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A review by valpyre
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i was definitely in the mood for this book, plus i tend to love a breakup-makeup storyline, so this was a very enjoyable read for me.
other reviews have definitely put into perspective some of what was lacking for me -- i loved the friend group in this, but felt like a lot of the side characters had more substance in flashbacks as opposed to the present. i was really drawn into the little bits of their present day lives and how they had their own struggles, and wished there was more development in that by the end, as opposed to a generic wrap up. the moment when harriet went to sit with parth and he told her she was family took me a little aback, because i hadn't really felt the development of their relationship compared to the others at all, even though it was a sweet sentiment. and through the Plot Twist, it was pointed out how harriet and sabrina had barely had anytime alone together to catch up and i was bummed that we didn't really see that resolve on the page by the end. i liked the group as an ensemble though.
the feelings, though, those kept me going. EH's writing just drew me in with her descriptive writing. i was so into harriet and wyn's love, even if harriet constantly being overwhelmed by wyn everytime he was near was a liiiittle over the top -- i was all there for it! they were obsessed with each other and it was great. i was waiting for a miscommunication shoe to drop for me though, one that went isn't this a little much? couldn't y'all have just talked about it? but i guess i relate a little too hard to Not Talking About It, so it was a fine balance for me. i was also so delighted whenever wyn showed up exactly when harriet was thinking of him, who cares if it was realistic/practical or not!
i'm not sure if i'll reread it, but i'm glad i read at all.
other reviews have definitely put into perspective some of what was lacking for me -- i loved the friend group in this, but felt like a lot of the side characters had more substance in flashbacks as opposed to the present. i was really drawn into the little bits of their present day lives and how they had their own struggles, and wished there was more development in that by the end, as opposed to a generic wrap up. the moment when harriet went to sit with parth and he told her she was family took me a little aback, because i hadn't really felt the development of their relationship compared to the others at all, even though it was a sweet sentiment. and through the Plot Twist, it was pointed out how harriet and sabrina had barely had anytime alone together to catch up and i was bummed that we didn't really see that resolve on the page by the end. i liked the group as an ensemble though.
the feelings, though, those kept me going. EH's writing just drew me in with her descriptive writing. i was so into harriet and wyn's love, even if harriet constantly being overwhelmed by wyn everytime he was near was a liiiittle over the top -- i was all there for it! they were obsessed with each other and it was great. i was waiting for a miscommunication shoe to drop for me though, one that went isn't this a little much? couldn't y'all have just talked about it? but i guess i relate a little too hard to Not Talking About It, so it was a fine balance for me. i was also so delighted whenever wyn showed up exactly when harriet was thinking of him, who cares if it was realistic/practical or not!
i'm not sure if i'll reread it, but i'm glad i read at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy