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A review by abbyofgreengables
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Emily Henry you mad genius. I love you so much. Great Big Beautiful Life has got to be one of Emily's best books. It was different than anything else she's written but it is fantastic. I was so sucked into this world that I would question where I was when I looked up from the book. What a wonderful writer Emily is. What a magnificent book.
Okay, first, the cast of characters are perfect. From Margaret and all her family to Alice and Hayden. Every character added something to the book. Alice Scott is such a loveable character. Her sunshine demeanor and optimism won me over. She's hilarious and kind and it was so easy to root for her. I loved her from page one. Hayden Anderson, what a man. I gotta be honest, he was a jerk at the beginning. But, as usual, Emily made us absolutely adore him by the end of the book. He was so kind and honest. He's selfless and funny. And he absolutely worships the ground Alice walks on. Hayden is down BAD! As all men should be for the woman they love. I loved watching Alice and Hayden grow together and fall in love. Their love felt so pure and honest. They way it developed felt so natural and real. It was perfectly written.
Onto the Margaret Ives storyline. Oh my gosh, was I absolutely hooked. I loved connecting all the dots and learning all about Margaret's family. So much joy and grief is found in Margaret's story. It made my heart ache to read about, but then it made my heart rejoice when Margaret gets her happy ending. Everything about this story was so real and put together perfectly. I love these characters, I love the story, I love this book. I honestly don't think Emily Henry is capable of writing a bad book. Everything she writes turns to gold. I love love love you Emily Henry.
Okay, first, the cast of characters are perfect. From Margaret and all her family to Alice and Hayden. Every character added something to the book. Alice Scott is such a loveable character. Her sunshine demeanor and optimism won me over. She's hilarious and kind and it was so easy to root for her. I loved her from page one. Hayden Anderson, what a man. I gotta be honest, he was a jerk at the beginning. But, as usual, Emily made us absolutely adore him by the end of the book. He was so kind and honest. He's selfless and funny. And he absolutely worships the ground Alice walks on. Hayden is down BAD! As all men should be for the woman they love. I loved watching Alice and Hayden grow together and fall in love. Their love felt so pure and honest. They way it developed felt so natural and real. It was perfectly written.
Onto the Margaret Ives storyline. Oh my gosh, was I absolutely hooked. I loved connecting all the dots and learning all about Margaret's family. So much joy and grief is found in Margaret's story. It made my heart ache to read about, but then it made my heart rejoice when Margaret gets her happy ending. Everything about this story was so real and put together perfectly. I love these characters, I love the story, I love this book. I honestly don't think Emily Henry is capable of writing a bad book. Everything she writes turns to gold. I love love love you Emily Henry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Dementia, Suicide attempt