I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of The Getaway List. I enjoyed the narration and thought it was well done. I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience this version of the book.

The Getaway List felt like a true coming-of-age story, since our main character, Riley, has just graduated high school and is exploring who she is and what she wants to do with her future. She initially heads for New York City to visit Tom, but they are quickly joined by a couple friends from school and a new friend along the way. The story takes place over the course of a summer full of adventures, blooming relationships, and the friends discovering their individual selves apart from family expectations. It was great to see so much character growth in Riley and all of her friends. I'll admit that the parent in me cringed a bit when Riley impulsively took off immediately after graduation, straining her relationship with her mom. In the end, though, I was happy with the way things were resolved. There are some hints of romance along the way, but it's very slow burn. It's almost frustratingly slow, but I think there's also a great lesson in these characters trying to figure themselves out before diving into something they weren't quite ready for. I overall enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books by Emma Lord.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley for the free review copy of The Getaway List. All opinions in my review are completely my own. ( )

When Riley Larson finally graduates from high school, she makes the decision to visit her best friend, Tom, who lives with his mother in New York City. Tom is happy to see Riley and they immediately begin tackling the Getaway List the two of them wrote as freshmen. Along for the ride are Tom's friends who welcome Riley with open arms, but they are all carrying secrets. What starts out as a short weekend, turns into a much longer and more emotional adventure than any of them planned.

New York City, the setting of The Getaway List, is the most enjoyable part of this book. Some elements of the plot come across as very realistic, but the relationships between characters are underdeveloped. Also, Tom's part of the story is particularly weak and is left somewhat unresloved. The middle part of the narrative becomes repetitive and slow in places and often does not move the story toward a satisfying conclusion. More humor would have been a welcome addition to the story. However, the dialogue is down to Earth and believable with likable supporting characters. Overall, The Getaway List is one of the weaker stories written by Emma Lord but is still entertaining. ( )

As this story begins, Riley Larson is just graduating high school. Her BFF Tom no longer lives in the area, but he can watch the ceremony being live-streamed, so she does their secret handshake on the stage. We understand right away that Tom is still the most important person in Riley’s life, even though their relationship is supposedly platonic. (We don’t buy that for even a minute.)

Riley is at loose ends after graduation - everyone else, it seems, knows what they want to do and will be off to college, but Riley only garnered a hat-full of rejections. She decides to take off for New York City for the weekend to see Tom in real life. They haven’t been together since Tom’s mom Vanessa moved them to Manhattan the summer after freshman year of high school. It was, according to Riley, “a bold attempt to ruin both of our lives.” Riley felt like she always was “the bravest version of herself” when she was with Tom. And anyway, they have items they need to cross of the “Getaway List” they made together but never were able to accomplish.

Once in New York, Riley has a wonderful time, makes some new friends - Mariella and Luca; renews some old ones - with Jesse, Eddie, and Dai; and experiences a freedom she hasn’t felt since Tom left. Much to the detriment of her relationship with her mother, she decides to stay the whole summer. Riley, Tom, and their new friends make their way through the Getaway List, and have a blast doing it.

In the background, there is drama with the fraught relationships between Riley and her mother, and Tom and his mother. The supporting characters have their own issues to work out, although they are not as seminal as those besetting the two main protagonists.

There is also, of course, the looming elephant in the room: the feelings between Riley and Tom that go beyond friendship.

The story arc may be quite predictable, but the journey is a pleasant one to take in this ultimately joyous YA romance novel. ( )

Emma Lord’s latest is sweet and engaging. 3.66⭐ Read my full review here.

Publication is expected January 23.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #TheGetawayList ( )

* I got this book for review*
I think this is a def a new favorite by this author. This book had since youve been gone vibes but with also a early college vibe. I also really liked how nyc was a character and loved how this book was a true frfiends to more romance. It was quick read that focused on found family elements. def a new favorite!! ( )