anajotello's review against another edition
5.0
5/5!!!!!!
I can’t believe this book being SO DAMN GOOD, took me so long to read, I really loathe uni right now. Anyways, this was such a GREAT summer read, Poppy and Alex were just so on point, they just simply made sense to me, for me the slow burn just made me squirm and twirl all around.
A very well deserved winner, I have zero regrets on reading this, it had this crazy cool romcom type of vibe that I just happen to ADORE, it all flowed so smoothly and ahhhh just amazing, I have no better words to describe this book as authentic and charismatic.
Everyone should hop on and read People We Meet on Vacation, this is the second book I have read from Emily Henry and I prefer this one a million times before Beach Read, hands down, no questions asked.
I can’t believe this book being SO DAMN GOOD, took me so long to read, I really loathe uni right now. Anyways, this was such a GREAT summer read, Poppy and Alex were just so on point, they just simply made sense to me, for me the slow burn just made me squirm and twirl all around.
A very well deserved winner, I have zero regrets on reading this, it had this crazy cool romcom type of vibe that I just happen to ADORE, it all flowed so smoothly and ahhhh just amazing, I have no better words to describe this book as authentic and charismatic.
Everyone should hop on and read People We Meet on Vacation, this is the second book I have read from Emily Henry and I prefer this one a million times before Beach Read, hands down, no questions asked.
sdaga's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
terangiapia09's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nrich's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Where to begin?
It was bland.
The idea of pivoting between past and present may sound good theoretically, but this execution made it a struggle to enjoy this book. Imagine you're finally getting to the good stuff, and then you flip a page, and bam! "10 summers ago." It lost so much momentum.
All their summer vacations were boring that I started to skim the pages. They held nothing valuable.
When I discovered what transpired between them in Croatia, leading to their radio silence for two years, I said to myself, "You've got to be kidding me.'" If Alex and Poppy had communicated right after Croatia, and we didn't dive into all ten+ summers in the past, it probably would have been a better story.
The constant: I say, he says, I say, he says, was a bit frustrating.
They had VERY FEW cute moments, but overall, their chemistry could have needed much more work in the latter part of the book. It felt like a waste of time that they "got together" in the end. I felt as though they could have gotten together before and improved their relationship.
To be honest, I understand the concept of the story but somehow it didn't work for me.
It was bland.
The idea of pivoting between past and present may sound good theoretically, but this execution made it a struggle to enjoy this book. Imagine you're finally getting to the good stuff, and then you flip a page, and bam! "10 summers ago." It lost so much momentum.
All their summer vacations were boring that I started to skim the pages. They held nothing valuable.
When I discovered what transpired between them in Croatia, leading to their radio silence for two years, I said to myself, "You've got to be kidding me.'" If Alex and Poppy had communicated right after Croatia, and we didn't dive into all ten+ summers in the past, it probably would have been a better story.
The constant: I say, he says, I say, he says, was a bit frustrating.
They had VERY FEW cute moments, but overall, their chemistry could have needed much more work in the latter part of the book. It felt like a waste of time that they "got together" in the end. I felt as though they could have gotten together before and improved their relationship.
To be honest, I understand the concept of the story but somehow it didn't work for me.
the_mrs_harrington's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
carolinecoyle94's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve seriously got to stop falling in love with people in books! A great “guy and girl are friends but will they ever be more” book that also had a healthy dose of “magazine writer who moved to New York to escape her small town” plus travel big vibes. I loved it and if you want something light for the summer or you’re a romantic like me - this book is for you! Listened to the audiobook version and Julia Whalen’s narration is superb as ever!
helloimkaitlin's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve seen lots of mixed reviews for this book, and I do understand some of the criticism, but I absolutely LOVED IT! It’s a 5 star read for me, and definitely one I know I will want to revisit.
I love that Emily Henry adds more depth to her romances. It’s a cute, beachy, semi-predictable romance, and I love that, but the character development, and the real-life issues they tackle alongside the cheesy romance is what sets her books apart. I CRIED reading Beach Read for the same reason, and this book did not disappoint.
Poppy and Alex are polar opposites who end up becoming best friends in college. Every year, they take a summer trip together as their lives throughout the rest of the year are quite different. The books takes us through their meeting, each of their past trips, and their current trip together after 2 years in which they didn’t speak because of an awkward incident on their last trip together.
Was it predictable? Yes, as most books of this genre are, but it was a pleasure to get to the happy conclusion, and I found myself feeling sad that it had to end. The main characters are likable, with real depth and I love the development we see throughout the book. They feel like real people, even if they are a common romance trope.
Aside from the love story itself, I related so much to Poppy’s journey. She never quite felt that she fit in, and struggled as an adult to deal with the wounds from her teenage years, and I loved watching her overcome. The book is also a beautiful love letter to traveling, and reminded me so much of the trips I love to take with my best friends, and all the people we met along the way, who thought we’ll never meet again, will always have a special place in my heart.
This is a love story for travelers and millennials who understand the call of wanderlust (maybe without the funds to get there), with the equal tug to find your roots and truly discover who you are in a place that feels like home. I can’t say enough good things about this book, and I already can’t wait to reread it!
I love that Emily Henry adds more depth to her romances. It’s a cute, beachy, semi-predictable romance, and I love that, but the character development, and the real-life issues they tackle alongside the cheesy romance is what sets her books apart. I CRIED reading Beach Read for the same reason, and this book did not disappoint.
Poppy and Alex are polar opposites who end up becoming best friends in college. Every year, they take a summer trip together as their lives throughout the rest of the year are quite different. The books takes us through their meeting, each of their past trips, and their current trip together after 2 years in which they didn’t speak because of an awkward incident on their last trip together.
Was it predictable? Yes, as most books of this genre are, but it was a pleasure to get to the happy conclusion, and I found myself feeling sad that it had to end. The main characters are likable, with real depth and I love the development we see throughout the book. They feel like real people, even if they are a common romance trope.
Aside from the love story itself, I related so much to Poppy’s journey. She never quite felt that she fit in, and struggled as an adult to deal with the wounds from her teenage years, and I loved watching her overcome. The book is also a beautiful love letter to traveling, and reminded me so much of the trips I love to take with my best friends, and all the people we met along the way, who thought we’ll never meet again, will always have a special place in my heart.
This is a love story for travelers and millennials who understand the call of wanderlust (maybe without the funds to get there), with the equal tug to find your roots and truly discover who you are in a place that feels like home. I can’t say enough good things about this book, and I already can’t wait to reread it!
melamtz's review against another edition
Reviewing months after finishing book:
All I remember is that I finished it and did not like it. However, it was entertaining and intriguing enough to finish the book. So not a bad book, just not for me.
All I remember is that I finished it and did not like it. However, it was entertaining and intriguing enough to finish the book. So not a bad book, just not for me.
cypher010's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0