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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
my second time read, and here's the my full review:
With tears in my eyes, I will say that this is probably one of the best second-chance romances I have ever read. (I don't think some books can top this for me, yet)
I think Emily Henry can write the depth and vulnerability of her characters stunningly.
At first, I felt like I couldn't relate to Harriet, but the more I read, the more I understood that many layers of her were built slowly within the story. After that, I feel like I AM JUST LIKE HARRIET AND I UNDERSTAND HER, TOO MUCH.
I love the dual timeline; some might say it's a bit slow, and it is, but I enjoyed the way the plot was written. Another thing that I love, the side characters here are one of the key points to their story, not just some accessories that were added to the plot.
lovers, friends, families, everything is a huge part of the story.
So, Emily Henry, I will send my therapy bills soon.
Also, if you talk shit about Harriet and Wyn, I'm not gonna be mad, but I'm gonna cry.
"In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you."
With tears in my eyes, I will say that this is probably one of the best second-chance romances I have ever read. (I don't think some books can top this for me, yet)
I think Emily Henry can write the depth and vulnerability of her characters stunningly.
At first, I felt like I couldn't relate to Harriet, but the more I read, the more I understood that many layers of her were built slowly within the story. After that, I feel like I AM JUST LIKE HARRIET AND I UNDERSTAND HER, TOO MUCH.
I love the dual timeline; some might say it's a bit slow, and it is, but I enjoyed the way the plot was written. Another thing that I love, the side characters here are one of the key points to their story, not just some accessories that were added to the plot.
lovers, friends, families, everything is a huge part of the story.
So, Emily Henry, I will send my therapy bills soon.
Also, if you talk shit about Harriet and Wyn, I'm not gonna be mad, but I'm gonna cry.
"In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you."
I have had my periods of romance reading over the years, but it is not my current fave genre. However, I started reading Emily Henry late last year , one because I was seeing her everywhere and I was like sure why not, and two because I'm a sucker for great cover designs. And I loved it. I cried and my heart ached when I read Beach Read and Book Lovers (my 2 faves so far), and People We Meet on Vacation wasn't too far behind.
However. However - I feel like what I loved about those books was missing here in Happy Place. I got way too many "privileged white people" vibes, and that always rubs me the wrong way. I didn't really like, or could get invested in, any of the characters. The plot was kind of a mess (felt like it wasn't really going anywhere most of the time, or felt forced and messy) and just didn't really hold my interest. I felt myself zoning out for periods while listening to it, which I only do when things get boring in a book. I really disliked the first 3/4 of the book, and was all ready to give it 2 stars.
But then, she redeemed our main characters, Harriet and Wyn (and somewhat the other 2 couples) towards the end and it was enough for me to give it 3 stars. The thing that she can do so well, is explain real life relationship feelings, the things you can and can't say, and you find yourself nodding along and agreeing and crying and believing in all of it. Because it's all things you've felt before. It's things you have and haven't been able to say in your own relationships. Towards the end when Harriet and Wyn "fight" - that was the most real and believable part of the book for me. I felt those feelings - I could RELATE - to those feelings.
Does the whole book need to be 5 star material? No, it doesn't. But, from what I've read of Ms. Henry's work so far, she can do better than this.
However. However - I feel like what I loved about those books was missing here in Happy Place. I got way too many "privileged white people" vibes, and that always rubs me the wrong way. I didn't really like, or could get invested in, any of the characters. The plot was kind of a mess (felt like it wasn't really going anywhere most of the time, or felt forced and messy) and just didn't really hold my interest. I felt myself zoning out for periods while listening to it, which I only do when things get boring in a book. I really disliked the first 3/4 of the book, and was all ready to give it 2 stars.
But then, she redeemed our main characters, Harriet and Wyn (and somewhat the other 2 couples) towards the end and it was enough for me to give it 3 stars. The thing that she can do so well, is explain real life relationship feelings, the things you can and can't say, and you find yourself nodding along and agreeing and crying and believing in all of it. Because it's all things you've felt before. It's things you have and haven't been able to say in your own relationships. Towards the end when Harriet and Wyn "fight" - that was the most real and believable part of the book for me. I felt those feelings - I could RELATE - to those feelings.
Does the whole book need to be 5 star material? No, it doesn't. But, from what I've read of Ms. Henry's work so far, she can do better than this.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
amazing. not sure where this falls in my EH book ranking, but i will say i enjoyed it more than i thought i would based on some early reviews i saw. maybe i am a fan of second chance romances? it maybe that’s just a testament to EH’s great writing. highly recommend.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
high 3s, low 4s. It was so frustrating but so enjoyable. I appreciate that there was a deeper aspect to it, especially towards the end. I also felt that the characters were all really fleshed out, not just the narrator.
This was my activity of the day, literally all I did was read this in different pretty places, and I loved it! really liked the people, setting, and relationship. I was just kinda unimpressed by the conflict, but honestly I feel like it's really hard to get a conflict that is big enough to be interesting but not big enough to be completely unforgiveable in these books.
For a fun casual read, this one made me more emotional than I’d anticipated. Something about the similarities of 10 years of college friendships & savoring the memories & honoring the changing of relationships.