Emma Lord is the queen of YA summer rom-coms for me (even though they always come out in January). She has an amazing knack at writing fun and realistic teens while not making them immature, whiny, or unlikable. She also always creates a brilliant found family dynamic, and by the end of the book there is an extremely tight knit friendship group that I'd love to be a part of. Romance wise, the dynamic between Riley and Tom is super cute and flirty, smoothly bridging that gap between best of friends forever to... something more? The Getaway List does an excellent job at showing off New York City at it's finest, and as always I read these books starving by the amount of detail that goes into describing the heavenly snacks that become a staple of each of her books.

This was such a good story. I enjoyed the found family aspect and watching as each character tries to figure out what's going to make them happy after finishing high school. Riley and Tom were also so cute together and I loved watching them slowly realise they were in love with each other. Highly recommend.

An amazing set of characters in this YA romance.Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

When Riley graduates high school with a rearview of shenanigans but an empty road for a future, she does what they all say to do—pack her bags and head for New York. Her plan is a little loose, but her main goal is to find Tom—her childhood best friend and co-creator of The Getaway List. Years ago, they made a list of all the adventures they wanted to do together, but Tom has been increasingly distant ever since he moved to New York with his famous scriptwriter mom four years ago.When Riley arrives in New York, her reconnection with Tom 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 items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

As a fellow recent graduate (university not high school), I related to this book so much more than I expected. When you are feeling lost in the world and unsure what to do with your life, read this book. It just proved to me that I am not alone in how I feel and the power is in my hands to change that, not anybody elses.

It was whimsical, it was cute and it was heartwarming at it's very best.

I rated this 3.5 stars.

THE GETAWAY LIST REVIEW:

The Getaway List is a wonderful, lighthearted book following high school senior Riley who realises that, on the night of her graduation, she's stuck. After years of being a chronic goody-two-shoes to appease her mother, she has lost sight of herself, what she wants, what she needs.

So, she comes up with a sparkling idea that no one will ever be able to dissuade her from doing: Riley was moving to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend resides. Her childhood best friend who was the co-creator of their 'getaway list'.

Their reconnection is beautiful, immediate, as if they'd never been apart from one another.

But as they scramble to cross items off of their list, watching as their dreams and quests shorten, something inside is growing: Riley's feelings for Tom, and those feelings might just make her realise, help her to understand, that your biggest and most important tasks might just be the ones where your heart has to lead the way.

I have loved Emma Lord's writing for quite some time now, and When You Get The Chance is one of my comfort reads.

Her writing never disappoints, and this book certainly doesn't either.

It's a wonderful book focused on friends, family, love and the growing knowledge that matters of the heart are so much more important than matters of adventure.

I can't wait to read more of Emma Lord's books.

4/5 stars! 🌟

Ahh this was all kinds of perfect!

It was such a sweet and lovely romance but with the most beautiful coming of age moments and an amazing friend group too!

Tom and Riley were everything you’d hope for in YA characters, they were funny and silly but so heartwarming with each other too!

The whole ‘running round New York in the summer’ setting is always my favourite too, it’s so dreamy and the author made the setting feel like another character in the book, which I loved!

I’ve only read the author’s first book before this one (which I thought was so great) so I can’t wait to go back and read her others now too!

If you are looking for some summery, cute, NY set YA, then I’d pick this one up!

From the blurb -
The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mum that she has no idea who she really is anymore. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer to stay with her best friend Tom and do everything on The Getaway List.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since he moved away. But when she arrives in the city, their reconnection is effortless. 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.

*ARC from NetGalley ✨

I love reading Emma Lord's books - they're such sweet and realistic YA stories - so I was very excited to read this one. As expected, it lived up to my expectations and I really enjoyed it!

This follows Riley from the day of her high school graduation, as she makes the decision to go to New York to see her best friend Tom. What follows is a story of self-discovery, a friends to lovers romance, and a lovely found family.

I loved all of the characters in the friend group in this book. They all had such unique personalities which made for a fun dynamic that was great to read! Luca and Mariella were adorable and Jesse was great too!

The story and development of Riley and all of the other characters felt very representative of the transitional period from school to the real world, and I enjoyed reading the realistic depiction of the feelings of fear and change but also freedom and opportunity.

I also loved the descriptions of New York in this book. I absolutely love the city and reading this made me feel like I was there again!

The epitome of a great friends-to-lovers trope! I always love Emma Lord's YA contemporaries and this was no exception. Riley and Tom have a plan to carry out all of these adventures together, when Riley visits him in New York after graduating from high school - and I loved following them around the city. The author has such a way of capturing exactly what it feels like to graduate and not really know what you're meant to do now, and the intense emotions that come with experiencing that time in your life.

While the romance is of course a big part in this story, there are two mother-child relationships that are extremely important and at the forefront too, and the complexities that abound as the child grows up into their own person.

All of these characters were so great, and I loved the found family aspect too. There was fantastic banter and all of these characters felt genuinely real. Tom and Riley had the most beautiful friendship and I was rooting for them the whole time (whether that be that they ended up together or just stayed best friends). It's just incredibly charming and I had a wonderful time (and all of the Taylor Swift references were a massive tick in my box too).

The Getaway List is a novel all about growing up, finding yourself and exploring a brand new city and I loved it. Emma Lord has yet again written another adorable YA romance that has my heart.

When Riley graduates from high school she thought she’d have a plan, turns out she has no. So, she packs her bags and moves to New York for the summer where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List is. Riley is hoping with Tom’s help she will get in touch with her old adventurous self and pave the road to her new future.

Riley is an excellent main character who is full of chaotic energy and a deep love for all of her friends. It was a joy to watch her grow throughout the book especially seeing her have the confidence to go after what she wants. Tom is adorable! He cares so deeply for Riley and the rest of his friends which is clear to see right away. I enjoyed that we also got to see Tom grow and find a future that makes him happy.

The cast of side characters in this book is exceptional and I certainly had a soft spot for all of them. Jesse, Mariella and Luca all have their own little story arcs which I loved. Each of the side characters have their own unique voices and their individual journeys compliment Riley’s journey throughout the book.

The romance throughout this book is extremely wholesome. Watching Riley and Tom develop feelings for one another and go from being childhood best friends to being together was adorable. Although romance plays a big part in this story, I think friendship is the main beating heart of this story and I love that and wish more YA books focussed on friendship.

Emma Lord is a YA author I’ve come to love over the years and an author I’m sure I’ll be reading more books by in the future. Her stories are always unique, funny and full of joy.

Overall, The Getaway List is a wonderful coming of age YA novel. It will make you want to go on an adventure with your friends! I would highly recommend it.

4.5 stars.

It’s graduation day and Riley has no idea what to do with her future. All she knows is she needs space from her mum and I rescheduled life. She decides to go and visit her best friend Tom who moved away to New York a few years ago and went off the radar. As soon as they’re reunited they pick up where they left off and she doesn’t want to leave. She decides to ignore her Mom’s wishes and stay for the summer in the hope of finding her place.

This is such a fun YA novel with one of the truest friends to lovers I’ve seen. I really believed in Riley and Tom who were just so adorable and likeable. Riley is one of those characters who everyone else revolves around and I usually find that trope poorly written, but Lord really took the time to flesh out how likeable Riley is despite the issues she has.

A lot of the book focuses on battling inner demons. Tom’s mental health issues were well explored, as were Riley’s issues with her Mom. It felt ever so slightly repetitive at times but in the main was really well handled.

There is a wider cast of characters with full back stories and I enjoyed getting to know all of them. I’d happily read books about the rest of them as well.

I think it suffers ever so slightly from references by an adult that aren’t relevant for the audience (as does nearly every YA) but overall I think teens would love this. There is no smut, for anyone interested in knowing this before going in. I think it’s a useful read for teens who have no idea what they want out of life and are trying to navigate growing up away from their parents and finding themselves. Also an interesting read for parents learning to let go of their kids.

I will absolutely pick up more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Getaway List' by Emma Lord.

Emma Lord has made a name for herself in the form of cute lighthearted YA romances and this doesn't change that. 'The Getaway List' feels somewhat like a summer read that you'd cosy up and read on a nice tranquil warm day. As always, Lord's writing style pairs beautifully to the characters and I fell in love with each character in different ways.

A very sweet and easy read. Definitely YA that is best suited for those in that age range as it did made me feel a bit old with all the college talk (and I’m only 24!). Would definitely recommend as a travel book as it made me feel very wanderlusty

I have to start this review by saying that @dilemmalord is my instant must-read no questions asked author! I've adored all her books and is the reason why I've aspired become an ARC reader. After seeing her post about her new releases getting their NetGalley reviews years ago, I started wishing I could be one of those lucky people early readers.
Well, a few years, 1000 bookstagram followers and an approved NetGalley account later, I was eagerly awaiting her next novel to be added to NetGalley. Here it is, I was approved and here's my review!!
This was such a lovely story about friendship, love, reconnecting, relationships changing and taking different forms over time, finding your own purpose and place in this crazy thing we call life but not having to go on the journey alone!
It was so easy to read with relatable and funny characters, lots of humour and sentimental moments too!
The brownies sounded so delicious and I'm jealous I can't ever experience the wonders of Brownie Bonanza myself!
It also really makes me want to go on a New York adventure of my own! ✈️

Thank you to Emma Lord, Macmillan and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute read; it was slow and gentle, and Riley's emotions come across so clearly. Looking up to realise that you aren't sure who you are is scary and empowering, and the book follows this awakening as Rily gets to the 'big city' to start to live and, possibly, to find her happy ever after in Tom.
The whole cast of friends adds a lot to the book and helps it bounce along joyfully. Tom and Riley and all their friends work their way through a list of things to do, and these mad, odd and touching things help them find out who they are and who and where they want to be. A lovely romance.

This extremely sweet book was as much of a love story to New York, and friendships, and working out who you are in the world, as it was a love story between the two protagonists. And i loved every second of all of it, so that's a lot of love to go around.

The book made me want to be friends with everyone in it, and go on adventures with them and hug them when things weren't so clear. But it mostly made me want to jump on a plane and rekindle my friendship with New York City.

When Riley graduates from high school, on a whim she takes the bus to New York to catch up with her best friend Tom, who moved there with his mom 4 years ago. She figures they have a lot of catching up to do & she plans to use the summer to work out who she is & what she plans to do with herself.

Riley becomes lifelong friends with the first two people she meets in the city, which I found a bit odd, along with some old friends from back home. Together, the gang have a series of mini adventures involving the Gataway List - a list of things Tom & Riley always planned to do, a gift giving app, & lots of references to a book & TV series they are both fans of.

Although there are some lovely moments in the book, I found the Dear, Love app & the constant references to the TV series irritating. The constant references to New York City as a living, breathing entity became a bit tedious. It’s a city - just live there, or don’t! This is a “will they, won’t they?” Obviously they will, but they took SO long to get there.

The story would have been more enjoyable had it been half the length. A bit too much introspection & naval gazing for me! I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Always been an Emma Lord fan and this book expresses why. I’ve recently fallen out of love with YA as I found the plots becoming samey. But dear ‘Lord’, this book made me fall in love again.

I wish this book had been released years ago when I was an actual teenager. It’s got everything I wanted/longed for at the time. A new city, found family and realising who I am on my own. And New York. Come on, New York has always been my dream.

I love all of the characters. The way they found each other and bonded instantly. Ready to show the commitment and love for each other. It was such a gorgeous arc to the story.

But Riley and Tom stole my heart. They’re both so loveable and their flaws are evident which I love. I’m a sucker for a romance arc, but I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t take over the general plot of the book. Yes, they found each other again and I had a little squeal at the end of the book when they finally got together because I’m only human.

Emma has already been an auto-buy author for me and she will continue to be. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to review this dream of a book.

The Getaway List is a fun YA story with a range of characters. It’s written in a very easy to read style and includes the excitement of the big city. Riley needs to escape the control of her mother and travels to New York to stay with her best friend, Tom. Whilst there she meets a group of friends who support her journey. I did feel like even though the characters were young adults they were dipping in things that normally come when you’re older, for example, creating and running apps.

Another amazing YA novel from Emma Lord! Riley and Tom are just the best characters! NYC was its own character in this story, which made it even more of an enjoyable read.

This was incredibly charming! I'm such a sucker for friends to lovers stories so this is was definitely up my alley!

The characters and each of their journeys were wonderful, they all felt very developed and I grew attached to each of them. Often side characters are used as a way to bring the main couple together but I really connected with Mariella, Luca, Jesse and the rest of the cast. They each added to the story in their own, unique way and I loved learning more about them. I wish I had a friendship group like this! I love a found family storyline.

Loved Tom and Riley too, both as friends and as a couple, really felt their bond and was eager for them to finally admit their feelings.

Enjoyed the NYC setting, which always feels like a character in itself. The idea of the app was so fun, too, and would do well in a city like New York. I love reading about creative ideas like this.

One criticism for me was that it felt a bit too long, but I am clawing my way out of a reading slump.