Happy Place by Emily Henry
Introduction
I’ve been anticipating the release of Happy Place for quite a while, so I decided to treat myself to the eBook on the day it came out. I don’t always do that but Emily Henry is an author I know I enjoy, and I know I’ll want to reread this book over and over again. It’s just a feeling I have.
About the Book
A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best? (from Amazon.com)
My Thoughts
I’m going to be straight up. Everything I say about Happy Place is going to be good.
Emily Henry has become a favorite author of many, thanks to her previous books: Beach Read, People We Meet On Vacation, and Book Lovers. In her previous books she’s covered strangers to lovers, best friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and now… well… I guess Harriet and Wyn’s story is a second chance romance.
Which I loved, because I’m a firm believer in not giving up on people. Just because now isn’t the right time doesn’t mean you can’t find your time in the future.
Emily Henry does such a good job of writing flawed and lovable characters, which is what Happy Place is all about. I loved the friend group so much that I wanted to be a part of them. Their back stories were written so well and it kind of reminded me of How I Met Your Mother. In that show most of the characters met in college, but then as people dated and broke up and became roommates more friends were added to the group.
Harriet and Wyn’s love is a tricky one. The story is told through the present and the past and it’s so obvious how in love they are. But sometimes things get in the way. Sometimes you overthink things and assume your partner wants things that they don’t even think that they want.
I’ve never been in a long distance relationship, but I can imagine how hard it must be.
I could never pick a favorite Emily Henry book. That would be crazy. But I do feel like her books just keep getting better and better. If you’re a fan of Emily Henry you’ll of course love this story. It features a fun ensemble group of friends. This gang just wants to remember the good old days and have fun with each other.
I read it in a couple of days. And then for Mother’s Day I went to Wal Mart and bought my mom a copy. I gave it to her and she proceeded to read the whole thing. And that’s really saying something because my Mom can be a tough cookie when it comes to books. Haha.
xo Marian
P.S. Check out my Instagram reel where I read Happy Place in my happy place. 🙂
