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The Getaway Girls
One morning, Connie McColl wakes up and decides to swap her ordinary life, for an extraordinary adventure…
Connie McColl is finally free to make her own decisions for the first time in decades. And when she meets glamorous Gill and downtrodden Maggie, at a rather dull flower arranging class, it seems that she’s not the only one dreaming of adventure. The three very different women all agree it’s about time they had a holiday to remember.
So they make a pact for this summer to be their best yet - and drive off into the sunset together…
As they meander their way along the beautiful beaches of France and onto the glorious delights of Italy in their luxury campervan, the new friends have plenty of fun and frolics in the sunshine. But the vacation isn’t quite what they expected…
Gill will do anything to have one last holiday romance, Connie has a surprise inheritance awaiting her in Italy, and Maggie has a secret that is going to catch up with them all…
In the end, all three women discover that the journey they thought would be their last really is just the beginning…
Connie McColl is finally free to make her own decisions for the first time in decades. And when she meets glamorous Gill and downtrodden Maggie, at a rather dull flower arranging class, it seems that she’s not the only one dreaming of adventure. The three very different women all agree it’s about time they had a holiday to remember.
So they make a pact for this summer to be their best yet - and drive off into the sunset together…
As they meander their way along the beautiful beaches of France and onto the glorious delights of Italy in their luxury campervan, the new friends have plenty of fun and frolics in the sunshine. But the vacation isn’t quite what they expected…
Gill will do anything to have one last holiday romance, Connie has a surprise inheritance awaiting her in Italy, and Maggie has a secret that is going to catch up with them all…
In the end, all three women discover that the journey they thought would be their last really is just the beginning…
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2018
2982 people are currently reading
5333 people want to read
About the author
Dee MacDonald
16 books265 followersThe Runaway Wife is Dee’s first (published) novel but in fact she wrote her very first book – at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 594 reviews
August 2, 2018
5 Fabulously FUN Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎵 and we’ll have fun, fun, fun, till the grandkids take the RV away!🎵
This was such a delightful and fun book from first page to last! This is the follow-up to “ The Runaway Wife “ an equally delightful book, however it can absolutely 100% be read as a standalone.... and I strongly encourage you to pick both of these books up! Filled with so much fun and fabulous characters and the best part these characters are pushing 70.... whether you are 20 or 69 or older, it is just so nice reading a book about women in the later part of their life having the time of their lives! It is good to know the best is yet to come!
This time Connie has traded in Kermit the car for Bella the RV... now living in London teaching flower arranging classes... Connie is starting to get itchy feet... having recently learned of a long lost relative in Italy she decides to purchase an RV and head on a road trip, but this time not alone.... Maggie and Gil, two women taking her flower arranging classes needed to get away as well so they join Connie on this journey.... these ladies were acquaintances before the road trip and part of the fun of this book was watching the bond between them grow and grow and grow.... three very different women bonding over life experiences and learning you still have things to learn no matter your age....
There is also a bit of a dark side in this book.... Maggie left London with $100,000 and left behind an angry man! An angry man determined to catch up with her... can these three ladies have the road trip of their dreams even with that maroon Lexus chasing them? Well you my friends are going to need to read this book to find out! And truly how can you beat a book with fabulous characters visiting beautiful France and Italy? Allowing you to vacation vicariously through them.... loved all the sites, the beauty, the food, the vineyards,and most of all the people...
An absolutely perfect summer read that I would strongly recommend to all!💕
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this delightful book ***
🎵 and we’ll have fun, fun, fun, till the grandkids take the RV away!🎵
This was such a delightful and fun book from first page to last! This is the follow-up to “ The Runaway Wife “ an equally delightful book, however it can absolutely 100% be read as a standalone.... and I strongly encourage you to pick both of these books up! Filled with so much fun and fabulous characters and the best part these characters are pushing 70.... whether you are 20 or 69 or older, it is just so nice reading a book about women in the later part of their life having the time of their lives! It is good to know the best is yet to come!
This time Connie has traded in Kermit the car for Bella the RV... now living in London teaching flower arranging classes... Connie is starting to get itchy feet... having recently learned of a long lost relative in Italy she decides to purchase an RV and head on a road trip, but this time not alone.... Maggie and Gil, two women taking her flower arranging classes needed to get away as well so they join Connie on this journey.... these ladies were acquaintances before the road trip and part of the fun of this book was watching the bond between them grow and grow and grow.... three very different women bonding over life experiences and learning you still have things to learn no matter your age....
There is also a bit of a dark side in this book.... Maggie left London with $100,000 and left behind an angry man! An angry man determined to catch up with her... can these three ladies have the road trip of their dreams even with that maroon Lexus chasing them? Well you my friends are going to need to read this book to find out! And truly how can you beat a book with fabulous characters visiting beautiful France and Italy? Allowing you to vacation vicariously through them.... loved all the sites, the beauty, the food, the vineyards,and most of all the people...
An absolutely perfect summer read that I would strongly recommend to all!💕
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this delightful book ***
July 17, 2018
I needed a break from dark, psychological thrillers. And this book billed itself as a “hilarious feel-good summer read”. First off, the publishers set themselves up because it’s not hilarious. I’d call it mildly amusing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a sweet book, but I was lead to expect something else.
Three gals in their late sixties decide to head off on a road trip to Italy. One of them has a darker secret than the others, which puts them all at risk. As I am not much younger than them, I found it impossible they didn’t understand how they were being tracked. Or do I read too many mysteries?
This is enjoyable but nothing special. An easy, fast read that will entertain you for an afternoon. Don’t expect too much and don’t believe the hype and you’ll be fine
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
June 25, 2018
First let me start off by saying kudos to the author for writing a follow up book that can easily be read by anyone. I had no idea going into The Getaway Girls by Dee MacDonald that Connie is the lead character from the authors first book, The Runaway Wife, and this is a continuation of her story. I actually didn’t find this out until I was finished reading and hit the about section when the story was done but I loved every minute of this one and never felt as if I missed something somewhere.
The story starts off as Connie is finishing up a class she had been taken with Maggie and Gill. The ladies are somewhat friends but not really that close so when Connie starts getting the idea of buying a motor home and traveling from England to Italy she wonders what the heck is she really thinking when she considers inviting them along.
As different as these three ladies are though for one reason or another they are all nearing seventy and ready for an adventure of a lifetime. So Connie’s desire of tracking down her family roots across a couple of countries suddenly becomes on giant adventure after another as the trio travel and strengthen their friendship into a life long bond.
This story was a wonderful little read holding so many fun things within the pages. First, we don’t have your average young characters but three elderly ladies that will show up a few youngsters. There’s also action and suspense when one character brings a bit of trouble into the trip, there’s a bit of romance with one looking for love and a whole lot of female bonding and friendship. And as an added bonus for someone like me that loves the idea of virtually traveling along with my characters these ladies do it in the most fun way taking their time and seeing the sites on their road trip of my dreams. Definitely recommend checking out this little gem!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The story starts off as Connie is finishing up a class she had been taken with Maggie and Gill. The ladies are somewhat friends but not really that close so when Connie starts getting the idea of buying a motor home and traveling from England to Italy she wonders what the heck is she really thinking when she considers inviting them along.
As different as these three ladies are though for one reason or another they are all nearing seventy and ready for an adventure of a lifetime. So Connie’s desire of tracking down her family roots across a couple of countries suddenly becomes on giant adventure after another as the trio travel and strengthen their friendship into a life long bond.
This story was a wonderful little read holding so many fun things within the pages. First, we don’t have your average young characters but three elderly ladies that will show up a few youngsters. There’s also action and suspense when one character brings a bit of trouble into the trip, there’s a bit of romance with one looking for love and a whole lot of female bonding and friendship. And as an added bonus for someone like me that loves the idea of virtually traveling along with my characters these ladies do it in the most fun way taking their time and seeing the sites on their road trip of my dreams. Definitely recommend checking out this little gem!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 30, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Firstly, I need to mention that this book is the follow-up book to ‘The Runaway Wife’. I hadn’t realised it was until someone else pointed it out to me and that was when I was over half-way through. At no point in time did I ever feel that I didn’t understand the story perfectly. This book works well as a stand-alone if anything it has made me want to read the first book to see where Connie’s Story starts.
Connie had been running a flower-arranging course for a while but decided that she needed a change and to get away for a while, especially after discovering that she has an inheritance waiting for her from a relative she never knew about in Italy. Rather than fly to Italy she decides to buy a Motorhome and drive there.
Two of her pupils from the flower-arranging course is intrigued by her decision and decide that they would love to join her. She doesn’t know them very well, more acquaintances than friends, but she agrees to let them go on the adventure with her.
Maggie has had enough of her ‘boyfriend’ Ringer. He’s been in and out of prison for the last 40 years he’s been in her life and now he’s been spotted with another woman. Gill is still trying to live in the past with her beehive hair and dressing like it is still 1960. With a big birthday on the horizon (70th, though she tells everyone it’s her 60th), she doesn’t want to be at home and have a massive party.
The three women set off crossing through France first, seeing all the famous landmarks before heading into Italy. However, Maggie has come on the journey with a bag full of cash, telling the girls she won £100k on a scratch card. More like she found the bag full of money in her oven after Ringer pulled off a bank job. He’s now on their tail, after the money and the girls.
Can the women make it to their destination safely? What is the inheritance that is waiting for Connie?
The Getaway Girls is a fun, energetic novel about three older women embracing their lives and having a jolly good time on a road trip to Italy. The three women don’t know one another very well when they set off, so over the course of their journey secrets are revealed alongside petty arguments.
Dee MacDonald has described France and Italy perfectly. From the views of the Eiffel Tower to the smells from the field of Lavender. If you have never been to either of these countries you are in for a real treat as by the end of the book you will feel that you have explored them both.
This light-hearted book was a real pleasure to read. I picked it up whenever I had a few minutes spare and didn’t want to put it down again. I’ve always wanted to go travelling in a Motorhome hopefully, one day in the future. These three women have made me realise that you can go travelling at any age, as age is just a number.
Firstly, I need to mention that this book is the follow-up book to ‘The Runaway Wife’. I hadn’t realised it was until someone else pointed it out to me and that was when I was over half-way through. At no point in time did I ever feel that I didn’t understand the story perfectly. This book works well as a stand-alone if anything it has made me want to read the first book to see where Connie’s Story starts.
Connie had been running a flower-arranging course for a while but decided that she needed a change and to get away for a while, especially after discovering that she has an inheritance waiting for her from a relative she never knew about in Italy. Rather than fly to Italy she decides to buy a Motorhome and drive there.
Two of her pupils from the flower-arranging course is intrigued by her decision and decide that they would love to join her. She doesn’t know them very well, more acquaintances than friends, but she agrees to let them go on the adventure with her.
Maggie has had enough of her ‘boyfriend’ Ringer. He’s been in and out of prison for the last 40 years he’s been in her life and now he’s been spotted with another woman. Gill is still trying to live in the past with her beehive hair and dressing like it is still 1960. With a big birthday on the horizon (70th, though she tells everyone it’s her 60th), she doesn’t want to be at home and have a massive party.
The three women set off crossing through France first, seeing all the famous landmarks before heading into Italy. However, Maggie has come on the journey with a bag full of cash, telling the girls she won £100k on a scratch card. More like she found the bag full of money in her oven after Ringer pulled off a bank job. He’s now on their tail, after the money and the girls.
Can the women make it to their destination safely? What is the inheritance that is waiting for Connie?
The Getaway Girls is a fun, energetic novel about three older women embracing their lives and having a jolly good time on a road trip to Italy. The three women don’t know one another very well when they set off, so over the course of their journey secrets are revealed alongside petty arguments.
Dee MacDonald has described France and Italy perfectly. From the views of the Eiffel Tower to the smells from the field of Lavender. If you have never been to either of these countries you are in for a real treat as by the end of the book you will feel that you have explored them both.
This light-hearted book was a real pleasure to read. I picked it up whenever I had a few minutes spare and didn’t want to put it down again. I’ve always wanted to go travelling in a Motorhome hopefully, one day in the future. These three women have made me realise that you can go travelling at any age, as age is just a number.
August 21, 2018
This was a great book! Who would have thought a bunch of ladies taking off to Europe in a caravan would be so much fun!
Connie discovers that she may have some family over in Italy and is feeling like she needs a sea change so decides to buys a caravan and manages to enlist two acquaintances to travel with her to Europe. Soon these three women who are all after retiring age, find themselves having the adventure of their lives! Add some romance, humour and a bit of cash from a bank heist and you have a delightful, fun little novel which is just perfect for a little bit of escapism!
I thought it was just delightful! The characters were just fantastic! They were all different and relatable and I enjoyed all the backstories and it had some wonderfully funny laugh out loud moments!
I really enjoyed their trip around France. When my husband and I first started dating we went on a driving trip around France and parts of Europe and visited a lot of the sights that these ladies visited. The descriptions of the places and sights took me back. We didn't use a caravan though! That would be so much fun! I am seriously contemplating it for the future!
The romance was really sweet. I really enjoyed the evolution of the characters as they became closer, spilling their secrets and becoming wonderful friends. I was sad when the road trip was over!
I didn't realise that this was a sequel to the authors first book "The Runaway Wife". I would really like to read that now to learn more about Connie's backstory! It didn't read at all like a sequel, so you don't have to read them in order.
Would I recommend The Getaway Girls?
Absolutely! It was a delightful, fun read for any age. Something light in between a bunch of high fantasy and thriller books. Just what the doctor ordered!
Many thanks to the author and publisher Bookouture via netgalley for a copy of Getaway Girls to read and review.
For more reviews check out my:
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Connie discovers that she may have some family over in Italy and is feeling like she needs a sea change so decides to buys a caravan and manages to enlist two acquaintances to travel with her to Europe. Soon these three women who are all after retiring age, find themselves having the adventure of their lives! Add some romance, humour and a bit of cash from a bank heist and you have a delightful, fun little novel which is just perfect for a little bit of escapism!
I thought it was just delightful! The characters were just fantastic! They were all different and relatable and I enjoyed all the backstories and it had some wonderfully funny laugh out loud moments!
I really enjoyed their trip around France. When my husband and I first started dating we went on a driving trip around France and parts of Europe and visited a lot of the sights that these ladies visited. The descriptions of the places and sights took me back. We didn't use a caravan though! That would be so much fun! I am seriously contemplating it for the future!
The romance was really sweet. I really enjoyed the evolution of the characters as they became closer, spilling their secrets and becoming wonderful friends. I was sad when the road trip was over!
I didn't realise that this was a sequel to the authors first book "The Runaway Wife". I would really like to read that now to learn more about Connie's backstory! It didn't read at all like a sequel, so you don't have to read them in order.
Would I recommend The Getaway Girls?
Absolutely! It was a delightful, fun read for any age. Something light in between a bunch of high fantasy and thriller books. Just what the doctor ordered!
Many thanks to the author and publisher Bookouture via netgalley for a copy of Getaway Girls to read and review.
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
July 4, 2018
I first met Connie in The Runaway Wife and absolutely loved her character so was so excited when I realised there was another book featuring her. You don't have to have read The Runaway Wife to enjoy this one as it works perfectly well as a stand alone but as it's a fabulous book I would urge you to read it also.
Through Connie and her friends we realise that life doesn't end when you reach a certain age. If anything, for some, it's just beginning. Connie, Gill and Maggie are three quite different women all wanting to make changes in their lives. I thought they were incredibly brave to drive off on an adventure together and was so glad I got taken on their journey with them.
You can't help but fall in love with the idea of setting off for pastures new and getting to see the world whilst your at it. I've only ever spent a very brief time in France and never been to Italy and after reading this book I will certainly be rectifying that. I felt so chilled out and relaxed reading of the women's travels and fell in love with the places as much as they did.
As with everything there are some ups and downs on their travels but what the author delivers is a fabulous and entertaining read that I didn't want to end. If anything, I am hoping there is going to be more as by the end I felt like firm friends with the three women and I really hope to be able to catch up with them in the future.
The Getaway Girls is a heart warming and fun filled story that every woman should read. It's an uplifting story that makes you realise that you are never too old to go after what you want in life. Loved it.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Through Connie and her friends we realise that life doesn't end when you reach a certain age. If anything, for some, it's just beginning. Connie, Gill and Maggie are three quite different women all wanting to make changes in their lives. I thought they were incredibly brave to drive off on an adventure together and was so glad I got taken on their journey with them.
You can't help but fall in love with the idea of setting off for pastures new and getting to see the world whilst your at it. I've only ever spent a very brief time in France and never been to Italy and after reading this book I will certainly be rectifying that. I felt so chilled out and relaxed reading of the women's travels and fell in love with the places as much as they did.
As with everything there are some ups and downs on their travels but what the author delivers is a fabulous and entertaining read that I didn't want to end. If anything, I am hoping there is going to be more as by the end I felt like firm friends with the three women and I really hope to be able to catch up with them in the future.
The Getaway Girls is a heart warming and fun filled story that every woman should read. It's an uplifting story that makes you realise that you are never too old to go after what you want in life. Loved it.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
July 30, 2018
Three years after events from the previous book, The Runaway Wife, Connie is starting to feel a little restless. Time for another adventure then. So when she finds a box that seems to show her paternal grandmother originally came from Italy, Connie decides that’s where she will go.
Joining her on her road trip are two ladies she met in a flower arranging class, Maggie and Gill. These two couldn’t be more different if they tried. Gill is lonely and desperate for a new man after two failed marriages. Maggie would like nothing more but to feel free. Somehow these three ladies strike up the most amazing friendship on their journey to Italy in a motor home.
There will be lots of amazing experiences, new people to meet and even Cupid may make himself known at some point. The adventure isn’t all plain sailing though. Maggie is carrying a secret around with her that may catch up with them all. And what will Connie find out when they reach their destination? Whatever it is, this trip will change their lives forever.
This story made me incredibly nostalgic for all things Italy, which has always felt like home to me. It was huge fun to recognise so many places I’ve visited myself. But more than anything, it made me envious as I’d love to do something like this. Just jump in a motor home or a car and take off, not necessarily knowing where you’ll be spending the night or even if you’ll be coming back to the life you’ve left behind.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with these three amazing women. There’s something to admire and like about each and everyone of them. I can only hope that I’ll be as healthy, adventurous and fun as they are when I am that age. This is a truly inspirational, delightful and uplifting story with plenty of chuckles but also rather moving at times.
A heartwarming, entertaining and perfect summer read! I loved being a part of another one of Connie’s adventures and I do so hope there will be more to come. After all, it’s never too late for another adventure and you’re never too old to live life to the fullest!
Joining her on her road trip are two ladies she met in a flower arranging class, Maggie and Gill. These two couldn’t be more different if they tried. Gill is lonely and desperate for a new man after two failed marriages. Maggie would like nothing more but to feel free. Somehow these three ladies strike up the most amazing friendship on their journey to Italy in a motor home.
There will be lots of amazing experiences, new people to meet and even Cupid may make himself known at some point. The adventure isn’t all plain sailing though. Maggie is carrying a secret around with her that may catch up with them all. And what will Connie find out when they reach their destination? Whatever it is, this trip will change their lives forever.
This story made me incredibly nostalgic for all things Italy, which has always felt like home to me. It was huge fun to recognise so many places I’ve visited myself. But more than anything, it made me envious as I’d love to do something like this. Just jump in a motor home or a car and take off, not necessarily knowing where you’ll be spending the night or even if you’ll be coming back to the life you’ve left behind.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with these three amazing women. There’s something to admire and like about each and everyone of them. I can only hope that I’ll be as healthy, adventurous and fun as they are when I am that age. This is a truly inspirational, delightful and uplifting story with plenty of chuckles but also rather moving at times.
A heartwarming, entertaining and perfect summer read! I loved being a part of another one of Connie’s adventures and I do so hope there will be more to come. After all, it’s never too late for another adventure and you’re never too old to live life to the fullest!
July 15, 2023
This was fine and a quick read, but I ended up not liking a couple of the main characters. I didn’t like their decisions and they seemed all over the place. Ultimately I feel like I didn’t care about the story or what was happening. Great traveling descriptions though.
July 7, 2018
"[Connie] should never have set off on this trip with two women she scarcely knew. She must have taken leave of her senses."
Connie McColl isn't new to spontaneous road trips. Dee MacDonald first documented Connie's first impulsive journey from England to Scotland in her book The Runaway Wife. Now Connie is on the road again, but this time she has two more passengers, a bulky motorhome, and dreams of finding extended family in a little town in Italy. On top of that, seventy-year-old Connie and her equally mature friends are being pursued by a dangerous criminal who is dead set on catching up with them along their route!
The Getaway Girls is a satisfying departure from heavier book fare, yet not lacking in any thrills or drama. Connie, Gill, and Maggie are definitely forces to be reckoned with: resourceful, strong, and determined to live their lives to the fullest regardless of the cost.
This book has a nice, easy flow and features instantly likable characters who are full of... well, character! It is a light-hearted, enjoyable, perfect summer read.
*Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for the opportunity to read and review a free ARC of this book.
See my full review for this and other books on That New Book Smell
Connie McColl isn't new to spontaneous road trips. Dee MacDonald first documented Connie's first impulsive journey from England to Scotland in her book The Runaway Wife. Now Connie is on the road again, but this time she has two more passengers, a bulky motorhome, and dreams of finding extended family in a little town in Italy. On top of that, seventy-year-old Connie and her equally mature friends are being pursued by a dangerous criminal who is dead set on catching up with them along their route!
The Getaway Girls is a satisfying departure from heavier book fare, yet not lacking in any thrills or drama. Connie, Gill, and Maggie are definitely forces to be reckoned with: resourceful, strong, and determined to live their lives to the fullest regardless of the cost.
This book has a nice, easy flow and features instantly likable characters who are full of... well, character! It is a light-hearted, enjoyable, perfect summer read.
*Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for the opportunity to read and review a free ARC of this book.
See my full review for this and other books on That New Book Smell
September 2, 2021
Such an entertaining story. Loved the three main characters. It's not often that a book has 3 main characters who are all aged 70. Following them across France and Italy and all their adventures was great fun.
May 22, 2019
It's not even fluff.
July 17, 2018
You are never to old to have fun or to change course ...
I have not read the first book, but I did not have any problems picking up the story in this one. They can easily be seen as stand alones, but I have to admit this one makes you want to read the other one as well.
The author takes us on a lovely trip through France and Italy. She has written the story in a way that, at the end of the book, you feel like doing the exact same journey.
It's a beautiful story about three women who, not only get to know each other, but learn a lot about themselves too. It's filled with laughter and happiness but some sadness and suspense are added to the mix.
Thank you, Dee MacDonald, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
I have not read the first book, but I did not have any problems picking up the story in this one. They can easily be seen as stand alones, but I have to admit this one makes you want to read the other one as well.
The author takes us on a lovely trip through France and Italy. She has written the story in a way that, at the end of the book, you feel like doing the exact same journey.
It's a beautiful story about three women who, not only get to know each other, but learn a lot about themselves too. It's filled with laughter and happiness but some sadness and suspense are added to the mix.
Thank you, Dee MacDonald, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
February 12, 2021
The Getaway Girls
by Dee Macdonald
Road Trip!!!! Three barely acquainted ladies of a certain age find they are in a similar fork in their respective life paths - a great conjunction! Their needs for adventure and new horizons helped each of them pull out their old, packed up dreams, overlook the potential awkwardness and discomfort of the company of strangers and hit the road. Where to? Italy, in a van and each with their own hidden agenda.
A romp and belly laugh is what this read is. . . .not classic lit, no dark social commentary and hours of heavy text. This is fast and cute and happy sunsets.
by Dee Macdonald
Road Trip!!!! Three barely acquainted ladies of a certain age find they are in a similar fork in their respective life paths - a great conjunction! Their needs for adventure and new horizons helped each of them pull out their old, packed up dreams, overlook the potential awkwardness and discomfort of the company of strangers and hit the road. Where to? Italy, in a van and each with their own hidden agenda.
A romp and belly laugh is what this read is. . . .not classic lit, no dark social commentary and hours of heavy text. This is fast and cute and happy sunsets.
July 24, 2018
The Getaway Girls by Dee MacDonald was an absolute hoot! This book was filled with a crazy cast of characters with all sorts of quirks and flaws that all blended so well together to make their journey one they, and I, won't soon forget.
The Getaway Girls follows Connie, Maggie and Gill as they all try to escape their past and present circumstances by taking a motor home trip to Italy - with some bonus cash they weren't expecting. Through their journey they all learn more about themselves and what they want for this stage of their lives. It is a journey of friendship and self-discovery through the beautiful landscapes of France and Italy.
One thing I most like about this book was just how spunky and sassy all these women were. I often found myself smiling and giggling to myself over what situations they got themselves into, how they got themselves out of them, and their hilarious dialogue throughout it all. The people that they met and experienced along the way only added to the enjoyment.
The ending of this book was one that I greatly enjoyed. It didn't have the "happy ending" that I was expecting at the beginning, but it was definitely a beautifully happy ending for each individual woman and it suited each one just right. When I came to the end of the book I also learned that there is another story by MacDonald about Connie and her life prior to the start of this book so I will definitely want to check that one out as well.
**Many thanks to Dee MacDonald, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.
The Getaway Girls follows Connie, Maggie and Gill as they all try to escape their past and present circumstances by taking a motor home trip to Italy - with some bonus cash they weren't expecting. Through their journey they all learn more about themselves and what they want for this stage of their lives. It is a journey of friendship and self-discovery through the beautiful landscapes of France and Italy.
One thing I most like about this book was just how spunky and sassy all these women were. I often found myself smiling and giggling to myself over what situations they got themselves into, how they got themselves out of them, and their hilarious dialogue throughout it all. The people that they met and experienced along the way only added to the enjoyment.
The ending of this book was one that I greatly enjoyed. It didn't have the "happy ending" that I was expecting at the beginning, but it was definitely a beautifully happy ending for each individual woman and it suited each one just right. When I came to the end of the book I also learned that there is another story by MacDonald about Connie and her life prior to the start of this book so I will definitely want to check that one out as well.
**Many thanks to Dee MacDonald, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2018
Having read The Runaway Wife already I was more than eager to see what Connie would get up to again in this adventure. Connie is a mature lady that took a chance to find herself instead of just being someone’s mum and wife and she came alive, now a couple of years down the road she is ready to venture a little further. Connie decides to go in search of long-lost relatives in Italy but she doesn’t do things by halves, oh no, she wants to drive there.
Connie mentions the her trip to a couple of acquaintances at her flower arranging class and before she knows it the two old dears have volunteered themselves to be holiday partners. Gill is looking for a little holiday romance and Maggie wants to get out of a relationship before she is pushed out. They don’t really know anything about each other but lifelong friendships can happen at anytime and believe me these three have a lot of miles in them yet!
