Another well-written YA novel by June. One parent with depression and the other in prison provide the background to Ash's summer working at an adventure camp. There's so much to like here: a hint of romance waiting to be fulfilled, a broken family that chooses not to disintegrate but to do the hard work of recovery, and teen snarkiness without crudeness. Occasionally didactic as characters deal with their issues, this is still a great summer beach read. I do hope there's a sequel. I want more time with Ash and her friends and family. Recommended for ages 12 up.

When I started this story, I never expected it to move so quickly. Christina June has a way with words and Ashlyn's story flew by for me. Between the drama of her family and the staff at camp, I could see this novel play out in my mind like a movie. There were times my cheeks hurt from smiling, and others when my heart hurt from the tough situations which Ashlyn encountered. Overall, a great contemporary story which I would highly recommend

Where was this book when my daughter was little? I would have gladly designed a garden like this for her! I was fortunate to have been brought up in a relatively rural area with all of nature in my backyard; woods, fields, ponds, streams... every child should be so lucky. For those who aren't, but have a yard, this book will help you create a wonderful outdoor play area for your child(ren)! Great idea for small or large yards. Would make a great gift for new parents!

This was my first book by Christina June and I loved it. The character development of Ashlyn was handled in an honest and relatable way. I loved reading her story and seeing her transform and grow before my eyes. Ash went from a meek girl to a brave young woman. Her journey also had some great secondary characters along the way, mostly Hannah (her cousin) and Baxter. They both lifted Ash up when she needed it and bolstered her confidence along the way.

The way in which Christina handled the mental abuse from Ash's father was done in a respectful way. I like how it was weaved into the story and how both Ash and her mother learned the tools they needed to empower themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a fairytale retelling and No Place Like Here is a fantastic modern reimagining of Hansel and Gretel. The author, Christina June, does a wonderful job creating relatable characters with a strong story that draws the reader in.

The main character, Ashlyn Zanotti, shows tremendous growth throughout the book, which was a real highlight for me. June is an extremely talented writer and I am excited to read more of her work!

Heads Up: The book does cover serious topics, such as mental health (depression) and a parent in prison.

No Place Like Here is a quick read with a lot of heart. Christina June does a beautiful job of drawing the reader into the story from the outset. Ashlyn is introduced to the audience, but her life is almost immediately upended by her father’s mistakes and her mother’s illness. This sudden change creates a very fast emotional investment for the reader.

I could 100% see myself as a teenager loving and immediately identifying with Ashlyn. Christina June odes a wonderful job of creating not only believable teenage voices, which can sometimes come off as corny or clichéd; but, also, giving those characters accessible feelings.

The description was a little misleading for me, because I didn’t get much of a Hansel and Gretel retelling vibe. There is no mythical or magical element to this story. This is a true to life, coming of age story about a teenage girl finding friendship while finding herself. There is no witch. There is no oven. There is no brother. You have to really look for the similarities to the classic tale, so don’t go in expecting Wicked.

While this book is part of a series, I didn’t read the first two. I don’t really think it’s necessary, as they appear to be standalone books with a common theme. After reading No Place Like Here, I will definitely be checking 1 & 2 out ASAP.

What’s Missing...
This is a new feature for me that I am trying out., so let me know what you think. Essentially, if a book doesn’t reach 5 stars, I like to give a little explanation as to why. In this book, I felt like there needed to be more. It was almost as if there was some depth missing from the story that prevented it from vaulting into the amazing 5 Eiffel Tower (or stars to all other people) territory.

No Place Like Here could honestly have been a longer book. I felt like the climax happened too quickly (stop giggling), and the problems developed and were dealt with without much fuss. I just wanted more.

* Special thanks to Christina June, Blink Publishing, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of No Place Like Here in exchange for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book after reading on a different review that there's not a big focus on romance. The author dealt so well with the themes and I was captivated as I read about Ashlyn's journey that was at times difficult, uncomfortable, healing, and empowering. I appreciated being able to see the family dynamics that brought Ashlyn to the point she is at mentally at the beginning of the book, flaws and all. Family secrets are revealed and she is instantly and unwillingly thrust onto a path of discovery- more about her parents, extended family, and also about herself. The cast of characters that support her and those that she interacts with in a more negative way were brought to life and rounded out the story well. I especially liked seeing her relationship develop with her cousin and the quiet zipline instructor who makes a wonderful friend. A lovely story of becoming self-aware and choosing to be strong in the circumstances we are given.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. Even with the serious topics of one parent in prison and another at a mental health facility No
Place Like Here is a solid feel good YA book. The main character is facing some fish-out-of-water problems as she works at outdoorsy camp. She has the typical teen new job struggles with a co-worker/cousin who is dubious of her, an incompetent boss and finding/navigating love interest(s). The reader follows Ashlyn as she moves through the summer trying to deal with her concerns about her parents and her future and questioning if it’s time to break free of her father’s control in his absence.
For me, the struggles that Ashlyn faced might have been a little too low-stakes and easily solved. I prefer a little more tension and grittiness in my reads and this came across a little too sweet for me. But someone that needs a break between heavier subject matter may enjoy the setting of a summer camp and Ashlyn’s straight-forward problems.

Coming home after being exiled to boarding school, Ashlyn is again abandoned. Her father is going to prison for tax evasion while her mother checks herself in to rehab for exhaustion. Recent events send Ashlyn to take a summer job at a team-building retreat in the middle of nowhere with her estranged cousin.

No Place Like Here offers a story filled with themes surrounding friendship, putting yourself first, and the importance of mental health treatment.

While the plot fell a little flat with the mystery of Deb not being completely unfolded, I thought No Place Like Here had interesting characters and carried beautifully relatable messages.

I really enjoyed this book, and the occasional breadcrumbs leading to the story of Hansel and Gretel. What I thoroughly appreciated was that June diminished the stigma surrounding mental illness with one fell swoop.

"I didn't think there was any way to get through the summer without telling someone, anyone, the truth. And it might as well be the one person I was related to. 'My mom is in rehab. My dad's word was exhaustion...'

'Which is really just the old person's code word for depression.'

'Exactly.'

'I hate that. Let's not cover up mental health issues, you know? Your mom is a star for getting help. She shouldn't be made to feel like she's hiding something. If anything, she's strong. A fighter.'"

Even with all of my questions not being answered by the novel's end, the way June tackles mental health issues makes No Place Like Here a read worth investing yourself in. It was a perfect read to wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month!

I really loved this book. I have always loved summer books and this one was no different. Ashlyn starts as a character who is used to taking instructions from others and waiting for people to tell her what to do, but as the book continues she grows into her own person.

I loved how family played a big role of this novel and how Ashlyn and Hannah slowly become better friends. We see Ashlyn grow and learn to trust her family and make more friends.

We see her finding herself in some of the similar situations that got her in trouble with boys, but this time she makes the choices she should have made in the first place.

I love how this is a mixture of a summer camp and just a regular summer book. It was so much fun and so good!

I HATED Deb, but I think that was the point of the novel. You weren’t supposed to like her.

I really really liked this book and I am very excited to read more of Christina June’s books!

I have really enjoyed all of the books by this author. They are fun and meaningful and lighthearted while still sending home some life lesson messages - all without being overly heavy. I also love how each of the books are standalone but still connected, and as always, will recommend that you read THEM ALL in order.

When Ashlyn Zanotti finds out her dad has been sentenced to prison for tax evasion, her carefully crafted "comeback" falls apart. As she is finishing up a year at boarding school (where she was forced to go as a consequence for something she didn't even do) her plans to get back to her regular life are completely derailed. Her mom sinks into a deep depression and requires treatment, so she can't go home for the summer. Ashlyn is then told she will be living with relatives she barely knows, and working hard at a wilderness retreat center - all so she can have a good line on her college resume.

Ashlyn reluctantly cooperates, but inside she is really struggling. Even with all of the huge expectations placed on her, she tries to be brave and mostly succeeds. But will she ever be able to communicate honestly with her parents - and more importantly, will they listen? Will Ashlyn find both her place in her life and the family, and even a passion for her future?

This book was well written and interesting. It was a fun read but with deeper meaning. The author managed to find a balance without hitting you over the head with the life lessons, and the ending was satisfying. I am happy to recommend this book for teens and adults alike!

After really enjoying Everywhere You Want to Be in April 2018, this was an insta-click for me. Teenage Ashlyn has a father in prison for tax troubles and a mother being treated for depression. So she is sent to her uncle and aunt's who in turn have arranged for Ashlynn to join her cousin as employees at a outdoor wellness center in Pennsylvania . This is not the summer she imagined, but it is a summer that Ashlynn won't soon forget.

Christina June writes strong female protagonists that this adult reader loves to cheer for in books. I meet great young women in the classroom and I feel that June writes teenage girls without falling into the tired cliches. Also thankfully we are not sidelined by a teen romance.

If you're looking for a book to buy your teenage daughter or yourself, I highly recommend that is a great vacation read.

Christina June’s No Place Like Here is an engaging YA contemporary story about Ashlyn Zanotti, a young woman who lives in the shadow of an overbearing father who criticizes everything she does and tries to control every aspect of her life. When the story opens, Ashlyn has just returned home from boarding school for the summer and is immediately hit with a bombshell – her father has been found guilty of tax evasion and is going to prison, and her mother, who suffers from depression, has checked herself into a treatment facility. True to form, however, before being carted off to prison, Ashlyn’s father has dictated how Ashlyn will spend her entire summer. Instead of spending it poolside with her friends, Ashlyn is being shipped off to live with family she hasn’t seen in over a decade and will work at a remote wilderness retreat. Ashlyn is furious and frustrated, but as always, feels she has no say in the matter and passively accepts her father’s orders.

My favorite part of No Place Like Here is how much Ashlyn grows throughout the story. I think Ashlyn’s situation is one that will resonate with many readers – low self-esteem, overbearing parents, not feeling like you have any control over your life, etc. I just felt so bad for Ashlyn at the beginning because she seems almost beaten down by her father’s constant berating. She’s quiet and reserved, not really wanting to draw any attention to herself. I really loved the transformation that she undergoes once she is able to get out from under her father’s shadow. She makes friends, gains self-confidence, and finds her voice, even taking on leadership roles at the retreat. For the first time, she actually feels proud of herself and the work she’s doing.

I felt like a proud parent watching Ashlyn discover her own potential. While working at the retreat, for example, an inquiry from one of the guests inspires her to organize offsite tours for guests who would like to explore the surrounding area while staying at the retreat. She really takes ownership of the idea too, doing all the research and coordinating with local businesses to bring the project to life. In addition to that, she also stands up to the incredibly unqualified woman who has been hired to manage the retreat. When she realizes the woman is consistently being negligible in ways that could endanger guests, Ashlyn starts gathering evidence to take to the owners to help get the situation under control before someone gets hurt. Ashlyn’s growth and her determination to stand up for what’s right had me really cheering her on and hoping that when she and her father finally meet again, she will stand up to him as well.

I also really loved the way the author handled Ashlyn’s mom and her depression. It was done in a very positive way to show there’s absolutely no shame in seeking help when you’re struggling. I think that’s such an important message, so I was glad it was presented in such a way. I especially liked the conversations between Ashlyn and her mom where her mom discusses effective strategies she’s being taught to better help her cope once she has returned home.

The one thing about No Place Like Here that had me scratching my head was that I went into it thinking it was a Hansel and Gretel retelling based on something I had read about the book. I kept trying to bend the story in my mind to make it work as a retelling and just didn’t see it. After I finished, I saw a comment from the author where she describes No Place Like Here as loosely inspired by Hansel and Gretel and that’s a more apt description. I wish I had seen her comment prior to reading the book. It would have saved me some head scratching, haha.

Even with my misinformed belief that this was a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, I still really enjoyed No Place Like Here overall. It’s a wonderful coming of age story, and with its wilderness retreat and summertime setting, it’s also the perfect beach read.

What I Liked: You guys know I can't resist a good summer camp book, despite never having gone to summer camp myself and never actually wanting to go. But make me feel like I'm there from the comfort of my couch, and I'm in.

♥  I love that Ashlyn is a quote nerd, since I'm one myself. The ones that inspire her are very different than the ones I like, so I liked being exposed to some different stuff. One thing I didn't like about this was her obsession with writing them down everywhere, in essence vandalizing the world. She was forever writing, or digging, or carving her quotes into door jams, chairs, tree trunks, the inside of drawers. I like the idea that someone else might see that right when they need it, I just don't like messing up something that doesn't belong to you. Like, maybe it could go on a sticky note or something? I don't know.  

♥ Ash & Hannah--I adored watching this cousin relationship grow and flourish, maybe because it reminded me of my cousin who's graduating high school this year and how close we've been getting the past few months (hi, Charlotte!). Like Charlotte and me, Ash and Hannah didn't spend much time around one another growing up, all due to their parents. So when they finally reconnect it takes them a bit to get their bearings, but once they do, their relationship really takes off and nothing comes between them. 

♥ This book isn't about a romance, even though there are two in it. Neither of them take over the story. This is actually a story about family, and it's pretty heavy. There's a lot of verbal abuse from Ashlyn's father, and it takes her awhile to call it what it is. There's also talk of depression, and a parent in prison, if any of those are a trigger for you.

Final Thoughts: I keep seeing this listed as a Hansel and Gretel retelling, and to be honest, I just don't get it. Like, at all.

A story about the longing for home even when it’s not perfect or you don’t feel worthy of it, No Place Like Here is a poignant and moving story.

Ashlyn Zanotti’s summer plans (and her unforeseeable future) go up in smoke when her father lands in prison, her mother checks herself into rehab for exhaustion, and she’s sentenced to working at a summer retreat camp. Over the course of her time there, Ashlyn discovers support in unexpected places and the courage to speak up for herself, even with her father’s disapproving voice acting as her conscience.

Using touches from Hansel and Gretel, Christina June gives readers another engaging book with a young heroine whose journey to obtain her deepest with, to go home again, finds her strength and individualism. Young readers will enjoy this summer read with a memorable setting, plenty of conflict, and an ending that offers the promise of wishes realized.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

Thank you so much to Blink Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first novel by Christina June and I was hooked right from the beginning. I know a lot of people said it was a modern Hansel and Gretel retelling, which loosely put it could be, but I thought of it more as a YA contemporary.

