The Summer Getaway

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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. Thin eyebrows rose as much as the Botox would let them. “Your ex-husband is dating your daughter’s fiancé’s twin sister.” 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. 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. This story has it all and it is all done so well! Personally, there are more graphic, steamy scenes than I am comfortable with, but I glossed over those and the rest of the story is perfection. There is humor, some eye-rolling, head-thumping interactions, relatable dialogue, laugh out loud banter, tender moments, sweet romance and inspiring family bonds. It’s so refreshing to actually see healthy family relationships, especially with adult children. The characters are intelligent and strong, flawed, but likeable (or not in some cases, as is intended), but authentic and appealing. I loved this story and am so grateful that I got to read it.

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.Robyn, darling. You look amazing. What are you doing these days? You never join me for a foursome.” 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.

She also found a couple of early Dutch strongboxes,” Mindy added. “Those sell for at least thirty K.” Beginning of the story was ok but I found the characterization flat, superficial and boring. The story is told from multiple POVs, that makes things repetitive and predictible. I especially disliked Harlow's POVs. Was she real? Harlow's reaction to her parents when they didn't tell her she might die of cancer. When her mother wanted to sell their big house after Robyn was left to live there alone [house she never had wanted in the first place!]. Her father not giving her money to buy the business, discovering her father's affairs, etc. Harlow was an adult, her immaturity was excused with cancer...yeah. Then like a miracle, she's aware that she's behaving badly and she's changed person. Just like that. It felt like they all lived in the lala land. If author thought that this was character development, then sorry, but this didn't sound plausible. The story delivered some interesting and dramatic moments, most of which were centered around Robyn's philandering ex-husband , Cord and her entitled daughter, Harlowe. The depth of character development in The Summer Getaway was precisely what I expected from Mallery. The characters grew and learn from their mistakes. Even the obnoxious ones. I believe Robyn's friend got off too easy for her stupidity. After all the warnings Robyn gave her she went and did the unthinkable and then she came running to Robyn looking for solace. It shows Robyn's kindheartedness. What didn’t I love about this story! Robyn was the heartbeat of her family, which was news to her before she decided to take some time for herself and visit with the aunt who took her in when her parents died. Aunt Lillian is 94-years old and is eager to settle her affairs while she’s still in good health so her time there not only gave her much needed self reflection but an opportunity to spend time with a woman she loved dearly. At the same time, Lillian has invited Mason Bishop, the remaining relative of her late husband, to discuss his legacy. He’s a recently retired Army veteran who is comfortable with life but completely unprepared for what Lillian presents. He and Robyn use the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company while developing a plan for the estate settlement in the future. I loved their developing relationship, how mature and drama free it was in the midst of the chaos Robyn left behind in Naples. Nineteen.” Robyn sighed. “Which is my point. I had a two-year-old when I was Harlow’s age. Sure, I had my kids early, but what if I hadn’t? What if I’d gone to college or spent six months in Australia or done something other than what I did?”

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.” 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.

Robyn Caldwell is mother of two young adult children and is managing a lot in her life. As the drama and tensions build, she decides an escape to her precious grandmother’s home in picturesque Santa Barbara, California, like previous times in her life, is exactly what she needs. One-by-one the people and problems she is running from show up at her door, but she’s finally ready to deal with them. What she isn’t prepared for is the new arrival of a handsome, kind-hearted stranger, the estranged relative of her grandmother’s late husband. Madison shook her head in faux sympathy. “You have no idea what I’m talking about. Oh, no. I shouldn’t have said a word.” 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. You know to wear a condom every single time, right? Every time. You whip it out, you put on party clothes.

The fantasies are safe. The real thing could destroy everything you have. Knowing you’ve cheated would devastate Payne.” New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages. I had an interesting time with this story. The characters featured will make you either want to cheer them on, scream at them, shake some sense into them or feel indifferent towards them. I knew I would like Robyn from the moment of her introduction. She was such a personable character. No wonder everyone looked to her for solace, whenever situations in their lives goes sideways. 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.

This was a delightfully amusing and engaging read that kept me smirking and pleasantly entertained throughout perusal. I enjoyed all the various storylines, all of which were advancing at a steady pace. 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. 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.” One by one, everyone she was escaping appear in her great aunt’s home. With her great aunt Lillian’s counsel and the steadfastness of a new male friend, Robyn can have everything she wants if she is willing to believe in herself.

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

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!!! The story is fairly simple. Robin is the divorced mother of two. Her son is an 18 year old who doesn't want to go to college. Her daughter is engaged to be married and is planning her wedding. Her ex husband owns a lucrative charter boat business and is a habitual and long term womanizer.