Being a mature lady myself I really wanted to be on board this trip, I smiled, I chuckled and whooped along as the three of them left an imprint of their stay across France and Italy. Now being the reader you are privy to each of the ladies backgrounds and what they say and how things really are don’t always match. It makes for some heart in your mouth moments.
I loved the shopping trips and taking chances but mostly the people they met, the strangers that welcomed these three pioneers and felt richer for it. This story didn’t just make me laugh, it made me feel young because I could do this. It was lovely to see how they all blossomed.
It isn’t about the getting to the destination this is about stopping and smelling the roses on the way. The people they meet, past relationships of what ifs that could finally be put to rest and the courage to live for now. It is never too late. It left me with my hand on my heart and sighs of pure pleasure! Just loved it!
Connie mentions the her trip to a couple of acquaintances at her flower arranging class and before she knows it the two old dears have volunteered themselves to be holiday partners. Gill is looking for a little holiday romance and Maggie wants to get out of a relationship before she is pushed out. They don’t really know anything about each other but lifelong friendships can happen at anytime and believe me these three have a lot of miles in them yet!
Being a mature lady myself I really wanted to be on board this trip, I smiled, I chuckled and whooped along as the three of them left an imprint of their stay across France and Italy. Now being the reader you are privy to each of the ladies backgrounds and what they say and how things really are don’t always match. It makes for some heart in your mouth moments.
I loved the shopping trips and taking chances but mostly the people they met, the strangers that welcomed these three pioneers and felt richer for it. This story didn’t just make me laugh, it made me feel young because I could do this. It was lovely to see how they all blossomed.
It isn’t about the getting to the destination this is about stopping and smelling the roses on the way. The people they meet, past relationships of what ifs that could finally be put to rest and the courage to live for now. It is never too late. It left me with my hand on my heart and sighs of pure pleasure! Just loved it!
January 3, 2021
This is what happens when you have one-click purchasing enabled on your Kindle account and you repeatedly stab a finger at the non-responsive app screen. You end up with something you only wanted to read the blurb for and would not have clicked to buy, but hey, since becoming the caretaker of my grandparents' caravan I'm interested in caravanning and although this is about a bunch of acquaintances travelling to France and Italy as single older ladies, it was okay.
There's a heap of far-fetchedness, and Connie is rather annoying as she continues to be bugged by the women she allowed to come with her on her trip and who actually meant she had a good time, but it jolted me out of the streak of personal development reading I was doing, so that is good.
There's a heap of far-fetchedness, and Connie is rather annoying as she continues to be bugged by the women she allowed to come with her on her trip and who actually meant she had a good time, but it jolted me out of the streak of personal development reading I was doing, so that is good.
October 20, 2018
An amazing read!
This book is yet another proof to show how age is just a number. Gill, Maggie, and Connie are on a road trip and we are tagged along with them. As they seek new adventures and fall in love and escape a relationship, we are with them every step of the way.
An absolutely delightful book, go read!
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
This book is yet another proof to show how age is just a number. Gill, Maggie, and Connie are on a road trip and we are tagged along with them. As they seek new adventures and fall in love and escape a relationship, we are with them every step of the way.
An absolutely delightful book, go read!
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
April 15, 2020
More like a 2.5. This book was work to get through. The writing is bad. And the characters are flat for most of it. But the last 40 percent passed much quicker, and I finally started to get into the story line. I did enjoy the travel scenes, descriptions of cities and visits along the way. Now I desperately want to vacation to Paris and buy an expensive dress that I can wear to a concert in Italy. And I’m so glad these three women have such full lives at 70. May we all be so lucky.
July 29, 2023
I feel bad giving this a 2 because I liked the ending / it was cute but honestly it was sooooo tough to get through. There should have been a note somewhere on the book cover that this was about a group of 70 year olds on a road trip - which might have impacted our choice of book :)
December 6, 2019
Fun to listen to. A bit cheesy and predictable but a nice break from my usual Historical Fiction. If you are looking for a quick and somewhat funny story, you might want to check this out.
June 12, 2022
An unexpected tale of friendship, love and a new life start as each woman takes on this adventure without knowing each other much and coming at the end of summer with a new friendship and love for each other without any sort of jealously (don’t you just hate that when people are not truly happy for you and are completely envious of your life you worked hard to have? It’s called strategic living).
These elderly ladies have had their children and grandchildren and so forth. They unexpected meet at a floral arranging class when one of them needs to go on a trip to find more about her ancestors in Italy.
This novel it turns out is a follow up which you so wouldn’t know. In this novel we learn from three wonderful women that life does not end after a particular age. Connie goes ahead and purchases a camper van for this journey as she has a fear of planes.
The idea of this plot and its execution was very well done. As they travel through France we, the reader are taken on their road trip as well. With a lot of laugh out loud moments unexpected backgrounds from each of ladies this makes for an interesting novel that will have you wanting to be apart of it as well!
One thing I will say is just read it if you are wanting to be apart of an honest friendship journey as these ladies get to know each other whilst travelling. They truly have each other’s backs!
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Review and other things:
https://clife.blog/2022/06/12/book-re...
These elderly ladies have had their children and grandchildren and so forth. They unexpected meet at a floral arranging class when one of them needs to go on a trip to find more about her ancestors in Italy.
This novel it turns out is a follow up which you so wouldn’t know. In this novel we learn from three wonderful women that life does not end after a particular age. Connie goes ahead and purchases a camper van for this journey as she has a fear of planes.
The idea of this plot and its execution was very well done. As they travel through France we, the reader are taken on their road trip as well. With a lot of laugh out loud moments unexpected backgrounds from each of ladies this makes for an interesting novel that will have you wanting to be apart of it as well!
One thing I will say is just read it if you are wanting to be apart of an honest friendship journey as these ladies get to know each other whilst travelling. They truly have each other’s backs!
——————————————————————
Review and other things:
https://clife.blog/2022/06/12/book-re...
August 22, 2023
It was hard to give this book a rating! It might actually come in closer to a 3.5 star than a 4, but I'm going to go ahead and give it that extra bump to the 4 for the absolutely charming settings as they passed through France and into Italy. I also enjoyed how the little ladies came to be friends, despite the bickering and the differences in their backgrounds. The thing that tended me towards the 3 star rating was the deceptive synopsis. I thought the book would be centered around Connie and her quest to find her heritage. Instead the book was more about Maggie and Gill, with the Ringer plotline getting huge page time. I've watched too many shows, I guess, I knew that he was tracking them via the phone the whole time (insert eye-roll). I suppose a woman of 70 may not think of that, though. Overall it was a cute read!
August 26, 2018
This book is the follow-up to The Runaway Wife but can easily be read as a standalone too.
Connie is up for some adventure, and Gill and Maggie come along for the ride. All of them are in dire need of a change of scenery and driving through France and Italy is definitely a big change from their normal lives. Along the way, they meet interesting people (and some annoying ones!) and discover that despite their very different personalities, they get along very well and they have each other's backs, no matter what. This is like "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" but for 60-plus ladies :)
I enjoyed this book, just the thought of these ladies' adventures made me chuckle! 4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Connie is up for some adventure, and Gill and Maggie come along for the ride. All of them are in dire need of a change of scenery and driving through France and Italy is definitely a big change from their normal lives. Along the way, they meet interesting people (and some annoying ones!) and discover that despite their very different personalities, they get along very well and they have each other's backs, no matter what. This is like "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" but for 60-plus ladies :)
I enjoyed this book, just the thought of these ladies' adventures made me chuckle! 4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
August 27, 2018
Harmless, easy and amusing bed-time reading. Predictable outcomes but nice 'feel good' factor about them nonetheless. As with the 'Runaway Wife', the 'scrapes' they get in to stretch the bounds of fiction especially for them all to happen in one trip! Left open for a sequel which I would read.
July 22, 2023
If the Golden Girls went on a road trip. An adorable read.
March 20, 2025
I didn’t finish it and don’t feel like I missed anything
June 10, 2025
4.5 so cute and wholesome. loved the italy vibes! Made me cry in the plane
March 1, 2024
I gave this four stars. This is a British author and I usually stay away from books from British authors as they usually speak mainly about cottages and the English countryside.
However, this book was fun since is was about travel and I have been to some of these places! This book was interesting and no too heavy, which is good!
So, if you want to go on vacation in Europe, but aren't in the position to take the vacation, this book can help with your wonderlust!
However, this book was fun since is was about travel and I have been to some of these places! This book was interesting and no too heavy, which is good!
So, if you want to go on vacation in Europe, but aren't in the position to take the vacation, this book can help with your wonderlust!
June 4, 2024
This book was just okay. It was cheesy and predictable, however I enjoyed the travel elements and the friendship that grew between the three ladies.
July 8, 2018
Finished reading: July 7th 2018
"Was the world her oyster? Silly cliché, that! The world was more like the carrot, dangling seductively in front of her nose."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
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