Sara Barnard has done it again! A startlingly real exploration of a young girl working out just who she is and what she stands for. This book captures all the terrifying confusion of being a not-quite-adult in a world that presents endless choices at times when we're not ready to make them. I loved the interweaving of past and present, gradually unfolding Peyton's story in college and in Canada, and a wonderfully depicted crowd of characters surrounding her in both threads. Sara Barnard is a brilliant portrayer of friendship, what makes a good friend, what doesn't - every teenager should read her books!
For me, the only weak spot in this is the illustrations which seemed a bit young for the Peyton who is repeatedly described as a such a talent.
Great read - thank you!

Sara Barnard is one of my favourite authors, so when I received an ARC of this book I was beyond excited! It definitely lived up to my expectations and I recommend this book as well as any other Sara Barnard book. Destination Anywhere follows Peyton, a 17 year old girl who abandons her normal life to go on a trip to Canada, much to the alarm of her parents. The story is told in a then and now narrative, so we get to experience Peyton’s adventures in Canada alongside the reasons that led her to take the trip in the first place. This book explores Peyton’s life in college as she desperately tries to fit in and make new friends which goes very badly wrong whilst seeing her trying to figure out her life whilst on her trip to Canada. I really liked the split and the way her story was told, it had some really important messages, and Peyton is a flawed but ultimately very likeable and relatable character. Her narrative felt very honest and I really connected and sympathised with her. Overall, this was a really good book and I read it in no time - I’m so excited to see what Sara Barnard writes next!

What a book! Sara Barnard grips us into a young girls life so fully, that you just want to be right there with her to give her a big hug.

Telling us through then and now timelines - Peyton's dash for freedom after a very rocky school experience left me in the Awe!

This book will leave you feeling like you can conquer anything that has been getting you down. Sara captures the brutal sides of school and life, while also showing the true goodness and kindness of people.

Join Peyton on her life changing Canadian trip with a band of merry travelers to help her see how amazing she really is. You won't regret it!

I was really excited for this novel as I have loved all of Sara Barnard's previous works. This book was not a disappointment. Sara Barnard is a wonderful UKYA author who captures what its like to be a young British teenager. I also love how her books are always more focused on friendship rather than romance as it is more reflective of my teenage years.
This book also made me really want to travel. I've never been to Canada but after reading this, I want to go (once the pandemic is over, of course!). She captured the feeling of being in an alien country so well.
Peyton felt like a very realistic main character as her struggles felt universal. I do think at times the conflict of the story could have been expanded. It felt slightly surface level and I would have liked to see more upon her return to the UK.
I feel like the ending of this novel didn't give me a satisfying enough conclusion but I did like how Sara Barnard ended Peyton's story.
Overall, this was a wonderful story focused on the struggles of trying to make friends, losing yourself and then finding yourself in a different country with new people.

I’m really conflicted with this one because I have read many of Sara’s other books and have really enjoyed them but this one fell flat for me.

- Peyton first of all, was the dullest character I have ever read about. She didn’t have anything to her that was remotely memorable and she was painfully boring to read from.
- I didn’t like how the book was structured with Peyton’s life before and after Canada. There were so many inconsistencies and I couldn’t imagine how easy it was for her to just go on a jolly to canada without been questioned profusely about it. I preferred the after chapters, and the before chapters weren’t nice considering the bullying Payton experienced.
- I felt like this book is directed for a much younger YA audience and had some really cringey language and overly used cliches.

This one just wasn’t for me.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sara Barnard books and this one is no exception. She’s so talented at writing older YA characters and all of the feelings that entails.

This is a great road trip story with an excellent found family.