2.5-Star Review of A Little Getaway by Bonnie Traymore
The Little Getaway offers an intriguing premise with Morgan and Kyle Murphy's marriage at the center of a suspenseful story filled with secrets, suspicions, and betrayal. The plot promises spice, thrills, and twists as Morgan navigates her husband’s shady dealings and increasing distance, leading to a weekend getaway that takes a deadly turn. Unfortunately, while the story is fast-paced and has several twists that will keep readers turning the pages, it ultimately falls short of delivering on its potential.
One of the biggest drawbacks is Morgan herself. Her actions are erratic and often hard to justify, making it difficult to connect with her. While we’re given glimpses of her troubled past, they don’t feel genuine enough to flesh out her character. Morgan seems more focused on repeatedly reminding the reader of how clever and beautiful she is, only to make questionable decisions that make her character frustrating rather than sympathetic. It’s hard to root for her when there’s not much depth beyond the surface.
The story is marketed as a “Spicy Suspense Thriller,” but the spice is noticeably absent. The book talks about it, but it never quite delivers, and the plot feels more like a straightforward mystery than the suspense-filled ride I expected. While the first couple of chapters drew me in, as the story progressed, the plot began to feel unrealistic and a bit disjointed, with too many unbelievable situations.
That said, I enjoyed the perspective of Tara—it was fast-paced and focused more on the mystery, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to lift the book overall. The writing itself is another letdown, feeling rushed and poorly executed in places.
I was genuinely surprised that this book holds an average rating of 3.80 on Goodreads. The plot is mildly interesting, but the writing and character development drag it down. While A Little Getaway is a quick and easy read, it’s not one that will stick with you.
Thank you to Bonnie Traymore, Books Go Social, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC.