Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.

But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances—on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself.

Good morning! I’m so happy to participate in the blog tour for The Summer Getaway today! Check out the excerpt below.

Excerpt:

He reached out, inviting her close. When she’d moved next to him, he laced his fingers with hers.

“I don’t want to fight,” he said. “It’s just Austin has so much potential. It’s hard to see it wasted.”

She knew what he meant, but somehow his words made her feel defensive. Or like a bad mother.

“I’m giving it some time. I’m hoping working for his dad isn’t the thrill he’s expecting. Austin can get stubborn, and I don’t want him making decisions because he feels trapped.”

“I get that.” He leaned back against the sofa. “Have you decided what to do about the house?”

“I’m still leaning toward selling. It’s too big and expensive. I haven’t talked to Harlow or Austin yet. I might start looking for something first. If I find a suitable replacement, then the idea of me moving will be less upsetting to them.”

Jase looked at her quizzically. “They’re adults with their own lives. Why do they get a say?”

“They don’t get a say, exactly. But Austin will be living with me for a while longer, and—”

Jase shifted away from her. “I thought he was moving out.”

“It’s just for the summer.”

“Since when?”

Since he’d told her yesterday, but she didn’t say that. “He’s not ready to be on his own permanently. He’ll be back in the fall.”

“You’re letting him move in and out? So, when he’s forty, he can move back? You’re letting him run your life?”

She put down her drink and told herself to stay calm. “He’s not running my life. He’s my kid, and I love him. If he wants to stay for a couple more years, that’s fine. He’s eighteen, not forty.”

“You’re making a mistake, letting him think you’ll always be his fallback plan.”

“Why do you have so much energy on the topic? It shouldn’t matter to you if Austin lives with me or not.”

“What does that mean?”

The sharp question surprised her. “I have my own place. Why do you care if my kids live with me? It doesn’t affect you.”

“I’m not ready for us to live together.”