I almost gave up on this book early on. Aunt Lillian saved the day! People grew, personalities softened and evolved. Susan Mallery does it again. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Robyn Caldwell’s life is crashing down on her in all directions. Her two children are grown and her ex is still being a jerk. She’s been putting herself second for so long that she’s doubting her own self worth. So after a fight with her doctor boyfriend, she decides to take up her great, great aunt Lillian’s invitation to visit California. Life there is great until one by one her family follows.

Lots to learn here about family relationships, selflessness, and love.

A family drama, divorce , adult children and romance. An entertaining story about Robyn who is recently divorced and has no real plans for her life. She travels to visit her elderly aunt as she sorts out her future. A great beach read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The days of Robyn are filled with an extremely entitled daughter, a cheating friend, and an egotistical ex husband. All three of them are driving her crazy. The only balance is her sound son and a chance to escape to her aging aunt’s home a coast away where romance awaits her. The story will pull you in and generate so many emotions.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was such a joy to pick up this Women’s Fiction book by Susan Mallery and immediately be pulled into the story! She has great talent for writing a story that I want to know what the ending will be, almost before I finish the first chapter and her endings never disappoint.

I have to admit that I was thinking near the beginning chapters that the characters had such a different lifestyle from me that I will not identify with them. I was so wrong. It does not matter what financial situation you are in, people are people, and we all have the same issues when it comes to self-worth and finding a meaning to your life. I found it very interesting to explore a glimpse of the very affluent in this book, mingling with others in different financial situations. This is a small part of the story, but definitely a theme running throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading about the unique house and all the treasures it holds. I love stories with an older character and this story has Lillian (94), who I adore! The main character, Robyn, is the heart of her family and a tower of strength, even though I imagine she does not think she is as strong as she is. I love that she is an older age (early 40’s) than most books have as a romantic heroine.

I enjoyed this book so much! I admit that I am a huge fan of Susan Mallery. I definitely think this is one of her best books, but I usually feel that way after every new book of hers that I read!

I want to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, HQN and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I've read a few Susan Mallory books over the years, so I was pleased to be selected to preview this new one.

The premise was good and I liked the characters with the exception of her daughter. Her character does evolve over the course of the book and redeems herself but at the beginning she is completely unlikeable.

As with previous books by this author, I am always shocked at the suddenness and shocking use of graphic sex and/or vulgar language. I'm not opposed to reading a smutty book, however the suddenness of the change in language and scenes just didn't seem necessary in the context of the story.

That being said, I wish the ending of the book had been slightly different - rather than the usual Happy Ever After, I would much rather have seen it end with the opening of Lillian's - the antique store Robyn plans to open. Given the details within the book about the plan for the store, I personally would have loved to have seen that come to fruition.

Side note: Some characters were unnecessary - the Mindy storyline personally felt like a waste of words; had her character and all her scenes been removed from the book I think it would have been better.

Another excellent read from Susan Mallery. This story centers on family issues, young adult children, separated parents and growing pains of “adulting” for all involved. Robyn, the main character, is a bit of a paragon of virtue and a good portion of this book involve droves of tears. The book is a good one and a fast read. Grab this or add it to your TBR list so you don’t miss it.

This was a really good book. It was a little different than what Susan Mallery usually writes. It was really bold in some areas. all in all it was a good book to read. I am grateful that netgalley let me read this in exchange for an honest review

This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. A story of family dynamics...divorce...love...dating...homes...children...careers...secrets....I like books by this author...they don't disappoint...the main character is struggling to find herself, years after a divorce. Her ex is a player and goes from one girl/woman to the next. Her children can't seem to grow up and find themselves...her friends...try this one...fun read...quick read.

Robyn's life as a divorcee is forcing her to make decisions about her future - she needs to sell her extravagant home and figure out a plan for her life going forward. She heads to the West Coast to visit her elderly great-aunt in her big and crazy historical home that is full of antiques. While there, she meets Mason who will inherit the house. Although Robyn is far from her family in Florida, they seem to keep finding her in California, and it's almost comical as their problems keep finding her. This book has a little bit of family drama, some romance, and lots of new opportunities.

I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down! The characters and story just draw you in and keep you interested. A must read.

The perfect women’s fiction beachread.. Mallery creates great characters.Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

This is a lovely BEACH READ. Many times it’s just what I seek, drama and romance. It is certainly something that should go on summer reading lists. I like books a bit less in the romance family, but it’s a gentle read. Mallory has created a very sympathetic heroine and I really rooted for her. She did a good job with the surrounding characters. Of course, the settings were conducive for drawing the reader into the novel. Her descriptions heightened my enjoyment.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Robyn Caldwell is going through a rough patch to say the least. With her divorce settlement about to run out she is concerned about money and so many other family topics. Her daughter has become a bridezilla, her son is not interested in college at all, and her best friend is close to destroying her marriage. When Robyn’s great aunt calls to invite her to stay in Santa Barbara for the summer, she jumps at the chance! The more time that Robyn spends with her free spirited great aunt, Lillian…the more she realizes that she needs to take a lesson for her own life.

A great family drama with some romance thrown in! I enjoyed Susan Mallery’s latest book. The characters were great in this story, they all brought a sense of realism and depth. THE SUMMER GETAWAY would make a perfect beach read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

I have been a fan of Susan Mallery for quite some time, especially her Fool's Gold series. This one just fell short for me. It just felt quite contrived in places and I didn't care for it.

I really like the naturalness of the characters in this story. The ex husband is immature but not painted as overly villainous. The daughter and her fiance make mistakes but they feel like authentic young twenties relationship struggles. Robyn has insecurities but is still drawn as a confident, forties woman who generally has her crap together. And Mason is a man's man without being annoying.

I really enjoyed the easy way the story unfolded, and the great aunt character was the cherry on the top.

3.5 stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I am a Susan Mallery fan so I expected to like this book. I did, but I can't call it my favorite. The story revolves around a divorced mother who is about to lose her divorce settlement income and who realizes that she had better figure out how to take care of herself. She has two grown children and a boyfriend who doesn't appreciate her. She is able to dump the boyfriend but it is harder to navigate the relationships with her children, especially her daughter who is engaged to a man she barely knows and is needy and whiney. She escapes to her aunt's house across the country in Southern California to figure things out and her whole family eventually follows. Her aunt's nephew by marriage is also staying at the California house and a relationship forms between the niece and nephew. There is lots of drama and angst and tears and smiles and everything works out in the end like most good romances. This is enjoyable escapism and fans of Susan Mallery and adult romances will enjoy the read.

THE SUMMER GETAWAY BY SUSAN MALLERY
There is a fine line between being indulged and being spoiled rotten. That’s what kept popping into my mind while reading THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallory. If anyone wanted to create some characters that were challenging to like this story provided the perfect vehicle.

At the center is a family split by a divorce. Never easy but this was an almost anticipated end to a marriage. Husband cheating with much younger women, if not physically but certainly bent on flirting.
Then you have a twenty something daughter busy planning her dream wedding. Problem is her insistence in her childhood wedding dreams. Really needing a reality check there’s a problem with accepting changes. Because of a health issue when she was young Harlow has been pampered because of a health issue when younger. Understandable but as an adult not attractive on many levels.
Eighteen year old son Austin is flitting back and forth on his desire for independence. At the same time Austins attachment to his mother is very strong. Family is important. Austin is a realist too. Life has changed for all of them.

The mom Robyn finds herself at a juncture in her own life rather disappointed in a lack of plans for her own future. And worried that Austin isn’t planning on college and Harlow is too young to be getting married.

With so much static, Robyn needs some calm. So she heads off to the home of her Aunt Lillian and Uncle Leo which has always been her sanctuary, peace and security. Robyn needs that right now. What she didn’t expect was her reaction to Mason, Uncle Leo’s nephew slated to inherit part of Lillian and Leo’s estate. The two had never met. Didn’t know what to expect of the other. And both equally gobsmacked.
Delightful turn of events written with aplomb by the master Susan Mallory. Once you have that smile on your face it’s almost impossible to wipe it off. All you want is a happy ending, even if you know there will be random thorns in the path.

THE SUMMER GETAWAY is a tale about changes and growth, both physical and emotional. With insecurities abounding the characters in THE SUMMER GETAWAY learn to accept changes and move with them along a new course in their lives. Life is about adapting to rough patches. Learning to respect yourself and realizing that what worked in the past just may need some tweaking.

Trust is a central theme in THE SUMMER GETAWAY. Robyn’s sense of trust and security was severely tested in her marriage to her now ex Cord. Perhaps Robyn had stars in her eyes when she met Cord. But her determination to keep the family together for the sake of her children led her down a path of disappointment and betrayal on many levels. In THE SUMMER GETAWAY it seems prudent to run toward the one place that has happy memories. But as Susan Mallory illustrates it is important to look to the future with your eyes wide open. Taking an honest look at the behavior of those surrounding you will ultimately help everyone. Everyone needs a reality check once in a while. And this cast of characters is ripe for that.

The Summer Getaway is an easy read with family drama, a steamy romance, an interesting plot and is set in Naples, Florida and Santa Barbara, California - a great addition to your beach bag this summer!

3.5 stars

Susan Mallery is so reliably wonderful at spinning family tales with complicated relationships and interesting outcomes. This women's fiction title focuses on old loves and new loves, needy friends and family, growing up, and facing loss. The settings are vivid, and it's the kind of book that will have you turning the pages late into the night because you cannot put it down. Recommended.