Another sweet coming of age story from Emma Lord! This story in particular discusses the what to do when you graduate from college, and your plans are not coming together as society expects them to, so adventures are in order.
While the cast of characters that we meet along the way is diverse, and all of them have depth of development, I was disappointed by the volume of romantic relationships. Sometimes it's ok for friends to just be friends.

it wasn’t bad but i was bored, the main characters didn't have that much chemistry imo, so i wasn't that invested in their relationship

I stopped exactly halfway and DNFed. The book wasn't bad at all, just wasn't for me. I really tried but it turns out I'm not an angsty teen looking to escape her hometown after high school. I just couldn't relate to the male character and I'm not a NYC GIRLIE so just didn't resonate. Liked the concept and the characters and plot. Nice story.

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Getaway List is slow-burny and summery and a coming-of-age story that actually feels realistic. Riley and Tom are top-tier friends-to-lovers, and their ragtag group of quirky friends have my whole heart. Everyone is so delightfully distinct and developed, and the banter is so effortless. Emma Lord had me smiling the whole time. I literally had a headache when I picked it up, but my headache was gone by the time I put down the book. You heard it here first, Emma Lord cures headaches. But in all seriousness, if you're looking for a fun, smart, slightly geeky fictional getaway, The Getaway List is the YA contemporary equivalent to a sunny day or a warm hug.

Thank you NetGalley and Emma Lord for the ARC of The Getaway List. The pub date is Jan 23, 2024.

Two songs that I would use to describe this book is Lose Control by Teddy Swims and Gone Gone Gone by Phillip Phillips.

This story begins with a girl named Riley who is graduating High School. She doesn't know where her life is going but all she knows is that she wants to visit her best friend in New York City. This is where the adventure beings. Over the years Riley and Tom have created a Getaway List of items they wanted to do together. As they attempted to check off all of the items you are introduce to a cast of characters,

This book is about finding yourself and growing as a person. Relationships evolving and mending. Tom is the "mom friend" who is always prepared with sunscreen, bandaids, snacks and all the things. Riley is impulsive and wants to do all the things.

It takes a bit for pieces to click together but it great book about finding your tribe and sticking together. If you are not a fan of swear words, this book might not be for you. I know as a late teen/early adult I swore like a sailor thanks to the influence of the Marine Corps. There are quite a few "f bombs" in this book.

Emma Lord does it again. I was having a bit of a downturn when it came to YA stories. But this tale of coming of age adventure tale reminded why I so do enjoy YA even though I'm so out of the desired demo.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.

I love Emma Lord. I have read all of her books so far, and they are just so charming and relatable, even as an adult. I enjoy her humor and romance, and the pop culture references. Her heroines are strong and quirky, but loveable. While this was not my favorite book from here, that is still When You Get the Chance followed by Begin Again, I did really love it. I can't wait for Emma's adult debut and any future YA releases.

Emma Lord has hit it out of the park with this coming of age love story to New York City! While Lord's novels are always popular amongst the YA crowd, I have a feeling this one is really going to be a hit as it's my favorite so far by her. I love that depth of relationships explored between mother/daughter and friends new and old. I also enjoyed the friends to lovers trope, which I'm not always a fan of. It wasn't overdone, since it wasn't the main plot for the entire novel. Riley is 18, but we still see that she has growing and maturing to do, having just graduated and having been held back by her mom for the last couple of years. Originally gone off to visit her BFF Tom for a weekend, she's found a new side of herself and can't see herself leaving the Big Apple. Playful, serious and romantic all in one; this was such a delightful read.

This was a super cute book. I really enjoyed the characters. You got to get in-depth on the side characters too. Emma Lord's writing is very good at least to me. The two main characters have a list and even though they lost touch sort of they decide to do this list after one of the characters surprises the other in New York. What then happens is a summer full of friendship and characters finding themselves. I laughed and cried, especially scenes later with the MFC and her mom. I highly recommend this book for readers of YA and those looking for an easy, enjoyable read.

I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was simply SUCH a joy to read. It was packed full of Emma Lord's signature charm and I devoured it in just a few days. If you're a fan of NYC, found family vibes, best friends to lovers, and watching characters find themselves, then you have to add this book to your tbr!

Emma Lord has such a vibe that she brings to every one of her books, and I like the creative quirks. For example, where else could you find a book that features a custom brownie restaurant? Or an anonymous gift giving service that sends their deliveries through riding bikes? OR, two best friends trying to make up for lost time through a list of all the adventures they missed out on doing together?

Emma Lord is an auto-buy author of mine and I think it's safe to say I'll feel that way forever. Her books are a gem and I've loved every single one of them with my entire heart!

Thank you so much Wednesday Books for providing me with an e-ARC.

As this story begins, Riley Larson is just graduating high school. Her BFF Tom no longer lives in the area, but he can watch the ceremony being live-streamed, so she does their secret handshake on the stage. We understand right away that Tom is still the most important person in Riley’s life, even though their relationship is supposedly platonic. (We don’t buy that for even a minute.)

Riley is at loose ends after graduation - everyone else, it seems, knows what they want to do and will be off to college, but Riley only garnered a hat-full of rejections. She decides to take off for New York City for the weekend to see Tom in real life. They haven’t been together since Tom’s mom Vanessa moved them to Manhattan the summer after freshman year of high school. It was, according to Riley, “a bold attempt to ruin both of our lives.” Riley felt like she always was “the bravest version of herself” when she was with Tom. And anyway, they have items they need to cross of the “Getaway List” they made together but never were able to accomplish.

Once in New York, Riley has a wonderful time, makes some new friends - Mariella and Luca; renews some old ones - with Jesse, Eddie, and Dai; and experiences a freedom she hasn’t felt since Tom left. Much to the detriment of her relationship with her mother, she decides to stay the whole summer. Riley, Tom, and their new friends make their way through the Getaway List, and have a blast doing it.

In the background, there is drama with the fraught relationships between Riley and her mother, and Tom and his mother. The supporting characters have their own issues to work out, although they are not as seminal as those besetting the two main protagonists.

There is also, of course, the looming elephant in the room: the feelings between Riley and Tom that go beyond friendship.

The story arc may be most predictable, but the journey is a pleasant one to take in this ultimately joyous YA romance novel.

True to Lord's style, The Getaway List is a fun, indulgent and sweet YA novel complete with a slow-burn friends to lovers and found family tropes. Well, personally I found it didn't live up to her other novels, I cannot discount what a treat this is to read. The writing, well-written of course, is comprised of compelling language that just completely draws me into the story.

When senior year ends, Riley’s future feels as uncertain and uninspiring as her hometown until … she remembers The Getaway List. Written with her best friend (before he moved to NYC), Tom, it’s full of things the pair should have done together but never got the chance.

And, just like that, Riley’s summer gets a kickstart—she’ll visit Tom in NYC and tackle as much of the list as humanly possible in one weekend.

Except NYC steals Riley’s heart and it’s impossible to leave. She loves the people she meets there and the way it feels like she belongs. Then there’s Tom who she might just be falling in love with.

Add to the story some family dynamics (Tom’s and Riley’s), a few mini mysteries to solve, and a splash of drama and you’ve got yourself an immersive and entertaining read.

Tweet Cute still holds first place (IMO), but this was sweet.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoy Emma’s writing. It’s witty and flows seamlessly and always find myself devouring her stories.

The Getaway List made me nostalgic, taking me back to my own teen years. Such relatable and charming characters who I couldn’t help but root for from the beginning.

I think this is a def a new favorite by this author. This book had since youve been gone vibes but with also a early college vibe. I also really liked how nyc was a character and loved how this book was a true frfiends to more romance. It was quick read that focused on found family elements. def a new favorite!!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

The Getaway List is a standard cute coming-of-age story with a big emphasis on found family. This is the kind of YA book I loved in the past, and maybe I've aged out of this particular story, but it didn't work very well for me. The main plot and motivations for the characters was difficult for me to understand and ultimately made it hard for me to care about the characters.

No one writes a breezy, contemporary, new adult romance like Emma Lord. Reminiscent of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, The Getaway List finds Riley leaving home shortly after high school graduation to spend the summer in NYC where she meets up with her childhood best friend, Tom. Coping with the rejection from colleges she'd dearly hoped to get into and feeling like she never really lets loose, Riley decides it's time for an adventure of her own.

Lord's writing is such an upbeat take on the coming-of-age rom-com. The protagonist's problem to overcome is never too depressing and Riley jumps right off the page. The supporting characters were excellent in this one and I loved NYC as a character as well, a la some of the absolute best love stories (including Kate Goldbeck's 2023 You, Again).

Sure to be a balm to the soul of many older teens and new adults who are struggling with figuring out their path.

Okay, this is a cute book and story! This is definitely YA all the way but the story was extremely charming and the main character is so fun. Any teacher could easily recommend this book to their students!

Thanks to Netgalley for advanced access to this book. Emma Lord is a favorite author of favorite books You Have a Match, When You Get a Chance, and Begin Again. The Getaway List has her typical charm. It follows her pattern of fitting into a coming of age category detailing friendships, familial relationships, and blossoming romantic relationships. It’s cute and sweet and fun to see the friendships form amidst the backdrop of NYC and read about the evolution of familial relationships. Of course the will they-won’t they happens in the end, too.

I'm a big fan of Emma Lord. I have most of her books on my shelf/virtual shelf, and this book was just what I needed next. It's a fun journey of friends and decisions with characters that you love to love. It is a must read. So fun and sweet.
Thank you Netgalley for The Getaway list by Emma Lord.