Cover Image: The Summer Getaway

The Summer Getaway

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Member Reviews

Perfect summer read to feel like a getaway. Characters were believable and you felt brought into a new surrounding. You won't like everyone but you will feel like you understand them. Recommend.

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Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I’m def going to read a book that Susan Mallery writes. Some I really love, some I just like. This one was a like book.

What I liked:

The cover is PERFECTION. And had me super-duper anticipating reading this.

Some of the one liners that Susan Mallery used!

The ultimate tone and message of the book- you are never too old to find your HEA and if things seem too perfect, but you are getting a vibe- it’s ok to walk away.



Bottom line: The book was just ok to me. I had high hopes, but some of the characters/situations detracted from my enjoyment. Still not a bad read, though.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

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~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~~~

The Summer Getaway is an absolute beach read. It takes family drama to the next level- this book's plot could be the synopsis for the next Lifetime series. Secrets, lies, affairs, wealth, romance, fights... sometimes a bit over the top, but most beach reads are! I enjoyed this book overall, though, sometimes the characters were on the annoying side. The story follows Robyn and her family as she travels to California while healing after a divorce. She is the matriarch holding the family together and they each, one by one, trot after her. This is a good read for someone looking to escape for a while- with a cocktail and an ocean view!

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This was a unique story. I enjoyed it. Although the daughter was really annoying. I know the point is she was immature but I almost wanted to skip her parts.

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Another great story by this author. Family drama, realistic characters and a great setting that all gets worked out in the end.

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I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I hate writing negative reviews... but that was awful. So cheesy, so many ridiculous cringey lines. The characters were all so insanely immature. I got a headache from rolling my eyes so many times.

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I’ve had this one on my Netgalley shelf for a little while and I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. I’ve felt stagnant with my reading and I love a book that just surprises me, keeps me intrigued and sweeps me away!

Single mom Robyn Caldwell is the family matriarch and the person everyone runs too when they need help or advise. With a bridezilla daughter, a son who won’t go to college and an ex husband and best friend making horrible decisions, Robyn decides she needs a change in scenery to regroup and heads to California to visit her great aunt Lillian! Soon, everyone follows her to California and brings their baggage along with them.

I truly felt for Robyn. Everyone lays their issues on her and takes her for granted. But I loved reading along as she starts her journey of self discovery and realizes what she needs to do to not only change her own course, but to help everyone around her as well!

I absolutely adored Great Aunt Lillian. She was my favourite character throughout the whole book! I definitely hope to be as sharp as she is, and enjoying plenty of cocktails like her, at 94 years old.

And I could have read less of Robyn’s daughter Harlow, best friend Mindy and ex lover Jace, but I understand their importance in the story. It is more a personal opinion as I strongly disliked their characters.

Overall this was a quick and enjoyable read and one I recommend picking up.

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In the Summer Getaway, Susan Mallery tells a riveting family saga that centers around Robyn a woman who has no real sense of how strong she is until she has the the courage to getaway to the home of her great Aunt Lilian to reflect and determine the next step of her life. When family and friends alike follow Robyn on her journey, she is aided by Lilian’s wisdom to discover that she is the glue that holds her family together and has the courage to take a risk on a future filled with love. I received an advanced reader copy of this novel for free and I post my thoughts voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing .

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ABOUT THE BOOK:



Already a worldwide success in mass market and trade paperback formats, Susan Mallery’s newest hardcover is an emotional, witty, and heartfelt story about a woman who takes a trip to California to figure out her life and get a break from her family...only to be reminded that life--and your children--follow you wherever you go. With a powerful mother/daughter relationship at its core, fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Susan Wiggs, Mary Alice Monroe, and Nancy Thayer will love this book.




Robyn Caldwell’s family is driving her crazy. There’s Harlow, her daughter, who’s engaged to a man she’s only known a short time and is rapidly turning into bridezilla. And her son, Austin, who would rather work with his dad’s family charter boating business than go to college. Her friend, Mindy, who’s playing with fire by contemplating an affair with her tennis instructor. And let’s not forget her ex-husband whose bad behavior has just crossed the line yet again.




Robin needs some time to catch her breath and figure out what her next step should be. So when her beloved aunt Lillian asks her to come to Santa Barbara for an overdue visit, Robyn jumps at the chance. Her aunt Lillian is working on settling her affairs and a distant relative is staying with her that stands to inherit the house. Trouble is the last thing Robyn needs, but she refuses to let her aunt be taken advantage of.




While staying in her aunt’s beautiful, quirky mansion and spending time in the Santa Barbara sunshine with the woman who’s like a mother to her, Robyn will see herself—and the people she loves most—with a bit more clarity. And it will push her to take chances she hadn’t dreamed of before.






But life has a funny way of following you wherever you go. What began as an escape soon becomes an unforgettable adventure…and Robyn is ready to dive in, feet first.


MY TAKE:






I enjoyed reading The Summer Getaway. Other reviews I read talked about the "family drama" in the book, but for me, this is an honest account of what life looks like post-divorce. Robyn has an awakening when she realizes that she has to move from the family home after her youngest son graduates from high school. The drama in my opinion has more to do with a somewhat spoiled older daughter who feels that mom is trying to "ruin her life" when the house goes on the market, right before her dream wedding.




The book picks up speed and becomes very interesting when Robyn goes to visit an aunt in California. Here's where Robyn's character blooms, the aunt is a delight and she meets a man who is honest and kind.




The book is filled with humor, the characters are well developed, the plot is realistic. This is the plan for a good beach read, and this book hits all the marks. It's heartwarming and hopeful, something we all need more of during this crazy time.







ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship and romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—forty million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.


Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the two Ragdoll cats and adorable poodle who think of her as Mom.


SOCIAL LINKS:

Twitter: @susanmallery

Facebook: @susanmallery

Instagram: @susanmallery

Author website: https://www.susanmallery.com/


BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-summer-getaway/9781335479990

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1335479996?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwsusanmalle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1335479996

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-getaway-susan-mallery/1139380149?ean=9781335479990

Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Summer-Getaway/Susan-Mallery/9781335479990?id=8185827134866

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335479990

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093T6319S?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwsusanmalle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B093T6319S

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-getaway-susan-mallery/1139380149?ean=9780369703668

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Susan_Mallery_The_Summer_Getaway?id=ZgcsEAAAQBAJ

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-summer-getaway/id1565341890

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-summer-getaway-1

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Summer-Getaway-Hardcover-9781335479990/209254131

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-summer-getaway-by-susan-mallery-hardcover/-/A-83982879

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So, this novel has the perfect title for a read at this time of year. It will be enjoyed by both her new and old readers of this author. They will find an involving story about characters, families and the choices that people make.

Robyn’s life involved always being there for her husband and children. In order to do this, she ruled out options like going to college. Now, in her forties, Robyn’s husband and she are divorced. He has had a series of relationships, some of which are questionable. Robyn’s daughter, Harlow, is planning to marry young, while her son has decided not to go to college. Oh, by the way, Robyn also has to figure out how to support herself when the payments from her former spouse stop. Yes, she has a lot to think about.

While Robyn is in Florida, her great aunt Lillian (aged 94 or so) is in California. Lillian is getting to know the former Marine (and current writer) Mason to whom her husband left her eccentric home. It will pass to him when Lillian dies. There is also a bequest to Robyn.

Robyn decides to leave family behind for a trip to California and Lillian. Will her family stay behind? What will happen out West? How will Robyn’s life change as a result? Readers will find out over the course of this story.

In addition to following Robyn, there is also a secondary plot about Robyn’s best friend and her marriage. Robyn has worked part-time in this friend’s antique business. So, two families that readers get to know.

This book will be enjoyed by those who read women’s fiction. They will most likely then eagerly await the author’s next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

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The Summer Getaway was everything the book promises from the title: a summer getaway read! These books always feel predictable to me, but in that comforting way like being on the beach. A little bit fluff, a litle bit of heart and a little bit of beach life.

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A fun, light, summer read! A great vacation or beach read! Single, divorced mom takes a vacation to see an elderly aunt, and her problems, in the form of kids, friend and her ex, follow. She finds love along the way, and problems get solved.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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I like that this is a standalone and I really enjoyed the character building and world building. I will be reading more of the standalones.

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My first Susan Mallory novel and I’m hooked! So many interesting storylines woven together into a common theme. Great summer vibes!

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The Summer Getaway had a little too much drama for me, and I didn't see a lot of character growth. As always Susan Mallery's writing was fantastic.

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Robyn needs a break. Her ex-husband is a cad, her current boyfriend turns out to be not much better, her daughter is entitled, and her best friend/boss is determined to have an affair that is sure to destroy her family despite Robyn's warnings. Her son seems to be the only one who doesn't expect anything. Robyn has spent most of her life doing what was best for everyone around her, and now it's time to slip away and spend some time figuring out what she actually wants for herself. Her great-aunt has been asking her to California for a visit, and it's definitely time.

Aunt Lillian lives in a sprawling mansion with a little bit of a Dr. Seuss meets the Winchester House feel. On top of that, it's heavily loaded with antiques. Upon Lillian's passing, Robyn inherits the contents and the 15 cats, and her deceased husband's distant cousin, Mason, inherits the home with the understanding that he is to live in it for a year before selling it to the historical society. The purpose of the year is primarily to give Robyn time to inventory the contents. Upon her arrival, Robyn finds that Mason has also recently taken Lillian up on an invitation to visit that she has been extending to him for years.

As the summer progresses, Robyn and Mason strike up a romance while Robyn's friend and family back in Florida discover things about themselves, and the people around them, that they also feel the need to take a break, or run away, from. Lillian's home gets more full as the time passes, and it becomes something of a retreat where the lost go to find their truths and decide their futures. Lives will be forever changed in Aunt Lillian’s unique home, and she will be the heart of it all.

The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery is that beach read we all grab for when this time of year rolls around. There are some serious stories being told with just enough fluff and just the right setting. My favorite person was absolutely Aunt Lillian. She wasn’t the main character and yet she seemed to be the center of it all, enjoying the ins and outs of everyone’s lives with a cocktail in hand and advice when needed. Quite honestly, her house was the second best character. I wanted to walk through it and find all of the hidden treasures, whether they were passageways, doors to nowhere, or antiques. A couple of the other characters left something to be desired, at first, but that was done deliberately to show their growth as the book progressed. In other instances, just the opposite happened.

Thankfully, I wasn’t looking for perfection because there was some convenient writing here and there in order to make things come to the close the author wanted. Had I been looking for a deeper read, that would have bothered me more, but beach reads bring different expectations. The bigger issue I had was with the crassness of some of the writing. I prefer a book that alludes to things rather than spells them out, but that’s just me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC which I have chosen to leave this objective review on.

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This is surprisingly my second Susan Mallery novel. It is an easy, light read that has a lot of family drama and some romance. I loved how Robyn was vital to every person close to her. I also loved how most of the characters learned a lot about themselves and all faced rough decisions. The romance between Robyn and Mason was sweet and I was rooting for the both of them. Make sure you grab this book for your beach bag this summer!

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me a copy for my honest review

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Another entertaining book by this prolific author! Robyn has reached a turning point in her life after putting her family first for years. The kids are now grown and Robyn has been divorced for a while so it is time to make plans for herself. Robyn leaves her home in Florida to visit her great aunt in California hoping to get some clarity and decide on the direction she wants her life to go in. Once there she unexpectedly and happily finds herself in a romantic relationship. Things start to get very busy at her aunt’s house as Robyn’s family surprisingly make their way to California too. This was a heartwarming book with a lot of family drama, conflict, friendship and love. I recommend this one if you enjoy family stories. This will also make a great summer read.

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Robyn is a single mother who has always put family first and herself last. With the kids grown but still demanding her attention she decides to visit her great Aunt Lillian in California. She's relaxing and enjoying herself when the family one by one come to California wanting her to solve their problems. This is a "beach read" at its best. Susan Mallery is a favorite of romance readers and she doesn't disappoint in this latest book. It's fun to see if Robyn makes the same decisions you would. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Some authors just SCREAM summer to me, and I love that year-round, picking up their titles feels like I'm packing up to hit the beach. When I was given an advance copy of Susan Mallery's THE SUMMER GETAWAY I could not wait to read it, as her books always give me that vibe!

What I was most excited about this particular title was that our main character, Robyn is at such an important, life-changing time in her relationship with her family. As someone who has always been family-focused and the one they all have counted on, her needing a vacation to kind of reassess and consider herself MORE for the future, and let them figure it out all on their own is something that's never happened before.

The perfect opportunity comes up to visit her great-aunt Lillian, and to the surprise of everyone around her, she goes.

This book gave me such HOPE. It was truly a wonderful story of family and love, and by being about a mother and her adult children I felt like this book filled a space I need to read more of in books. That life doesn't simply end at a certain age, that we are all more than one particular part of ourselves whether it's being a parent, an employee, a wife, or a friend. We are ALL of those things, and somehow those feelings and drama all come together to create our lives.

Thank you to Harlequin Books for sending me a copy of this book to read and review, it was such a warm, fuzzy-feeling book full of family and love!

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