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A review by bookiewithacookie
You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My favourite Emily Henry read yet.
I just loved You and Me on Vacation. At first, I didn't feel particularly attached to Poppy as a protagonist, but her dynamic with Alex really developed her as a character.
Obviously the romance and chemistry was great. But for me what made this book super great was all the relatable complexities surrounding the relationship. Poppy's love/hate relationship with her hometown felt incredibly relatable - I think it will have for thousands of readers who don't necessarily dislike the place the grew up, but can't detach the location from the memories of teenage loneliness and angst.
Poppy's description of bullying and abuse from peers at school felt very genuine in a way that not many writers get right. Emily Henry didn't lean on cliches, and instead painted a very relatable picture of Poppy's almost obsessive need to have moved away from her hometown and 'make something' of herself, if anything just to spite those who bullied and teased her. Moving home, even to be with her best friend and partner feels like giving up that opportunity to feel like someone - something her hometown and shitty time at high school never let her feel.
LOVED IT.
I also really loved Alex as a character. He had all the makings of my favourite male character: awkward but leans on a 10/10 sense of humour and is an absolute snack. Perfection.
All this intertwined with a plot structure jumping in-between different summers alongside vivid descriptions of gorgeous travel spots made for a great read. SO excited to start Book Lovers soon!
I just loved You and Me on Vacation. At first, I didn't feel particularly attached to Poppy as a protagonist, but her dynamic with Alex really developed her as a character.
Obviously the romance and chemistry was great. But for me what made this book super great was all the relatable complexities surrounding the relationship. Poppy's love/hate relationship with her hometown felt incredibly relatable - I think it will have for thousands of readers who don't necessarily dislike the place the grew up, but can't detach the location from the memories of teenage loneliness and angst.
Poppy's description of bullying and abuse from peers at school felt very genuine in a way that not many writers get right. Emily Henry didn't lean on cliches, and instead painted a very relatable picture of Poppy's almost obsessive need to have moved away from her hometown and 'make something' of herself, if anything just to spite those who bullied and teased her. Moving home, even to be with her best friend and partner feels like giving up that opportunity to feel like someone - something her hometown and shitty time at high school never let her feel.
LOVED IT.
I also really loved Alex as a character. He had all the makings of my favourite male character: awkward but leans on a 10/10 sense of humour and is an absolute snack. Perfection.
All this intertwined with a plot structure jumping in-between different summers alongside vivid descriptions of gorgeous travel spots made for a great read. SO excited to start Book Lovers soon!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent