it's me" kind of way. And it's all about Chloe's mom. She's just an irrational mess. I mean, she has been taking Chloe to inconvenient ballet lessons for years but gives a hard no when Chloe has the opportunity to audition for a rare academy position with scholarships for all entering students. Because it's in New York. You know, the city with all the actual career positions for ballerinas. Instead, mom is going on a cruise with her boyfriend that week (so it's not like she couldn't get away from home or anything). Look, ballet is a demanding profession and one with a super-short career span. Further, the athletic demands highly favor youth, so a girl who isn't prepared to hit the big city in her late teens is kinda committing career suicide. So mom is going to hamstring her daughter's dreams based on a completely irrational fear of the big city. And that drives me nuts. Why has she been encouraging this passion all this time if she can't stomach her daughter being in New York? New York is the success profile for that dream!
But that's the motivation for Chloe to go out on her own without adult backup and a lot of the story probably leans on her learning to be more adult as she strikes out on her own. And my problems and concerns are only the background. And the point of the YA story will be all the other things that happen, so Chloe's mom's intransigence shouldn't be important to the story overall.
But I know myself well enough to know that this will hang over me the whole time I'm reading. And that will prevent me from giving it the honest shot at engagement it deserves. So I'm going to dnf this without prejudice (rating) because really, it's my issue keeping me from engaging.
But that's the motivation for Chloe to go out on her own without adult backup and a lot of the story probably leans on her learning to be more adult as she strikes out on her own. And my problems and concerns are only the background. And the point of the YA story will be all the other things that happen, so Chloe's mom's intransigence shouldn't be important to the story overall.
But I know myself well enough to know that this will hang over me the whole time I'm reading. And that will prevent me from giving it the honest shot at engagement it deserves. So I'm going to dnf this without prejudice (rating) because really, it's my issue keeping me from engaging.
June 28, 2021
As someone who does not usually enjoy contemporary, I loved this!!
Just to clarify: I have nothing against a romance book. I just don’t like reading a straight up romance or like adult romance with smut and all that stuff. But if there is another focus to the plot but still a romance I’m here for it!!
This book was about Chloe Pierce dreaming about signing up for this ballet audition. But her mom is against her signing up. Chloe finds the perfect opportunity to audition behind her mothers back but it includes her having to take a road trip with her annoying neighbor, Eli.
I absolutely loved the romance! They were so cute and it was perfectly clean! Definitely kissing but never anything beyond. YES there was a scene where there was only one bed and they had to share but they made a cute scene out of it!! I needed something cute and fluffy and this book was definitely it!!
I loved Chloe as a main character. She was fierce and passionate, and I totally admired that.
Eli. He wasn’t totally my favorite but I still enjoyed his character! He was sorta cocky and annoying but in a fun way.
This book is definitely a rom-com. It was humorous and just felt like a short romantic comedy movie!!
Also this had such summery vibes!
When I tell you this book was very fast paced, I mean you could read it in one day. And man was I tempted to. Goodreads says it took me three days to read this. I started it at night and only read 20 pages. The next day I got over half way and wanted to continue but had to go to bed. And today I finished this at 1am. Wow.
I don’t know what else to say except if you are a fan of traveling, road trips, annoyance-to-Lovers, music, ballet, romance, and of course humor, this book is for you!!
Just to clarify: I have nothing against a romance book. I just don’t like reading a straight up romance or like adult romance with smut and all that stuff. But if there is another focus to the plot but still a romance I’m here for it!!
This book was about Chloe Pierce dreaming about signing up for this ballet audition. But her mom is against her signing up. Chloe finds the perfect opportunity to audition behind her mothers back but it includes her having to take a road trip with her annoying neighbor, Eli.
I absolutely loved the romance! They were so cute and it was perfectly clean! Definitely kissing but never anything beyond. YES there was a scene where there was only one bed and they had to share but they made a cute scene out of it!! I needed something cute and fluffy and this book was definitely it!!
I loved Chloe as a main character. She was fierce and passionate, and I totally admired that.
Eli. He wasn’t totally my favorite but I still enjoyed his character! He was sorta cocky and annoying but in a fun way.
This book is definitely a rom-com. It was humorous and just felt like a short romantic comedy movie!!
Also this had such summery vibes!
When I tell you this book was very fast paced, I mean you could read it in one day. And man was I tempted to. Goodreads says it took me three days to read this. I started it at night and only read 20 pages. The next day I got over half way and wanted to continue but had to go to bed. And today I finished this at 1am. Wow.
I don’t know what else to say except if you are a fan of traveling, road trips, annoyance-to-Lovers, music, ballet, romance, and of course humor, this book is for you!!
July 8, 2019
'You have to take hold of the world and demand that it gives you what you want. That's what I do. It doesn't always come easy, regardless of how it looks.'
THIS WAS ADORABLE-ST (even though there were a few time when I wanted to just talk a hold of Eli and shake him, boys gah)
Chloe is such a great main character and I instantly loved her. Her doubt in herself and trying to go for her dream in spite of it is such a great premise for her story. I loved reading about a Black ballerina! It was also great to see a Black love interest and this was probably my first ever rom-com featuring one.
As for Eli, I really liked him but yeah, he definitely had his oblivious moments and easily hurt Chloe a lot which I didn't even get why, TBH. My favorite secondary character was easily Larissa, the-ex-Ballerina-turned-feminist-theory-student. Also Eli's extremely supportive sister and just an all-around badass character. I also loved Trey, the gay friend, a lot ('Once fierce, always fierce' yessss). I also loved Reina the BFF but there needed to be a lot more of her being physically present than just the one scene. I get it, though since the book is pretty short and takes place over a week or so.
The road trip part was so much fun and adventurous, though and it was so heartwarming that Eli had a pet dog that went with him on the trip. All their misadventures were hilarious to read about except the vomiting one, uhhh.
IN CONCLUSION, I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE IS PROOF THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE POC ROM-COMS
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EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS LOOKS AND SOUNDS HELLA CUTE
THIS WAS ADORABLE-ST (even though there were a few time when I wanted to just talk a hold of Eli and shake him, boys gah)
Chloe is such a great main character and I instantly loved her. Her doubt in herself and trying to go for her dream in spite of it is such a great premise for her story. I loved reading about a Black ballerina! It was also great to see a Black love interest and this was probably my first ever rom-com featuring one.
As for Eli, I really liked him but yeah, he definitely had his oblivious moments and easily hurt Chloe a lot which I didn't even get why, TBH. My favorite secondary character was easily Larissa, the-ex-Ballerina-turned-feminist-theory-student. Also Eli's extremely supportive sister and just an all-around badass character. I also loved Trey, the gay friend, a lot ('Once fierce, always fierce' yessss). I also loved Reina the BFF but there needed to be a lot more of her being physically present than just the one scene. I get it, though since the book is pretty short and takes place over a week or so.
The road trip part was so much fun and adventurous, though and it was so heartwarming that Eli had a pet dog that went with him on the trip. All their misadventures were hilarious to read about except the vomiting one, uhhh.
IN CONCLUSION, I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE IS PROOF THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE POC ROM-COMS
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EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS LOOKS AND SOUNDS HELLA CUTE
May 29, 2019
Kristina Forest writes a lovely, contemporary piece about a young girl striving to reach her ballet goals while balancing love and life on a brief road trip. Meet Chloe. She wants to dance for Avery Johnson and his conservatory.
However, the audition is in D.C.. Can she get there without her mother discovering her plans and an undesired passenger riding with her? Or, will her plan to dance for the biggest ballet dancer fail?
Pros:
1. Diversity! Always a win. The story centers on an Afro-Latina girl with African-American characters. In addition, there's a gay male character.
2. I love books focusing on ballet and/or ballerinas. No. I was not a ballerina, but the dance and its world intrigues me.
3. Cute and respectful romance. There's consent before kissing, which is becoming an aspect in stories.
4. Sweet and relatable female main character. She knows what she wants and will strive to achieve her dream, while giving herself space to figure the extras in life, e.g. love, parents.
5. Love the title and book cover. I could not help but sing the song in my head as I read.
6.Age-appropriate, though the whole road trip at sixteen/seventeen makes me cringe as a parent (LOL!)
Cons:
I would have liked less focus on Eli and more focus on Chloe. Since the book's short, too much time's spent on romance and not Chloe's dance background.
Verdict: ★★★½/★★★★★
However, the audition is in D.C.. Can she get there without her mother discovering her plans and an undesired passenger riding with her? Or, will her plan to dance for the biggest ballet dancer fail?
Pros:
1. Diversity! Always a win. The story centers on an Afro-Latina girl with African-American characters. In addition, there's a gay male character.
2. I love books focusing on ballet and/or ballerinas. No. I was not a ballerina, but the dance and its world intrigues me.
3. Cute and respectful romance. There's consent before kissing, which is becoming an aspect in stories.
4. Sweet and relatable female main character. She knows what she wants and will strive to achieve her dream, while giving herself space to figure the extras in life, e.g. love, parents.
5. Love the title and book cover. I could not help but sing the song in my head as I read.
6.Age-appropriate, though the whole road trip at sixteen/seventeen makes me cringe as a parent (LOL!)
Cons:
I would have liked less focus on Eli and more focus on Chloe. Since the book's short, too much time's spent on romance and not Chloe's dance background.
Verdict: ★★★½/★★★★★
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May 16, 2020No matter how tricky the choreography, always dance towards your dreams.
When her mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, Chloe Pierce can't bear to let her destiny go. So when her mother goes on vacation, she seizes the opportunity to escape. But her annoying neighbor Eli catches her in the act, threatening to tell her mother if she leaves him, and his dog, Geezer, behind.
So with two unexpected (but adorable) passengers, butterflies in her stomach, and a great playlist, she sets off towards the audition of a lifetime.
A story of road trips and reconnection. Sometimes if you let the past back in, it will steer your future forward.
Trigger warnings for parental death, past injury, smoking, vomiting, accident, and divorce.
Introverted, driven Chloe had always lived life by following the rules. Even though her quest to go after the thing that made her spirit sing made her incredibly nervous and scared, it was so endearing and inspiring. Watching the sweet, anxious black ballerina regain her confidence as she carved out her own path in the world had me cheering.
Charismatic, assertive Eli just wanted to do his own thing. In a family that thought they knew what was best for him, he repressed a lot of stress underneath his determinedly carefree guise. I didn't care for him upon his initial introduction, but the more he opened up and worked through some of his problems, the more he grew on me. Plus Geezer was irresistible.
All relationships hit roadblocks. So when they do, do you back up and make-up? Or is it over? Being privy to the hijinks and emboldening moments that brought the two former friends back together was so sweet. While I didn't understand why the revelation of their fallout came so late in the story, it, alongside her ability to keep his caring, annoying behind in check, made their chemistry phenomenally believable. This was strong dislike to love done right.
Even though my own history with dance ended badly, I love books about dancing. Dancers are elegant bada**es! Swiftly, sweetly, I Wanna Be Where You Are made light-hearted yet emotional pirouettes around my heart. Lifelike and lovable, Kristina Forest's debut of chasing passions, regaining confidence, and healing was also a book of journeys, physical and emotional. I couldn't get enough of her beautifully dynamic POC filled cast. I can't wait to read more of her work.
You want to be in the presence of this book.
When her mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, Chloe Pierce can't bear to let her destiny go. So when her mother goes on vacation, she seizes the opportunity to escape. But her annoying neighbor Eli catches her in the act, threatening to tell her mother if she leaves him, and his dog, Geezer, behind.
So with two unexpected (but adorable) passengers, butterflies in her stomach, and a great playlist, she sets off towards the audition of a lifetime.
A story of road trips and reconnection. Sometimes if you let the past back in, it will steer your future forward.
Trigger warnings for parental death, past injury, smoking, vomiting, accident, and divorce.
Introverted, driven Chloe had always lived life by following the rules. Even though her quest to go after the thing that made her spirit sing made her incredibly nervous and scared, it was so endearing and inspiring. Watching the sweet, anxious black ballerina regain her confidence as she carved out her own path in the world had me cheering.
Charismatic, assertive Eli just wanted to do his own thing. In a family that thought they knew what was best for him, he repressed a lot of stress underneath his determinedly carefree guise. I didn't care for him upon his initial introduction, but the more he opened up and worked through some of his problems, the more he grew on me. Plus Geezer was irresistible.
