| Title | : | The Summer Seekers |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1335180923 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781335180926 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 432 |
| Publication | : | First published May 18, 2021 |
| Awards | : | RUSA CODES Reading List Relationship Fiction (2022) |
Kathleen is eighty years old. After she has a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move in to a residential home. But she’s not having any of it. What she craves—what she needs—is adventure.
Liza is drowning under the daily stress of family life. The last thing she needs is her mother jetting off on a wild holiday, making Liza long for a solo summer of her own.
Martha is having a quarter-life crisis. Unemployed, unloved and uninspired, she just can’t get her life together. But she knows something has to change.
When Martha sees Kathleen’s advertisement for a driver and companion to share an epic road trip across America, she decides this job might be the answer to her prayers. She’s not the world’s best driver, but anything has to be better than living with her parents. And traveling with a stranger? No problem. Anyway, how much trouble can one eighty-year-old woman be?
As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it’s never too late to start over.
The Summer Seekers Reviews
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This is a Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit. I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I have to say I wish the cover was more wild because I just think that this book cover does not pull me in 100% or makes me want to pick it up. I feel in love with the character Kathleen from the beginning. I loved that she was older (she was in her 80s), but she was still wild and spicy. I feel that she losses her spicy personally later in the book which I wish she did not. Her daughter, Liza's character honestly made me think of myself. This book is like riding a wave, it starts off light and funny then it builds to heavy and emotional. This book was a really great journey, and I loved all the characters. I feel this book was well written, and the characters where very developed. This book covers so much, and I think it makes the readers think about their own life journeys. I think we all need to do that at times. I have always loved having older characters in books because I was raise by my Grandmother which means that I have always been around older women. There is not enough books with main characters that is older. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Sarah Morgan) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
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This book was a case of incorrect expectations. I was looking for humor, along the lines of The Car Share, and what I got was women’s lit with big doses of romance. Definitely not my normal cup of tea, Earl Grey or otherwise.
The Summer Seekers tackles an eighty year old woman not ready to give up on adventure, her responsible daughter who feels the weight of the world on her shoulders and a 25 year old looking to escape her own life.
As the responsible daughter in my family, I understood Liza’s predicament - wanting to protect her mother and taking care of everyone. But given that I’m now firmly in the senior camp, I also understood Kathleen’s not being ready to give up on life, despite her ailments. While I did find myself rooting for all of the characters to come to the expected realizations about themselves, there was nothing special about any of it. It was a sweet, predictable book.
Georgina Sutton is the narrator. Her attempts at American accents were laughable, but otherwise she does a fine job. -
The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan is a 2021 HQN publication.
Kathleen, once the host of a popular travel series, hasn’t been on a journey is quite some time. She’s eighty years old, and her taskmaster daughter, Liza, is hellbent on moving her to a residential home.
But after tangling with an intruder, Kathleen realizes that what she really needs is a new adventure. To that end she advertises for a driver as she makes plans for a long overdue road trip.
Liza is not invited- as Kathleen feels she would be a wet noodle and worry incessantly about her teenage daughters. Instead, she asks Liza to check on her cat while she's away- although she's already assigned that task to her neighbor...
Martha never quite measured up to her sister and her family reminds of this regularly. She’s at crossroads in her life after a divorce and no clear career path, when she sees Kathleen’s ad. Martha doesn’t even like to drive, but with nothing to lose, and the need to get away from her family and ex-husband, she applies for the job.
Meanwhile, Liza is questioning her approach to life. She reads a magazine article listing eight possible signs one’s marriage might be in trouble. Believing she and her husband are in a rut, Liza begins to resent how her organization keeps the family running- but also gives her family a free pass to take advantage.
Deciding she needs a break- she moves into Kathleen’s while she’s away and discovers a cache of old, unopened letters from a mysterious friend of her mother’s, while also striking up a flirty friendship with her mother’s neighbor- a famous rock star…
This is a fun, touching, feel good story- an absolute perfect beach read – but a story one can read anytime for a nice pick me up.
My virtual road trip with Kathleen was a real mood enhancer! Kathleen is an inspiration. I love how she continued to seek out adventure and live her life to the fullest- but, the real lesson I took away from Kathleen’s story is that it is never too late to make amends, to make peace with the past, to admit mistakes, and to grow as a person.
I liked Martha, too- especially the way she cared for Kathleen. Her story is also one of personal growth as she gains confidence in herself. Her story also comes with a romantic element, which was nice- but perhaps a little too rushed.
Liza spent years distanced from her mother and resentful of the way her mother prioritized her career over family. She has a lifetime of habits to overcome, but with the help of her family, she’s learning to relax, take a little time for herself, and put a little more spontaneity in her life.
Liza and Kathleen have personal issues to contend with- but the relationship between the mother and daughter is mingled together as they begin to open up to one another in ways they never could before.
Overall, the story is light, nothing overly dramatic or weighty- just three women at various stages in life, having the courage to reassess, and take stock of their lives and make necessary changes. It’s also a story about mothers and daughters, family, and friendship, with a heartwarming conclusion that put a big smile on my face!!
4 stars -
Kathleen is an 80-year old widow living in Cornwall who hasn’t lost her adventuresome spirit. In her youth, she was the presenter for a show called Summer Seekers, which had her traveling throughout the world. She misses that life and when she has an encounter late one night with an intruder, Kathleen decides now is the time to embark on the road trip she’s always wanted to take…Route 66 in America, from Chicago to Santa Monica. Daughter Liza is beyond concerned and was actually ready to have “the talk” with her mother about selling the house and moving into a residential community. But Kathleen’s not ready to settle down and places an ad for a driver to accompany her, hiring Martha Jackson, a complete stranger. She’s 24-years old, already divorced and living at home with her parents because she’s lost her job and can’t seem to find a new one.
Liza is almost the mirror image opposite of her mother, more practical and logical but she’s also frustrated with her own life. She’s married and the mother of twin teenage daughters who all take her for granted and she feels invisible.
This had all the ingredients for a fun story, which it was, but delivered so much more. Each of these women were at a crossroad in their lives and this trip gave them the opportunity to examine their options in a unique way. Kathleen was a godsend for Martha who, despite her loathing of driving, took the job to escape her oppressive home life. They were perfectly suited for one another as Martha appreciated and respected Kathleen’s life achievements and accomplishments, understanding that she was still a vibrant woman with lots more life ahead of her. Liza uses her mother’s absence to leave her family in London and stay in Cornwall as she reflects on her life, including her relationship with her mother.
I loved everything about this story as it was so much more than a comedic road trip. The women’s introspection was relatable and there were no easy solutions. Kathleen’s relationship with her daughter seemed problematic on the surface but as the layers of her life were explored, I got to see she was more complicated than what she presented. I listened to the story and enjoyed the narrator, even though the American accents needed some work at times. Otherwise, I felt her characterizations of all three women were wonderful. I can always count on this author to serve up a fascinating life journey and this one is exceptional.
Posted on
Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.) -
What a lovely story! Fun, witty, tender, and a bit emotional too.
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I can only hope that I will be a feisty and eccentric senior that can live in my own home for years to come. Independence is huge for anyone especially those in their later years. I love stories that combine the feisty nature of the elderly and the younger generation who need guidance and wisdom! This book is a fabulous example of that concept.
A beautifully written experience that combines a trip across America with two practical strangers which becomes a lesson in life and in living life. Morgan creates characters with fun-loving personalities in Kathleen and Martha, balanced with a stressed out daughter who is cracking under pressure of work, responsibilities, and missing her partner. The Summer Seekers is a showpiece that I can so relate to with the intersection of these three personalities. They balance and work together perfectly.
Morgan writes with a heart full of feeling and emotion that cracks your armor with each chapter. She weaves a tale that delights which is full of detail and surprises along with way. A story that is both familiar yet surprising and leaves you smiling and uplifted. A perfect summer escape story not to be missed!
* Copy received for review consideration
* Full Review -
https://amidlifewife.com/the-summer-s... -
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THE SUMMER SEEKERS by Sarah Morgan is an epic road trip of discovery all wrapped up in this women’s fiction novel for the summer. The adventure, heartbreak, joy and love intertwines between these three protagonists in Ms. Morgan’s enchanting story.
Kathleen is eighty years old and wants one more grand adventure. The original “Summer Seeker” knows she will need help with her planned journey across America on the original Route 66.
Martha is twenty-five, unemployed and living at home with her parents who continually compare her to her successful sister. She is ready for a change and what could be more of a change than crossing the ocean for a road trip driving and being the companion of an octogenarian.
Liza is Kathleen’s daughter and have a personal crisis of her own. Having believed she would be a better wife and mother than her own, she discovers she has become unappreciated and taken for granted. She decides to take her mother’s advice and begin to put herself first.
These three women embark on journeys that will make them all realize it is never too late to start over.
I loved this book so much! The three women, in the three main stages of life are unhappy and this book takes them on a beautiful emotional and enlightening journey of self-discovery. This is a character driven story with a great road trip that is the perfect summer get away read.
I highly recommend The Summer Seekers! -
The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan is a contemporary woman’s fiction read full of fun, family, travel and a bit of romance on the open road. The three main characters in this story are from three different generations and all are figuring out their lives in the best way that they can.
Kathleen is now an octogenarian who is still living on her own in her remote home when one night she finds an intruder in her kitchen. With some quick thinking Kathleen subdues the man with a bonk over the head with her heavy skillet. Kathleen’s daughter Liza isn’t so quick to write off her mother’s safety though and is ready to push for her to move.
Much to Liza’s dismay the encounter in the kitchen has the opposite effect on Kathleen leaving her feeling stronger than she has in years which leads her to missing her days of travel in her past while she worked on the show The Summer Seekers. Kathleen’s plan is to now hire a driver and travel the famous Route 66 in America. Martha, a young woman in her mid 20s, sees the ad for a driver and figures why not apply since she hasn’t figured out what she wants after her divorce.
So I should first admit that traveling Route 66 is one of those dream trips for me so of course I just had to pick this one up when I saw it. Thankfully though the characters in this book were wonderful so I quickly fell in love with watching them grow as I learned of their stories and joined them on all of their adventures. The book changes the point of view between them so you can enjoy all sides to their individual lives which gave a deeper level into all that was going on between all three and I enjoyed every minute of their journeys not only on the road but emotionally as well.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit
https://carriesbookreviews.com/ -
Another great read from Sarah Morgan and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I felt a little emotional when I had finished it, yearning for the story to carry on even more – a bit like Kathleen’s road trip.
With three female protagonists, initially they seem incredibly contrasting and I could not foresee how Martha and Kathleen would cope on such a lengthy road trip. However, as the novel progresses, we learn so much about Martha, Kathleen and Liza, proving that they each share emotional, turbulent backgrounds that all need addressing. Undoubtedly, the road trip across America did remind me of 'Thelma and Louise', especially as it becomes apparent that Martha and Kathleen are escaping demons from back home. Furthermore, when they pick up hitchhiker Josh, I could not help but picture Brad Pitt in the back of the sports car.
All of the characters and supporting cast are incredibly sweet. I found I wanted more from all of them – even though this book is already 400 pages long. I have found that Morgan structures her novels with rather lengthy chapters; this did not put me off as I was so intrigued to see the story progress. However, it is one you can’t easily dip in and out of; this novel does require your love and attention – a bit like the characters in the book.
Morgan explores the relationship between mother and daughter, Kathleen and Liza. From the opening, it is clear that this is a rather strained relationship, with Liza frustrated by her mother’s reckless behaviour. Liza cannot understand why Kathleen would want to embark on such a long trip at her ripe age of eighty years, even more so with a stranger who has not been vetted or has background checks. Therefore, we get a sense of Liza’s cautious and caring approach which sometimes verges on suffocating. I think this is why Kathleen rebels against Liza and here we see a role reversal of the mother-daughter relationship. On the other hand, I did applaud Kathleen’s thirst for life and wished I could join her on such an epic adventure. Kathleen is vivacious, entertaining and I loved her dry humour, making me chuckle as I imagined sitting in the car with her. However, it soon is revealed that Katherine has secret regrets and perhaps this road trip is not too dissimilar to Liza’s need to escape to Cornwall.
Martha, the driver of the trip, also desires to leave her mundane life. Living with her constantly criticising parents has worn her down. I chuckled over her attitude towards driving and really warmed to her character as she grew in confidence over the trip. I wanted her to be happy because Martha is such a loving character and it was like watching a grand-daughter with her nan, such was the developing relationship between her and Kathleen.
Not just a book about relationships, we are treated to some epic locations on Route 66. How jealous did I feel? Kathleen and Martha are doing a journey that I am sure so many of us can only dream of completing. Morgan’s vivid writing takes her readers with the duo and I felt the carefree abandonment that the travellers experienced as well. As the novel switches between the three women, I still found the narrative set in Cornwall, following Liza, equally refreshing. The sea air and fresh start for Liza was rejuvenating and it reminded me that I valued each woman’s story as the novel progressed.
This was a story that had me smiling throughout and left me wanting to go on a summer adventure myself. The characters are all very appealing and I felt like I was part of their friendship circle, reflecting the depth of Morgan’s narrative. Now, several books down the line with Morgan, I think I can safely say that there has never been a “dud book” at all and, if you have yet to sample her work, this might be a lovely, summer read to begin with.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -
This was such a warm summer read and I had so much fun reading any scenes that included witty and chipper Kathleen. It was the perfect, lighthearted escape for the season and I left the book feeling bittersweet but not sad, which was a worry of mine throughout the entire story. It was moving, emotional and also humorous in just the right places.
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Women’s contemporary fiction takes me 3/4 of the book to get into, but once I get into it—it’s great. This book is about three women. Kathleen who was an absent mother at 40 pursuing her career. Liza is Kathleen daughter who suffered not having her mom their emotionally growing up and thus being a people pleaser and stretching herself thin with her twin daughters & husband. Then there’s Martha a 25-ish woman who’s divorced and self conscious with a family who did nothing but compare her to her older sister who was successful and prettier. Martha decides to take Kathleen ad and apply to drive her across the USA on Route 66. Martha doesn’t know why and doesn’t care—she just wants to get out of her house with the no job and little to no money that she has.
Kathleen end goal is to see if she can visit her old best friend Ruth—who has a backstory that I won’t spoil. Does she end up meeting Ruth? Is Ruth even alive still?! Kathleen is in her 80s after all.
Liza runs away to compose herself and find herself again. Will her husband realize he has been neglecting the one person who holds the family together? Will her twin girls start to value her in her absence or was the highlight of this trip Finn?!
Martha is looking for a fresh start and a way to escape her family and her cheating ex husband David who keeps calling her over and over. Her parents blame her for the divorce and thinks she will never find someone as “great” as David. She is looking for anything to leave. Hence the ad she responded to with Kathleen.
Can these women find the happiness they all desperately crave and deserve?! Well you’ll have to read this book to find out ;) -
Positively delightful!
Georgina Sutton is one of my favorite audiobook narrators and she made it so enjoyable! This story follows 3 women (Kathleen, Martha, and Liza) and their personal journeys. Things wove together by the end nicely! I really enjoyed the audio and think this would be a fun one to add to your summer reading. -
4,5 ⭐️
Le storie della Morgan riempiono sempre il cuore e si leggono sempre con piacere ☺️ -
lukewarm just like this cover!
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4.5 stelle
Io amo molto i libri di Sarah Morgan, ultimamente con i suoi romanzi corali, ci fa entrare nel mondo femminile, con storie di donne della porta accanto, con le loro difficoltà, dolori, gioie, in cui possiamo immedesimarci molto facilmente...
Kathleen, Liza e Martha, tre donne che ci mostrano come ogni tappa della nostra vita, dalla giovinezza alla piena maturità, costituiscono una sfida da affrontare, senza mai arrendersi alle difficoltà, paure, insicurezze, ma ascoltandosi, e tendendosi la mano a vicenda, il cammino si fa più lieve, i rapporti rifioriscono... -
4.5 stelline
Tre donne apparentemente diverse e un'estate da ricordare che cambierà la vita a tutte e tre . La Morgan non racconta mai storie banali -
This was a bit different from the Christmas book s I have read by Morgan. But none the less it was a fast read and help my attention. I hope you get a chance to read it. My favorite character was Liza and then Kathleen came in a strong second.
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A road trip along Route 66 with an eighty-something and a twenty-something sounded all sorts of summer fun so I snatched up a copy and settled in to enjoy a journey of the soul for three women by a new to me author.
The Summer Seekers opens with Kathleen discovering an intruder in her cottage on the Cornish coast and she quickly dispenses with that danger. While this night-time adventure awakens her after years of simply going through the motions since her husband’s death, her daughter Liza doesn’t see it that way. Liza is her mum’s opposite. Kathleen is not done having adventures and determines that she is up for one more and sets off on a summer road trip across America to face a bit of her past and find her old self along the way. Going along with Kathleen is Martha, a recent divorcee who answered Kathleen’s ad for a driver.
The book hits all the emotions from humor to private pain. The story is a multi-generational, three woman point of view. Liza back in Cornwall and Kathleen and Martha in America. I confess to enjoying the vibrant Kathleen and tentative Martha’s part the best, but I was cheering on lost and unhappy Liza, too. Being closest in age to Liza, I related to a lot of her thoughts and actions, but I saw Martha as a bit of my past and hope to be something like Kathleen in my future. The author wrote these women so that their flaws and strengths made them richly developed and interesting. I have to admit that Kathleen’s neighbor, a reclusive rockstar tickled me each time he appeared in the story and I loved the little adventure Liza had with him. Incidentally, I think everyone who is feeling the heavy side of life should have an adventure.
I do wish the road trip descriptions could have been more prominent, but I get that this was a character-focused story so the travel adventures had to be less to develop that. Though, don’t get me wrong, the traveling side is not neglected. I thought it was hilarious that Martha applied for the job as driver and ended up driving a sports car when she’s terrified of driving. I confess this is a preference for more because I love taking road trips and have enjoyed several with family and friends over the years though never all the way down Route 66…
All in all, this was a heartwarming and thoughtful story about people who drifted apart, lost their way, and needed to face some issues to restore life’s joy and have a little romance. The writing drew me close and left me wanting to pick up more of the author’s books. This is perfect for a summer beach read and I can recommend it to women’s fic or chick lit fans who love focus on multi-generational women characters.
My thanks to Harlequin for providing the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Tour review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer blog on May 19th. -
THE SUMMER SEEKERS has got to be the best feel good story I have read in a long time. Hang on to your seats, it’s a crazy rollercoaster ride! At first, the story is fun and light. Then it takes a turn and gets emotional and deals with many different heavy situations. Kathleen is eighty years young and bored. She decides she needs some adventure in her life and hires a driver for a road trip across the USA! While her mother is away her daughter Liza is having a midlife crisis and decides to stay at Kathleen’s cottage while she is away. Wow! She finds out things about her mother that she never knew. After reading THE SUMMER SEEKERS, I want to hang out with Kathleen and go on a road trip with her and Martha too!
I have only read Sarah Morgan twice before but after reading THE SUMMER SEEKERS I know I will be reading everything by her that I can get my hands on. She hooked me from the very first page. I found myself totally absorbed in this story and I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters within this heart tugging story. I found all of the characters very real and relatable and it was interesting to read how they are all dealing with their troubles in very different ways and it takes a summer away to try and help them.
THE SUMMER SEEKERS has it all, adventure, heartbreak, great dialogue, and awesome characters. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! I have made it a quest to catch up on the rest of Sarah’s books because her writing is just that good. She makes her readers feel every emotion her characters are feeling to the point where you feel as if you are right there, riding along with them. My emotions were on a wild roller coaster ride from the first page all the way until the very end. At first I really tried to read it slowly and make it last, but soon I was so caught up in everyone’s lives and business, I was flipping the pages like a mad woman.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
"What if something happens?"
The perfect summer beach read.
"I hope something does happen. It will be a crushing disappointment to travel 2,400 miles and not encounter a single adventurous moment."
Sarah Morgan never fails.
My favorite quote:
"Confidence and bravery can be lost if they're not used." -
Sarah Morgan's books never fail to cheer me up, and transport me away from the reality of my life and this was it turns out the perfect book for me to read while I was battling with Covid vaccination side affects.
I was able to lose myself within the pages and didn't feel as ill as I was generally feeling while I was reading the story,
And it's such a feel good book about three generations of women, and one epic road trip along Route 66.
We have Kathleen who is 80 and is used to a life of travel and adventure and has decided she wants what could be her last big adventure, one she has been putting off but always wanted to do, which is to travel along Route 66, in a mustang.
However she no longer drives so advertises for someone who is willing to do the driving and settles on Martha who is 25 and very happy to leave her life behind for the summer to take this trip, even if she isn't entirely honest about her driving ability. Martha is though a tonic and she is so bright and chatty, that you know she will add colour to the trip.
And then there is Liza, Kathleen's daughter, who is going through a bit of a marriage crisis, while also worrying a lot about her mother who she isn't particularly close to and isn't to thrilled at the thought of her going off on a road trip with a stranger.
I loved the alternating focuses on the three characters, for Kathleen has a big secret from her past which we will get to see be uncovered, Martha really need to gain some confidence in her life choices, after years of feeling second best to her sister, and Liza needs to re-discover herself in a role that isn't a wife and mother.
And I loved the road trip itself, and got a feel for the various places along the route, and kind of wish I had been in the car with them. In part because it would mean I was travelling again, and also because it really is a once in a life time trip.
There was just such a great dynamic between Kathleen and Martha, and I loved the way that Liza was able to develop over the course of the book too.
The Summer Seekers is another in a very long line of simply impressively enjoyable and fabulous books from Sarah Morgan. Although Kathleen would probably tell me off for too much hyperbole for that last sentence! However I don't care as it's completely true, it's another wonderful book from one of of my favourite auto read authors!
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. -
The Summer Seekers is my second novel by Sarah Morgan. This contemporary woman’s fiction read is full of fun, family, travel and soupçons of romance. The three main characters in this story are from different generations and are all trying to get the most from their lives in the best way they can.
The reader is introduced to the three protagonists, Kathleen, Liza and Martha. Octogenarian Kathleen has had a road trip on her wish list for years which will take her on Route 66 and on to California. But she gets up one night feeling thirsty after eating salty bacon and disturbs an intruder. She manages to defend herself with a skillet, but in the struggle, receives a blow to her own head. Liza, Kathleen's daughter, has troubles of her own. She is finding it difficult juggling the demands of family life and is worried about the state of her marriage to Sean. Martha is an anxious twenty-four-year-old who was working at a coffee shop and is living with her parents and sister, Pippa. These three women are hoping for adventure as they share their emotional journeys.
The characters seemed to leap out at me from within the pages and I found I had something in common with all of them, so I could personally relate. The level of imagery was excellent and the author's particular cocktail of drama, heartbreak and adventure were perfect, drawing me in from the opening pages. This is a really riveting story where the event-filled and emotionally driven narrative held me captive, making it difficult to move from my reading armchair. The Summer Seekers is a charming story that draws on the personalities of the quality protagonists and I'm sure it will appeal to many.
Thanks to NetGalley, HQN Books and the author, Sarah Morgan for the complimentary copy. This is my honest and totally voluntary review. -
3,5-4 Tres grandes historias las de Kathleen, Liza y Martha. El pasado con sus heridas, el presente con la inercia y siempre con las decisiones que tienen que tomarse.
Tres mujeres distintas unidad por lazos de familia o amistad que aprenden mucho de sí mismas en un viaje literal y metafórico hacia lo importante.
Esta autora siempre es un acierto. -
Wat een prachtig verhaal , de enige reden waarom ik het geen 5 sterren geef is omdat het nèt iets te kort is . Met 20 pagina's erbij was er ruimte geweest voor een epiloog .
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Firstly interesting characters. Kathleen has lived a life, she likes adventure and not being stuck safe somewhere. She lives in a delightful cottage with a half blind three legged cat. She has a few things in her life that haven't been faced or acknowledged. She keeps to herself and isn't free around emotions and touch.
Her daughter Liza is a modern mother, caring for the family, holding down a job and supporting a busy family life with teenage daughter twins. But... she is denying her own needs, and she wants to organise her mother and make sure she is safe.
Martha is delightful but without a job, and when Kathleen wants a driver for a trip across America well she is game to give it a go. Her family are not that supportive of her so she doesn't recognise the wonderful qualities she has... until she meets Kathleen.
There is a fun road adventure in a red convertible, with plenty happening along the way. But what is more important than the outer journey is the inner journey that each of the women make.
It's a very satisfying read, I liked that it didn't dwell on long details of the trip, it moved along very smoothly. More time was given to what was happening for each of the characters and the journey of self discovery they were making. -
Forty-year-old Liza doesn’t have a whole lot of free time, but lately she’s been using those moments worrying that her marriage is in trouble. Between working, twin teenage daughters, and a never-ending to-do list, there’s no time for herself let alone her marriage. Liza feels overwhelmed and unappreciated, and I was ticked off on her behalf!
Eighty-year-old Kathleen is being pressured by her daughter, Liza, to sell her beloved home by the sea and move into a residential home. Kathleen has always been an independent woman, she traveled the globe for her show, The Summer Seekers, and she has no intention of giving in. After a wake-up call, Kathleen decides it’s time for another trip, this time to the States driving the historic Route 66. Now all she needs is a driver and this is where Martha comes in.
Martha is living back at home after a few setbacks. She’s reminded constantly of her “bad choices” by her family and it’s chipping away at her soul. When she stumbles upon Kathleen’s ad she jumps at the chance for employment and escape
This story and these women touched my heart! I felt a connection to all of them! I think most can relate to the situations these women found themselves in: What it feels like to be an overwhelmed wife and mother, to question choices and keep oneself at arm’s length for emotional protection. These characters were far from perfect and had made mistakes. Most notable to me was Kathleen and her relationship with her daughter, a bit distant and seemingly cold on her part, but as her story was revealed I could understand how she got there. Liza’s story really spoke to me as a wife and mother, but I found all the stories emotionally compelling.
I can’t talk about The Summer Seekers without mentioning the setting and how vividly it came to life though the author’s talented writing! Oakwood, Kathleen’s home on the Cornish coast sounded beautiful and full of character. I’d never want to sell either! The road trip on Route 66, with all the regional charms made me eager to embark on a road trip of my own!
The Summer Seekers was such a realistic and heartwarming story! The perfect summer read! There’s self-discovery, a bit of romance and a restoration of love and understanding. I loved their journeys to happiness!
A copy was kindly provided by HQN Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
The Summer Seekers is an entertaining and fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed following Kathleen and Martha on their journey along Route 66, their adventures and all the places they visited along the way. The imagery the author created here is fabulous and also at Oakwood Cottage, the beach, the weather and the food all sounded beautiful and idyllic. There is a good solid page-turning plot which is really well thought through from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed the touches of humour sprinkled throughout and there are some lovely heartwarming moments.
The characters are well developed and extremely likeable. The story centres around three multigenerational women in various stages of their life. Kathleen, the older woman is in her eighties but young at heart and is itching for adventure and a little taster of the life she once had. Liza is Kathleen’s daughter, she has two teenage daughters and is practical and dependable in every way. She organises her family’s life to the letter and they seemingly cannot cope without her. Her family rely on her too much and she never takes any time for herself and craves some alone time. Martha is the youngest at 25 years old and trying to get her life back in order after recently finding herself unemployed and recovering from a relationship breakup. I loved Martha, she’s exuberant, funny and never stops talking. She loathes driving and she only took the job as Kathleen’s driver to escape her oppressive home life and the breakup. It was wonderful to see the development of the close friendship she formed with Kathleen over the course of the car journey. The combination of age ranges worked really well and made for an upbeat and interesting story, some of the scenes towards the end were quite emotional and it was adorable seeing all of the relationships fall into place.
The Summer Seekers is a riveting story with the perfect combination of adventure, humour and romance. The ideal summer read which you will not be able to put down.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG -
There is just something special for me about listening to an audiobook that is narrated by someone with an accent and I could’ve listened to Georgina Sutton’s voice all damn day. It was soothing and melodic and coupled with the beautiful story SM wrote it was an absolutely delightful listen for me.
I’m such a fan of stories about unlikely friendships and the relationship between Kathleen and Martha was just the type of odd pairing that I enjoy. At first glance these two have nothing in common but maybe they can learn a thing or two from each other? Kathleen’s zest for life and feisty personality is the opposite of Martha’s hesitation and shyness but these two balanced each other out perfectly, I just adored them both separately and together. Their adventurous road trip swept me away and made me feel like I was cruising down Route 66 alongside them and the settings were well described and full of life. Liza was an added bonus to two wonderful characters and I so enjoyed her journey to find what makes herself happy instead of being constantly consumed by what her family needs, I think most mothers can relate to that, I know I sure did. This was heartfelt, funny and warm and overall just a lovely and sweet read. -
The Summer Seekers is a heartwarming book, a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation. The characters in this book, especially Kathleen, Liza, and Martha, quickly became dear to me. I wanted so badly for each of them to find happiness and peace, and a future filled with love. They all three have things to work through, emotional barriers to break down, and I loved being along for the ride. They made me laugh and cry; I worried about them, I celebrated with them. This book needs to be in everybody’s beach bag—an uplifting book that takes us all on a journey, from England to Chicago to California and all points in-between, cheering on these wonderful characters!
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f o u r🌟
Gosh this book was something i truly didn’t expect. I picked it up just judging off of cover and i didn’t read the summary on the back. Everyone in the reviews has pretty much told you all you need to know. I loved the character so much, liza was pretty annoying in the beginning, i actually considering marking as a DNF just because of her. But as you continue reading you watch all of the characters grow. This was the first book i’ve read that i felt like i needed to annotate, the amount of tabs i have in this book is insane. I would totally recommend this book to anyone who may need inspiration to live life on the edge, and see the importance in mistakes and choices from your past.
