Mini Reviews: The Getaway List, Every Time You Go Away

Hi friends! ☀️ I’m back today with two short and sweet reviews of two YA contemporary books I read recently.

As always, I love chatting with you all, so feel free to let me know in comments your thoughts on these books!

There are no spoilers in these reviews.

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Review: The Getaway List, Emma Lord

The Getaway List by Emma Lord
Published by Wednesday Books on January 23, 2024
Genres: contemporary, romance, young adult
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss, Wednesday Books
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop, Blackwell's
Goodreads

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.

I received this book for free from Edelweiss, Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

mentions of underage drinking, absentee parent, mentions of blood.

Emma Lord certainly knows how to write fun, entertaining and fast-paced YA contemporary books. While, for me, The Getaway List wasn’t my favorite by hers, it’s still a solid read for any YA contemporary fan.

In this story, we follow Riley as she joins, against her mother’s wish, her best friend Tom in New York with one goal: accomplish everything they wrote in their Getaway List, a list of adventures they’d wanted to do together.

With Emma Lord’s signature cheer, this book takes us on a whirlwind adventure in the New York streets, with a fun group of friends / found family, heartwarming friendships, family moments and, you guessed it, hints of a friends to lovers romance. While I had a lot of fun reading this book, I found myself getting a bit less attached to the characters and carried away by the romance than Emma Lord’s previous books. Still, it’s a binge-worthy kind of YA contemporary read, if you’re looking for fun and entertaining!

FINAL RATING : 3,5 stars!

Buy The Getaway List:

Books If You Liked The Getaway List:

Review: Every Time You Go Away, Abigail Johnson

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson
Published by Inkyard Press on December 5, 2023
Genres: contemporary, romance, young adult
Format: eBook
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop, Blackwell's
Goodreads

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.
Eight years ago, Ethan and Rebecca met, two trouble-making kids sharing secrets and first kisses in a treehouse, until Ethan’s mom returned to take him away. Each and every visit, his only goodbye was a flower on Rebecca’s windowsill.
Three years ago, Ethan left for the last time to take care of his mother, who’s struggled with addiction his whole life.
Two years ago, Rebecca was in a car accident that killed her father. She’s been learning to navigate life as a wheelchair user ever since.
Now, they discover if their hardships have torn them apart…or will bring them closer than ever.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

car accident (recalled), parent’s death (recalled), alcohol addiction, underage drinking.

Honestly, I think Abigail Johnson’s becoming one of my favorite YA contemporary writers. The books I’ve read from her were raw, filled with emotions, realistic, three-dimensional, incredible main characters and, god. My heart just aches while reading her books, in the best of ways.

This book follows Ethan and Rebecca, two childhood best friends reuniting after years apart. Now, Rebecca’s in a wheelchair following an accident that killed her father ; meanwhile, Ethan’s back with his grandparents and worried about his mother, away and fighting with addiction.

The way these characters find each other again, grow on their own and with each other, learn from each other and about themselves, is absolutely wonderful. My heart aches for them to find each other again and I deeply wanted them to be okay, both in their relationship and with their own minds and hearts. This book has fantastic character growth, complex, sometimes heartbreaking family relationships and it’s such a slow burning, beautiful and emotional book overall. Loved it.

FINAL RATING : 4,5 stars!

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Books If You Liked Every Time You Go Away:

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Did you read Friends Like These and/or How To Find A Missing Girl? Do you want to?

Do you have any similar recommendations for me? Let me know in comments!

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