All relationships hit roadblocks. So when they do, do you back up and make-up? Or is it over? Being privy to the hijinks and emboldening moments that brought the two former friends back together was so sweet. While I didn't understand why the revelation of their fallout came so late in the story, it, alongside her ability to keep his caring, annoying behind in check, made their chemistry phenomenally believable. This was strong dislike to love done right.
Even though my own history with dance ended badly, I love books about dancing. Dancers are elegant bada**es! Swiftly, sweetly, I Wanna Be Where You Are made light-hearted yet emotional pirouettes around my heart. Lifelike and lovable, Kristina Forest's debut of chasing passions, regaining confidence, and healing was also a book of journeys, physical and emotional. I couldn't get enough of her beautifully dynamic POC filled cast. I can't wait to read more of her work.
You want to be in the presence of this book.
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June 4, 2019
Chloe has known since forever that her destiny is ballet, but her mom won't let her audition for an exclusive NYC ballet conservatory started up by Chloe's favorite professional dancer. When her mom goes on a cruise, Chloe realizes she's got a chance to drive from New Jersey to DC to audition. What she doesn't expect is Eli, her enemy next door, blackmailing her into taking him along. When the two run into problem after problem, Chloe begins to wonder if she's ever going to make this audition.
This was utterly adorable.
Chloe's passion for dance and her love of ballet, combined with her very real doubts about her own talents and the fact that her body is different from the skinny mini ballerinas her age, are so real. After breaking her ankle just before Homecoming a year and a half ago, she's lost her confidence in her body and herself—and has constant anxiety attacks of "what if." What if she would never be as good as she was? What if she sucks? What if, what if, what if.
I felt for her so hard, particularly when she gets so anxious that she's nauseous (and then pukes on herself and the car and Eli—that's a smell that doesn't go away for a while). I did like that she regains her confidence in herself and her worth as a dancer, and learns that no matter what happens she will find a way to pursue her passion—because she's gone on this crazy road trip, took a risk, and survived to tell the story.
Chloe and Eli's slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance is cute as hell, and is more a tale of miscommunication and an unwillingness to accept fault and apologize. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, but it is so easy to misstep—and this definitely doesn't.
Eli is flawed, complicated, arrogant, funny and filled with his own insecurities that he tries to tamp down and hide. His mom blames him for literally everything and calls him a horrible kid to his face (seriously, wtf), and his dad just wants him to go do UNC (which one, I dunno) and become a lawyer like himself. But Eli wants to purse his own passion and make a living as an artist—what time of artist, he doesn't know, that's what art school is going to help with.
It was so refreshing to see a character have no fucking clue what they were going to do after high school, but also know that they had a dream, they had talent, and they were going to pursue that dream and passion to the ends of the earth.
So ultimately this is a cute and funny story with a romance between two people, but the journey was more fun than the romance. It's also a story about family, forgiveness and reconnecting with friends.
And, of course, a coming of age story about a girl who realizes just how far she's willing to go to realize her dream.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
This was utterly adorable.
Chloe's passion for dance and her love of ballet, combined with her very real doubts about her own talents and the fact that her body is different from the skinny mini ballerinas her age, are so real. After breaking her ankle just before Homecoming a year and a half ago, she's lost her confidence in her body and herself—and has constant anxiety attacks of "what if." What if she would never be as good as she was? What if she sucks? What if, what if, what if.
I felt for her so hard, particularly when she gets so anxious that she's nauseous (and then pukes on herself and the car and Eli—that's a smell that doesn't go away for a while). I did like that she regains her confidence in herself and her worth as a dancer, and learns that no matter what happens she will find a way to pursue her passion—because she's gone on this crazy road trip, took a risk, and survived to tell the story.
Chloe and Eli's slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance is cute as hell, and is more a tale of miscommunication and an unwillingness to accept fault and apologize. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, but it is so easy to misstep—and this definitely doesn't.
Eli is flawed, complicated, arrogant, funny and filled with his own insecurities that he tries to tamp down and hide. His mom blames him for literally everything and calls him a horrible kid to his face (seriously, wtf), and his dad just wants him to go do UNC (which one, I dunno) and become a lawyer like himself. But Eli wants to purse his own passion and make a living as an artist—what time of artist, he doesn't know, that's what art school is going to help with.
It was so refreshing to see a character have no fucking clue what they were going to do after high school, but also know that they had a dream, they had talent, and they were going to pursue that dream and passion to the ends of the earth.
So ultimately this is a cute and funny story with a romance between two people, but the journey was more fun than the romance. It's also a story about family, forgiveness and reconnecting with friends.
And, of course, a coming of age story about a girl who realizes just how far she's willing to go to realize her dream.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
June 15, 2020
2020 Ripped Bodice Bingo: Debut Novels
Oh! I liked this SO much. It did such a good job of showing a "good" girl with an overprotective mom. And I never felt like Chloe was shamed for being a good girl. It's just who she is!!! She feels bad for going behind her mother's back! It just felt like, yeah, this is the teenager I was. (Maybe even the adult I am. :D)
Sweet romance and so many great side characters!
Oh! I liked this SO much. It did such a good job of showing a "good" girl with an overprotective mom. And I never felt like Chloe was shamed for being a good girl. It's just who she is!!! She feels bad for going behind her mother's back! It just felt like, yeah, this is the teenager I was. (Maybe even the adult I am. :D)
Sweet romance and so many great side characters!
August 21, 2019
I knew that this book wasn’t gonna be anything life changing going in, but I expected something fluffy, light & happy, and this was just... forgettable. There’s nothing glaringly wrong about it, but yeah 🤷🏻♀️
September 6, 2020
4.5 stars!
This was exactly the pick me up I needed! This is a sweet fast paced story that is sure to make you smile.
As an ex ballerina and ballet lover I absolutely adore finding books that incorporate ballet and ballerinas into their stories, it’s always a fun way for me to revisit my own experiences.
I see so much of myself in Chloe. The perfect daughter, always trying to do the right thing and make everyone happy, the infinite desire to always dance and always strive for a career in ballet.
Chloe’s story is a fun journey of self discovery, of realising her own worth and her own strength. This is all about Chloe trying to create her own path to happiness.
I feel I definitely could’ve read an extra 60-100 pages of Chloe’s story but I’m happy with what we got as well. I flew through this book and it was hard for me to even think of anything else whilst reading it, which is always a good sign!
This was exactly the pick me up I needed! This is a sweet fast paced story that is sure to make you smile.
As an ex ballerina and ballet lover I absolutely adore finding books that incorporate ballet and ballerinas into their stories, it’s always a fun way for me to revisit my own experiences.
I see so much of myself in Chloe. The perfect daughter, always trying to do the right thing and make everyone happy, the infinite desire to always dance and always strive for a career in ballet.
Chloe’s story is a fun journey of self discovery, of realising her own worth and her own strength. This is all about Chloe trying to create her own path to happiness.
I feel I definitely could’ve read an extra 60-100 pages of Chloe’s story but I’m happy with what we got as well. I flew through this book and it was hard for me to even think of anything else whilst reading it, which is always a good sign!
March 10, 2021
3.5 stars, but I really flew through this story so quickly!
February 13, 2022
Warm, fluffy, and all kinds of adorable! I Wanna Be Where You Are is just the kind of YA contemporary romance I love to read. It's got two great characters (one who is so passionate about ballet), a funny fluffball of a dog, and a great road trip with plenty of amazing secondary characters along the way. The romance will have you SQUEEING because these two dorks were perfect for each other.
The audiobook narration was also fantastic. I'm glad I decided to go down this route!
October 21, 2020
Great debuts make me so happy. Especially when they have fabulous covers, because it makes me hope people will discover the book and read it. Let’s be real: we’re all at least a little bit shallow. I Wanna Be Where You Are has both, and it made me smile pretty much the whole way through; I only stopped smiling a couple times because it’s not quite a hundred percent fluffy. Kristina Forest’s debut is about family, preparing for your future, working toward your dreams, and the importance of communication. And, of course, there’s an adorable romance too.
Contemporary novels are often very hit or miss with me, because most of them are very much focused on the main character’s voice. Most of the time, I know right away whether I’m going to love or hate them, and I had a good feeling about this book in the very first chapter. Chloe’s voice immediately felt relatable and real in that way that’s really impossible to describe to anyone who doesn’t connect that with fictional characters. I could not put this book down until I finished it, and that’s just the best feeling.
The plot consists of Chloe breaking out of her carefully ordered bubble of a life in order to audition for her dream ballet conservatory, which she hopes to attend the next year in New York City. Her plans don’t go quite as she’d hoped, and she ends up on an impromptu road trip with her former friend/current nemesis Eli from across the street and his dog Geezer. This set-up could not be more me if it tried, unless someone was genderbending and also they had to fake-out makeout for some reason. To be clear, this does not happen.
The romance is pretty central to the story, but right alongside that, I Wanna Be Where You Are is very focused on Chloe’s relationship with her mother and, to a lesser degree, Eli’s relationships with his parents. Chloe’s mom is overprotective and, though Chloe’s the incredibly chill, rule-following, smart, talented, hard-working daughter most parents would dream of, Chloe’s hit the point where she can’t take it anymore. She asked to audition for the conservatory in NYC, and her mom turned her down, insisting that she will not let her daughter live in New York because it’s too dangerous.
Out of desperation, Chloe hatches a devious plan and lies to her mom for the first time ever. While her mom goes on a rare vacation for a week, Chloe will go to the auditions in Washington D.C., even though driving on the highway terrifies her. She hates lying to her mom, but she hates giving up her dream more. Eli catches her as she’s about to leave and blackmails her (let me come or I’ll tell your mom what you’re doing) into letting him and his dog catch a ride to D.C.
Chloe and Eli have an excellent second chance romance/hate to love slow burn, and I was so into it, despite the fact that Eli smokes, which is gross. They argue and banter, and it’s adorable, but as the book progresses, they genuinely get each other in a way that makes them feel like they really have a shot. Both of them are having to risk parental displeasure to pursue their dream (art school rather than law school for Eli and ballet conservatory instead of college for Chloe). They also both have significant parental issues, which really helps them understand what the other is going through. There’s a scene near the end where Chloe’s able to work through an issue with Eli because she truly gets where he’s coming from when he does something stupid.
Chloe’s character arc is fantastic, and Eli’s is pretty darn good too. It’s nice to read a character like Chloe sometimes, someone who isn’t flashy and can seem like a pushover, introverted and shy. Over the course of the book, she learns how to stand up more for herself, both with others and with herself, because lbr we’re generally hardest on ourselves. The ending’s excellent, a bit open-ended but in a way that makes you feel like there’s nothing but possibility ahead, not matter what happens.
I loved Kristina Forest’s debut I Wanna Be Where You Are, and I expect such amazing things from her in the future. Make sure not to miss this one if you enjoy cute YA contemporary romances!
I received this book for free from Macmillan on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Contemporary novels are often very hit or miss with me, because most of them are very much focused on the main character’s voice. Most of the time, I know right away whether I’m going to love or hate them, and I had a good feeling about this book in the very first chapter. Chloe’s voice immediately felt relatable and real in that way that’s really impossible to describe to anyone who doesn’t connect that with fictional characters. I could not put this book down until I finished it, and that’s just the best feeling.
The plot consists of Chloe breaking out of her carefully ordered bubble of a life in order to audition for her dream ballet conservatory, which she hopes to attend the next year in New York City. Her plans don’t go quite as she’d hoped, and she ends up on an impromptu road trip with her former friend/current nemesis Eli from across the street and his dog Geezer. This set-up could not be more me if it tried, unless someone was genderbending and also they had to fake-out makeout for some reason. To be clear, this does not happen.
The romance is pretty central to the story, but right alongside that, I Wanna Be Where You Are is very focused on Chloe’s relationship with her mother and, to a lesser degree, Eli’s relationships with his parents. Chloe’s mom is overprotective and, though Chloe’s the incredibly chill, rule-following, smart, talented, hard-working daughter most parents would dream of, Chloe’s hit the point where she can’t take it anymore. She asked to audition for the conservatory in NYC, and her mom turned her down, insisting that she will not let her daughter live in New York because it’s too dangerous.
Out of desperation, Chloe hatches a devious plan and lies to her mom for the first time ever. While her mom goes on a rare vacation for a week, Chloe will go to the auditions in Washington D.C., even though driving on the highway terrifies her. She hates lying to her mom, but she hates giving up her dream more. Eli catches her as she’s about to leave and blackmails her (let me come or I’ll tell your mom what you’re doing) into letting him and his dog catch a ride to D.C.
Chloe and Eli have an excellent second chance romance/hate to love slow burn, and I was so into it, despite the fact that Eli smokes, which is gross. They argue and banter, and it’s adorable, but as the book progresses, they genuinely get each other in a way that makes them feel like they really have a shot. Both of them are having to risk parental displeasure to pursue their dream (art school rather than law school for Eli and ballet conservatory instead of college for Chloe). They also both have significant parental issues, which really helps them understand what the other is going through. There’s a scene near the end where Chloe’s able to work through an issue with Eli because she truly gets where he’s coming from when he does something stupid.
Chloe’s character arc is fantastic, and Eli’s is pretty darn good too. It’s nice to read a character like Chloe sometimes, someone who isn’t flashy and can seem like a pushover, introverted and shy. Over the course of the book, she learns how to stand up more for herself, both with others and with herself, because lbr we’re generally hardest on ourselves. The ending’s excellent, a bit open-ended but in a way that makes you feel like there’s nothing but possibility ahead, not matter what happens.
I loved Kristina Forest’s debut I Wanna Be Where You Are, and I expect such amazing things from her in the future. Make sure not to miss this one if you enjoy cute YA contemporary romances!
I received this book for free from Macmillan on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
May 29, 2019
This was adorable and I loved it so very much okay that's all I have to say, adorable and a lot of love for this marshmallow-y book. <3
Read my full review of I Wanna Be Where You Are on the blog.
Thank you so, so much to MacMillan International for the ARC of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
Read my full review of I Wanna Be Where You Are on the blog.
Thank you so, so much to MacMillan International for the ARC of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
June 30, 2019
Y'all, this was everything I've ever wanted. Last August I asked people to name some fluffy Black romances that centers on 2 Black teens falling in love. Needless to say, there weren't that many. I don't remember who told me about this book, but I spent everyday after it reminding people to add it to their TBR and to pre-order it. And now that I've read it, I fully stand behind my decision of telling people about this book and everyone, needs to pre-order, tell their library to order it, request it from their library, etc. because this book deserves it. Real review to come. (Once I stop crying lol)
**EDIT 06/30/19**
I started and stopped this review so many times. I had so much to say, but I just had no idea how to say it. I have been waiting on this book for so long and I didn't realize how much I wanted or needed it until last year. See I asked on Twitter if anyone knew of any fluffy Black romances, and let's just say... There weren't any. In that thread someone told me about this book and since then I've sang it from the rooftops.
Chloe thinks she's a bad daughter because she has only one thing in mind... Getting into the conservatory of her dreams. And she does anything she can to do it... Like lie to her mother in the process. Just as she was about to leave, she runs into an old... guy she used to know and his dog. He somehow convinces her to let him come with her. And along the way they come to terms with what happened between them so long ago.
My favorite part of this was undoubtedly the characters. I loved seeing Chloe getting to try what she wanted even while it was hard. (Because trust me, if a Black mom says no, going against her is NOT easy lmao) And Eli was also awesome. I could tell he had so much we didn't know about him going on. When we finally did learn about it, I was surprised at so much of it. And of course there's Geezer, as the owner of a pitbull, there's no secret that I love pitbulls and I loved him. I also loved the other characters they met along the way. They all had some significance to the story even though they were only there for a short period of time. They all came together to make this a perfect road trip story.
I also loved the comedy. Normally when people tell me something's going to be funny, I don't find it funny at all. But this one was actually really funny. From asking about how she sleeps, to what happens when she first drives on the highway, I actually laughed out loud. And let me tell you, it's not something I normally do.
The only thing I had an issue with was the pacing. It got info dumpy in some places, but I counted it as being because they were in a close quarters and the book was short. (The ARC is only 261 pages.) But as the story got going, the pacing gets better and it gets better and better as they fall for each other.
Even though I wanted more of them together, I still enjoyed this so much. It was everything I wanted and I can't say I'm really upset with anything that happened or didn't happen. I hope that everyone buys this, requests that their library buys this, requests it from their library, etc. It's definitely a story that should have been told a long time ago.
**EDIT 06/30/19**
I started and stopped this review so many times. I had so much to say, but I just had no idea how to say it. I have been waiting on this book for so long and I didn't realize how much I wanted or needed it until last year. See I asked on Twitter if anyone knew of any fluffy Black romances, and let's just say... There weren't any. In that thread someone told me about this book and since then I've sang it from the rooftops.
Chloe thinks she's a bad daughter because she has only one thing in mind... Getting into the conservatory of her dreams. And she does anything she can to do it... Like lie to her mother in the process. Just as she was about to leave, she runs into an old... guy she used to know and his dog. He somehow convinces her to let him come with her. And along the way they come to terms with what happened between them so long ago.
My favorite part of this was undoubtedly the characters. I loved seeing Chloe getting to try what she wanted even while it was hard. (Because trust me, if a Black mom says no, going against her is NOT easy lmao) And Eli was also awesome. I could tell he had so much we didn't know about him going on. When we finally did learn about it, I was surprised at so much of it. And of course there's Geezer, as the owner of a pitbull, there's no secret that I love pitbulls and I loved him. I also loved the other characters they met along the way. They all had some significance to the story even though they were only there for a short period of time. They all came together to make this a perfect road trip story.
I also loved the comedy. Normally when people tell me something's going to be funny, I don't find it funny at all. But this one was actually really funny. From asking about how she sleeps, to what happens when she first drives on the highway, I actually laughed out loud. And let me tell you, it's not something I normally do.
The only thing I had an issue with was the pacing. It got info dumpy in some places, but I counted it as being because they were in a close quarters and the book was short. (The ARC is only 261 pages.) But as the story got going, the pacing gets better and it gets better and better as they fall for each other.
Even though I wanted more of them together, I still enjoyed this so much. It was everything I wanted and I can't say I'm really upset with anything that happened or didn't happen. I hope that everyone buys this, requests that their library buys this, requests it from their library, etc. It's definitely a story that should have been told a long time ago.
February 17, 2021
english review only
spoilerfree
I finished this in january, but I was without a laptop for over a month and I wasn't about to write a review with my tablet or my phone. So it's a bit late, but here we go!!! (I don't even know if I still know how to write a review. Bear with me)
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I think this is my first roadtrip book and damn, I'm into the whole setting of this, I need more of it. The same goes for the ballet element. I need more of that in stories.
I also really enjoyed the writing a lot, so I can't wait to get my hands on other books of the author. It was just such a fun and fast paced read.
The characters were wonderful, I loved Chloe right away. And as much as I dislikes Eli in the beginning, I ended up LOVING him. I love the journey these characters were on, literally and figuratively. IT WAS WONDERFUL.
I also loves the minor characters like Trey, Larissa, and Reina. I would sell my soul for books about Larissa, and Reina. Just saying!!!
spoilerfree
I finished this in january, but I was without a laptop for over a month and I wasn't about to write a review with my tablet or my phone. So it's a bit late, but here we go!!! (I don't even know if I still know how to write a review. Bear with me)
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I think this is my first roadtrip book and damn, I'm into the whole setting of this, I need more of it. The same goes for the ballet element. I need more of that in stories.
I also really enjoyed the writing a lot, so I can't wait to get my hands on other books of the author. It was just such a fun and fast paced read.
The characters were wonderful, I loved Chloe right away. And as much as I dislikes Eli in the beginning, I ended up LOVING him. I love the journey these characters were on, literally and figuratively. IT WAS WONDERFUL.
I also loves the minor characters like Trey, Larissa, and Reina. I would sell my soul for books about Larissa, and Reina. Just saying!!!
July 16, 2019
This was a very sweet, light read. Nothing groundbreaking in terms of plot but still very enjoyable.
I liked the characters. I liked the road trip. I was quite satisfied with the ending, I think it fit the story very well. I only wish the reason for Chloe disliking Eli was introduced a bit sooner.
I liked the characters. I liked the road trip. I was quite satisfied with the ending, I think it fit the story very well. I only wish the reason for Chloe disliking Eli was introduced a bit sooner.
August 20, 2018
Easily one of my most anticipated books of 2019! This one can’t come soon enough!
February 26, 2020
Между 3 и 3.5*
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