A review by tessa_talks_books
The Getaway List by Emma Lord

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

One-word review: Touching

Emojis: 🤨🥰🥹

Rating: 5 🌟s

My thoughts:

The Getaway List by Emma Lord is a touching contemporary story about transitioning into adulthood and finding one's path in life. Such huge topics and something we all go through to varying degrees of emotional upheaval; I could easily relate and felt so much empathy for each character.

Riley is a fun main character, but I never doubted she would find her own way and barrel through life with her head held high. It is Tom who stole my heart. He has been Riley's best friend since they were eight, and the story sees them back together again after Tom had to move away a few years ago. He is in a tumultuous head space. Tom feels abandoned by his mother and never entirely fits into his new home. He is going through so much in his head and feels he has no one to talk to about it. When Riley re-enters his life unexpectedly, it's clear all he is missing in his life.

The romance is friends to lovers, though the pacing is much faster than in most of this trope. It felt inevitable, and I love that they took their time and it wasn't angsty. I also loved the group of friends they brought together and the different romantic entanglements. The group of friends pulling together to complete the getaway list was a lot of fun and probably was responsible for the faster pace. Overall, this was a fun yet powerfully touching story that left a lasting impression.