To be honest I do not remember very much about this book at all when I read it and I totally forgot to come back to NetGalley and review it. I remember enjoying her other books better and I do not remember anything at all about this one! So sorry but love Emma Lord. Thank you for the e-ARC!

Recommend this one for all romance lovers. The characters were interesting and well written, the story was engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord is a heartwarming, adventurous read that balances humor and emotion with a strong focus on self-discovery. Lord’s relatable characters and witty prose make this a delightful journey worth taking.

The Getaway List is a quick-witted swoon worthy book that romance readers will fall in love with! The characters are likable and the story is uplifting. It is a cute story that anyone will enjoy.

I am pleased to announce my selection of another young adult contemporary novel authored by Emma Lord. I believe an explanation is unnecessary regarding my decision to engage with this work. I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advanced copy for review purposes.

On the day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future. Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

The dynamic and vibrant setting of New York City is among the most compelling aspects of the book. The author employs vivid and immersive descriptions that enhance the reader’s experience, particularly in the scenes set at the Brownie Bonanza. These moments are so engaging that one might wish for the establishment to exist in reality. The author’s ability to bring New York City to life through her narrative nearly allows the reader to feel a part of Riley and Tom’s journey, attending their writing class and meeting their new acquaintances. Additionally, the scenes involving the Dispatch App were equally enjoyable and effectively contributed to the overall narrative.

I found considerable merit in the book, with no particular elements standing out as unfavorable. The relationships between the protagonist, Riley, and the supporting characters, including her new acquaintances, were notably authentic. Additionally, the development of the romance between Tom and Riley was characterized by a gradual progression, as opposed to the more hurried pace often found in other literary works. I appreciated this aspect.

In conclusion, aficionados of the author will find this work fulfilling. Furthermore, I suggest this book to those readers who appreciate the friends-to-lovers narrative arc and the ambiance of summer in New York.

I love books by Emma Lord and this is no exception

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books (St. Martin's Press) for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Tweet Cute by Emma Lord and was excited to get to The Getaway List. I enjoy Lord's writing and there's a comfort in between those words. The dialogue and banter is well done and top shelf, besides some missteps for me in the beginning of the book. All the characters are relatable, holistic, and a diverse group. I feel you can find these characters walking down the streets of NYC. Mariella is the person I wish I was, Luca is the shy, introverted crush I had, and Jesse is the best friend I wish I had growing up. Tom is a dreamboat and so swoon worthy. Initially Riley and I were not vibing. I found her in the beginning annoying and trying to hard to be cool in her interactions with the other characters. Over the course of the book, I found her endearing and a vulnerable girl on a journey to find herself and figure things out. This found family in NYC was a cleaner/pg/ya version of Friends or Sex and the City. They all are on their personal journey of figuring themselves out and what to do next in life. The friends to lovers trope (which is probably my least favorite trope ever!) was done tastefully and realistically. Is this a romance? Yes, you can argue that but I would think it's secondary to the overall goal of the story. I would highly recommend this to those that love Emma Lord's works, who enjoy romance but not as the sole point of the book, and who enjoy stories of found families.

There have certainly been enough Emma Lord books to officially call this an Emma Lord classic. The only YA writer I read on the regular, Lord's writing is always so warm and cozy and funny and sweet. I know I'm in good hands when I crack open one of her books, and THE GETAWAY LIST was no exception. This one in particular was a delight, a love letter to NYC with a delightful cast of characters. The main relationship between Riley and Tom was believable and cute, and I was rooting for these kids (god, i'm old) the whole way through. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to discover Lord's writing! She creates worlds I want Ellie to live in.

Riley, fresh after her high school graduation, decides she's going to leave her mother and home to give visiting her best friend in NYC a chance. The book becomes her rediscovering who she is within this big change before deciding what she's going to do at the end of summer and repairing things with the mother she left behind. She discovers new friends, reconnects with the old one and figures some things out about herself along the way. As always, Emma Lord knocked it out of the park and I can't wait to read more!

The Getaway List starts with potential but falters with predictable plot points and shallow character development. The lack of emotional connection leaves the story feeling forgettable and uninspired.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

Another fun and heart tugging story from Lord. Definitely had a fun time with this one. I’ll read anything Lord puts out at this point.

as soon as i saw riley was described as "trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it" i felt SEEN AND KNOWN. emma lord's books are always such fun and delightful YA stories, full of joy and sweet young love and the best characters, and this is no different. friends-to-lovers, found family, a bucket list (which i always love), with the added dynamic of a mother-daughter relationship... this is a fun one!!

I unfortunately had to DNF this one. I struggled to get into based off content that was presented. However, I have enjoyed other books by Emma Lord. I am hoping that I can revisit this book at another time. I will not be posting a review anywhere since I did not finish.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I was just bored and ended up not finishing this one. I found the main character was just really hard to like.

I immediately got Gilmore Girls vibes from the mother/daughter relationship focus in this book. Also I love how much Emma Lord loves New York! I do think the pacing got bogged down by all of the internal monologuing, but this was an easy, enjoyable read.

As they tackle items on The Getaway List, the story balances humor and heartfelt moments, showcasing the joy of friendship and the thrill of adventure. The friendships they forge along the way add an extra layer of warmth, making the chaotic city feel like a playground for growth and exploration.

Overall, The Getaway List is an uplifting read that celebrates the importance of self-discovery, friendship, and embracing the unknown. It’s a perfect choice for fans of contemporary YA looking for a story that reminds us that the most significant adventures often take place within our hearts.

I started reading this book while I was standing in line at the pharmacy, and I found myself a little bit disappointed when it was finally my turn at the pickup window– I wanted to keep reading.

Emma Lord’s books have historically been a win for me. I enjoy her quirky characters and the development of the romance, so I also went into this book expecting to enjoy it, and I did.


I liked the opening chapters, but once Riley got to New York and connected with a friend group, that’s when the story really took off for me. At first, I wasn’t sure about bringing in all those extra people. I found myself really invested in Riley and Tom and wanting to know what would happen between the two of them, and I worried that additional characters would distract from the two of them. And they do, a bit.

But they’re such fun characters, and those relationships help Riley reconnect with herself, learn to trust her instincts, and imagine what kind of life she wants for herself for the first time in years. Riley has a complex relationship with her mom, and I loved the way that was handled. It felt real, and Riley’s mom’s behavior made sense, considering her own background and backstory, but it still wasn’t what Riley hoped to or needed to hear at times.

The romance is a bit of a slow burn. I loved that. I also loved the way that Riley’s understanding of her relationship with Tom evolved as the story progressed. That felt pretty real, too.


All in all, I’m calling THE GETAWAY LIST another win. It’s a really fun, New York-centered slow-burn romance. Definitely worth checking out.

This review will post live on October 20, 2024

I adore Emma Lord, and I'm so happy to say that this title is up there with my favorites by her. It's not number one, but it was still so great. It follows a girl who is desperate to get away from the pressure her mom is putting on her post high school graduation, so she heads to New York City to reunited with her childhood best friend for the summer. Once they are together again, she realizes she has feelings for him, which only grow as they work to complete an NYC bucket list they created as kids. The premise is fun, there's a couple fun supporting characters (something Emma Lord is great at), and the romance is very sweet. It's a story about how dreams and plans can change, and also how everyone's paths post-high school are different. College isn't for everyone, and I like that Emma Lord touched on that. There's also a complex mother-daughter relationship that ends up being very sweet and touching.

Ultimately, teen readers will love this and benefit from the themes. Emma Lord did what she does best, writing a fun book with depth and great characters, and I hope to read her YA books forever.

I love Emma Lord, but out of all her books, this was the toughest for me to really get into. I liked the characters and the setting, but something just wasn't clicking for me. I'd still recommend it because I think the writing was great and so was the premise.