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 ( )

This was such a cute, charming book. I loved Kathleen, the eighty-four year old main character right away. In Kathleen's growing restlessness, she comes to the conclusion that, "She'd been living here in her safe little world, moored in a harbor instead of heading boldly out to sea." She yearns to feel alive and free again and so she decides a trip across America is just the cure. Her idea is met with alot of disdain from her daughter, Eliza who is a very safe, serious and responsible person. Eliza cares for everyone except herself and has a "crushing sense of responsibility" to care for her loved ones. When she goes to Kathleen's home to finally get some time to herself, she begins to finally unwind.

So then Martha comes into the picture when Kathleen places an advertisement to hire a driver for her trip. Martha is recently divorced and feels like her summer will be a "long, gloomy road." When she sees the advertisement, she meets Kathleen and they take off on their journey.

All three women will deal with thoughts and feelings that they have been burying and avoiding as they seek the perfect summer. ( )

Fun Summer / Road Trip Tale With Heart And Laughs. This is one of those books that is great escapism, and yet also clicks on so many levels in your "real" world - almost no matter your situation. You've got a lot of growth here across three generations of women in a family (80 yr old grandmother who wasn't always around for her daughter and who has secrets, 40s ish mother who is at the end of her rope, twin teens daughters who are doing usual Zoomer teen girl stuff) - but then you *also* throw in a reasonably well developed husband (not a focus of the tale, and yet not written as an absolute brute either) and a pair of strangers with their own well developed and complicated backstories. Truly a great road trip tale along the classic Route 66, with the usual hilarity and hijinx along the way - and *also* truly a great summer "break from reality" tale of finding yourself and what really matters - both in one (longer, 400 page) book. Very much recommended. ( )

First real summer read. A very sweet book and no one died! ( )

If your idea of a fun vacation is a road trip along historic and scenic Route 66, Sarah Morgan's novel The Summer Seekers will take you there in a Mustang convertible no less. It's the story of three women in different stages of life who choose to escape from their lives, if only for a little while.

Kathleen is a vibrant eighty year-old widow, living in her family home by the sea in Cornwall, England. After she surprises an intruder in her home with a smash of her frying pan to his head, her daughter Liza becomes convinced that they should move Kathleen to a retirement home and sell the family home.

Instead, Kathleen plans a trip to America, traveling from Chicago to California along the famous Route 66. She advertises for a driver, and twenty-something Martha shows up. Martha is looking to get away from her family's home following the death of her beloved grandma and the collapse of her short-lived marriage after she catches her newlywed husband in bed with another woman.

The fact that Martha is not a very experienced (or good) driver doesn't faze Kathleen, nor does Liza's disapproval. Kathleen and Martha fly to Chicago, and Kathleen shows Martha the good life, starting with fancy cocktails and lobster risotto at the rooftop restaurant of their hotel.

For twenty years Kathleen hosted a television travel show called The Summer Seekers. It took her away from home and Liza, and their relationship suffered as a result. Perhaps because of that, Liza is a very hands-on mother to her twin teenage daughters. She does everything for her children and loving-but-work-obsessed husband Sean. They depend on her for everything.

When Sean forgets their anniversary, Liza leaves and goes to her mother's home to get away to think. She relaxes, and indulges in a lot of 'self-care'. She enjoys being responsible only for herself, walking the beach, and even taking up painting again.

Kathleen picks up a hitchhiker named Josh much to the dismay of Martha. Kathleen encourages Martha to open herself up, and she hopes to make a love match between Josh and Martha. The three continue on their way along Route 66, seeing the sights and eating in the best reviewed diners.

Martha, Kathleen, and Josh become close spending so much time together. They draw each other out, and eventually Martha discovers why Kathleen wants to go to California.

The Summer Seekers has characters you care about, and you will root for Kathleen, Martha and Liza to each to find what they are seeking. You'll feel the wind blowing through your hair as your ride along Route 66, and the sea breeze and sun on your face as you walk along the beach with Liza. Toss this one in your beach bag, it's a great summer escape.

Thanks to Harlequin for putting me on their Beach Reads Summer Tour. ( )