A review by paupereads
Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

HAPPY PLACE is the 1st book of EMILY HENRY that I read. I have higher an expectation since all of her books are currently (mostly) everyone's favorite. But, ended up confused with all the things on it. When I imagine a second chance between two people, I think of a lot of deep talks or at least moments that can show both of them in the process of making up. Well, it's has. But, I think it's not strong as as I thought. And, I realized, I am not typically the person who loves the miscommunication trope A LOT. I had problems between present and past moments, especially, the flashback moments that I think some moments shouldn't have to be there. The flashback in the beginning does not a lot explain anything, we can see how's both love each other. The important things are on the back, but that's not a lot. I don't know if it wants to be typically slow-burn or not, but I don't feel like that. It's more like being stuck in the moment and suddenly jumping into something. Rather than feel romantic when both of them were in deep talks, I felt more frustrated. What I said was, "They don't have the communication, they only focus on their assumptions. And nobody wants to talk first since they both think not enough of each other." 

HARRIET. I can feel her because we have been in the same situation (IF not, I think I will say I don't too much like her). I know how it feels when someone leaves us without explanation, It's sad and makes us think a lot of things that we shouldn't have to. At first, I think she is too much overthinking. She THINKS a lot without asking and makes her answer. She wants us to feel SORRY for her, she wants us to feel her sadness. But, I don't get it. But, knowing what happened to her, I give her a little apology. But, please, stop, for all of your assumptions. And, please, do not HORNY (too much).

WYN. I don't like him. I don't know what he wants. How did he pretend anything was good and try to joke around when the first time he met Harriet? I am mad. I just don't feel him. I always try excited about what he said, what he did, or anything. But, no one until the end made me feel I should give him at least two stars. The thing I clearly understand is the reason WHY HE DID that to HARRIET. I am sorry for your loss. That's sad. I know. But, YOU ARE STILL WRONG? I know it's hard for you. But, you are in the relationship too and someone is IN FRONT OF YOU. At least, TELL HER. And, why you are trying so much to give any kind of reason to make her feel bad for thinking like that? I mean, Okay, I accept it. But, that's not only her fault. YOU ALSO DID THAT. You are not the only one who falling. Losing someone is a terrible thing. All of us know about it. But, please do not leave someone alone without explanation. Or at least, try to reach her when you feel okay. Feeling sorry and only reaching it by the phone because you think that she hates you. Oh, Man. Better think again about your effort than say I love you any time to her.

THE RELATIONSHIP. So, Yup. That's all. THE MISSCOMMUNICATION is the highlight. And no one wanted to start it if the situation didn't push them.

OTHERS CHARACTERS. I can feel their friendship. I can see the author wants to highlight how close the six of them. And, I applause for that! But, I agree with someone who said, "It feels like I am a thrid-third wheel on their friendship. I hate Sabrina in the end. What she said to Harriet was the reason WHY her friend broke up, she did it terribly. How you can say that to someone close to you? She wants to fix everything, she wants everything back to normal, and she wants to save the friendship. But, what she did was wrong. And how she judges her closest friends, that's bad. I hate that. People have their own business. How close you are to someone, it is not easy to talk when you are not in a good feeling and situation. And, we must understand. You are not the main character.

LAST. I don't want to talk about the ending. But, beside all of that. EVERYTING WAS CLEAR. I can see the characters were growing (even the smallest things). And I love EMILY HENRY's writing style! That what I love!

A MESSAGE FOR YOU : Please, do not having a group of friendship and all of you has a relationship to each other.