Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Happy Place - Urlaub mit dem Ex

This book packs a punch. There is so much angst and yearning. My heart was being torn out while listening to this story. It’s all told from Harriet’s POV, but once things get going it’s plain to see that she’s not getting the full picture of what is going on around her. Not necessarily through the fault of any of her loved ones, but because Harriet is a people pleaser and never stops to truly listen to what is being said around her. If there is strife, she is looking for a way to smooth things over. Not just in her own life, but in those around her. If her two best friends, Sabrina and Cleo, seem at odds, Harriet is right in the mix to keep things upbeat. She tries so hard and is constantly working to keep things even-keeled, it’s a wonder she hasn’t collapsed under the pressure she puts on herself.

I found this story to be a slow starter. I feel this is the case with most of this author’s books. Yet, as usual, after a few chapters and once everything important is established the story takes off. I love the glimpses of Harriet and Wynn from earlier times when they first fell in love, and how deep their feelings grew. Wynn has so many quotable moments. He’s such a romantic and he is obviously head over heels in love with Harriet. But Wynn grew up with a loving family and knows how to trust his feelings and the feelings of those around him. Harriet questions everything and doesn’t trust that if she doesn’t live up to some image she has made up in her head she will be left in the dust. She may get frustrated that Wynn underestimates his intelligence, but she underestimates her worth. Their week pretending to still be engaged while on vacation with their friends is a roller coaster of emotions. It’s so clear they are still deeply in love, but can they find a way to be together?

This is a friends story as well as a second chance love story. All friendships go through different phases. Now that Harriet and her friends are out of college and into their careers, it is natural that they don’t have a lot of time for each other. Especially since they no longer live close to one another. This means that they are keeping things from each other that they never would have in the past. They each want the little bit of time they have with each other, be it on the phone or in person, to be carefree and fun. Yet these things they’re withholding mean they are speaking to each other less and less and the cracks are forming. The author does a wonderful job of showing those cracks while also showing the depth of the love they have for each other.

I have seen some reviews where people think Harriet isn’t happy, but in my the eyes this is a true HEA. From the first time we see Harriet reflecting on her job it is clear to me she is not happy with the direction she took her life while in school. I don’t want to give spoilers so I can’t say too much about how things end. I will admit there were times I was afraid it wouldn’t be a true HEA for both Harriet and Wynn, that one of them would have to sacrifice their happiness to be together. I ended up loving how things turned out for them and like I said, think it’s a true HEA.

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ktv's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

So cute and captivating. I love these characters. I love how the side characters weren’t even side characters, but they had lives and personalities of their own. A story about (mis)communication, growing up, and always finding a place where you belong with the people you love.

Content Warnings

abby_can_read's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

📖
I enjoy Emily Henry books. This was good and I enjoyed reading it. I think Henry's books follow the same trope - the characters not talking and accepted their assumptions despite it being oblivious to others.

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natreadsss's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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

4.25

Julia Whelan just does such a great job narrating, and I think this book may have bored me a bit more without her talents. I do love a slow burn romance, but this one maybe was too slow? I got a little bored in the middle, and I felt like the the "conflict" in the relationship was just as deep as one in a Hallmark movie -

just lack of communication.

Like, I wasn't rooting for them lol and also!

Was I supposed to catch that she hated being a doctor??? That seemed out of nowhere to me!

Would probs try Ms. Henry again.

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isfantasi's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

3.75

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