Title: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 418 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
One woman takes the vacation of a lifetime in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold a family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
Single mom Robyn Caldwell needs a new plan for her future. She has always put her family first. Now, with her kids grown, she yearns for a change. But what can she do when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could ruin everything?
Take a vacation, of course. Press reset. When her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane to sunny California.
But it’s hard to get away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she loves follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more possibilities she sees—for dreams, love, family. She can have everything she ever wanted, if only she can muster the courage to take a chance on herself.
Review:
The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery is a touching novel of self-discovery and new beginnings.
Robyn Caldwell is a divorced mom of two adult children who work in their father’s business. Eighteen-year-old Austin has recently graduated from high school and Robyn is frustrated he is not going to college. Twenty-two-year-old Harlow is a college graduate who is planning her upcoming wedding to fiancé Kip. Robyn is concerned Harlow is marrying too young and her daughter is always upset with her about one thing or another. With one drama too many and overwhelmed by thoughts of her future, Robyn decides to accept her beloved ninety-four-year-old Great-Aunt Lillian Holton’s invitation to visit her in California.
Robyn is a caring mom and friendwho suddenly realizes she has to make some choices about her future. She is also very irritated by Harlow’s immature and hurtful behavior. Robyn is tired of seeing her boss and friend Mindy inch closer to the brink of marital disaster. Fed up and needing space, she impetuously travels from her home in FL to a stunning surprise at Lillian’s.
Austin and Harlow are very close and both of them are becoming increasingly annoyed with their father. Austin is usually fairly easy-going but once he makes a decision, he sticks to it. He has been assuring his mother he has a plan for his future and he is on the verge of finalizing it. Already upset with her recent encounter with her mom, Harlow’s rock-solid certainty in her fiancé is suddenly on shaky ground. Hoping to put some distance between them and their problems, brother and sister head to Lillian’s to decide what to do next.
The Summer Getaway is a delightful novel with (mostly) appealing characters. Lillian’s eccentric home is the perfect place to distract Robyn, Austin and Harlow from their individual troubles. In addition to making plans for her future, Robyn has the opportunity for love if she is willing to risk her heart again. Harlow undergoes the most character growth when she is confronted with some hard truths about herself. Austin’s laidback attitude is the perfect foil for his sister’s melodrama. With a wonderful blend of humor and seriousness, Susan Mallery brings this marvelous novel to a heartwarming conclusion.
