The Summer Getaway

Written by Susan Mallery

Narrated by Tanya Eby

One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from No.1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.

But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances — on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Mar 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781867251170

Susan Mallery

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives—family, friendship, romance. She's known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Reviews for The Summer Getaway

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[lorikboyd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you are looking for a fun beach read, this is it! Escapism at its best! Lifestyles of the rich, family drama, entitlement and growing up, love, life and moving on. The storyline is perfect for heading into the summer season! Characters are realistic, frustrating, lovable and endearing. I found some of the sexual slang uncomfortable and unrealistic for the age of the characters. Thanks to Ms. Mallery, Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

[bookchickdi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy getting lost in a good story, and Susan Mallery's books never steer me wrong. (I always look forward to a new addition to her Happily, Inc. series.) Her latest novel is a terrific stand-alone, The Summer Getaway.Robyn is a forty-something woman, divorced from her husband and mother to daughter Harlow, who is engaged and in full-on wedding planning. Harlow works for her dad in his charter boat service as a captain and has designs on getting her dad to buy a kayak rental business for her to run.Son Austin is out of high school and working for his dad too. Robyn would prefer Austin went to college first before settling on working for his father, but Austin chose not to do that. Harlow has her heart set on getting married at the house she grew up in, where Robyn lives now. But in her divorce agreement, Robyn has to either sell her house and split the proceeds with her ex, or buy him out. She only has a part-time job, so buying him out is not feasible.Harlow is furious with her mother for ruining her wedding plans, and Robyn's ex's choice of current girlfriend is too much for Robyn to deal with. When Robyn's current boyfriend says something disrepectful to her, she travels to Santa Barbara to visit with her great-aunt Lillian, who at the age of 94 is preparing for the future.Lillian asks Robyn to come and catalogue all of her massive home's furnishings and art works for donation to museums and for sale. She will leave the entire contents of the house to Robyn when she passes away. The actual house will go to her husband's distant cousin, Mason, who has been invited to come and live with Lillian.Mason never knew his cousin Leo and is surprised to find out he will inherit this oceanside mansion. He is a twenty-year veteran of the army and a military historian, and immediately he is attracted to Robyn. The attraction is mutual and Robyn surprises herself with her actions.Austin decides to travel to Santa Barbara to visit his mom, and Harlow tags along, now angry at her father. Robyn's friend shows up having blown up her own marriage, and then Robyn's ex-husband show up. Pretty soon an entire clown car of people (including her ex-boyfriend) have made the trip from Florida to Santa Barbara seeking Robyn's guidance, and her summer getaway has gone off the rails.It seems that every character is at a crossroads in his or her own life, and expect Robyn to help them fix it. Robyn is like so many women who are always there to take care of family and friends. I bet some women will be able to relate. (Although most of us won't inherit the contents of our great-aunt's mansion.)It's refreshing to see a mature couple like Mason and Robyn have a hot physical relationship, instead of the usual 20 or 30-something characters in novels. Can they overcome all the obstacles thrown in their way by Robyn's family and friends?The Summer Getaway has something for everyone, and the characters and some of the issues they face are relatable (we are all concerned about our children, no matter how old they are). I loved the beautiful setting of an oceanside mansion that I could see in my mind's eye (and want to visit.) Escape your life for a few hours with Susan Mallery's delightful The Summer Getway.

[bettytaylor56 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Normally I love Susan Mallery’s books, but this one just didn’t excite me. It’s a good beach read as it is light reading. I didn’t care much for most of the characters, but I did love Lillian, Mason, and Austin. I thought the mother-daughter conflict portrayed between Robyn and Harlow was realistic. Other angst-ridden situations are realistic, but there was just too much drama created by immature people. The drama almost becomes comical.Lillian’s house itself is a “character” in the story. Envision the Winchester mansion outside San Jose, California. Eccentric!If you are looking for a light family drama you may enjoy this one. There are “laugh-out-loud” moments. I received an advance copy of the book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Summer Getaway by Susan MalleryExcellent, well crafted, satisfying, feel good story that drew me in and left me with a smile on my face as I read the last page. What I liked: * Robyn: divorced, empty nester soon, untethered, facing a fork in the road, has much to contemplate, wise, about to come into her own* Mason: retired after twenty-fiver years in the army, commanding, calm, wise, solid, capable, trustworthy, deep, admirable* Lillian: ninety-four, wealthy, lives in an intriguing home, has lived an interesting life, major force in Robyn’s life, important to many in this story* Austin: high school graduate, Robyn’s son, thinks deeply, plans before acting, smarter than most his age, engaging, loving son and brother, has a plan for his life* Harlow: college graduate, Robyn’s daughter, cancer survivor, learns and grows/matures a great deal through the story* The writing, pace, setting and character development* The house…it is a character all on its own* The strong sibling relationship between Austin and Harlow* The way more than one character in this story grew in one way or another* The development of the relationship between Robyn and Mason* The cats…I love cats but wonder how anyone could have fifteen of them! * That it seemed real and believable – and feeling I was there with the characters as they experienced what they did* The way so many people were drawn to Santa Barbara…and their reasons for ending up there* Wondering about how Harlow and Austin will end up in the future* The way all of the parts of the story were woven together and no threads left dangling at the end* All of it really except…What I didn’t like:* There were a couple characters it was easy to dislike for their selfishness, manipulative personalities, or other less than stellar traits…they were not wicked or evil but did create trouble for others. Did I enjoy this book? YesWould I read more by this author? DefinitelyThank you to NetGalley and HQN for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

[fredreeca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Robyn has just about had enough of her family drama. So, she heads to her Aunt Lillian’s house in Santa Barbara to decide what to do with the rest of her life. But, it is not as simple as that. Everyone in the family drifts her way. First it’s her kids, then it’s her ex-husband, then her ex-boyfriend…and it goes on and on.I loved Robyn…oh and Mason…you need to read this to find out about him! He is the best strong, silent type! Plus, Aunt Lillian’s house in Santa Barbara is a treasure trove and a unique place! I so want to find this house and explore.This is such a refreshing and wonderful read. It has so many elements. It is about learning about yourself, growing up, managing life and making good and bad decisions and it’s about family! I am still thinking about these characters and their decisions. This is a story which will give you all the feels!Need a great story to take you away…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a novel filled with decisions, changes, and growth. Robyn Caldwell has decisions to make. Her youngest Austin has graduated from high school which means she has to sell her house or buy out her ex. She wants to sell but her oldest is throwing a fit because she wants to be married in the gorgeous backyard. Robyn has mainly been drifting since her divorce but comes to the realization that her divorce settlement is nearing its end and she doesn't have any future plans. Her cheating ex is dating her daughter's fiancé's twin sister and Robyn's own boyfriend turns out to be a toad who is ashamed of her.When her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara to spend time with her, Robyn is on the first plane. Her aunt has always been a source of support who is filled with good sense. But Lillian is ninety-four and seeing her death. She wants things settled. The house will be inherited by her husband Leo's distant relation Mason Bishop. Robyn will be inheriting the contents of the house and Lillian's fifteen cats. Mason and Robyn hit it off and become close as they spend time with Lillian and get used to the changes coming in their lives. But before their relationship can ger on a firm footing, Robyn's troubles come to join her. First her son Austin, who has quit his job with Robyn's ex, comes. Then her daughter Harlow comes running when her relationships with her fiancé and her father both reveal feet of clay, Then her friend Mindy arrives when an affair Robyn had counseled her against blows up in her face.That would be enough of an invasion, but the numbers quickly grow when Harlow's fiancé, Robyn's ex and his pregnant girlfriend, Mindy's husband, and Robyn's toad of an ex-boyfriend all also show up.One by one, those problems are dealt with leading to growth for all. But, when the unthinkable happens, can everyone find their way to a happy ending?The story was filled with interesting and well-rounded characters with both strengths and flaws. I enjoyed the setting. The relationships were engaging and complex. The romance between Mason and Robyn did almost get lost among all the various problems Robyn was dealing with, but the epilogue did tie up all the loose ends.