A review by willowbiblio
Happy Place by Emily Henry

5.0

"I understood then, the immense honor it is to hurt like she does. To have loved someone so much that the taste of maple syrup can make you cry and laugh at the same time."
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Oh boy was this good. I love that Henry's characters experience so much growth and unveiling of self over the course of a novel. She writes about love and lust in a way that doesn't feel cheap. It encourages and gives hope. We are able to overcome our pasts, our fears, the things that keep us separate from others, if we choose to push through the terror of ending up alone.

Wyn was so devoted, honest, kind, and giving. It's positive to read male love interests that make one aspire to expect more from those in real life. The portrayal of how friendships can grow, or grow apart, if we choose not to fight for them was really insightful.

Most of all, I loved that there was a happy ending. I read a lot of dark/hyper-realist books that often don't end "well". It's so important to make room for reconciliation, love, and joy. I cannot wait to read more of her work. If nothing else, I love that she creates room for characters like Wyn to be authentic to their happiness and not sacrifice everything important to them for love.