Title: The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Get swept into a summer of sunshine, soul-searching and shameless matchmaking with this delightfully big-hearted road trip adventure!
Kathleen is eighty years old. After she has a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move in to a residential home. But she’s not having any of it. What she craves—what she needs—is adventure.
Liza is drowning under the daily stress of family life. The last thing she needs is her mother jetting off on a wild holiday, making Liza long for a solo summer of her own.
Martha is having a quarter-life crisis. Unemployed, unloved and uninspired, she just can’t get her life together. But she knows something has to change.
When Martha sees Kathleen’s advertisement for a driver and companion to share an epic road trip across America with, she decides this job might be the answer to her prayers. She’s not the world’s best driver, but anything has to be better than living with her parents. And traveling with a stranger? No problem. Anyway, how much trouble can one eighty-year-old woman be?
As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it’s never too late to start over.
Review:
The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan is a delightfully uplifting, multi-generational novel.
Liza Lewis is a married to a wonderful man and they have twin teenage daughters. Liza continually worries about her mum, octogenarian Kathleen Harrison. After an incident at her mum’s seaside home, Liza is more determined than ever to convince Kathleen it is time to move into a care facility. The incident has the opposite effect on Kathleen and she decides it is time to plan an adventure. She hires Martha Jackson to drive her as she explores Route 66. Along the way, Martha helps Kathleen make a decision that she has been uncertain about. The assistance is mutual as Kathleen diligently tries to shore up Martha’s lagging confidence. Back in the UK, Liza makes an unexpected decision that sends shockwaves through her family.
Liza has recently become somewhat disenchanted with her husband and kids. She dearly loves them but she is at the end of her rope with them. Liza makes an impetuous decision that could alter her life going forward. But will her husband and daughters be on board with the changes she is hoping to make?
Kathleen has always been determined to live life on her own terms and she does not plan to give in to Liza’s well-intentioned but ill-received suggestions. Despite her daughter’s doubts about her trip with a virtual stranger, Kathleen is eagerly looking forward to her Route 66 adventure. She is delighted with Martha’s spirited attitude and they become surprisingly close during their trip. As Kathleen confides in Martha, she begins to view her relationship with her daughter in a new light. How will this newfound realization impact their relationship once she returns home?
Martha is stuck in a situation she is having difficulty extricating herself from. Her self-esteem is at an all time low so she is thrilled when Kathleen hires her. Martha greatly enjoys Kathleen’s company and despite a few reservations, they are soon off on their journey. Her new boss is matter of fact and does not hesitate to voice her opinion. Martha soon begins to see her life back home in a very different way. With a fresh perspective, she cannot help but wonder what the future holds for her at the end of Route 66.
The Summer Seekers is a thought-provoking yet light-hearted novel. The characters are all very different yet each of them grows and changes throughout the story. Route 66 is the perfect setting for Kathleen to make a decision about something that has nagged at her for a long time. Liza unexpectedly finds peace at her childhood home. Martha spreads her wings and discovers confidence that has been sorely lacking. With unexpected twists and charming turns. Sarah Morgan brings this beautiful novel to a very happy conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this captivating novel to fans of the genre.
