A review by jedore
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

“It hurts to want it all, so many things that can’t coexist within the same life.”

This is a charming “rom com” that follows the relationship struggles of two best friends, Poppy and Alex. The story begins when they’re at university and alternates between the past and present, capturing their annual summer trips and feelings about each other over the course of a decade.

Initially, I thought the book was for a younger audience, and I almost set it aside shortly after starting it. At the beginning, Poppy, the main character, was a bit immature, irritating, and overdone. But as the story progressed, she grew on me. Because the narrative spans 10 years, it goes deeper and became more relevant to me as the characters matured.

The frequent jumps between past and present with ongoing cluelessness causing the same outcomes started to feel repetitive. Near the end, I was beginning to get exasperated and was often thinking, "Enough already!" The drawn-out nature of their relationship seemed unrealistic until I realized I actually have firsthand experience with super slowly evolving relationships!

I liked Emily’s exploration of the dysfunctions that can hinder relationships and appreciated that she didn’t fall into clichéd gender roles. This added a layer of authenticity to the story, making it more relatable.

This is a quick read that will appeal to anyone who likes romantic comedies that subtly deep dive into how fears can negatively impact relationships.