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A review by amanda_reads13
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Six friends (3 couples) spend a week at a cottage together. Unbeknownst to the other four, Harriet and Wyn actually broke up months ago. Now they have to hide it in order make sure the week is perfect.
This is a story about self-discovery and putting ones self first when you are a perpetual people pleaser. When you have lived your life for others, it is difficult to figure out what actually makes you happy and brings you joy.
Harriet grew up in a home where her parents valued success and rarely expressed their emotions. She became the peacekeeper in her family, always overachieving to fulfill her parent's dreams. So, when she begins a relationship with Wyn, she doesn't have a healthy example to learn from. She hides her feelings from him thinking that's she is making his life easier by not putting her problems on him. Unfortunately, all it does if form a chasm between them. She needs to learn that you cannot live your life for others and lack of communication is relationship destroying.
Wyn has always thought he was less than. His sisters are very smart and he never felt like he could keep up. So when he met Harriet, he didn't think he was good enough for her. He always puts himself down and thinks that she deserves better. So, he pushes her away and doesn't really let her in.
I think the friendship in this book are so special because they are more than just friends, they are family. They may be at different places and phases in life, but they always have a space and place for each other.
Many of the relationships in this book are a perfect example of how you can love each other so deeply, but unless you have open communication and are honest about your feelings, you will drift away from each other. I was really frustrated with all the secrets and lies. Once the dam breaks and they all come clean, their relationships become so much stronger.
I get why Sabrina lied, but I think it was a really shitty thing to do. Let's have a conversation about how you know they have broken up and try to support your friends instead of forcing them into this incredibly uncomfortable situation. I don't understand why on earth Wyn and Harriet would "fake" their relationship, that is so awkward. I could never.
Tropes: second chance, found family, small town, mental health rep
This is a story about self-discovery and putting ones self first when you are a perpetual people pleaser. When you have lived your life for others, it is difficult to figure out what actually makes you happy and brings you joy.
Harriet grew up in a home where her parents valued success and rarely expressed their emotions. She became the peacekeeper in her family, always overachieving to fulfill her parent's dreams. So, when she begins a relationship with Wyn, she doesn't have a healthy example to learn from. She hides her feelings from him thinking that's she is making his life easier by not putting her problems on him. Unfortunately, all it does if form a chasm between them. She needs to learn that you cannot live your life for others and lack of communication is relationship destroying.
Wyn has always thought he was less than. His sisters are very smart and he never felt like he could keep up. So when he met Harriet, he didn't think he was good enough for her. He always puts himself down and thinks that she deserves better. So, he pushes her away and doesn't really let her in.
I think the friendship in this book are so special because they are more than just friends, they are family. They may be at different places and phases in life, but they always have a space and place for each other.
Many of the relationships in this book are a perfect example of how you can love each other so deeply, but unless you have open communication and are honest about your feelings, you will drift away from each other. I was really frustrated with all the secrets and lies. Once the dam breaks and they all come clean, their relationships become so much stronger.
I get why Sabrina lied, but I think it was a really shitty thing to do. Let's have a conversation about how you know they have broken up and try to support your friends instead of forcing them into this incredibly uncomfortable situation. I don't understand why on earth Wyn and Harriet would "fake" their relationship, that is so awkward. I could never.
Tropes: second chance, found family, small town, mental health rep
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy