Member Reviews
Really enjoyed this book by Sarah Morgan; I've read quite a few of hers and this rates up there with the rest!
Kathleen is in her 80's and used to present a travel show on TV called Summer Seekers; she still yearns for the excitement and life she led then but age is preventing her or is it?? Kathleen was happily married for many years, has a daughter called Liza and 2 granddaughters (twins). Her husband has passed away and she is wanting a last chance at travel and adventure.
Her daughter Liza is really busy juggling the demands of her daughters and husband, thinks this is not a good idea but agrees by making sure her mum has a companion to go with her and make sure all is well. The trip is across America along Route 66. Enter Martha who is at a crossroads of her life and is eager to leave all the stresses behind.
So starts the adventure road trip and both discovering new horizons but more importantly, more about themselves.
A great summer read - well recommend it.
What a gorgeous read! The characters all leapt off the page fully formed and very quickly found a place in my affections.
Liza was quite an annoying character to start with, but once the story was underway, the reasons became clear and her behaviours were totally understandable.
The settings (the wilds of Cornwall and Route 66 road trip in the USA) are described so brilliantly that I found myself there with them.
This is not only a story of an epic adventure, but also a joyful discovery of life for all three main characters, after some serious soul-searching . I found myself smiling at their antics and celebrating with their successes. Long hidden secrets finally rising to the surface and the growing bond between the three main characters (Liza, Martha and Kathleen) was heartwarming.
I loved following along with the adventures of these three women, from varying stages of their lives. A read to make you smile.
I found that this was a slow burner initially, but once those foundations were laid it fast became a page turner.
This was a book where the characters were finding their inner selves and rediscovering the enjoyment and passion in life. Connections were made between the characters and each character was spontaneous in their own way.
Kathleen at the grand age of 80 lives on the Cornish coast with the remote beach, sea and green land. This is all rather charming until she comes face to face with an intruder. Her need to go on an adventure increases when her daughter Liza insists that she needs to move into a residential home. Martha answers Kathleen’s advert for a driver to accompany her on a trip of a lifetime to America. Martha is recently divorced and rather low on self-esteem, not to mention unemployed. The two ladies set off on their journey whilst Liza has a frightening realisation and begins to do some soul searching.
Eliza realises that she needs to be honest to herself and that she needs to reconnect with her husband. They begin to rediscover all the little reasons for them both falling in love with each other.
It is a reminder to us all. Always keep thinking of your dreams, both big and small. Even more importantly, share them with your loved one.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Sarah Morgan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Love Sarah Morgan’s books I’ve read a few and I think this may be my new favourite. Perfect escapism thank you
Well what a fabulous read this was, multiple POV following Kathleen (the grandmother) Liza (the daughter) and Martha (the driver) each character was well thought out and had distinct personalities.
Kathleen used to wander the world, sometimes at the detriment of her family, but she is hiding from her past and trying to run away. Liza has a strained relationship with her mother and her husband at the moment too, feeling taken for granted. Martha is struggling to know what to do with her life.
As Kathleen decides to travel route 66, each of their lives intersects more and we see new relationships form.
Ooh this was so close to being a 5 star read for me, it had everything I love in a book, old character, intergenerational friendship, starting over, it just ended a bit too abruptly for my liking, all was solved in what seemed like only a few pages. I need a follow up of some sort.
I am becoming, yet, another massive fan of this author and my thanks to Netgalley for the privilege of reading this story!
This book follows three women in different stages of life, all of whom are unhappy. It's is a character driven novel about self discovery and realising it's never too late to start over. A great summer or travel read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book.
Such a lovely uplifting tale, the perfect summer time read.
Another gorgeous escapism novel from the queen of upbeat - Sarah Morgan.
A contemporary romance tale with a sprinkle of sunshine, match making and soul searching. Kathleen is 80, lives alone and wants adventure. Her daughter, Lisa, wants her to take things easy and think about selling her cottage by the sea.
Kathleen decides to embark on the journey of a lifetime on a road trip across America. She advertises for a driver and it is here we meet Martha. A great opportunity for Martha who is living with her parents after just getting divorced. Martha and Kathleen embark on an epic road trip together and discover their true inner selves.
I really enjoyed the character dynamics and having an octogenarian as the main character was a real page turner.
The book started off light but built up to be heavy and emotional. A solid good read with memorable characters which makes the reader think about their own life choices.
Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book
I found myself speed reading this just to get through it. To me the plot is rather formulaic and predictable but the writing style let it down. It explained everything and left no room for one’s own imagination and perception.
Having said that I needed something light-hearted and this certainly was that. It was cute but a bit shallow for my liking.
With thanks to Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I kept thinking I’d read this before, then realised the plot is just so similar to at least one of Morgan’s previous books. An ok escapist read, but too samey for me to really enjoy it.
I am a massive, massive fan of Sarah Morgan so I had high expectations for this book. It didn't disappoint! It had all of the trademark Sarah Morgan traits - humour, lust, romance, love, family and more. It is a truly fabulous book!
Despite this review being over a year late I always enjoy a Sarah Morgan book there is usually a good mix of ages in the characters and there is always going to be a beautiful destination, this being no exception with the beautiful coast of Cornwall and Route 66. When Kathleen wants something she finds a way to get it despite her daughter Liza’s protestations. Martha is desperate to escape her family belittling her all the time so when she comes across an advert from Kathleen she jumps at the chance to escape her life. Full of secrets and self discovery a fantastic summer read
I think I must have read just about every book Sarah Morgan has had published, and I have loved every single one, so I had high expectations for this one. Pleased to say I was not disappointed. Loved it, and can't wait for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and HQ for approving me for an ARC of this book.
The Summer Seekers is told from the POV of three women; Kathleen, Martha and Liza. Kathleen at eighty years old has planned the trip of a lifetime, much to the annoyance of her daughter Liza. I thought Kathleen was a cracker! Her no nonsense attitude and determination to not let her ago stop her was admirable and made me realise that, provided you are fit and healthy there is truly nothing stopping you from enjoying life and adventure at any age. The more I learnt about Kathleen’s past and why she was so distant from everyone the more I sympathised with her. She came across as such a strong person but behind it all she was harbouring some very painful memories.
When Martha came into the story I could tell she was going to get on with Kathleen so well and the two of them would get up to mischief! Once again there was an interesting back story to Martha and Kathleen’s match making skills seem to be just what the doctor ordered! The banter between these two characters on the road trip often had me giggling and smiling away. I was so pleased with how Martha’s story turned out.
Our final storyteller, Liza, was certainly in a rut. I related most to Liza and her hectic routine. It’s only been recently that I have started to find the balance between being a mum, a wife, running and business and making time for me. I did feel that strained relationship between Liza and her mother, which made me feel sad for both of them. Of all the characters I saw the biggest change in Liza, compared to how she started and admired her candidness, especially with her husband.
These three women all had their faults and the problems but that was what made this book so enjoyable. Seeing the three women unravel and change whilst on their own journey was pure joy and whilst I did giggle on a few occasions I also shed a few tears along the way!
An enjoyable holiday read.
Probably not my favourite of Sarah Morgans but still a great read, with some lovely characters.
Glad I finally got round to reading this as it was just what I needed on a gloomy day! ! Fun, witty, tender, and a bit emotional too, it took a little while to get into it but I did enjoy
Loved this one! Its such a great feel good novel that leaves you smiling. I found it really uplifting and I would reccomend to my friends
Wow I loved this story so much! Story of Kathleen who has a troubled past that she's not shared with her daughter and a long road trip destined to uncover the past. Then Liza who is stuck in a life she didn't envisage and desperate to be closer to her mum. And Martha who is fed up of being criticized by her family and compared to her sister. The story tells the tale from the different perspective of all. A really easy enjoyable read that shows life is what you make it and age is no boundary!