You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel a lot of feelings about this book. For once, I read it in German but for most of the book, I listened to the audiobook and that one I really disliked. It felt really slow and dragged a lot without any markings when a new chapter or a history part began.
As soon as I started reading it with my eyes though, I really enjoyed the book again as I always (so far) did with Henry‘s books.
I really liked Margaret and the mystery surrounding Jodi, her mysterious housekeeper. Alice was a great narrator and main character, and her love story with Hayden was sweet and pretty convincing.
The history parts were partly my favorites, especially when I started reading the book and started to notice how the names were actually spelled after listening to them (I thought Gerald was spelled Darren ups) and all the plot twists wooing into them were just chefs kiss.
And just for fun, bc the public was comparing them: all in all I like Great Big Beautiful Life a lot more than The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, even though the plot twist in the end was pretty similar. Also The Last Great American Dynasty is my favorite Folklore song, so I was ecstatic when getting to know Henry wrote a book inspired by it and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
As soon as I started reading it with my eyes though, I really enjoyed the book again as I always (so far) did with Henry‘s books.
I really liked Margaret and the mystery surrounding Jodi, her mysterious housekeeper. Alice was a great narrator and main character, and her love story with Hayden was sweet and pretty convincing.
The history parts were partly my favorites, especially when I started reading the book and started to notice how the names were actually spelled after listening to them (I thought Gerald was spelled Darren ups) and all the plot twists wooing into them were just chefs kiss.
And just for fun, bc the public was comparing them: all in all I like Great Big Beautiful Life a lot more than The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, even though the plot twist in the end was pretty similar. Also The Last Great American Dynasty is my favorite Folklore song, so I was ecstatic when getting to know Henry wrote a book inspired by it and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Dementia, Stalking, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Emily Henry does not disappoint. I didn’t want this book to end. Absolutely loved the relationship growth between Alice and Henry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. I already want to read it again. I don't know how Emily Henry does it but het writing gets better and better everytime.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second Emily Henry book. The last one I read (Beach Read.. I think?) I thought was fine. I remember parts of it, but I didn't love it the way so many people seem to. I was excited about the premise for this one, and even when early reviews started coming in and people who usually love her work didn't like this one, I continued to be optimistic because I thought maybe what didn't work for them would make it work for me. I really like the story and the characters. I like Hayden and Alice as characters, and I liked their romantic dynamic as well. I liked the mystery in the plot, and I love the idea of exploring the past of someone in tandem with other character's present. What really fell flat for me was the pacing and the ending. I think the pacing of the plot points needed more work. Most of the book had a slow burn, but then when a specific mysterious element was added, it felt like it was rushed to be explained, which killed some of the buildup. Along with that, while I could have accepted the ending (although that itself also felt a tad rushed) the epilogue is what really through me off. We jump around in the future, with so much changing for these characters so quickly, but because it's the ending and we're jumping through time, it didn't feel like we really got to feel these changes happening for them.
I liked this more than I liked the other Emily Henry I read, and I would pick her work up again if a book sticks out to me, but I don't feel a strong feeling about needing to pick up another of her work.
*Edit: Apparently I gave Beach Read 4 stars ... that is wild to me. I do not think it would be a 4 star for me now, and at this point in time I do think this is a better book, but it's also a lower rated book compared to books I really enjoy.
I liked this more than I liked the other Emily Henry I read, and I would pick her work up again if a book sticks out to me, but I don't feel a strong feeling about needing to pick up another of her work.
*Edit: Apparently I gave Beach Read 4 stars ... that is wild to me. I do not think it would be a 4 star for me now, and at this point in time I do think this is a better book, but it's also a lower rated book compared to books I really enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Dementia
Minor: Terminal illness
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was my first Emily Henry read, and I really enjoyed it. It was beautiful - soft in some parts, emotional in others. There’s a quiet little mystery threaded through it (not crime-related, don’t worry), and it kept me turning the pages, wanting to know more about Margaret and her past.
The deeper I got into the story, the more I loved the characters. I was expecting a twist - and while it wasn’t entirely unpredictable, it still landed in a way that surprised me. Honestly, I’m someone who usually struggles with light or “cute” reads because I can find them a bit dull... but this one? I really liked it.
I loved Alice. She’s this bubbly, light-hearted character - and usually I’d be rolling my eyes at that type, but not her. She had substance. She was joyful, but not naive. She knew life could be tough and still chose to look for the good. She actually reminded me a lot of my Nana - always striving to see the sunshine, even when there were storms and trying to undertsand that there is more to everyone you meet. She felt like a true sunflower personality, and I really appreciated that.
And Hayden — he wasn’t your typical grumpy love interest. He wasn’t cold or cruel, just direct. And while he had that broody energy, he wasn’t an arsehole about it. Lately, a lot of male characters feel like boys with bad attitudes and dirty mouths (which can be great, but sometimes can be very repetitive and same character energy) - but Hayden was kind, thoughtful, and fully himself, even when he was moody.
The banter and sarcasm between Alice and Hayden was such a highlight. They just got each other. Alice understood that Hayden’s bluntness wasn’t rudeness — he was just honest. And Hayden helped Alice realise that being happy didn’t make her shallow — it made her resilient. He saw her for who she really was and celebrated that.
She was the rainbow to his rain clouds 🤍
What I loved most is that this story was layered — not just a romance, but a reflection on family, fame, and grief.
And the story-within-a-story element? Really well done.
The deeper I got into the story, the more I loved the characters. I was expecting a twist - and while it wasn’t entirely unpredictable, it still landed in a way that surprised me. Honestly, I’m someone who usually struggles with light or “cute” reads because I can find them a bit dull... but this one? I really liked it.
I loved Alice. She’s this bubbly, light-hearted character - and usually I’d be rolling my eyes at that type, but not her. She had substance. She was joyful, but not naive. She knew life could be tough and still chose to look for the good. She actually reminded me a lot of my Nana - always striving to see the sunshine, even when there were storms and trying to undertsand that there is more to everyone you meet. She felt like a true sunflower personality, and I really appreciated that.
And Hayden — he wasn’t your typical grumpy love interest. He wasn’t cold or cruel, just direct. And while he had that broody energy, he wasn’t an arsehole about it. Lately, a lot of male characters feel like boys with bad attitudes and dirty mouths (which can be great, but sometimes can be very repetitive and same character energy) - but Hayden was kind, thoughtful, and fully himself, even when he was moody.
The banter and sarcasm between Alice and Hayden was such a highlight. They just got each other. Alice understood that Hayden’s bluntness wasn’t rudeness — he was just honest. And Hayden helped Alice realise that being happy didn’t make her shallow — it made her resilient. He saw her for who she really was and celebrated that.
She was the rainbow to his rain clouds 🤍
What I loved most is that this story was layered — not just a romance, but a reflection on family, fame, and grief.
And the story-within-a-story element? Really well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
emotional
lighthearted
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
What to say about this! I went into this book with low expectations despite loving Emily Henry as an author, because I'd heard some mixed reviews from other folks. I did like it, but I definitley liked it less than her others. It feels unfair to compare newer books to her holy trinity (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers) but this felt like there were too many different pieces going on at once, which made all of it feel pretty rushed.
This felt like it was trying to be three stories in one... a drama about traumatic family relationships, a mystery about the life of an older celebrity woman who is surrounded by secrets, and an Emily Henry romance with cute banter and fun characters. And it had pieces of all of those, but I wish we had committed to one or even two of those plotlines. Alice's mom sucked and maybe it's because of my own mommy issues but I just have trouble believing that every problem she had with her mom was solved after one emotional confession. I did like the two main characters, but I felt like they were underdeveloped. It was pretty instalovey and overall just felt very rushed. I wish we had spent more time getting to know them. Again it feels unfair to compare it to Emily Henry's past books but sue me, I'm doing that. And the whole Margaret story just felt so much like Evelyn Hugo, PLUS with Julia Whelan narrating? Girl I was waiting for Mick Riva to show up.
It's still a 3.5ish. And I'll continue to read every book she writes so really no harm done 🙂↕️
This felt like it was trying to be three stories in one... a drama about traumatic family relationships, a mystery about the life of an older celebrity woman who is surrounded by secrets, and an Emily Henry romance with cute banter and fun characters. And it had pieces of all of those, but I wish we had committed to one or even two of those plotlines. Alice's mom sucked and maybe it's because of my own mommy issues but I just have trouble believing that every problem she had with her mom was solved after one emotional confession. I did like the two main characters, but I felt like they were underdeveloped. It was pretty instalovey and overall just felt very rushed. I wish we had spent more time getting to know them. Again it feels unfair to compare it to Emily Henry's past books but sue me, I'm doing that. And the whole Margaret story just felt so much like Evelyn Hugo, PLUS with Julia Whelan narrating? Girl I was waiting for Mick Riva to show up.
It's still a 3.5ish. And I'll continue to read every book she writes so really no harm done 🙂↕️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Car accident
Minor: Mental illness, Dementia, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, Alcohol