A review by kearstinreading
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

After the delightful "Beach Read," my expectations were sky-high for Emily Henry's "People We Meet on Vacation." Henry has a knack for creating authentic, flawed characters who are easy to root for, even when they drive you to frustration. Unfortunately, "People We Meet on Vacation" left me with mixed feelings in comparison to the previous gem.

The first half of the book seemed to drag at an almost painful pace, causing me to question my commitment to finishing it. It was sheer determination and my admiration for Henry's previous work that kept me going, despite my reservations.

Thankfully, the narrative takes a turn for the better in the second half. Henry dives headfirst into the beloved "friends-to-lovers" plot, a favorite among many readers. The shift of pace injects much-needed energy into the story, and the emotions and longing of the characters, particularly Poppy, are palpable. It's in this latter part of the book that Poppy and Alex's story truly comes to life, and I found myself wholeheartedly cheering them on until the very end.

In sum, "People We Meet on Vacation" is a book that I would recommend, particularly to fans of the "friends-to-lovers" trope. However, I would advise potential readers to prepare for a slow start in the first half of the book. If you can muster the patience to push through, you'll be rewarded with a more engaging and heartfelt story in the latter part, making the journey worthwhile for those who appreciate a good friends-to-lovers narrative.