The Getaway Girls: A hilarious feel good summer read about second chances

Bought for friends birthday , who loves murder mystery stories , good quality

4.5* After reading The Runaway Wife, I was looking forward to Connie McColl’s next adventure very much. And I wasn’t disappointed. Connie is beginning to get itchy feet. Having been single again for almost three years, living in her daughter’s London apartment, Connie feels cut off from friends and family. The need for adventure beckons. Fate intervenes when Connie begins researching her family. Following the death of her aunt, a box containing old papers, letters and a marriage certificate was found in the attic. After all this time Connie discovered she has an Italian grandmother. On her way to Sussex to visit with her family the train is delayed by a fallen tree branch on the track—right near a caravan dealership. The seeds of an idea are planted. 'Connie went back to bed and managed to drift off for half an hour before she awoke yet again to thoughts of La Bellezza and her two unlikely passengers. It would be far more sensible to go for the smallest motorhome available and set off on her own. She needn’t even tell the other two because it wasn’t as if they were close friends. Or, more sensible still, get on an aeroplane, like any normal, sensible person would do. But, thought Connie, I damned well don’t want to be sensible! And, because I’m not getting any younger, if I’m going to have another adventure, now’s the time!’ Connie, along with her two new friends from her flower arranging class, Maggie and Gill, set out on their road trip. Gill is trying to forget it’s her 70th birthday and would love a holiday romance, while Maggie is fed up with her partner Ringer, who, apart from taking Maggie for granted and spending much of his time in jail, appears to have another woman. Maggie’s impulsive act before she leaves has repercussions for the three of them down the line, adding a little suspense. The plan is to meander their way down through France and into Italy, stopping where ever takes their fancy, where eventually Connie hopes to find some information on the Italian side of her family. Or better still, one of her long lost relatives. Dee MacDonald brings the journey to life with wonderful descriptions of the towns, cities, countryside and beaches they visit, and the people they meet. It makes a refreshing change to have more mature protagonists and it was lovely to see the development, especially in Gill and Maggie, as the story progresses. Three differing personalities, living in such close contact, have their occasional ups and downs but that only makes it all the more realistic. The trip turns in a journey of self discovery, finding themselves in funny and poignant situations, and ending with totally unexpected outcomes for the three adventurers. A delightful, fun-filled read of travel, hilarity and wonderful characters. I loved it, and the fact it supports the idea that you’re never too old to follow your dreams is perfect.

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!

I really loved the story of 3 ladies heading for an adventure, even if one had a bit of a secret to share.

I loved this book, I have a friend who has a camper van, and we always say the girls should go away in it. Also only last year we toured almost the same areas covered in this book, but we went by car and stayed in Airbnb. I thought each character was superb, some sad times, some silly times, some hilarious times. Hope in the next book we find out what Connie does with the land she has inherited, but I wished each of these ladies well at the end of the book. ❤️

Quite enjoyed but not blown away.

I really enjoyed reading this and made me think that sometimes you really have to take chance whatever your age. I loved how the three started off as acquaintances and saw each other’s weakness and strengths but became such good friends. A feel good book

A fun story

A wonderful, thoroughly entertaining read. It's never too late for an adventure only if you have the zeal for it, moments I laughed, moments I cried, such an inspirational and feel good story, I too would like to have such a story in life. A must read for anyone who wants a good laugh, some inspiration ♥️

Good characters Good plot Excellent scenic descriptions Light and easy to relax with

I really enjoyed this book. I dont get all of the UK references as I am American, but it still translates as humorous! This book had me laughing, fretting, crying, and rejoicing all the way through. I actually felt like I was on "Holiday" with this trio. A definite must-read if you like adventure and danger and laughter!

Great story about older ladies. A fun book.

This is the follow-on to Connie's story but can be read as a standalone. It's once again a road-movie theme which provides for encounters and situations as the three friends drive south. It's a mystery to me how three seventy year-old women can eat copious lunches washed down with bottles of wine then start on the cocktails in the evening before a full dinner and more bottles of wine followed by digestives. Then the next morning they drive hundreds of kilometers, do hours of sight-seeing in baking heat then down more food and wine. A light-hearted read to be taken with a big pinch of alka-seltzer.