lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
This book hit me just right. I don't think I'll be able to put into words how I felt when reading this. I absolutely need to reread & annotate it. Emily Henry is such a phenomenal writer and I have loved every single book by her that I've read. She has a way with words and also at capturing human emotions and dynamics so well. Reading this book made me reflect on my own personal life and struggles in ways I didn't really realise before. A clear 5 star read for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Mental illness, Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
vannahcabana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I read this book after hearing a lot of great reviews. I thought it was a nice read, but I don’t think it lived up to the hype I had heard about it. It would be a good vacation read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, and Drug use
hanna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've got a confession to make — I can't remember any plot of all the Emily Henry books I've read but I do know that I always have a very good time with them, as I did with this one.
The characters were all really well fleshed out and even though there were a lot of them, I learned to love them all on their own.
I love love love how Harriet's story ended. I don't want to spoil it but it's just so realistic and I wish we would get more of it not only in litfic but also romance.
A great reading experience :)
The characters were all really well fleshed out and even though there were a lot of them, I learned to love them all on their own.
I love love love how Harriet's story ended. I don't want to spoil it but it's just so realistic and I wish we would get more of it not only in litfic but also romance.
A great reading experience :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Medical content
jaydub0221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
All I can say is that this book had my emotions on xgames mode. The constant up and down had me in DISTRESS (but in a “can’t wait to see what happens next” kind of way). I loved the friendships/found family aspect of this book. Specifically the female friendships, as their love for one another is so thoughtful and intentional. I also LOVE Harriet & Wyn’s love. It is so pure and whole. I love the depth of Emily Henry’s writing in that she delves into deeper, heavier topics and themes like family trauma and anxieties and cracks in relationships. It’s relatable and rocky and that’s what makes it enjoyable for me. Overall, I loved this book. It was wholesome and BOY was it a heartbreaker.
Spoiler
And idc what anyone says, if it didn’t end the way it did, I probably would’ve committed arson.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Drug use, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Vomit, Mental illness, Cursing, and Medical content
siobhanward's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is my first of Emily Henry's books, and I'm not sure if this book wasn't for me, or if this style isn't for me, but I'm leaning towards the latter. I'm just not a fluff person, I don't think. It felt like almost nothing happened in this book - there was no build up, and less of a plot so much as a series of small events that just kind of happened.
I liked the idea of the book - although I do struggle to believe that groups of friends exist like this. Friendships just kind of naturally ebb and flow and although it can be hard when they start to fizzle out, this one just didn't feel real. I think it might be because there was so much focus on Harriet and Wyn that the rest of the characters just felt underdeveloped.
Harriet and Wyn frustrated me, though - they just didn't seem plausible, and even when they came back together, it didn't feel real. I don't know, this just felt like a book of things that we wish would happen, and not things that actually happen, although I think that is a fault of the genre and not of Henry's writing. I genuinely think this just isn't the genre for me, and while I didn't love the book as a whole, there were some beautiful pieces of writing from Henry, especially her descriptions.
I liked the idea of the book - although I do struggle to believe that groups of friends exist like this. Friendships just kind of naturally ebb and flow and although it can be hard when they start to fizzle out, this one just didn't feel real. I think it might be because there was so much focus on Harriet and Wyn that the rest of the characters just felt underdeveloped.
Harriet and Wyn frustrated me, though - they just didn't seem plausible, and even when they came back together, it didn't feel real. I don't know, this just felt like a book of things that we wish would happen, and not things that actually happen, although I think that is a fault of the genre and not of Henry's writing. I genuinely think this just isn't the genre for me, and while I didn't love the book as a whole, there were some beautiful pieces of writing from Henry, especially her descriptions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
infjkiki's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy, Drug use, and Chronic illness
Minor: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Title: Happy Place
Author: Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Summery • Heartfelt • Lackluster
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college — they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now — for reasons they’re still not discussing — they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well it looks like I am in the minority... yet again when it comes to an Emily Henry book. After finishing this one I actually sat and contemplated why I just don't love her books like everyone else seems to. Happy Place to me was just okay, nothing absolutely amazing.
I will start out by repeating myself, that Emily writes banter unlike anyone else. And she also does supporting characters very well. I loved the friendship aspect and the idea of an annual friends getaway. But that also left me wanting more of supporting characters' stories (which I kind got in the third act conflict). Another thing this book did incredibly well? Make me want to visit coastal Maine. The descriptions - sights, smells, food, beauty - all of it made me want to road trip.
And yet, I just didn't buy what Harriet and Wyn were selling. The romance didn't seem believable. In the beginning I preferred the past timeline way more than the present day, and halfway in that switched. It's quite possible my expectations are always way to high going in, but it felt forgettable.
After reading all of Emily Henry's adult romance novels and not fully understanding the hype, I think I am finally convinced her stories are just not for me. And yet, here I am already having added her 2024 release to my TBR, so the marketing team is definitely doing something right. Don't let my experience deter you from picking this up, because this book has certainly garnered its fair share of love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the second chance romance trope
• Emily Henry die hards
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything is changing. It has to. You can't stop time."
"Like even when something beautiful breaks, the making of it still matters."
Author: Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Summery • Heartfelt • Lackluster
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college — they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now — for reasons they’re still not discussing — they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well it looks like I am in the minority... yet again when it comes to an Emily Henry book. After finishing this one I actually sat and contemplated why I just don't love her books like everyone else seems to. Happy Place to me was just okay, nothing absolutely amazing.
I will start out by repeating myself, that Emily writes banter unlike anyone else. And she also does supporting characters very well. I loved the friendship aspect and the idea of an annual friends getaway. But that also left me wanting more of supporting characters' stories (which I kind got in the third act conflict). Another thing this book did incredibly well? Make me want to visit coastal Maine. The descriptions - sights, smells, food, beauty - all of it made me want to road trip.
And yet, I just didn't buy what Harriet and Wyn were selling. The romance didn't seem believable. In the beginning I preferred the past timeline way more than the present day, and halfway in that switched. It's quite possible my expectations are always way to high going in, but it felt forgettable.
After reading all of Emily Henry's adult romance novels and not fully understanding the hype, I think I am finally convinced her stories are just not for me. And yet, here I am already having added her 2024 release to my TBR, so the marketing team is definitely doing something right. Don't let my experience deter you from picking this up, because this book has certainly garnered its fair share of love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the second chance romance trope
• Emily Henry die hards
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything is changing. It has to. You can't stop time."
"Like even when something beautiful breaks, the making of it still matters."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Chronic illness, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Death, and Death of parent
elledanie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Well, that was terrible imo. I was going to give it at least 2 stars until she 🙄
Spoiler
gave up her dream job for a man
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship, Car accident, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Confinement, Mental illness, and Medical content
jo_22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a bit slow-going for me at first (relative to other Emily Henry books) in how it took me farther into the story to really connect with the characters. They were enjoyable characters but frustrating at times when they didn’t communicate; and I think the I wasn’t as engaged in the plot til probs 50% of the way through. Listened to it on a 9 hour solo drive and despite my early frustrations, it was the perfect book to immerse in!
And the last 20%…oof <3 had great (albeit very rushed) character development, and relatable POVs/elements. (Career, life, love, boundaries, happiness, generational trauma, friendship, how to argue, secure attachment, growing up & adulting).
It was slightly triggering for me at some points which is reason for 4.25 stars instead of 5 stars.
Overall feelings are:
• omg this was enjoyable
• I want to talk to others about this book
• thanks han for pushing me to read it and putting me on EH
• the timeliness of me reading this is wild
• Harriet was frustrating in how she didn’t communicate or made assumptions / didn’t do relationships well. However I could relate at times so it didn’t bother me as much as other novels with this trope.
• I didn’t like Wyn in ways I liked other EH male romantic interests
• I like how much this focused on healthy relationships & friendships in particular way more than her other novels - it added a new dynamic & I enjoyed that variety. The characters didn’t often portray healthy relationships but I liked how EH explored that
• I NEED to own the paperback so I can reread and highlight impactful parts / quotes (There were so many moments where I paused the book to process or hype or reflect on)
And the last 20%…oof <3 had great (albeit very rushed) character development, and relatable POVs/elements. (Career, life, love, boundaries, happiness, generational trauma, friendship, how to argue, secure attachment, growing up & adulting).
It was slightly triggering for me at some points which is reason for 4.25 stars instead of 5 stars.
Overall feelings are:
• omg this was enjoyable
• I want to talk to others about this book
• thanks han for pushing me to read it and putting me on EH
• the timeliness of me reading this is wild
• Harriet was frustrating in how she didn’t communicate or made assumptions / didn’t do relationships well. However I could relate at times so it didn’t bother me as much as other novels with this trope.
• I didn’t like Wyn in ways I liked other EH male romantic interests
• I like how much this focused on healthy relationships & friendships in particular way more than her other novels - it added a new dynamic & I enjoyed that variety. The characters didn’t often portray healthy relationships but I liked how EH explored that
• I NEED to own the paperback so I can reread and highlight impactful parts / quotes (There were so many moments where I paused the book to process or hype or reflect on)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
natafiguu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily henry truly always hits. the only reason it's not a 5 is because i don't really enjoy the misscomunciation, and because i wished the leads would've gotten a bit more time together. the book itself isn't really soley a romance book, its so many relationships and generally the concept of 'home', and that makes it really cozy. i also wish
Spoiler
parth had more of a role in the book, other than just being Sabrina's partner
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual content