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A review by readwkit
Happy Place by Emily Henry
4.0
3.75
❝In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you.❞
I've seen too many reviews saying that they found Harriet annoying. Well, guess what? Harriet is me, so I'm taking major offense to that. Reading Happy Place was like reading my worst parts come to life in a single character that I couldn't hate. Yes, she has a repetive problem of assuming too much and overthinking beyond normal standards. She thinks of everything, and then thinks some more. Every nook, every corner, every possible route—which inevitably also includes overanalysing her own insecurities and faults to an excessive amount.
Point is, she's me. Which is precisely why reading Happy Place was like looking in a mirror. I liked how the vibes of the book started off with "chirpy oh-my-god what the hell?! this is the WORST" attitude and progressed slowly into deeper topics. I enjoyed the back and forth between the timelines, and I can't deny—Wyn was a fantastic flirt back then. I would've totally stuttered around him. I was blushing when they were having moments between them. It was embarrassing.
I think the only real issue I had with the book was that despite the obvious communication, they still went back to their old ways. They put everything out in the open, but Wyn still faltered and doubted if she would be happy with him. I know it's supposed to be realistic, and that real change begins with baby steps but after a big confrontational scene, I expect some resolution and real work. I'm glad he ran after her nonetheless,but the hesitation and self-doubt shouldn't have been there in the first place. It was getting too repetitive for a book. Realistically, I don't know if they would last very long if they fall back into the same pattern so easily.
The writing was just as good as I had expected it to be. The characters seemed more nuanced and complex than previous EH books, so I'm glad I got to annotate this one. This is definitely a book for the Mirrorball, Archer, Great War and Right Where You Left Me girlies. Second chance romance has always been my second favourite trope, and I'm glad I got to see it done in a way that speaks to me so intimately.
Harriet takes out all of her insecurities and makes them a weapon. It's like emotional self harm, where you keep standing on the tightrope hoping that the other person is still interested, still looking at you.
And BECAUSE I see myself in her, I can't re-read this book. Emily Henry, you've outdone yourself.
❝In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you.❞
I've seen too many reviews saying that they found Harriet annoying. Well, guess what? Harriet is me, so I'm taking major offense to that. Reading Happy Place was like reading my worst parts come to life in a single character that I couldn't hate. Yes, she has a repetive problem of assuming too much and overthinking beyond normal standards. She thinks of everything, and then thinks some more. Every nook, every corner, every possible route—which inevitably also includes overanalysing her own insecurities and faults to an excessive amount.
Point is, she's me. Which is precisely why reading Happy Place was like looking in a mirror. I liked how the vibes of the book started off with "chirpy oh-my-god what the hell?! this is the WORST" attitude and progressed slowly into deeper topics. I enjoyed the back and forth between the timelines, and I can't deny—Wyn was a fantastic flirt back then. I would've totally stuttered around him. I was blushing when they were having moments between them. It was embarrassing.
I think the only real issue I had with the book was that despite the obvious communication, they still went back to their old ways. They put everything out in the open, but Wyn still faltered and doubted if she would be happy with him. I know it's supposed to be realistic, and that real change begins with baby steps but after a big confrontational scene, I expect some resolution and real work. I'm glad he ran after her nonetheless,but the hesitation and self-doubt shouldn't have been there in the first place. It was getting too repetitive for a book. Realistically, I don't know if they would last very long if they fall back into the same pattern so easily.
The writing was just as good as I had expected it to be. The characters seemed more nuanced and complex than previous EH books, so I'm glad I got to annotate this one. This is definitely a book for the Mirrorball, Archer, Great War and Right Where You Left Me girlies. Second chance romance has always been my second favourite trope, and I'm glad I got to see it done in a way that speaks to me so intimately.
Harriet takes out all of her insecurities and makes them a weapon. It's like emotional self harm, where you keep standing on the tightrope hoping that the other person is still interested, still looking at you.
And BECAUSE I see myself in her, I can't re-read this book. Emily Henry, you've outdone yourself.