You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
xlivingthroughpagesx 's review for:
Great Big Beautiful Life
by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
☀️Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry☀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Emily Henry has done it again - this time with a sun-drenched island, a reclusive icon, and two writers who have absolutely no business catching feelings. And yet. 😏
We meet Alice Scott, an endearing chaos muppet of a writer, and Hayden Anderson, her thundercloud of a rival, as they go head-to-head for the job of a lifetime: telling the story of the elusive (and possibly myth-level fabulous) Margaret Ives. Think Gatsby meets Grey Gardens with a dash of slow-burn tension and you’ll have a taste of the vibes. 🍸📖🌴
The plot unfolds like a treasure hunt in heels - Margaret only gives them fragments of her past, and thanks to ironclad NDAs, there’s no note-passing allowed. Meanwhile, Alice and Hayden keep brushing against each other with all the chemistry of a matchbook in a bonfire.
I loved the layered storytelling, the glamorous-yet-haunted feel of Margaret’s world, and the way Henry lets the romance simmer instead of boil over. And Alice? She’s the kind of protagonist you want to get drinks with and root for - smart, warm, and quietly gutsy.
My one teeny critique? The ending tied up a little too quickly for a story that took its time unfolding. I wouldn’t have minded a few extra chapters to luxuriate in the resolution. But hey, that’s just a sign I didn’t want to leave the island.
All in all, Great Big Beautiful Life is an escapist treat with heart, heat, and a few secrets you won’t see coming. Highly recommend packing it in your beach bag. ☀️📝💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Emily Henry has done it again - this time with a sun-drenched island, a reclusive icon, and two writers who have absolutely no business catching feelings. And yet. 😏
We meet Alice Scott, an endearing chaos muppet of a writer, and Hayden Anderson, her thundercloud of a rival, as they go head-to-head for the job of a lifetime: telling the story of the elusive (and possibly myth-level fabulous) Margaret Ives. Think Gatsby meets Grey Gardens with a dash of slow-burn tension and you’ll have a taste of the vibes. 🍸📖🌴
The plot unfolds like a treasure hunt in heels - Margaret only gives them fragments of her past, and thanks to ironclad NDAs, there’s no note-passing allowed. Meanwhile, Alice and Hayden keep brushing against each other with all the chemistry of a matchbook in a bonfire.
I loved the layered storytelling, the glamorous-yet-haunted feel of Margaret’s world, and the way Henry lets the romance simmer instead of boil over. And Alice? She’s the kind of protagonist you want to get drinks with and root for - smart, warm, and quietly gutsy.
My one teeny critique? The ending tied up a little too quickly for a story that took its time unfolding. I wouldn’t have minded a few extra chapters to luxuriate in the resolution. But hey, that’s just a sign I didn’t want to leave the island.
All in all, Great Big Beautiful Life is an escapist treat with heart, heat, and a few secrets you won’t see coming. Highly recommend packing it in your beach bag. ☀️📝💕
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Death of parent