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mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was the first book of Henry's that I have read (although I own two of her other books). Although this was my first trip on the Emily Henry bandwagon I can firmly say that I get what all the fuss was about. Her writing has a way of drawing you in and I found Harriet relatable in so many ways that in several instances throughout the book, it hurt how much I connected with her. I think that is why I gave this book such a high rating. Harriet's re-evaluation of some of her life choices is something that I can deeply relate to as a recent doctoral graduate.
I will say that I did find the friendship dynamics the most interesting relationships discussed in the book and the climax of that part of the story and its resolution were both really satisfying to me. Henry found a way to capture how friendships evolve over time and expand and grow to accommodate the people within them.
Part of the reason the friendship dynamic was so much more appealing to me in this book is that I actively hate the miscommunication trope in so many ways even if it is a shortlived part of the plot. If this had been a physical book I may have thrown it across the room several times because I was just so frustrated that Harriet REFUSED to say things that she was thinking so loudly in her head.
I enjoyed the writing and human dynamics discussed in this book and would recommend it if you enjoy romance novels or books that discuss found families.
I will say that I did find the friendship dynamics the most interesting relationships discussed in the book and the climax of that part of the story and its resolution were both really satisfying to me. Henry found a way to capture how friendships evolve over time and expand and grow to accommodate the people within them.
Part of the reason the friendship dynamic was so much more appealing to me in this book is that I actively hate the miscommunication trope in so many ways even if it is a shortlived part of the plot. If this had been a physical book I may have thrown it across the room several times because I was just so frustrated that Harriet REFUSED to say things that she was thinking so loudly in her head.
I enjoyed the writing and human dynamics discussed in this book and would recommend it if you enjoy romance novels or books that discuss found families.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
hannalizzy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this was really cute! pretty repetitive internal dialogue was my main problem. The couple’s main dilemma was mainly miscommunication, which is also a trope I hate, so it was hard to not get super angry at them and to know that if everyone would have just sat down and talked the whole thing could have been avoided. I liked the narrator though, and the ending was sweet, lots of chemistry between the two of them. I would recommend, but I don’t think it’s Emily Henry’s best
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
sara_siddiqui21's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Title: Happy Place
Author: Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Summery • Heartfelt • Lackluster
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college — they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now — for reasons they’re still not discussing — they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well it looks like I am in the minority... yet again when it comes to an Emily Henry book. After finishing this one I actually sat and contemplated why I just don't love her books like everyone else seems to. Happy Place to me was just okay, nothing absolutely amazing.
I will start out by repeating myself, that Emily writes banter unlike anyone else. And she also does supporting characters very well. I loved the friendship aspect and the idea of an annual friends getaway. But that also left me wanting more of supporting characters' stories (which I kind got in the third act conflict). Another thing this book did incredibly well? Make me want to visit coastal Maine. The descriptions - sights, smells, food, beauty - all of it made me want to road trip.
And yet, I just didn't buy what Harriet and Wyn were selling. The romance didn't seem believable. In the beginning I preferred the past timeline way more than the present day, and halfway in that switched. It's quite possible my expectations are always way to high going in, but it felt forgettable.
After reading all of Emily Henry's adult romance novels and not fully understanding the hype, I think I am finally convinced her stories are just not for me. And yet, here I am already having added her 2024 release to my TBR, so the marketing team is definitely doing something right. Don't let my experience deter you from picking this up, because this book has certainly garnered its fair share of love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the second chance romance trope
• Emily Henry die hards
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything is changing. It has to. You can't stop time."
"Like even when something beautiful breaks, the making of it still matters."
Author: Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Summery • Heartfelt • Lackluster
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college — they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now — for reasons they’re still not discussing — they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well it looks like I am in the minority... yet again when it comes to an Emily Henry book. After finishing this one I actually sat and contemplated why I just don't love her books like everyone else seems to. Happy Place to me was just okay, nothing absolutely amazing.
I will start out by repeating myself, that Emily writes banter unlike anyone else. And she also does supporting characters very well. I loved the friendship aspect and the idea of an annual friends getaway. But that also left me wanting more of supporting characters' stories (which I kind got in the third act conflict). Another thing this book did incredibly well? Make me want to visit coastal Maine. The descriptions - sights, smells, food, beauty - all of it made me want to road trip.
And yet, I just didn't buy what Harriet and Wyn were selling. The romance didn't seem believable. In the beginning I preferred the past timeline way more than the present day, and halfway in that switched. It's quite possible my expectations are always way to high going in, but it felt forgettable.
After reading all of Emily Henry's adult romance novels and not fully understanding the hype, I think I am finally convinced her stories are just not for me. And yet, here I am already having added her 2024 release to my TBR, so the marketing team is definitely doing something right. Don't let my experience deter you from picking this up, because this book has certainly garnered its fair share of love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the second chance romance trope
• Emily Henry die hards
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything is changing. It has to. You can't stop time."
"Like even when something beautiful breaks, the making of it still matters."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Chronic illness, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Death, and Death of parent
elledanie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Well, that was terrible imo. I was going to give it at least 2 stars until she gave up her dream job for a man 🙄
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship, Car accident, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Confinement, Mental illness, and Medical content
darbylane's review
fast-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol
jo_22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a bit slow-going for me at first (relative to other Emily Henry books) in how it took me farther into the story to really connect with the characters. They were enjoyable characters but frustrating at times when they didn’t communicate; and I think the I wasn’t as engaged in the plot til probs 50% of the way through. Listened to it on a 9 hour solo drive and despite my early frustrations, it was the perfect book to immerse in!
And the last 20%…oof <3 had great (albeit very rushed) character development, and relatable POVs/elements. (Career, life, love, boundaries, happiness, generational trauma, friendship, how to argue, secure attachment, growing up & adulting).
It was slightly triggering for me at some points which is reason for 4.25 stars instead of 5 stars.
Overall feelings are:
• omg this was enjoyable
• I want to talk to others about this book
• thanks han for pushing me to read it and putting me on EH
• the timeliness of me reading this is wild
• Harriet was frustrating in how she didn’t communicate or made assumptions / didn’t do relationships well. However I could relate at times so it didn’t bother me as much as other novels with this trope.
• I didn’t like Wyn in ways I liked other EH male romantic interests
• I like how much this focused on healthy relationships & friendships in particular way more than her other novels - it added a new dynamic & I enjoyed that variety. The characters didn’t often portray healthy relationships but I liked how EH explored that
• I NEED to own the paperback so I can reread and highlight impactful parts / quotes (There were so many moments where I paused the book to process or hype or reflect on)
And the last 20%…oof <3 had great (albeit very rushed) character development, and relatable POVs/elements. (Career, life, love, boundaries, happiness, generational trauma, friendship, how to argue, secure attachment, growing up & adulting).
It was slightly triggering for me at some points which is reason for 4.25 stars instead of 5 stars.
Overall feelings are:
• omg this was enjoyable
• I want to talk to others about this book
• thanks han for pushing me to read it and putting me on EH
• the timeliness of me reading this is wild
• Harriet was frustrating in how she didn’t communicate or made assumptions / didn’t do relationships well. However I could relate at times so it didn’t bother me as much as other novels with this trope.
• I didn’t like Wyn in ways I liked other EH male romantic interests
• I like how much this focused on healthy relationships & friendships in particular way more than her other novels - it added a new dynamic & I enjoyed that variety. The characters didn’t often portray healthy relationships but I liked how EH explored that
• I NEED to own the paperback so I can reread and highlight impactful parts / quotes (There were so many moments where I paused the book to process or hype or reflect on)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
leandrathetbrzero's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
My first 1 star of the year…
Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple until Wyn ended their engagement over an excruciating 4-minute phone call. Fast forward six months, and the two find themselves on their annual friends vacation…pretending to still be engaged. During the longest week of her life, Harriet must address her own people-pleasing tendencies, how she feels about Wyn’s proximity, and why their love didn’t last.
Wow, did I hate this book. It had every unhealthy relationship, from romantic to platonic. My biggest problems with Happy Place centered around the actions of Wyn and Sabrina, especially how they abused Harriet’s need to people-please and her tendency to blame herself. Both characters knew she grew up in a home with a loveless marriage, and that she struggles to set boundaries and speak up for what she wants, so I was shocked by how often her ex-fiance and (supposedly) best friend manipulated her and violated her trust.
SPOILERS
The only way this narrative could have been redeemed is if Harriet left everyone behind (besides Cleo and Kimmy, they were cool) and prioritized herself and her happiness. But alas, that did not happen, and this ended up being such a depressing book. #JusticeForHarriet
For those interested, I have a full review posted on my booktube: Leandra the TBR Zero. If you adored this book, then I recommend you take inventory and decide whether or not it is a good idea to watch!
Booktube Review: https://youtu.be/RrXYUYSNfAI
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Mental illness
griet's review
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Infertility, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
lovelymisanthrope's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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
4.5
I have been an avid reader of Emily Henry's romance novels for years now, and I knew I had to pick this one up as soon as it came out.
"Happy Place" follows two young people, Harriet and Wyn. They were always seen as the perfect couple and have been engaged for years. The only problem is they actually broke up six months ago, and they have yet to tell their friends. They decide that they will keep up the charade for one final summer trip with their friends before they break the news. But pretending to still be together proves to be more challenging when their friends are constantly pushing them together.
I LOVED this book! It does the second chance romance exceptionally well and even executes a fake dating scenario that I enjoyed. The novel flips back and forth from the past and present, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Harriet and Wyn came together as they are trying to repair their relationship in the present. I will say that their relationship demise is rooted in both of their failures in communication, which I am not typically a fan of. Neither one shared what they were really thinking, they kept it bottled inside, and then assumed what the other thought. I do not enjoy the miscommunication trope, but I was very satisfied with the resolution to this.
Harriet is a very relatable character without being a "pick me" girl. She has worked her whole life to try and please her parents, and this has cost her her own happiness. She also cares so much for her friends that she has kept this massive secret from them because she does not want them to be disappointed that her and Wyn have called it quits. She is stressed, over worked, and has the biggest heart.
Wyn is such an amazing guy. He is flawed and does not have the confidence in himself that Harriet has in him, and this makes the reader fall in love with him. He wants so badly to be good enough.
Harriet and Wyn and so perfectly matched. They really complement one another, and they are exactly what the other needs. They bring out the best in each other without pushing each other too much. I was rooting for them from page one.
This is definitely a new favorite for me, it does not replace my enthrallment of "Beach Read", but this is a very close second! I cannot wait to see what Emily Henry writes next.
"Happy Place" follows two young people, Harriet and Wyn. They were always seen as the perfect couple and have been engaged for years. The only problem is they actually broke up six months ago, and they have yet to tell their friends. They decide that they will keep up the charade for one final summer trip with their friends before they break the news. But pretending to still be together proves to be more challenging when their friends are constantly pushing them together.
I LOVED this book! It does the second chance romance exceptionally well and even executes a fake dating scenario that I enjoyed. The novel flips back and forth from the past and present, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Harriet and Wyn came together as they are trying to repair their relationship in the present. I will say that their relationship demise is rooted in both of their failures in communication, which I am not typically a fan of. Neither one shared what they were really thinking, they kept it bottled inside, and then assumed what the other thought. I do not enjoy the miscommunication trope, but I was very satisfied with the resolution to this.
Harriet is a very relatable character without being a "pick me" girl. She has worked her whole life to try and please her parents, and this has cost her her own happiness. She also cares so much for her friends that she has kept this massive secret from them because she does not want them to be disappointed that her and Wyn have called it quits. She is stressed, over worked, and has the biggest heart.
Wyn is such an amazing guy. He is flawed and does not have the confidence in himself that Harriet has in him, and this makes the reader fall in love with him. He wants so badly to be good enough.
Harriet and Wyn and so perfectly matched. They really complement one another, and they are exactly what the other needs. They bring out the best in each other without pushing each other too much. I was rooting for them from page one.
This is definitely a new favorite for me, it does not replace my enthrallment of "Beach Read", but this is a very close second! I cannot wait to see what Emily Henry writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent