Billed as an escapist summer read, this book is exactly that. Centered on family relationships, the book did not really grab me. Robyn is a divorcee who is becoming an empty nester, looking for a future that will be fulfilling. Her ex is a serial cheater and all around repulsive character, her daughter Harlow is a spoiled brat and her son, Austin, is the only decent one of the bunch. Lillian, an older aunt invites Robyn to stay with her in California, Robyn leaves Florida and meets Mason, a former military man. The fact he is former military is repeated ad nauseam and detracted from the burgeoning romance between Mason and Robyn. Just okay, won’t set the world on fire, but a quick decent read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This would make for a great beach read! In the midst of a winter that seems like it will never end, this was a wonderful escape. I was rooting for Robyn throughout this book. She was completely taken advantage of throughout this book and it made my blood boil. I loved her storyline and how she found herself again after divorce. There was a lot going on in this book and many different side plots. While enjoyable, it got to be a bit much and detracted from the original story. This is more a story about a family than it is about Robyn, and I would have loved to focus on her journey. Overall, a great summer read that will make for a nice escape. 3.5 ⭐️

The Summer Getaway is exactly that - a getaway. I loved running away to Robyn and her family - despite their drama. The characters are so well developed that it made me want to keep reading to uncover more and more. I’m hoping to see these characters again in Susan’s other books.

The Summer Getaway is the perfect book to bring along to the beach, pool, on a vacation...well need I say more? This will surely be a hit this summer and I cannot wait to hear what friends think of this one. This is my first book by Susan Mallery and now I'm searching for more to read by her.

Ok, I'm not a fan of spoilers by no means and the summary they have for you on this one should be enough to peek your interest and encourage you to grab yourself a copy. Robyn Caldwell is one of those characters that you will fall in love with because you will be rooting for her from the start.

This book has everything you want for a perfect summer read. It has strong characters, an intriguing storyline and some totally juicy parts for sure. It's funny, sad, uplifting, heart wrenching and just addicting!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Summer Getaway from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Ms. Mallery never cease to amaze me with her wonderful storytelling. Robyn is rethinking her way of live and livelihood. Since divorcing her husband four years ago it seems her life is at a standstill. She has a part time job and can only afford to survive via the alimony checks she gets. She begins to wonder what will become of her after the checks are done?
After breaking up with Jase the man she has been dating for nearly a year and having a fall out high octane argument with her daughter she decides to go and visit her great aunt Lilian to getaway and to decide what she wants to do with her life. I enjoyed how Ms. Mallery not only gave us Robyn's inner thoughts of how she feels about herself and wanting to improve her well being but also the sub-stories of her daughter wanting to get married and the realistic fights between daughter and mother, we also meet her son Austin who is more the lay back kid whose also deciding what to do with his life. We also get to meet the ex husband Cord who is a colorful character and is a truly realistic depiction i believe of some men characteristic during marriage and after a divorce.

This is a funny, family drama with a small side of romance.

Robyn finds herself at a crossroads and full of regrets. She travels to California to visit her elderly aunt and reflect. Except her problems seem to follow her (an understatement, lol). She is everyone's rock- her kids', her friends', even her ex husband's.

While I enjoyed this and read it in a single day, there were parts that were a bit tedious and unnecessary. Never have so many people went grocery shopping in a book, lol.

Overall, what you expect from Susan Mallery- some laughs, some romance. Pure escapism.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Must-read!!!! Sure to be a Best-Seller!!!!
Bring on summer!!! I could use a perfect escape! I wish I had been on the beach reading this women's literary novel. The characters bring to life real emotions and situations. I felt each sentiment and pain as if it were my own. I love this book!!!
Robyn is a single mom trying to figure out the rest of her life. Although Robyn lives in a sophisticated home in Naples, Florida, she is recently divorced, and dealing with family issues. She stands at a crossroad with her children. Her daughter is behaving as a bridezilla with intolerable demands for her wedding and her son is finishing high school with no plans for college or his future. On top of that, her ex is vocal about his problems with his new girlfriend.

While feeling defeated, Robyn receives an invitation for a summer visit at her Aunt Lillian's estate in Santa Barbara. Her aunt is eccentric and a free spirit in her nineties. She makes plans for her estate with one of her late husband's relatives, Mason, who has retired from the military. Mason and Robyn's friendship blossoms naturally and openly.... perfect timing.

Robyn had not planned on her children tagging along for the summer, but they made it work and realized the time together is just what they needed. This story is as if you are watching a real family play out their emotions and drama. The vibes of the summer are paramount for this atmospheric and situational wave of emotions.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title in exchange for my honest review!

The women featured in most women's fiction/romance books tend to be young women, women the age of my daughter. While Robyn is younger than I am, we are at about the same stage of life--our nest is emptying and we are having to say "now what?". Another thing we have in common is young adult children and trying to balance being there for them and making their problems ours. Unfortunately, running away to Aunt Lillian's isn't an option for me.

The strength of Susan Mallery's good books is her characters and that is true of this book. Robyn's daughter goes from being the clueless rich girl to someone who wants to stand on her own two feet. Her son shows the maturity that a lot of young people could use when he rejects his parents' paths for his life and goes for what he wants. Even the ex-husband finally grows up (or so it seems).

I read this one in one sitting so it definitely caught my attention.

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy via NetGalley. Grade: B+

Thank you #Netgalley for this advanced copy.

This was such a fun read following so many interesting characters. We first follow Robyn, the divorced mother of two who suddenly realizes that son is 18 and she will be losing the funds from her ex husband. She is faced with having to sell her house, finding a full time job all while trying to ensure her children are happy, putting her needs on the back burner. Little does she know her son, Austen, and daughter, Harlow, each have their own concerns and drama they are concealing. After a string of negative events, Robyn skips town and heads to Santa Barbara to spend time with her favorite elderly aunt in a unique large home on the water. Soon we see how big of an impact Robyn has on the people in her life, when they slowly all start trickling into her home in Santa Barbara. Loved the dynamics of this family, how we see Robyn progress and put herself first with the help of those around her including the newest man, Mason. So funny and a quick read!

Overall, this was an easy enjoyable read. I would love to escape winter to spend time in Santa Barbara with Robin’s varied group of loved ones. This would be a perfect read in a hammock with a lemonade and the sounds of waves.

There was one character whose drama seemed completely unnecessary to the plot, but the romance was gentle and sweet and I enjoyed seeing the family dynamics strengthen and change.

The Summer Getaway was full of surprises. Robyn and her family and friends definitely put the fun in dysfunctional. This is a quick paced easy read full of drama! I could have done without some of the crude language, but it did not take away from the story.

Many thanks to Susan Mallory, NetGalley and Harlequin Press for the opportunity to review this ARC. #TheSummerGetaway #NetGalley

I've been reading Susan Mallery for years. Her books never fail to make me think and make me feel. Among all those stories, this newest book ranks as one of my favorites. There was just something about these characters, Robyn and Lillian, in particular, that resonated with me.

The Summer Getaway is a story of relationships and connections, of putting the past behind, rediscovering oneself, and exploring the potential in opening one's life to new chapters, regardless of age. Mallery explores familial relationships between Robyn and her adult children, between those same children and their father, and between Robyn and her great-aunt. She also explores the complex relationship between former spouses, as well as new relationships with romantic potential. The ups and downs of all these relationships are seamlessly interwoven into a human quilt fraught with tension, anger, curiosity, humor, sadness, understanding, growth, and love. Even the self-absorbed jerk of an ex grows and, believe me, that's no mean feat.

I connected with Robyn almost immediately and by the end of the book was emotionally attached to the entire family. The characters became real to me, engaging me as if they were actual friends. I was invested in their success, and in their happiness, experiencing all of the highs and lows right along with them. The story flowed at a steady pace, keeping me involved and turning pages without interruption. Even the sadness near the end of the book, though it caused some tears, was handled with an air of hope. And the conclusion was happy smiles all around.

This one comes with my enthusiastic recommendation.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery has it all--humor, drama, romance, tragedy, and, above all, hope. Robyn Caldwell is an early middle-aged divorcee who realizes that she has done nothing to prepare for life after her alimony runs out and her final chick leaves the nest. Cue the generous offer from her amazing Aunt Lillian to come to Santa Barbara for the summer to figure things out. While in the zany house (with staircases that skip floors and doors that go nowhere), Robyn meets Mason, the person she didn’t know was missing from her life. One by one, her entire family eventually follows her on her “getaway.” I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys family drama laced with just the right amount of humor to keep it from getting too heavy. Five stars!

I always love Susan Mallery’s novels. This one was no different. It was quite long, IMO, but it didn’t disappoint. All the characters were fun to read, and the ending was tied up nicely. Perfect read for this time of the school year when my brain is fried.

There really is no way I can recommend this book. I'm sure we've all been overwhelmed by life at some point, but it's really not an option for most of us to pick up and run to the other side of the country. Too many unlikeable and entitled characters left me bored and not engaged with the story.

I am a big Susan Mallery fan, her books are light and a wonderful escape. This particular book I did not like as well as her other recent titles. I found the premise just a bit too far fetched, and the fact that literally everyone in her life in Florida followed her out to California for some reason just did not seem plausible. I will not provide a name so as not to spoil anything, but the last person to show up I literally just said what, no. An author as prolific as Mallery can be forgiven for an occasional book that doesn't resonate with all readers, it just happens this is the one for me. I will anxiously await her next one.

Okay, friends, you need to pick up a copy of THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallery because if you don’t, you will not only be missing out on a fantastic beach read, but a wonderful story. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫.

Oh goodness, I don’t know where to start. Robyn has spent her life putting herself last. But, at 42, she is finally starting to consider what she wants out of life.

Enter the most fabulous woman ever, Robyn’s great-aunt Lillian, and her sprawling Santa Barbara mansion of wonder overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On a whim, and feeling like her world is falling apart, Robyn books a flight and heads to where she has always been happy and feels loved.

It was such a joy to read about Robyn’s time with Lillian and her great-uncle Leo’s long lost relative, Mason, who will inherit Lillian’s home one day.

Let me tell y’all, the chemistry between Mason and Robyn is palpable! Has Robyn finally found true love? You are going to have to pick up a copy to find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was told in such a way that I could imagine myself there with the characters as everything played out. I laughed, i almost cried, this one will stay with me. A fun read.

Fun and juicy! Predictable but yet a whirlwind of activity and drama to keep it spicy, entertaining, and compelling! Being a mom is the most rewarding, yet exhausting, job a women can have and single mom Robyn is experiencing the hectic tug of war between family life and needs every day and so welcomes the opportunity to run away from it all for the summer to Santa Barbara. Little does she know that she will not find peace or solitude, but does end up connecting with her family once again. I just loved free-spirited 93 year old great aunt Lillian and her 15 cats. I had to chuckle when she said other people’s drama is the best kind. It is so true! She cracked me up and I looked forward to her words of wisdom. As is common to Mallery’s books, there is some romance and sizzling love scenes to add to the already exciting read, as well as some twists and surprises to shake things up from what you thought you had already guessed at. Great summer read, makes me really want sunshine and beaches!