A review by jelavision
Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What a melancholic and touching book. A lot of the book is miscommunication. How not having the ability to communication your feelings can stunt your relationships with significant others and friends. How the pressures of managing expectations of yourself and others causes people create a facade to deal with the stress. How people change over time and the effort of others to adapt to those changes. I found the book to be very poignant.

As a reader, the back and forth between the present and past was challenging at times. I felt like I was thrust into it before I was fully invested in the relationship between Harriet and Wyn. And some of the past chapters felt rushed. It tended to do a lot of telling instead of showing. I did love the banter between Harriet and Wyn. The slowburn between them keeps you invested, especially as you go on the journey of them rekindling their relationship. The tension (sexual and angst-ridden) between them? *chef's kiss*. And the tension culminates in such sweet and sexy steamy scenes between them.

While there was drama at times, I really did enjoy the friendship between all the characters. There were moments with them that made me smile, made laugh and made me cry. This is a book about the found family of Harriet, Cleo, Sabrina, Parth, Wyn and Kimmy as much as it is about Harriet and Wyn's relationship. 

 Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! 
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