I am very pleased to welcome Susan Mallery today with an excerpt from her new book, The Summer Getaway. Enjoy this delightful peak into the story.
About The Summer Getaway:
Publisher: HQN; Original edition (March 15, 2022)
Hardcover: 416 pages
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.
About the Author:
#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives: family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur.
Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
The Excerpt:
“I’m going to sleep with Dimitri.”
Robyn Caldwell picked up her glass of white wine and briefly thought about swallowing the
entire contents in one gulp. Mindy’s statement was certainly gulp-worthy.
But she knew pacing herself through lunch was the responsible thing to do. A lesson her friend had yet to learn. “You are not,” Robyn murmured, because shrieking wasn’t attractive.
Especially at “the club,” where their friends and frenemies were also enjoying Thursday’s lobster salad. The dining room was filled with forty or so women, all dressed in Florida chic—diamonds sparkling, gold or platinum charm bracelets clinking, necklaces resting on tanned and toned skin.
“I might,” Mindy Krause said, picking up her champagne. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Of course. He’s a thirty-year-old tennis pro. What else would he be?”
Mindy, a petite brunette who was six months from turning forty, sighed. “I need a Dimitri in my
life.”
“You have a great husband. Payne loves you and the kids, and never has eyes for another
woman. Why would you screw that up?”
“Payne would never know.”
“There aren’t any secrets in this town. Not in our social circle.”
Something Robyn had learned the hard way herself. She’d been blissfully unaware of her ex-
husband’s affairs until a “friend” had oh-so-sweetly informed her.
“Maybe just some kissing,” Mindy mused. “I want a little Dimitri action. The fantasies make
me happy, so imagine what the real thing would do.”
“The fantasies are safe. The real thing could destroy everything you have. Knowing you’ve
cheated would devastate Payne.”
Mindy’s mouth formed a pout. “I never see him anymore. All he does is work.”
Robyn stared at her friend-slash-boss. “You two talked about how that promotion would be
more work for him but that it would be worth it. You wanted this for him.”
“I didn’t know how much he’d be gone.”
The unreasonable statement grated nearly as much as Mindy’s whine. “This isn’t a good look
for you,” Robyn murmured. “You’re changing the rules without telling your husband. That never
ends well.”
Mindy dismissed the warning with a quick shake of her head. “I’m not worried. Besides, if he
does find out, I can just move in with you.” She laughed. “You’ll soon have that big house all to
yourself.”
“You have four kids,” Robyn pointed out. “If things go south in your marriage, I’d rather have
Payne move in.”
“Well, that would get people talking.” Mindy held up her empty glass to the server. “More,
please.”
The server obliged.
Mindy took another sip. “My sister called, swears she found a Thomas Pister chest in a tiny
shop in Wales. It’s dirt cheap, so I’m afraid it’s a fake. She’s looking for someone to prove
authenticity. Wouldn’t that be a find?”
“It would. I’d love to see it.”
Thomas Pister had built beautiful chests and cabinets in the late 1600s and early 1700s. His
intricate designs with stunning inlays sold quickly and for huge amounts. Depending on the
condition and the materials, a good-sized chest of drawers could go for sixty or eighty thousand
dollars.
All Amazon purchase links are affiliate links which means if you buy anything through them I will receive a small commission (at no additional charge to you)
Follow the Tour for more exciting excerpts:
Excerpt tour:
Monday, February 21st: Books Cooks Looks
Tuesday, February 22nd: Reading Reality
Wednesday, February 23rd: SusanLovesBooks
Thursday, February 24th: Kahakai Kitchen
Friday, February 25th: From the TBR Pile
Friday, February 25th: View from the Birdhouse
Sunday, February 27th: Subakka.bookstuff
Monday, February 28th: Laura’s Reviews
Tuesday, March 1st: Bookchickdi
Wednesday, March 2nd: The Bookish Dilettante
Thursday, March 3rd: What is That Book About
Friday, March 4th: The Romance Dish
Sunday, March 6th: The Cozy Book Blog
Monday, March 7th: Girl Who Reads
Tuesday, March 8th: Bibliotica
Wednesday, March 9th: Helen’s Book Blog
Thursday, March 10th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Friday, March 11th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Sunday, March 13th: Novel Gossip
Monday, March 14th: Books and Bindings
