Day’s YA: THE GETAWAY LIST

THE GETAWAY LIST by Emma Lord
9781250903990
1/23/2024
Wednesday Books
Ages 12-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Riley and Tom have spent most of their lives as RileyandTom, TomandRiley. But Tom moved away to New York City a few years ago, and their friendship has never been the same. Tom is distant, and Riley is struggling to connect with him over text. After Tom tunes in virtually to Riley’s high school graduation, she is inspired to hop on a bus from Virginia to NYC (despite her mom’s vehement protests) and surprise him for a weekend visit. Once she’s there in person, they quickly reconnect and start working their way through their “Getaway List”—the to-do list of adventures they’ve put together over the years. 

Along the way, they make new friends who soon become like family, and the group embarks on adventures together as Riley’s “weekend visit” turns into an unforgettable summer in the Big Apple. But things are complicated with Tom and Riley. Their relationship has ultimately changed since they were kids, and their undeniable chemistry complicates things even further. Meanwhile, they’re both receiving mysterious anonymous gifts via the secret admirer delivery app sweeping the city. As they work their way through the chaotic items on the list, Riley learns to trust her heart and her instincts as she finds where she belongs and who she truly is on her own.

This next YA romance from Emma Lord is coming-of-age at its finest, as the relatable teenagers struggle through what is arguably one of the most confusing times in a person’s life. I really appreciated watching Riley grow into herself as she traipses all over New York City on a quest for something new and exciting, and her group of friends—both new and old—are truly delightful characters (if a bit chaotic, but the best friends are). Imbued with Emma Lord’s signature humor and charm, THE GETAWAY LIST is uplifting and wonderfully funny, and eagle-eyed Emma Lord readers will pick up on a few Easter eggs from previous novels. With the heartwarming childhood friends-to-lovers romance of The Summer I Turned Pretty and the electric vibes of Taylor Swift’s Welcome to New York, THE GETAWAY LIST is a love letter to NYC, found family, and life changing adventures.

Happy reading!
<3 Emily

YA Resources:
2024 Books for Teens
2023 Books for Teens
Day’s YA Archives
2023 Adult Books for Teens