Scan barcode
A review by simmonsj
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
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
3.0
Eh, it was Ok. Not my favorite by Henry by far.
Main premise is a second chance romance story between Harriet and Wyn, along with a friendship story about 3 woman who meet every year at a cottage in Maine. This year creates more tension as we learn that after 8 years Harriet and Wyn have broken up but haven't told anyone, and the cottage is being sold after this vacation.
Miscommunication on steroids was the second trope in this book. Personally I can handle some miscommunication in these types of books but man, I was ready to slap everyone and tell them to start talking! A lot of secrets, a lot of inner monologuing everything that should have been said out loud. I know these things are very real life scenarios, but they do grate at me when reading.
I was a little disappointed in Harriet and Wyn too. For all their talk of how much they love each other and need each other and can't live without each other, their breakup was laughable. No one fought for the other, no one spoke, 8 years gone in a 4 minute phone call? Sorry, I don't believe it.
So what was good? The friendship bits I liked. Again with more miscommunication but felt a little more realistic to me. Henry's writing is nice with some good sentences in there, although it can be repetitive at times especially in Harriet's inner thoughts. Since the book was spent in Harriet's POV, the reader gets to know her and her thoughts really well and she is a believable adult in the middle of a lot of life changes. Other characters were well fleshed out, although Wyn was probably the least.
Overall not a bad read, but not the author's best work.
Main premise is a second chance romance story between Harriet and Wyn, along with a friendship story about 3 woman who meet every year at a cottage in Maine. This year creates more tension as we learn that after 8 years Harriet and Wyn have broken up but haven't told anyone, and the cottage is being sold after this vacation.
Miscommunication on steroids was the second trope in this book. Personally I can handle some miscommunication in these types of books but man, I was ready to slap everyone and tell them to start talking! A lot of secrets, a lot of inner monologuing everything that should have been said out loud. I know these things are very real life scenarios, but they do grate at me when reading.
I was a little disappointed in Harriet and Wyn too. For all their talk of how much they love each other and need each other and can't live without each other, their breakup was laughable. No one fought for the other, no one spoke, 8 years gone in a 4 minute phone call? Sorry, I don't believe it.
So what was good? The friendship bits I liked. Again with more miscommunication but felt a little more realistic to me. Henry's writing is nice with some good sentences in there, although it can be repetitive at times especially in Harriet's inner thoughts. Since the book was spent in Harriet's POV, the reader gets to know her and her thoughts really well and she is a believable adult in the middle of a lot of life changes. Other characters were well fleshed out, although Wyn was probably the least.
Overall not a bad read, but not the author's best work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent