2024 and finally out of our reading slump, we decided to venture back into the world of reviews. Reviews are never easy, as you know that a writer has put their heart and soul in every page, hoping to craft the perfect story or at the very least, one that people can relate to.
While we’ve had our troubles figuring out which books to cover, there is nothing like a good coming of age story to remind you why books are worth reading. That and romance books.
It doesn’t matter if they are good or bad – they make you think. And hey, this one made me think and also appreciate New York.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: 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.
ALL OUR THOUGHTS
The Getaway List was just that, one that I found myself relating to on some fronts, not so much on others and well, overall, it was a soft transition back into the world of Young Adult novels. Emma Lord is always a safe bet for a good read – as she writes sweet books, a well executed plot and a story that you can find a bit of yourself in.
But, The Getaway List, though a good book by many standards, didn’t live up to what a reader has come to expect from Emma Lord. This book was a lot of tropes, mixed in with a lot of angst that felt overdone at points, and not fleshed out enough at other points.
Riley is rebelling against her Mom, trying to find her own way, and still making sure that she can find peace in herself. While she’s spent her whole life with her Mom telling her what she can do, what she needs to be. Her whole life is scheduled because of her moms wants.
But what I have a hard time understanding is why her whole high school career her Mom has kept her from her best friend. She’s essentially blocked her from spending time with Tom at every turn. Tom moved away to New York and withdrew from Riley.
But as with everything in life there are a lot of changes and Riley becomes upset so she decides to rebel by heading to New York for the weekend. Now, I don’t for a second doubt that anyone comes to New York falls in love with it, but I found the whole relationship between Tom and Riley to be the part that seemed out of wack.
Both wanted to make the other happy, but both made sure to make everything as awkward as possible. The secrets that they kept from each other felt a little forced and then their anger at them seemed a little fake because – WHY WOULD THEY BE SO MAD WHEN THEY NEVER SPOKE?
Now, I am fully aware that everyone lives their lives differently and what is good for one may not be good for the other. But, I think what was hard for me is that I couldn’t understand that Tom was falling for her. It felt like hey here’s my bestie, she’s here, and lets all be her friend.
The last third of the book, so much happened in, which I did enjoy. Yet, because so much happened there and the first third dragged a bit and was confusing, I was taken out of the book. It felt like things that could have been spread out throughout the book, or at least a feeling that it was building up to these things.
Emma Lord is a talented writer, don’t get me wrong. This book isn’t bad. It’s just the pacing that is off and way too many conflicts going on at once. That being said, it’s still an enjoyable coming of age story and one that definitely got our mind spinning.
To know exactly what is on that getaway list and all of the (and there are a lot) conflicts – well, you’re going to have to read to find out.
