3.93 AVERAGE

funny 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
emotional funny hopeful 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

I think this is the book that has converted me into a die-hard EmHen! She's really got a knack for dialogue, but what I loved so much about this book were the rich internal characterisations of both the FMC and the MMC. It's a friends-to-lovers trope; they've known each other for decades. He's grumpy + structured, she's free-spirited + easygoing. There's not much else to that, other than the fact that they take a vacation whenever they can - as friends.

Real romance for me will always be down to the emotional richness of the relationship. So while the plot seemed simple enough where both sides didn't know how the other felt and with the added confusion of friendship-tinged plausible deniability, I like a plot where no one is really standing in the way other than their own selves. It's frustrating, yes. But also a real reminder that we really can't make up what we think we know is going on in another person's brain! While this may seem boring to some, this was complete catnip for me; I loved it unabashedly.

I've only read one other Emily Henry (Beach Read), and so far, I really love how she draws her male characters. Like, she really knows how to capture what would make them so desirable that isn't trite or pat.

I'm also glad I read it at a time where I had fully processed a version of my life where I once felt I could relate to this fully, and I'm glad I am no longer in that state of being. Now, I relate to it as a past self relating to a story. So just from that relatable POV, I loved that I could read someone else's words describe how it was for me to feel so deeply for someone and not know if it was something I'd have the courage to to make into more. Loved it!
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted
funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

Wow. The whole last fourth of the book I had tears running down my face. I was screaming at the main characters but I also identified with them so much. Best book I've read in a very long time!
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

What a book…! Emily did it again, made me cry like a baby after such a beautiful heartfelt story. This book was so good and it really had everything you could want. Beautiful character development, friendship, loss and of course love! I just love Emily Henry writing and will continue to read everything she puts out! Highly recommend this book I honestly would give this book so many more stars but 5 is apparently my limit!
hopeful 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
funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated