Books

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place introduced Harriet and Wyn, the perfect couple since they met in college. However, they broke up only half a year ago, and none of their best friends know, which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their best friends’ spot for a yearly meet for the last decade. Because this is the last year before the cottage goes on sale, Harriet and Wyn have to pretend so everyone has a memorable vacation, even though they still want each other. The question remains if they can fake it for one week in front of the people who know them best.

While Emily Henry is well versed in romance in her prior books like People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers, Happy Place is more than a romance. It questions the life of friends after college. There is typically a stereotype that discusses how most people’s best friends will be made during college, and Happy Place questions how the reality of best friends looks after college is over. I praise Emily Henry’s books based on the fact that she takes very common tropes but somehow twists them to make them unique. While the “one bedroom” trope is common, this book explores more than just romance. It explores life after college and the realities of friendship and secrets. It talks about broken families and how it affects personal views and generations into the future. It talks about the striving for academic success in order to make our families proud, and it talks about finding your passion during mid-career and if it’s worth taking the leap. This book was more pensive, thoughtful and deep, taking readers through a past and present timeline, exploring tight-knit friend groups and finding “the one.”

Personally, I loved this book. It’s definitely different if you’re reading and expecting full romance like her other books. There are romance moments that are fully original and extremely emotional, but Emily Henry just has the ability to pull on heartstrings with anything she writes. I’ve loved every book that she’s written. I would honestly recommend this to anyone. This book is nuanced and for all types of readers!