oceanwriter's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to love this book so much. I love the author. I love the tropes. Sadly, this one was a miss for me.
Not wanting to spoil their friend group’s final trip to their beloved vacation spot in Maine, Harriet and Wyn decide not to tell everyone that their engagement has been off for months. A series of events forces their proximity, putting them in the happy couple spotlight more than either of them finds comfortable.
I enjoyed the first few chapters and setup, but then it felt like it was endlessly dragging on. Harriet and Wyn’s lack of communication skills infuriated me. Yes, romance needs conflict and miscommunication somewhere, it just got to the point where they started resolving things and then backtracked. I didn’t feel the characters were fleshed out as much as other characters in past books. The side characters brought more to the book on that front.
I’m still looking forward to Emily Henry’s next book, however, I will be going into it trepidatiously. Book Lovers was only okay for me, but I still had high hopes for Happy Place. In part, my reading tastes seem to have changed in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75/5 stars
1.5/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Second Chance romance
One bed
Forced proximity
Mental health rep
LGBTQIA rep (side characters)
Single POV
Dual timeline
I didn't hate it but also I didn't love it. I had major issues with the lack of communication and misunderstandings by EVERYONE. Was NO ONE capable of having an adult conversation about what was going on...
That being said I did enjoy the deep rooted bonds that the friends had. Which is why it was so frustrating they couldn't communicate with each other. I found myself being annoyed with everyone at some point but also simultaneously lovin their crazy dynamic... it was kinda confusing lol
Overall, I would still recommend this book if you can get past the miscommunication. But it's still written well and has all the angst of a second chance romance.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Depression, grief, death of a parent, chronic illness, miscommunication, sexual content
1.5/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Second Chance romance
One bed
Forced proximity
Mental health rep
LGBTQIA rep (side characters)
Single POV
Dual timeline
I didn't hate it but also I didn't love it. I had major issues with the lack of communication and misunderstandings by EVERYONE. Was NO ONE capable of having an adult conversation about what was going on...
That being said I did enjoy the deep rooted bonds that the friends had. Which is why it was so frustrating they couldn't communicate with each other. I found myself being annoyed with everyone at some point but also simultaneously lovin their crazy dynamic... it was kinda confusing lol
Overall, I would still recommend this book if you can get past the miscommunication. But it's still written well and has all the angst of a second chance romance.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Depression, grief, death of a parent, chronic illness, miscommunication, sexual content
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
bibliorama's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
Enjoyment - 4
Start - 4.5
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 2.5
I don't know what it is about Henry's books, but the final third drag heavily to me. I ended up putting the audiobook on 2x speed, which is rare for me. I had the same issue with Book Lovers where I felt the ending was over explained for what it was.
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
Start - 4.5
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 2.5
I don't know what it is about Henry's books, but the final third drag heavily to me. I ended up putting the audiobook on 2x speed, which is rare for me. I had the same issue with Book Lovers where I felt the ending was over explained for what it was.
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
I found these parts of the book to be very minor and I definitely didn't think twice about their inclusion in the story. They also aren't presented in a traumatic way, I just listed them since technically they are there.katelynnelawson's review
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Wyn and Harriet were together for eight years and broke up five years ago after a rough few months. Neither have told anyone - Wyn has been wrapped up in caring for his mother, and Harriet is busy with her residency. Both don't get to see their core friend group from college often, but return to their "Happy Place" in Maine for an annual vacation. Harriet expects this year she'll go and take every other year off with Wyn, but when she arrives, Wyn is there. The two pretend to still be together to please their friends as it turns out it's their last summer at the house, which is being sold, and two of their friends are having a surprise wedding.
It's easy for the reader to sympathize with Harriet and Wyn, but Henry drags out the reason behind the break up until towards the end of the book, and ultimately it's frustrating to find out two people who truly came into their adulthood together couldn't communicate to work through some major shit until it was almost too late. The ending falls flat with a romance, with Harriet's thoughts reflecting more on her personal growth than that of her relationship with Wyn.
The conflict within friendships felt off, too. The discussions felt like they were between much younger characters when it came to any sort of relationship dynamic.
The depression representation was well done and the read itself is enjoyable, slightly steamy, and emotionally charged.
It's easy for the reader to sympathize with Harriet and Wyn, but Henry drags out the reason behind the break up until towards the end of the book, and ultimately it's frustrating to find out two people who truly came into their adulthood together couldn't communicate to work through some major shit until it was almost too late. The ending falls flat with a romance, with Harriet's thoughts reflecting more on her personal growth than that of her relationship with Wyn.
The conflict within friendships felt off, too. The discussions felt like they were between much younger characters when it came to any sort of relationship dynamic.
The depression representation was well done and the read itself is enjoyable, slightly steamy, and emotionally charged.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Grief
kaizha's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Mental illness
cartya91's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Drug use, and Mental illness
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
It's just vibes y'all. Who let me read this in my third trimester of pregnancy, on half a dose of my anxiety meds??? I bawled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy
infjkiki's review
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
irene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy and Drug use
skyegbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I found the majority of this book so unbearably happy. Nothing much happened nor changed until the very last section of the book. This is at heart a tale of great friendship. I think the writer portraid grief in an informative and overall accurate way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Mental illness and Death