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aurslde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
a really solid read !! i think for me, set up and romance trope wise, this isn't something i would really reach for. fake dating and second chance? ehhh not really my thing. however, i will say that emily henry does a really good job at keeping me invested outside of romance plots.
typically, authors put all their thought into the main characters, leaving the side characters lacking and suffering. but not emily henry !! she creates characters that feel genuine and tangible, including side characters. i liked how happy place tackled the message of relationships growing and evolving over time, leading to people drifting from each other due to new changes in life. it's such a common issue that every person has. the friendship dynamic is definitely what kept me hooked. romance wise, besides the tropes, i just wasn't FULLY feeling it. i loved our fmc, but i personally felt the mmc was lacking for me in that department. i can't really put my finger on what i didn't like about him but it's still good otherwise.
typically, authors put all their thought into the main characters, leaving the side characters lacking and suffering. but not emily henry !! she creates characters that feel genuine and tangible, including side characters. i liked how happy place tackled the message of relationships growing and evolving over time, leading to people drifting from each other due to new changes in life. it's such a common issue that every person has. the friendship dynamic is definitely what kept me hooked. romance wise, besides the tropes, i just wasn't FULLY feeling it. i loved our fmc, but i personally felt the mmc was lacking for me in that department. i can't really put my finger on what i didn't like about him but it's still good otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy
_meganrose's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my first Emily Henry read, and I can see why she is such a popular author. I love her effortlessly poetic writing style and spin on storytelling. Really enjoyed this! Perfect feel-good read for heading into Spring/Summertime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Chronic illness
tabea1409's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Cursing
kelsea's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy and Mental illness
gcoulsxn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy
kelisabeth's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Pregnancy, Grief, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
ktv's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
abby_can_read's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
natreadsss's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Grief and Mental illness