Ashlynn can’t wait to be back home after spending a year at boarding school away from her parents. But then she finds out her dad is going to prison for tax evasion, and she found out not from her parents but from social media. And to add the cherry on top, her mom is going to rehab for “exhaustion” aka depression. She gets shipped off to spend the summer with her relatives that she barely knows and starts a summer job at a wilderness camp that their daughter Hannah works at.

I automatically fell in love with the main character Ashlynn. I felt so bad for her at the beginning when she found out both of her parents were pretty much abandoning her and she had to go live with her Uncle and Aunt that she hasn’t seen in forever. The way her tyrant Dad treated her about made me want to cry and then the sweet way her Mom acted toward her when her Dad wasn’t around made me want to cry again. But then when she actually started becoming happy and finally made friends with Hannah my heart just soared. You can’t help but want to root for her the whole novel. Yeah, she messed up once but what happened to her was really not her fault at all and her Dad just couldn’t drop his ways and see that.

I also really loved the character of Baxter. He was so tentative with her and soft-spoken at first and then really opened up at Ashlynn. He didn’t try to be the macho douchebag like Marcus, he actually helped with Ashlynn’s family problems and was always there to help her (and rescue her!) and was an amazing friend.

This is definitely a perfect summer read about family issues and learning how to trust new people even when you can’t trust your own family.

This is a fabulous book for late teens and anyone else! It is a well executed and interesting read on the coming of age of a young girl who has lived a life being submissive to an over bearing father and a submissive mother. When her father is sent to prison for tax evasion and she is sent to her cousin’s for the summer to work at a wilderness/team building camp, she finds her voice and embraces it. I loved all the different affirming quotes that she saves.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

REVIEW

Ashlyn thought she had served her time, and would be able to return home after spending a year away at boarding school. But, then she learned of her father's arrest online, and in the blink of an eye, all her summer plans, and maybe her future plans, were altered. She was quickly whisked away to the woods of Pennsylvania to work at a wilderness retreat with her cousin Hannah. This indoor girl was dreading her new outdoor job, but this would prove to be her summer of self-realization and change.

Characters

I had "met" Ashlyn in June's first book, It Started with Goodbye, and was excited to get to know her better. My heart went out to her, when she found out that her family was going in three different directions that summer. Her feelings of abandonment were strong, as well they should be, but I was grateful that she was able to find some comfort in her aunt, uncle, cousin, and some of the retreat staff. Her cousin, Hannah, and Baxter were two standout characters. They were very supportive, but didn't push Ashlyn too hard, and that was exactly what she needed to help her work through her family issues.

Family Focus

Ashlyn's family was in trouble. Her mother was seeking treatment for her depression and her father was to begin serving his sentence in prison. Either one of these would be a stressful situation, and Ashlyn had to bear the weight of both. But, you know what? She used the time and space at camp to reflect on her relationship with her family. She realistically struggled with her feelings for her father. She loved him, but was also frustrated with him for the demands he constantly made of her. Through her separation and a lot of refection, she came to terms with her issues with her father, and resolved to try and fix things with her family, because in the end, she loved them. I also liked that Ashlyn was building a bridge back to her aunt, uncle, and cousin. They were such a big part of her growth and healing, and I was glad she was keeping them in her life.

Lots of Fun Stuff

I was all over this setting. The wilderness retreat was such a fun and unique setting. There were bon fires and bike rides, swimming and scavenger hunts, sunrise hikes and zip lining. It just posed a wealth of possibilities and I had a great time being there with Ashlyn.

There was also hints of an adorable romance in this story. It was not a full-on romance, and the character justified her stand on why it wasn't, but I so, so wanted it to be. In fact, I was hoping there was an epilogue waiting for me, so I could see how Ashlyn's family made out AND see if my ship happened. Alas, there was none, but I am holding out hope, that June writes another book set in this world. Maybe Hannah could get her own book. It could happen, right?

Overall

A fabulous, low-drama coming of age story. It was very heartwarming tale of family and finding your voice, and I was happy to accompany Ashlyn on her journey.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No Place Like Here is about a self-proclaimed "indoor girl" who is forced to work with a cousin she doesn't even know at a rustic team-building retreat center in the middle of nowhere. In addition to all of that, she has to deal with a careless camp manager, an overbearing father, and more than a little boy drama to struggle with. The premise of the book promises an engaging read.

The writing is charming and offers a positive message for readers. The protagonist, Ashlyn, struggles to find herself as she deals with her less than ideal situation. I enjoyed seeing her make the best of the situation and discovering herself along the way.

I loved the relationships between the characters. There were the fluffy, swoon-worthy moments but there were also the deeper, heartwarming moments. I loved this read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.