I Wanna Be Where You Are

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. Not fighting the police or battling racism. 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 not 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.

Chloe knows what she wants to do with her life, but her mom insists that she can't yet: she's too young. This is why she's under strict instruction to stay at her BFFs house and do no wrong while Mom and BF take a week-long cruise for the first time since forever.But Chloe has other plans: as soon as they leave, she's taking the car on a solo road trip to try out for a spot in a dance conservatory with her idol. So of course the annoying boy across the street corners her into letting him (and his farting dog) hitch a ride, too, despite them not speaking for the past YEAR.Yes, they were once great friends, but there are reasons. Awkward, frustrating, not-to-be-discussed reasons. Because she can't let that stuff pile on top of the nightmares and anxiety and self-doubt she's already feeling.So of course the road trip doesn't go smoothly. Which makes it revealing and wonderful and at times even swoony.A great read for kids ages 11/12+ who like to see someone overcome their fears, watch friends find a way back to each other, and a little Rated-PG romance.

This book is a nice "curl in bed and indulge at night," after a stressful day type of read. I thoroughly enjoy the book. While the writing may be simple, it is written in a way that anybody, regardless of their age and/or intellectual level, can understand. The author made me really root for the main protaganist as she journeyed through murky waters, pursuing her dancing dreams, fighting off the limited beliefs she had for herself. I'm glad that she didn't let guilt keep her in a stagnated state, especially on the account that she drove to the big apple-where her dance audition was being held, against her mother's wishes. This is a beautiful, inspiring work of literature. I can't wait to read more of Kristina Forest's works! I recently saw her tweet about her second novel, and I immediately squealed. The cover is just as appealing as this one!! I'm sure the second will just as good, if not better than her debut novel!

Eli and Chloe are so cute. The timeless boy next door formula is still magical. Though the focus was on Chloe, I was completely drawn in by Eli. I wanted to nurture him. I wanted to see him win. He was just so lovable and relatable. I would love to have a sequel. I want to watch them blossom.

If you love romance tropes like enemies to lovers, road trips, and (my personal fav) just one bed - this is the book for you! It is a road trip, ballet YA romance about characters who know their dreams but are still figuring out how to express their feelings. A beautiful book!

The cutest rom com about a Black ballerina chasing her dreams !!!! I loved it !!

This book was an awesome read! It was a nice escape from reality. I love how Chloe has moments of self-discovery. It reminds me of myself. This book encourages readers to not let obstacles in life halt you from achieving your dreams! Everything happens for a reason, you just have to push forward and have faith!

I loved this book! I finished it in one day. I loved the romance between Chloe and Eli, and who wouldn’t love Geezer. I haven’t read any books with black ballerinas as the main character, and I always wanted to. A great book for the new year!

I mainly bought this book because I saw it on bookstagram and fell in love with the cover as with most books! This was a perfect summer read and I loved the road trip aspect of it.This was a fun, inspiring story about Chloe who longs to become a ballet dancer but her overbearing, protecting mother keeps stopping her from reaching for her dreams. Chloe is so confident in herself and has big dreams that she'll be a successful dancer. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She just wishes her mom will see her determination and support her.Eli lives across the road from Chloe and they used to be best friends until he broke her promise and they haven't spoke for a while. Eli invites himself on Chloe's trip to a dance conservatory and the two of them bang heads but eventually remember why they were friends. I feel like Eli was kind of a dick at times and didn't think about Chloe's feelings but I did like him as a character.I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone.