At this point, I know that anything Emma Lord puts out into the world, I will read. Her books are what I wish I had when I was a teen. Honest, endearing and supportive characters just trying to figure out life. Loved it and absolutely would recommend!

I loved my first read of Emma's, Tweet Cute, so much and was excited to get an ARC for this one, but the pacing didn't really work out for me and the romance didn't quite click as much as I wanted it to.

I did like the self-discovery journey and the vulnerabilities that we see in both Tom and Riley, and the friend group was nice. I just think there were kind of too many threads to follow that when all put together, it got a bit distracting. There is definitely a charm to it all of course in that at least the group is pretty fun, but it also felt like Tom and Riley rarely got the chance to kind of reunite properly because of it, which hurt the narrative in my opinion.

I definitely like the themes that were explored here and feel the love for New York City, but things kind of hopped around a bit too much for my taste. Definitely will read Emma's other books though. 😊

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I just love Emma Lord's books and writing (and ABBA references).

This is yet another one of Emma Lord's love letter to New York City, the newness of adulthood, finding yourself as a late teen, and the beauty of friendship.

Tom and Riley, Riley and Tom have been best friends for forever. Until a move 4 years ago separated them--and now it's more than physical distance keeping them apart, but Riley isn't really sure what's up. Now they've both graduated from high school and Riley decides on a whim to take the bus from Virginia to Tom in New York City. It's time for them to work on their Getaway List they've created over the past few years.

This book was delightful. I love it in books when the main characters have full vibrant friendships (or get there throughout the book) and this book had that in spades. Jesse, Luca, and Mariella were fantastic characters in their own right, not just as compliments to the main characters and plot. They did things off-page and showed up in fun ways (the only weird thing to me was how Jesse was always hanging out with the group, but none of his bandmates ever came along. I know why from a story perspective [you can just only have so many characters in a scene] but it felt weird from a plausibility standpoint).

The reason it's 4.5 rounded up and not straight up 5 is there are just some things that wrapped up a little too neatly, easily, and maybe with a little more maturity/experience/insight than a lot of 18 year olds have. BUT YA can be tricky--is it supposed to reflect the world or is it supposed to help those who are of those ages going through similar situations see other (maybe more mature) ways of navigating it?

All in all, so glad I read it and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary YA. And I am SO looking forward to Emma Lord's adult fiction novel coming out this summer! Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books (I got both the NetGalley ebook and won the Goodreads giveaway) for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This one is out Jan 23, 2024 so make sure to pre-order or grab a copy then.
Friends to lovers trope.
This was super cute and just what I needed to start the year off right.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


<b>Synopsis</b>
The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that 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 really 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.

*will post on @youhavetoreadthisnow before pub date*

THE GETAWAY LIST ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was such a fun, different YA Romance. I loved that there was an entire group of characters we got to know well, instead of just the two main love interests. The entire cast of characters was so fun and made the book adventurous and heartwarming. Riley and Tom were perfect to me. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers trope, and this nailed it! This book is fully a Krispy Kreme read, enjoyable and goes down easy.

On the day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes after her Mom making all of her decisions, she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She ends up packing her bags that day and moves to NYC for the summer. Here she finds a close knit group of friends that are able to grow and navigate next steps together.

Perfect if you like:
•Best friends to lovers.
•Bucket list adventures.
•Slow burn.

Pub. date: January 23, 2024

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍩

⚠️: explicit language.

I really enjoyed this! I knew I would because I loved Tweet Cute, one of Lord's other books, but it's always nice to have your expectations both met and surpassed. Because this one was adorable! I love the friendships Lord always focuses on, especially because they provide such a dynamic and rowdy cast of characters. Luca was my personal favorite, but I loved every side character we were introduced to. I also loved the setting. You can tell that Lord is truly passionate about New York, her excitement for it radiated from the pages. Exploring the city with our characters was so fun. My one qualm with The Getaway List would be how long it took Riley and Tom to admit their feelings. Their love for each other was obvious from the first page, so I got a bit tired of their will-they-won't-they dynamic. Despite that, I really enjoyed this!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Getaway list is a book about growing-up. Tom and Riley are best friends but separated for years as he moved to NYC. After three years apart, they come together for a fun summer in NY surrounded by a fun cast of characters.

Riley needs a break from her complicated relationship with her mother, and Tom longs for his mother to come home as she is movie executive. Left to explore the city, they begin to see the world through a new lenses including their friendship.

A heartfelt getaway with a dash of romance. I enjoyed its setting as this ragtag group made their fun throughout the city.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the complimentary copy.

This one might be my fave from Emma Lord!

It's light on the romance with a good amount of found family and New York City magic! It's so cute, but definitely skews young on the young adult scale (even though all the characters are 18). I just love the NYC Emma writes -- it's a magical world!

Seeking to reconnect with her best friend and escape her oppressive mom after Graduation, instead o making college plans Riley ups and leaves to travel to New York, where she forms a solid friend group of old and new friends, while trying to find her place in the world.

The author's love of New York really shines here, the Dear Love dispatch gig taking Riley and Tom all over the city on their deliveries. From Central Park to the tops of the buildings, there feels like there's a little bit of magic about the place with the way the author talks about it.

Having a main character that is not focused on college plans is a really new thing in YA, but much more realistic to today's world, and Riley finding her place with the help of friends, and taking on basic jobs to work her way up felt authentic. This story did feel slow in places, but as always with Emma's books, I left with a smile on my face.

The Getaway List is a classic Emma Lord read.

Rylee has been friends with Tom for a long time- him now in NYC and her a train ride away. On a random whim, Riley decides to go to NYC after graduating high school to visit him and cross off items on their Getaway List. One experience turns into a whole summer of fun, new friends and new experiences. But will Tom and Riley's "friendship" survive it all?

The Getaway List was a fun, medium paced read to binge in a few sittings. I loved the Taylor Swift references (1989 karaoke YES PLEASE) and the app experience with both Riley and Tom receiving fun gifts without knowledge of who was actually sending them. The love of a book series (Tides of Time) was relatable and I could easily tell (without his POV) that Tom had held feelings for Riley for a bit. The Getaway List has a fun ending that ties everything together and sealed it as another favorite of mine from bubbly Emma Lord.

Another perfect Emma Lord title! The concept for this book was incredibly unique and masterfully executed.

I was drawn in from the start by the idea of a girl rejected from every college she had applied to, and stayed for the ode to NYC and friendship that this book was. I also loved the novel idea of the “Dear, Love” app, as I’ve never heard of anything similar in real life, but would looove to use it if it were. Oh how I wish I could take off on an adventure of friendship and discovery like a heroine in an Emma Lord novel 😄.

As per usual for Emma Lord, this book will leave you feeling warm, fuzzy, and hungry for monstrously sugary and delectable treats.

3.75 STARS

I thought that this, just like all of Emma Lord's books that I've read up to this point, was a cute coming of age story. I think this one dealt with a bit more of a difficult topic in regards to depression and parental issues.

I thought that "The Getaway List" was a fun concept that teenagers definitely would come up with to do, and getting to watch Tom & Riley (and the crew) go through and complete the items was really fun! It made me want to run away to New York for a summer.

Overall though, I thought that this book was very sweet and will leave you feeling like you got exactly what you went after in reading this book!

3.5/5 rounded up

This book captured what it means to be young and unsure and entirely human. Riley's fears and hesitations and conflict with her mom felt like something so real that so many people can relate to. The time after high school and the question of "what next?" is sooner or later on every persons mind. Finding your place in a city as grand as New York is everyone's dream (or at least mine!) & the author Emma Lord captured this so well. The writing was the perfect balance of beautifully written and cheesy. Riley and Tom felt destined for each other from the very beginning. As a reader it was so clear the type of love between them. This was friends to lovers, a reunion, hidden feelings, and so much more. It was the perfect balance of a light summer of exploration and emotions and insecurities.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

This was such a fun YA romance that made me not want to put it down. It’s got childhood best friends to lovers, found family, book lovers, and so much character development. It follows a girl and her childhood best friend as they explore New York together and complete a bucket list they made when they were kids. This is definitely worth the read for any YA romance lovers or anyone that wants to a fun adventure.

I will be withholding all reviews and promotion for St. Martin's Press titles and their imprints until the publisher addresses the concerns of BIPOC and Muslim creators who are being stalked, harassed and feel unsafe due to the actions of a racist employee.

Riley's childhood partner-in-crime Tom moved away due to his mother's job in the entertainment industry, so they created The Getaway List (a sort of teenage bucket list for when they are reunited) and the last few years they have seen little of one another, with Riley's mom seeming to be actively keeping Riley from Tom due to their mischievous misadventures. Usually harmless and sometimes even beneficial, their shenanigans included random acts of kindness, like when they paired up to anonymously leave thoughtful little gifts in the lockers of friends who seem down. Now based in New York, Tom works for an the Dear, Love Dispatch app that pairs anonymous gifters with consenting recipients (and one thing on the list is for Riley to make a delivery for the app). Riley doesn't want to spend her summer post-graduation working in her single mom's coffee shop, and maybe wants to write, so she rather spontaneously decides to go visit Tom in New York. Mom vehemently disagrees... but Riley is eighteen and off she goes. The weekend turns into the summer, and Riley intends to stay and make a go of a life in New York.

The writing is strong--NYC details are vivid, the emotions shimmer off the page, and Lord's "chaos beans" are fully fleshed out characters, as are authentic supporting characters across a range of ethnicities and sexualities that becomes a quick clique: Tom's quirky best New York friend Marissa; Luka, a new buddy met in a writing class who might have a crush on Riley; Jesse, Riley's old boyfriend; Di, who might have a crush on Jesse. The subplot of who likes who and the subsequent angsting adds drama, as does the conflict resolution between Riley and her single mom, and Tom's estrangement from his own career focused mother.

In spite of the time and distance, Riley and Tom pick up their friendship warmly... but the temperature increases when she realizes he movie-star handsome friend has gotten tall, muscled, and well, even hotter. Neither seems to want to make any romantic leap that could jeopardize their friendship, but the chemistry and FEELINGS are there and this slow burn has many romantic moments, even before they declare themselves (there is some passionate kissing, but any further details are left behind closed doors). Their initial meet cute was over a fantasy fandom, and part of their getaway list is based on locations, fanfic, and events central to the invented Tides of Time franchise. Pop culture mentions may eventually date the story, but Taylor Swift and McFlurries are perennial.

I received a free advance readers copy (and listener's audio edition!) of #TheGetawayList from #NetGalley; this will post to The Hip Librarians Book Blog on January 23, 2024.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <b>The Getaway List</b> by Emma Lord

<b>At a Glance:</b>

👫 Friends to Lovers
🏠 Found Family
⚔️ Fandom Rep
🏙️ NYC Backdrop
👧 Coming of Age

Emma Lord consistently delivers high quality YA. This book is no exception and just might rival <i>Tweet Cute</i> as my favorite read of hers overall.

Riley's voice is strong in this thoughtful narrative of a young girl navigating her way through life after college. It's a tale as old as time, but Lord breathes fresh life into it with hilarious one-liners and pithy dialogue. The characters are as relatable as they are lovable. (Luca was just an absolute delight. I'd read an entire book about him alone!)

One of my favorite parts of this was the focus on fandom and how it brings people together. As a writer, thinking about how Lord expertly crafted a world within a world was just so damn clever. And the way she weaved the pieces throughout the entire story? Genius. I'd give her five stars all over again just for accomplishing that feat so smoothly.

There are a few plot points that I can already see some reviewers hating. This is classic YA and a lot of the thematic issues are par for the course. I'm not going to lower a review for characters making decisions that are completely in line with their motivation just because I don't personally agree. So, sure, I didn't love <i>that thing that character did</i>, but I understood it. Being a teenager is hard.

This book is so heartfelt and tender that it even got me to shed a few tears. (All of the exploration of the relationship between mothers and children? Water works over here.) Getting me to cry at YA? Here are your stars. 👑

Grades 9 and up. There is some mild cursing, but not much else by way of seriously mature content. I just don't know that kids who aren't yet considering life after high school would be interested or could relate just yet.

Needless to say, Emma Lord remains one of the reigning queens of YA and will continue to be an auto-read for me. (I also can't wait to read her adult offering! Ahh!)

ARC provided by Netgalley via Wednesday Books. All thoughts are my own!

The Getaway List is my third read by Emma Lord, so I was very excited to see what this story had to offer. The story opens with Riley graduating high school, which is a bittersweet moment for her. She sees her friends going off to college and her best friend, Tom, has moved to New York to be his mom. Riley takes it as a sign to take a gap year to accomplish the “getaway list” that her and Tom crafted. The two begin adventures together during their time in New York, which highlights some great times in the city. The story focuses on two pieces where the reader follows Tom and Riley along with their friends, Jesse, Luca, and Mariella, accomplishing their list and exploring Tom and Riley’s past. The main plot seems to be the evolution of Tom and Riley’s friendship and how they may or may not feel more.

Tom and Riley have spent time apart before meeting again in New York, so it was nice seeing how the well-acquainted friends came back together. Their adventures throughout New York to try and make the most of their time together were very enjoyable. I liked seeing the two of them getting closer than best friends. There is a lot in the story with the coming of age, the transition period after high school, and the evolving of relationships. Overall, this was a great read by Lord and I can’t wait to read more in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Sometimes I'm just in the mood for some good fun YA rom-com escape, and Emma Lord is peak of this sub-genre for me - cute but not cutsey, light but not too fluffy, and always these infectious main characters and overall feeling of cheer and energy. Plus this one, like my all-time favorite of hers (Tweet Cute) is back in a New York City setting, which just feels so vicariously fun, like living the best parts of the city and of teenage life/friendship in a great teen movie or something. In The Getaway List, Riley is graduating high school in a bit of a funk - she hasn't felt quite herself for a couple of years since her best friend Tom moved to NYC, her mom over-scheduled her with extracurriculars to keep her from getting into more antics/pranks, and she didn't get accepted by any of the colleges she applied to. Before starting her summer of work, she spontaneously decides to drop in on Tom for the weekend so they can finally do at least one thing on their "getaway list", a list created over the years of all the things they wanted to do together but couldn't because of some sort of disappointing last-minute cancellation in plans by one of their moms. Reunited after a few years, they pick right back up where they left off in their friendship bond, but there's another little spark too... and one weekend turns into a whole summer as they have fun together, create a fabulous little friend group (such good found-family feels! almost felt -in a good way - like reading the YA, summertime version of The Christmas Orphans Club, since I read that so recently), and all work through their personal situations (reconnecting with sense of self, overcoming loneliness, navigating parental expectations with personal dreams/goals). There are some real emotions and coming-of-age considerations, but it's not an "issues" book - so it feels fizzy and fun but still manages to avoid the fluff. Delightful.

Riley’s life is not going the way she expected. So when she graduates high school without any concrete plans, she decides to move to New York for the summer to visit her best friend Tom. Tom moved away a few years ago, and Riley is hoping they can make up for lost time and make progress on their “Getaway List” — a list of various adventures they made after Tom left. When Riley gets to New York, she senses something is amiss with Tom but the two quickly fall into old patterns, even as Riley begins to notice new types of feelings for Tom. As the two develop a group of friends and go on adventures across the city, Riley faces whether she’ll return home at the end of the summer and what that choice will mean for the future of her and Tom’s relationship.

This was a great book. Alternatively heartwarming and heartbreaking, it is a touching story about first loves and first steps as an adult.

Highly recommended!