sarahyjackson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
So much about this book felt perfect: the setting, the execution of classic romance tropes, the conceit, the character development. Read by Julia Whelan? Perfect, perfect, perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Drug use
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Angst isn't my thing, but if it's your thing, you can kindly ignore my relatively mediocre rating for an Emily Henry book. If you also enjoy a strong friend group, a summer-in-Maine vacation setting (complete with a lobster fest), good-humored bit-style banter, opposites attract, forced proximity, only one bed, altruistic idiots, mental health rep, realistic life challenges, the excavation of the effects of childhood family dynamics, grown up "gifted" kids, personal emotional growth, people learning how to communicate with each other, and a slow-burn bit of steam — assume you can add another full star to my rating and dive right in for a beautiful, emotional romance read. More suited to Henry fans who preferred People We Meet on Vacation rather than those who preferred Book Lovers. And if you like this one AND Henry's more bookish books, definitely check out The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Pregnancy
uranaishi's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Death, Classism, Confinement, and Chronic illness
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Vomit, and Mental illness
alijoy94's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
I was going to say Emily Henry has done it again, bringing us another beautifully charming and emotional story, but in reality she just keeps getting better!
Happy Place follows Harriet, her college friends, and her (unbeknownst to the others) ex-fiance Wyn, through two timelines - the past, A.K.A. Harry's Happy Place, and the present, also known as Real Life, where everything seems to be falling apart. Over a week of kept secrets, forced proximity and second chances, our two timelines eventually converge to form a happy reality - though not necessarily in the way Harry expects.
This was an easy 4.5 star read for me!
Thankyou to Netgally and Penguin Random House for the digital ARC (as well as the physical copy I received through work)
Happy Place follows Harriet, her college friends, and her (unbeknownst to the others) ex-fiance Wyn, through two timelines - the past, A.K.A. Harry's Happy Place, and the present, also known as Real Life, where everything seems to be falling apart. Over a week of kept secrets, forced proximity and second chances, our two timelines eventually converge to form a happy reality - though not necessarily in the way Harry expects.
This was an easy 4.5 star read for me!
Thankyou to Netgally and Penguin Random House for the digital ARC (as well as the physical copy I received through work)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Medical content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
ekchilton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Emily Henry has done it again, and I mean that in the most enthusiastic and loving way possible. I am obsessed with the way she can fill out not just two leads but an entire cast of characters in so little space and make me care so freaking much about all of them. Wyn & Harriet are complex and fascinating and I want to stay wrapped up in a group hug with Harriet, Sabrina, and Cleo forever and ever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
trigger warnings: grief, death of parent, anxiety and depression, pregnancy mention, alcohol, sexual content, sexual assault, infidelity, parkinsons, chronic illness
As per usual, you can expect this Emily Henry novel to gut you emotionally. A second chance romance of two people who have grown apart in an eight year long relationship due to a myriad of reasons that the book reveals in the most gut wrenching yet cathartic way.
The book explores found family in a tender and reverential way, cherishing long years of companionship in proximity and distance, appreciating the growth and love and support that is provided by the people you choose to keep around you. It is twined in with Wyn and Harriet's relationship troubles as they try to protect the friendship and figure out whether distance or a second chance is what they need to prioritize.
Of course, in typical Emily Henry fashion, the story subverts traditional romance tropes and story structure in a refreshing and introspective way. You feel the pain, the joy, the love, the melancholy, and more.
Truly a stunning fourth book.
As per usual, you can expect this Emily Henry novel to gut you emotionally. A second chance romance of two people who have grown apart in an eight year long relationship due to a myriad of reasons that the book reveals in the most gut wrenching yet cathartic way.
The book explores found family in a tender and reverential way, cherishing long years of companionship in proximity and distance, appreciating the growth and love and support that is provided by the people you choose to keep around you. It is twined in with Wyn and Harriet's relationship troubles as they try to protect the friendship and figure out whether distance or a second chance is what they need to prioritize.
Of course, in typical Emily Henry fashion, the story subverts traditional romance tropes and story structure in a refreshing and introspective way. You feel the pain, the joy, the love, the melancholy, and more.
Truly a stunning fourth book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Infidelity, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
I love Emily Henry books and this was no exception. The characters are brilliant, the dialogue is witty and just as good as her other books.
The plot itself is engaging and fast paced.
I loved it all.
The plot itself is engaging and fast paced.
I loved it all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Mental illness, and Vomit
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