This was my first book by this author and I really liked it. Perfect Summer read which takes place in FL and then CA. A family that's run amok with their own problems and things to work out. It was a little too predictable to me but it was a fast read. The ending was what I thought it would be when I saw the plot! ( )

The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery is a 2022 HQN Publication.

Robyn’s post-divorce life is filled with drama- an ex-husband who has a string of girlfriends, an eighteen-year-old son who has decided not to attend college and opting to work for his dad, instead, and a daughter planning a wedding and insisting Robyn keep a house she can’t afford just so she can have the backyard wedding she always wanted. Robyn's romantic life, though, was secure…

Until it wasn’t…

Needing a break, Robyn goes to visit her great aunt Lillian out in sunny California to regroup and formulate a plan for her future. But, if she thinks she’s going to get any peace from her family, she’s in for a big surprise….

I had no trouble wrapping myself up in this delicious drama. The story is sudsy, and over the top at times, but it was also a nice journey of renewed self-discovery for Robyn and a time for those who maybe took her for granted, who needed to become more self-reliant, to start growing up and making better decisions, both the younger characters and some of the older ones, too.

It has been a long time since I read a book by this author, although my Kindle is loaded down with her books. I do not recall her stories being this sexually explicit, but this one had a few sexy time scenes in it I wasn’t prepared for… but one can always skim past those passages, I suppose.

Otherwise, this is pretty much what one would expect from a Susan Mallery novel, which is exactly what I wanted when I picked it up. Though I thought it was a little silly from time to time, I enjoyed Robyn’s journey and liked the way everything came together in the end.

Overall, a quick, enjoyable read that also has me craving more books by this author.

3.5 stars ( )

This turned out to be my first beach read of the season and my second truly chick-lit book of the year. I’d heard good things about this newest Susan Mallery novel, and as it was my third book by this prolific author, I was looking forward to getting away with The Summer Getaway.

Yes, it checked many chick-lit boxes: relationship misunderstandings, family drama, steamy sex, beautiful locations (Florida and Santa Barbara, CA), cocktails and sunsets – all the over-the-top essentials of chick-lit. But there were a few bothersome elements that made this only a 2-star book for me.

I found this novel neither poignant nor heartwarming, as the book jacket claimed. Robyn Caldwell, the 40-ish divorced and Florida-based main character, travels to Santa Barbara to visit her ultra-wealthy and slightly eccentric great-aunt Lillian in order to figure out the next chapter of her life. She immediately meets her great-aunt’s distant relative, Mason, who is also staying there and happens to be her age. They soon fall for each other. Before long her two adult children, an ex-husband, a recent boyfriend, and other assorted friends and relations make their way across the county to great-aunt Lillian’s mansion, which is reminiscent of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA. Loved the descriptions of this sprawling multi-level estate with stairways to nowhere, doors opening to brick walls, countless rooms, numerous fireplaces, ocean-view balconies, valuable antiques, stained glass windows, chandeliers, etc.

Robyn and her aunt are able to accommodate everyone who turns up, the family keeps buying and preparing food or eating out, occasionally staying in hotels, renting cars, flying back and forth across the country, etc. Privileged and entitled, these people never seemed to worry about money as they hosted guests, even though money (or the lack of it) was driving the plot. I thought I’d find more reviews complaining about rich, white people.

In addition to the affluence and self-absorbed drama of the characters that provides the book with its soap opera flavor, the writing could have been better. Mallery repeats facts and explanations too often. Where was the editor? Also, several of the characters’ personalities and behaviors conveniently changed halfway through the novel, as if just to move the plot along. Despite the suspension of disbelief needed when reading chick-lit, I just can’t recommend this.

I didn’t really connect with anyone except great-aunt Lillian, and she was a tangential character. The best part was the fun cocktails the characters drank – I was disappointed there weren’t recipes for these at the back of the book. ( )

Don't let this book cover fool you as this book is more than just summer fun. It is about family, love, friendship, personal growth, and second chances. You could say that I was very emotionally connected towards all of the characters as I felt a range of emotions on how they handled situations and themselves personally. Example is Harlow, Robyn's daughter. In the beginning, I thought that Harlow was acting like a spoiled brat, and I felt bad for Robyn. Yet by the end of the story, I did warm up to Harlow. Speaking of Robyn it was nice to see her go through some personal growth.

As I was invested in the characters so much, it made reading this book so easy. It was a fast read for me. You could say I kind of got "lost" within the pages of this book. Readers of Susan will really enjoy this newest book. It is one that you will want to pick up. ( )

The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery has Robyn Caldwell at a crossroads in her life. Her daughter, Harlow is engaged and living with her fiancé, Kip. Robyn’s son has just graduated from high school and his moving into his own apartment for the summer. Her best friend is about to do something that could ruin her marriage and her ex-husband is also making questionable decisions. Robyn has some choices to make and decides to take her great-aunt Lillian up on her invitation to visit. Robyn has happy memories of the unique home outside Santa Barbara. Lilliam is ninety-four with a quick mind and spirited attitude. Robyn instantly feels better just being with Lillian in her quirky home. She is unprepared, though, for Lillian’s handsome houseguest. Robyn’s peaceful getaway is disrupted as those she loves and cares about follow her across the country one by one. Problems do not seem as daunting in the unique home with the ocean view. Robyn along with the other guests must deal with their problems and decide what they want to do with their future. The Summer Getaway is a family drama with romance thrown into the mix. I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing. The characters are realistic and developed. They seemed like real people with realistic problems. I liked that Robyn is a mature protagonist (in her 40s). All the activity kept the book moving forward. I wanted to see what choices each character would make especially Robyn. Lillian was my favorite character. I hope I am as lively and quick witted when I am that age. I would have loved to live in Lillian’s quirky home. The Summer Getaway is an emotional novel. There are some wonderful heartwarming moments as well as some devastating ones that cause pain. There are also some laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed people’s reactions to Lillian’s home. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story. I do want to warn readers there is foul language and intimate situations (some of them steamy with a little too much detail). The Summer Getaway is an entertaining story (have the popcorn ready) with family drama, romance, humor, relationship angst, poor choices, financial woes, and helpful advice. It is a great book to read on a rainy afternoon or a sunny one laying by the pool. The Summer Getaway is a diverting tale with a self-centered sister, a Don Juan dad, a flirty friend, an affable aunt, stalwart son, an ex-military man, and an odd domicile. ( )