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A review by popthebutterfly
The Getaway List by Emma Lord
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Getaway List
Author: Emma Lord
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Puerto Rican character, MLM romance between side characters, queer characters mentioned
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, friends to lovers, "one day in NYC" but with a spin, coming of age
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 314
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, romance, sex discussion, running away, borderline child neglect/abandonment/abuse, bullying, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight cursing in the book. There is very slight romance and mentions of sex as a topic of conversation. There is a run-away scene and there is some discussion of the MCs' parents and some of the issues brought up (one mom never being there because she travels for work and another pressuring/forcing one of the MCs into many and various activities) might border on neglect/abandonment (depending on state laws) and slightly abusive. There is also some bullying mentioned and some alcohol consumption shown.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Never Grow Up
Synopsis: The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.
Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.
Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.
Review: Overall, I thought it was a good book. The book centers on Riley, who's been in a little bit of trouble with her best friend before he moved away (Tom), and so for the past couple of years her mom's been pressuring her and bouncing her between multiple activities and jobs, anything to keep her busy. She tries, but she's obviously burnt out and decides, after a particularly heinous fight with her mom, to go visit Tom up in NYC. The majority of the book takes place in NYC and focuses on her and Tom completing this "getaway" list that they started writing years ago when Tom first moved away. As the duo completes each task it becomes that much harder for Riley to want to return home, but for Tom it becomes that much easier to want to move away from the city that's done nothing for him since his mom's basically dropped him off to go chase her director dreams elsewhere. I thought the book was a fun spin on the "one day in NYC" trope and I loved seeing the romance between Riley and Tom grow.
However, I felt like the pacing was very random. It bounced between fast and slow a lot and the plot felt evasive in multiple sections. The book started out so strong, but then it just lost all steam about 25% into it until about 90% in. I feel like this book could have been much shorter to keep that steam, as the pair completed the list before the end of the book, but that it had to be elongated to make it the minimum page count for a YA book. It's really frustrating to me because I like this trope of running away to NYC to discover yourself, I find it very poetic, but I didn't feel like this book really captured that magic particularly well.
Verdict: It was ok, not a reread for me but it might be a great read for you!
Book: The Getaway List
Author: Emma Lord
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Puerto Rican character, MLM romance between side characters, queer characters mentioned
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, friends to lovers, "one day in NYC" but with a spin, coming of age
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 314
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, romance, sex discussion, running away, borderline child neglect/abandonment/abuse, bullying, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight cursing in the book. There is very slight romance and mentions of sex as a topic of conversation. There is a run-away scene and there is some discussion of the MCs' parents and some of the issues brought up (one mom never being there because she travels for work and another pressuring/forcing one of the MCs into many and various activities) might border on neglect/abandonment (depending on state laws) and slightly abusive. There is also some bullying mentioned and some alcohol consumption shown.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Never Grow Up
Synopsis: The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.
Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.
Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.
Review: Overall, I thought it was a good book. The book centers on Riley, who's been in a little bit of trouble with her best friend before he moved away (Tom), and so for the past couple of years her mom's been pressuring her and bouncing her between multiple activities and jobs, anything to keep her busy. She tries, but she's obviously burnt out and decides, after a particularly heinous fight with her mom, to go visit Tom up in NYC. The majority of the book takes place in NYC and focuses on her and Tom completing this "getaway" list that they started writing years ago when Tom first moved away. As the duo completes each task it becomes that much harder for Riley to want to return home, but for Tom it becomes that much easier to want to move away from the city that's done nothing for him since his mom's basically dropped him off to go chase her director dreams elsewhere. I thought the book was a fun spin on the "one day in NYC" trope and I loved seeing the romance between Riley and Tom grow.
However, I felt like the pacing was very random. It bounced between fast and slow a lot and the plot felt evasive in multiple sections. The book started out so strong, but then it just lost all steam about 25% into it until about 90% in. I feel like this book could have been much shorter to keep that steam, as the pair completed the list before the end of the book, but that it had to be elongated to make it the minimum page count for a YA book. It's really frustrating to me because I like this trope of running away to NYC to discover yourself, I find it very poetic, but I didn't feel like this book really captured that magic particularly well.
Verdict: It was ok, not a reread for me but it might be a great read for you!