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A review by theboundless_bookworm
Happy Place by Emily Henry
3.0
Harriet and Wyn seemed destined for a happy ending—everyone thought they were perfect together. Sadly, they’re not together anymore, but Harriet hasn’t shared this heartache with her closest friends. Timing feels off to spill the breakup news, especially since their cherished Maine cottage, where they always found solace, is up for sale. To add to the complication, they’re forced to play the role of a couple during their last group trip to the cottage, although there’s truly no necessity for such theatrics. The irony? They’re actually still in love, which only amplifies the difficulty of the situation.
Their friendship, a mix of nostalgia, humor, chaos, and fun, was the glue among the six of them. Despite knowing each other so well, years apart have created cracks that need patching. That’s the part of the story I loved most—not the messy romance between Harriet and Wyn.
To be fair, the story has all the makings of a romantic tale, one that any fan of Emily Henry would relish. However, it took me a while to warm up to it. It’s possible I wasn’t fully engaged while listening to the audiobook, or perhaps Harriet and Wyn just didn’t click with me. Their thoughts and conversations felt repetitive, almost as if the author was overemphasizing their feelings for each other. It wasn’t until the book’s end that I felt its allure. I might have rushed through it, not absorbing the storyline as I normally would. It’s odd—I usually feel guilty if I don’t enjoy a highly acclaimed book, but everyone’s tastes differ.
Still, buried within the story are valuable lessons. I might consider revisiting it when I’m in a better headspace; maybe then, I’ll appreciate it differently.
Their friendship, a mix of nostalgia, humor, chaos, and fun, was the glue among the six of them. Despite knowing each other so well, years apart have created cracks that need patching. That’s the part of the story I loved most—not the messy romance between Harriet and Wyn.
To be fair, the story has all the makings of a romantic tale, one that any fan of Emily Henry would relish. However, it took me a while to warm up to it. It’s possible I wasn’t fully engaged while listening to the audiobook, or perhaps Harriet and Wyn just didn’t click with me. Their thoughts and conversations felt repetitive, almost as if the author was overemphasizing their feelings for each other. It wasn’t until the book’s end that I felt its allure. I might have rushed through it, not absorbing the storyline as I normally would. It’s odd—I usually feel guilty if I don’t enjoy a highly acclaimed book, but everyone’s tastes differ.
Still, buried within the story are valuable lessons. I might consider revisiting it when I’m in a better headspace; maybe then, I’ll appreciate it differently.