A review by lucybbookstuff
Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So many books would be 30 pages long if the characters just went to therapy. 🫠

But then, of course, we'd have one less book to enjoy! Even if that book frustrated the ever-loving shit out of me for a good 70% if it. 😅

This is not my favorite Emily Henry. It's probably my least favorite, to be honest. Which is not to say I didn't like it. She always gets me in the end. But this one felt extra tropey. Especially in regards to the friend group (as soon as she described her 2 friends as super rich and interesting and herself as poor from Indiana, I was like "oh lord 🙄") and the MISCOMMUNICATION. My god, I knew I didn't really like the miscommunication trope, but it was soooooo extra bad here. Between everyone. Like seriously, y'all, go to therapy. 😭 Use your goddamn words. I beg you.

I almost didn't want to show emotion out of spite when they finally started resolving things 😂 but I couldn't help it. I did end up crying multiple times, which is something only a good book can do. And I did love the ending. So I concede. It was good. Just way too frustrating and repetitive for 5 stars.

I did find the themes of personal happiness & fulfillment and the growing & shifting of friend groups especially relatable as a millennial. Both things I and my friends have contended with in the last few years. 

Before I go, I have to mention how insufferable I found the character of Sabrina. I can't believe how much they let her get away with. Her privilege was seriously showing. I don't subscribe to the "poor little rich girl" mindset; I do think anyone and everyone has a right to feel their feelings. But they also have the responsibility of taking care of those feelings *themselves.* The way she and Parth constantly pressured and then manipulated Harriet and Wyn made my jaw drop, and then they forgave her like it was nothing. 💀 And the way she scheduled a trip to see Cleo & Kimmy without even asking and then had the audacity to make rude comments about it all week. WE'RE ALL ADULTS HERE, ARE WE NOT? Jesus. I'm 30 and I cannot imagine putting up with friends this childish.


Okay, the end. Liked it in the end, but not my fave. Looking forward to her next book!