The Summer Getaway

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Robyn stared at her friend-slash-boss. “You two talked about how that promotion would be more work for him but that it would be worth it. You wanted this for him.” Her daughter, Harlow is a rather selfish, entitled young woman who doesn't understand that her mother can no longer afford to live on the huge home they've grown up in and needs to sell. She is insistent on having her wedding there. Various other things are happening that are getting on Robin's last nerve so she decides to run away to visit her great Aunt in Santa Barbara. I looked forward to reading The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery, having enjoyed her work in the past and it did not disappoint. In the Summer Getaway, Mallery delivered a tale filled with family drama, angst, humour and romance.

Thanks. The last time Harlow mentioned the wedding, she said something about wanting to dye the pool to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.” 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. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.Robyn is divorced, living in Naples, Florida, and will need to sell her home in just a few months as part of the divorce settlement. Her daughter has turned into bridezilla and is demanding to be married at the home - which just isn't going to work. Her son is eighteen and won't even discuss college. Her ex-husband is involved with a woman he shouldn't be involved with. Her best friend is talking about cheating on her husband with a tennis pro. Her boyfriend is not the man she thought he was. It's all too much. Robyn flees to California to stay with her great-aunt Lillian in a beautiful home on the coast in Santa Barbara. Robyn needs to come to grips with her life, her finances, her kids, and find the direction she wants her life to go. THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallery is a women’s fiction story full of family drama, but also humor, familial love, and romance. The story is centered around the life changing decisions a divorced mother contemplates with her entire family in flux. This is a standalone read. Robyn is striving to find her path in life, and taking a chance on herself just might be too big a risk. Lillian is incredibly wise and the time that Robyn spends with her will no doubt change her life. However, what about the fact that her family is showing up, one by one? Has Robyn actually gotten away or has everything she escaped followed her to the degree that she might never find her footing?

Thin eyebrows rose as much as the Botox would let them. “Your ex-husband is dating your daughter’s fiancé’s twin sister.” I was reading this book, rather enjoying it...bumping along with the family drama and the humor. And then the last quarter the author unceremoniously jettisoned the personality of some of the characters that we spent the the whole first part of the book getting to know. The heel turn of one character especially annoyed me especially since I cynically felt it was 100% done in the service of making one character more sympathetic. And the more I thought about the book, everything about how some of the other outcomes came about began to annoy me. Robyn, darling. You look amazing. What are you doing these days? You never join me for a foursome.” But I’m not doing it for him. I’m doing it for me.” She smiled dreamily. “At least let me see him naked.” This book was loaded with fun surprises, a growing touching romance, and self-discovery that leaves the reader feeling fulfilled right along with the characters.The unreasonable statement grated nearly as much as Mindy’s whine. “This isn’t a good look for you,” Robyn murmured. “You’re changing the rules without telling your husband. That never ends well.”

There are so many pieces in this book that I related to. It’s magical when an author writes from the heart. Mallory totally understands women, kids we’re trying to raise, and those crazy emotions all over the place. There is a lot of angst in the story, but also humor. It's a light, enjoyable read. The characters felt real. Robyn is a strong character who guides her family and deserves respect. I loved the character, Lillian, who was loved by all in the book and was a person Robyn and her children could come to for advice with anything. And she has 15 cats names for kings and queens! Standalone Women's Fiction 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. It’s okay. As for talking to her when I was Harlow’s age, I probably wouldn’t have listened, either. I want to say I would have been mature and interested in her opinion, but it seems unlikely.” You have a great husband. Payne loves you and the kids, and never has eyes for another woman. Why would you screw that up?”

Every character was in transition and actively moving forward while wading through unanticipated opportunities and conundrums. I adored the couple of Mason and Robyn, but Mason most of all, as he was not at all what I was expecting. You have four kids,” Robyn pointed out. “If things go south in your marriage, I’d rather have Payne move in.” Why did anyone think she was the least bit interested in who her ex-husband went out with? “I have no idea who that is.” Mindy assumed Robyn was kidding and burst out laughing. Robyn faked a smile, even as she told herself to stop trying to convince her friend of anything. Based on how her children were behaving lately, she had no skills at persuasion. Oh, for the days when she could bribe them with a Popsicle. The fantasies are safe. The real thing could destroy everything you have. Knowing you’ve cheated would devastate Payne.”

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. 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.

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

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. Robyn again resisted the urge to chug her wine. “Kip’s great. He adores Harlow, and doesn’t every mother want that in a future son-in-law? I just wish…” Robyn Caldwell is a divorced mother of two who’s soon reaching a crossroad. Her oldest, Harlow, is engaged, planning her wedding and turning into a bridezilla, blaming her mother for anything not going her way. Her son Austin is graduating from high school but doesn’t seem to have a plan. Her ex-husband Cord has entered into a disastrous new relationship he’s keeping secret from his children. With Austin turning eighteen, Robyn has to make a significant financial decision about their beautiful but costly Naples, Florida home in accordance with her divorce settlement. When her great aunt Lillian Holton calls and invites her to consider a summer stay at her Santa Barbara estate, Robyn flees to California for a respite. Little did she know how vital she was to the people in her circle who would soon follow her, bringing their baggage with them.