angelfireeast24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
Really enjoyed this one
Spoiler
At first I didn't like Wyn. Then I couldn't figure out why he would leave Harriet. The reason he left and reason Harriet had so many problems made sense. They had to work on their selves and make changes before they would make a couple with a chance. The friendship that was referred to as so strong felt very neglected for most of the book but there was a good reason. The point was these good friends weren't talking. They weren't connecting cause they had their issues. Basically everything paid off in the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this one. It was sadder and dealt with more real life issues than the other books, but I found myself relating to some of the struggles and just felt SEEN. I will say that the story felt very drawn out, but other than that I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
quasinaut's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've such complicated feelings about this book. On the one hand, Emily Henry writes such fun, witty banter and creates groups of friends with distinct personalities. On the other, by halfway through I'm always yelling "just talk to each other! Actually communicate!"
I found Harriet's indecision and people-pleasing thoroughly relatable, if frustrating because she kept doing what she thought others wanted in order to keep the peace, when really that meant she was withdrawing from them and smoothing over some much-needed conversations. I loved that we see characters who love each other deeply, but their love isn't enough to fix their issues and insecurities without everyone individually doing the work to figure their stuff out.
I found Harriet's indecision and people-pleasing thoroughly relatable, if frustrating because she kept doing what she thought others wanted in order to keep the peace, when really that meant she was withdrawing from them and smoothing over some much-needed conversations. I loved that we see characters who love each other deeply, but their love isn't enough to fix their issues and insecurities without everyone individually doing the work to figure their stuff out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment and Pregnancy
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
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
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
For a book called Happy Place it certainly made me feel very sad for most of it. I’m not usually a fan of second chance romance but these characters seemed fated to be together. Although I wished everyone would just talk to each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Drug use, Abandonment, Mental illness, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
nabecker13's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Mental illness, Grief, and Confinement
vanesst's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Abandonment, Drug use, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy and Vomit
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.5
Finished reading: June 18th 2023
"Love means constantly saying you're sorry, and then doing better."
There has been such a hype around Happy Place, and I honestly can't believe it has already got over 200.000! ratings on Goodreads. I mean, Happy Place has only been published for two months or so... Anyhow, I can't deny that I've been looking forward to read this one, because I really enjoyed my time with her previous books. I loved the sound of the blurb with the group of friends getting together and the Main cottage setting, and I had high hopes for it. Now that I've read it, I'm not sure if those expectations were actually met though... I'm not saying that it's a bad read and I initially did love my time with this story. There was something about this close group of friends that made me want to spend time with them. The main focus is on Wyn and Harriet of course, and they have the biggest character growth as a result, but I feel that the rest of them are still quite complex as well. I wish more time would have been spent in the present though, because the many flashbacks could get a bit tedious. The miscommunication trope ended up being a bit too much for me as well, because it was just too present not only in Wyn and Harriet, but in the group in general. It distracted from the other issues and only started to make me feel frustrated by the whole situation. Especially when it was not clear why they broke up in the first place and is was way too obvious they still love each other. That said, it was the last 20% or so of Happy Place that really let me down. Not only did I find this particular outcome to be highly unbelievable, but not satisfying at all either. I just couldn't believe that Harriet would make such a big decision on the fly, after only a week in Maine and without considering all her options. A slower build up would have made her decision a bit more credible, but still... This was NOT how I hoped this story would end. I can't deny that there were parts of the story that I loved, but Happy Place also ended up having more issues for me than expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Abandonment, Drug use, Mental illness, Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Medical content, Vomit, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment