Every year Emily Henry's newest release is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and this year that's Happy Place, so I had to read this book as soon as 2023 began.
Just like every other Emily Henry book, Happy Place is a romance with a lot of heavier topics throughout. Happy Place follows Harriet and Wyn who have been together for ten years but recently broke up and haven't spoken to each other for months, however no one knows they broke up so when their friends decide to have a reunion at their summer house, Harriet and Wyn have to pretend to be together for the week but end up falling back in love with each other.
I loved that this book gave us duel timelines so we got to see Harriet and Wyn fall in love for the first time in the past timeline whilst also seeing them fall back in love in the present time.
I saw myself a lot in Harriet and loved seeing her grow throughout the book and seeing her fall back in love with Wyn but also learning to love herself again.
There's just something about Emily Henry's books and her writing that I can't help but fall in love with every single time I read her newest release. I definitely think this is a new favourite book. I can't wait to reread this and all of Emily Henry's other books, as I am definitely due a reread.
I cannot wait to have a physical copy of this book on my shelf to go with my other Emily Henry books. I think this might be my favourite of her covers too.

Emily Henry is consistent in her success in providing the public with the absolute best and most realistic Romance books. These were all real people, I know them. This was a real situation, and I loved everything about it. I will always purchase and read anything published by Ms Henry, and have already pre ordered my physical copy of this book. Love you Emily.

There’s something about Emily Henry’s even numbered adult romances that, while I do still enjoy them, I find myself liking less than her odd numbered ones. It’s a strange conundrum because, ostensibly, there’s nothing about even and odd numbers that suggests this would happen. The only thing I can put it down to is superstition at this point.

But anyway, Happy Place is still a book I enjoyed a lot, it has that going for it. And, really, I can’t explain why I liked it less than some of her others. I’m not even going to try.

Happy Place does as all of Emily Henry’s adult romances have done so far, pretty much. It’s a fun read, plenty of banter between the main and her love interest, a central romance you want to root for and more going on besides simply the romance. In fact, for this one, you might even say the romance is secondary to the rest of the plot. That is, a group of friends meeting on a summer break for the final time before that house is sold.

Except everyone is keeping some sort of secret, not just Harriet and Wyn, so it becomes all the more interesting for it. This is probably an example of when I don’t mind miscommunication and Emily Henry manages it well enough that I never thought to myself, why don’t you all just sit down and talk things out.

However, bearing in mind I’m writing this one 2 months out from having read it, nothing about this book has particularly stuck with me. Much like People We Meet on Vacation (the other even-numbered book!), while I was reading it, I enjoyed it. After the fact, it didn’t really register. Beach Read and Book Lovers, whenever I think of them, I still feel just a little wild about them. These two, I don’t.

But, if you enjoyed Emily Henry’s previous books, then there’s nothing here that means you’re unlikely to enjoy this one. It’s pretty standard fare from her (I mean that in a good way), and definitely will live up to expectations.

DNF
After spending time reading and then trying to read this book, I decided it was not doing for me what her previous books had done. In part I feel like it could be hype ruining it for me after such an amazing time reading Book Lovers in 2022.
I think the reasons I didn't enjoy this was mainly down to me personally not liking the characters and the sort of forced into second chance element, when the relationship was very obviously broken. If the characters had some more maturity instead of it feeling like teens who just refused to talk, it might have read a bit differently to me.
I had no issues with the writing or setting.

Every Emily Henry book is like going on an emotional journey and Happy Place is no exception. I laughed, I cried, I got excited and frustrated and in the end I walked away feeling fulfilled.

I am a long-term (and probably will be forever) lover of Henry’s work. Every single book of hers I struggle to put down, and Happy Place was no exception. Out of all of her works, You and Me On Vacation was my favourite—people coming back to one another, second chances, love prevailing, it’s my jam.
So Happy Place was perfection.
The group of friends were, as always with Emily’s work, brilliant and layered. They’re close, but they have secrets—showcasing brilliantly what hardworking, big-heart-having friends do when they’re in crisis. They hide. The way it’s explored and handled was brilliant, and super reminiscent of my own friendships.
Harry and Wyn were amazing. At times, I wanted to quickly skip through chapters to know they’d get back together. But I trusted the process, sat in my seat wishing and praying, and went along for the fun.
And the payoff was good. It was sweet and romantic, and the way I’d already begun to guess what Wyn had been struggling with hit so close to home. I related so much to him, and the description of what it felt like to get help was the best-written feeling I’ve ever read. Their dynamic was fed to us, the hurt they had and the love that remained was felt through every interaction.
And while I loved the ending, and please no one take it from me haha, I think I would have also liked an alternative too, because of how well everything had been written and shown to us.
I physically cannot wait to hold this book in my hand and read it again.

Yet again Emily Henry has given us a cute fun smart and adorable romance, with just enough joy to make me smile, but not too much to make my cynical side come out.

4.5 stars
When I found out I had gotten the chance to read this book before its release, I was ecstatic! I'd keep this for the new year, when I'd be on break and able to sink into this so I can finish it in 1-2 days...or so she said/thought... Well, I did set this as my last book started in 2022, and I crossed into 2023 reading it, so #win there
Anyway, the story... It's still not the same level as Book Lovers for me, or even Beach Read (You & Me on Vacation was from a different universe, it seems - funny, there's the multiverse mentioned in this one!) I admit I found it dragged, it lagged, it kept not answering any questions despite bringing them up at every turn (which kept me reading, as it is an Emily Henry book, and as the previous two I mentioned above worked for me, I knew we were all just building to the big reveal that will (hopefully - I had fingers crossed all through!) be well worth it. Delving between 'Real Life' aka Now in the cottage to the past was necessary to show us what happened between Harry and Wyn, but I could've done without it in wanting to get to the 'answers.'
Wyn was the most not-a-hero I could ever imagine! The bloke was infuriating, in his self-deprecating manner, his 'I'm just a plain simple good guy and people give me too much credit', the whole 'It's not you, it's me' vibe he plies Harry with throughout. I wanted to scream at him so many times...but I knew there must be a reason behind it all, behind the breakup, because, again, Book Lovers gave me that breakthrough moment in the later stages of the second half. And when you do find out what was Wyn's issue, the frustration gets deflated, though the anger is still here for how he made Harry put up with all this, when it was his cross to bear and not hers.
Sabrina was the most annoying character ever, and I'm still not okay with her, though you can see where it all comes from.
And Harry herself - her own issues which were right there but so melded into her surroundings, they just weren't noticeable at all even at fifth glance, never mind first glance.
I'm glad Emily Henry went the route of addressing all of this before the story ends. But the reason it's getting 4.5 stars instead of 5 - she took a tad too long to get to that, and then it all feels rushed. After the anticipation, the 'answers' come as a huge blowout, but the steam released just settled down too fast and too easily afterward, which left a bittersweet taste behind
It's possibly one of those books that's a better read the second time around, because you already know all that's happening/going to happen so you can just enjoy the ride and see how it all 'clicks' into place.
But overall, it's a solid Emily Henry one. If you're a fan, you'll know exactly what I mean
**ARC provided by Netgalley & Penguin General - I voluntarily reviewed, and all views expressed are mine & mine alone**

Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!!

This book was my most anticipated read of 2023 so I was incredibly excited when I was approved for the arc and wow, it did not disappoint, not that I expect anything less from Emily Henry! It made me cry like a baby multiple times.
Happy Place follows Harriet and Wyn, two exes who have to pretend they are still together for their annual summer trip with their best friends, having not told the group about their separation.
Written with a combination of flashbacks and present day, this book is an emotional rollercoaster.
I fell in love with Harriet and Wyn from the moment they met; the way they immediately understood each other’s humour and constantly bounced off of one another. Harriet Kilpatrick is quick-witted, emotional and an incredibly loveable narrator, and Wyn Connor is charming, thoughtful and just as funny. Together, they make a couple impossible not to love. Reading about them falling in love, working through their problems, and falling in love all over again was so so heartwarming.
But, like all Emily Henry books, this was so much more than a romance novel. Not only did I fall in love with Harriet and Wyn, but their friends too: Sabrina, Parth, Cleo and Kimmy - their found family. Happy Place also told the incredibly relatable story of a group trying to navigate friendships in adult life, the scary idea of change, and the reassurance that it’s never too late to do what makes you happy.

I loved this book more than I can put into words, though I tried my best in this review. It will be well worth the wait when it comes out in April!
Emily Henry, I love you!!!

Another wonderful book by Emily Henry - all her books are so popular with readers. They are always easy to get into, heartfelt and memorable.

This one is for the You’re On Your Own, Kid girlies.

Emily Henry has an eye for writing heartfelt, introspective romances. Her multilayered stories deliver thematically significant depth while also hitting the notes of several classic romcom tropes.

Honestly, Happy Place is more reminiscent of People We Meet On Vacation rather than Book Lovers.

We follow Harriet and Wyn, a couple who have been together for years and have just broken up. Despite the fact that they are no longer together, they decide to go on their annual vacation with their best friends and pretend that everything is normal. Fake dating shenanigans ensue.

I must have missed the final boarding call when the second-chance romance hype took off. Maybe it’s because I find it’s often done poorly. The author has to tread so many fine lines, balancing past flashbacks with the present romance - along with developing compelling reasons for why the relationship didn’t work + why they’re back together again. Besides, I love experiencing the meet-cute spark and watching couples slowly fall for each other in realtime. Flashback-heavy books tend to obscure that connection for me. Hence, exes-to-lovers/second-chance romance is usually not high up on my favourite tropes list. Despite the above, I should’ve known that if anyone can pull this off, it’d be Emily Henry.

The most noticeable aspect is the refreshing writing filled with sensory details. Emily Henry always has a sharp eye for detail in establishing setting. I really enjoyed the setting of the Maine cottage and the descriptions of the charming coastal town. The sense of place is so vivid and immersive that I felt like I was right there with the characters, soaking up the salty air and enjoying copious amounts of wine and cheese.

However, amidst the picturesque vacation setting lay undertones of sadness and grief. I honestly don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this book if I was in a different mood or on the verge of a reading slump. I had to be in the mindset as this book covers topics relating to mental illness.

Throughout the story, you feel like you’re missing a puzzle piece. As you watch their relationship unfurl, you wonder why Wyn and Harriet broke up. It keeps you turning pages, searching for a concrete reason. Unlike PWMOV’s lacklustre reveal, this one was just human nature. A small part of me resented that it boiled down to not communicating, which is why I docked a star. I was underwhelmed by the grand reveal/the aftereffects of the ruse they’ve been playing on everyone.

Alongside the Wyn x Harriet relationship, the core of this book is the dynamic friend group. Each and every single one of this vivacious cast of characters is well-developed. Witty comebacks and snappy retorts abound in this book. The friendships are riddled with laugh-out-loud funny dialogue and banter. It’s like watching a tennis match - very Gilmore Girls-esque.

The character beats are also nuanced. For example, a major plot point is everyone dealing with the changing landscape of friendships in adulthood. The way it was written authentically highlighted the feelings of insecurity, and the accompanying fear of loss and permanence.

Happy Place captures the complexities of relationships (platonic and romantic) and the challenges of communication. It is a reminder of the importance of communication and the magic that can happen when we open ourselves up to love and forgiveness. The themes of friendship, grief, and personal growth are

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with depth, substance, and a touch of nostalgia, then look no further.

An easy read which kept my interest throughout as six friends get together to enjoy a last weekend in the holiday home. Two of them try to keep their break up a secret which causes tensions for everyone.

Great new novel by Emily Henry, I've now read all her books and was excited to be able to read and review this latest treat! Happy Place definitely didn't disappoint, great characters, great setting. Romance, laughter and tears but managing not to be too mushy if that makes sense. Couldn't wait to get to the conclusion - but was then sad it had ended as usual. Would make a lovely movie or mini series - listen up #Netflix :)
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#HappyPlace #NetGalley

Every time I think Emily Henry has peaked she proves me wrong.

Every time I think I don’t like a trope, Emily Henry proves me wrong again.

Happy Place was the novel I needed to complete my 2022, I read it in less than 24 hours because I was that invested. Harriet & Wyn are probably my favourite characters Emily has written, their relationship feels so real & is horribly relatable too. The bittersweet, hopeful, yearning tone of the book really can’t be faulted & it captures that awkward age between teenager/uni & “proper adult” so well.

The supporting characters are all a wonderful diverse group & the back stories really helped build the dynamic you see between the members of the group, without it over powering the main storyline.

An excellent way to finish 2022!

Thank you to Penguin UK & Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

honestly didn’t think it that anything could come close to how i felt after reading beach read but here we are…
i can’t wait for this book to come out officially so i can re-read again and again

HAPPY PLACE// Emily Henry ✨ Aesthetics ✨
Out in April, this one book you want to have on your TBR - it has all the feels! 4.5 🌟

The perfect unique contemporary romance with fake dating/second chance vibes.

Who doesn’t love an annual trip to their HAPPY PLACE? It is something Harriet looks forward to every year - some time with her best friends and boyfriend to have fun and recharge. But this year she’s dreading it - she has to go solo and tell her tight knit friend group that her and fiancé, Wyn, have broken up. So, imagine her surprise when she arrives at the cottage .. and Wyn is there. And … they are sharing a room - a BED. Do they have to keep up this charade of loving couple for a whole week? Awkward is an understatement …

Gah, I loved this book (if you need a bingeable book THIS IS IT) - full of unforgettable friendships, love, some steam 🔥, and a journey of self discovery. I laughed, I welled up - sometimes at the same time. I found this story just comforting, like my own happy place. Make sure you mark your calendars for April 👀

💭 Where’s your happy place?

I'll return with a more detailed review next year but for now../

On 3rd November, I got an e-mail out of NOWHERE that went something like this-
[Hello lovely reader,
We’re popping into your inbox with an early Christmas present . . . the new novel from Emily Henry on NetGalley!
Because you read and enjoyed Book Lovers by Emily Henry, we thought you would like early access to Happy Place before anyone else.]

!!!!A NEW EMILY HENRY BOOK AND I AM GETTING EARLY ACCESS!!!!
(Needless to say, I bragged about it to my besties)

I started reading it the very night and finished it the very next day(4th Nov) and it was...well...underwhelming.

I loved the characters- It felt like Emily Henry cherry picked some of my traits and then liberally spread it among the characters. I related to at least one trait of every single character of the main friends group. Harriet, my darling darling Doctor, is the character who I felt like was this vision from future for me as a medical aspirant. The things she was facing/agonizing over were the very things that me and my besties (who are medical aspirants) have discussed and worried about.
It was as if these characters were written just for me.

The writing is as good as always. EH, you are really one of the best!!!!

So, why rate it 3 stars?
...Because I disliked it more than I liked it...

It was as if this book had all the ingredients it needed to potentially surpass Book Lovers as my fav EH book but the finished product didn't pass my taste test. Throughout the duration of reading, I was unsure about its rating even though the characters felt so relatable.

When I first read the synopsis, I had pictured a sorta plot that Happy Place gave to me only in bits and pieces-- Maybe this book just isn't for me or Maybe I'm not the right reader for this book

My Ranking so far(16/11/2022):-
Book Lovers > Beach Read > Happy Place > People We Meet on Vacation

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I have loved every Emily Henry book more than the last, and this one is no exception (which is saying a lot considering how much I loved 'Book Lovers'). I had tears slowly streaming down my face for the second half of this book. There was just so much love in it! Yes romantic love, but also friendship love, and family love. And each kind was written so well.
I really enjoyed the characterisation of each character, from Harriet and Wyn (our main couple) to the other four best friends. Every one felt like a whole person, with layers and distinct personalities. Their histories were well enough explored to understand how the friend group worked together. But it was never overwhelming, or difficult to remember who was who. Also, the banter! Between Harriet and Wyn, and then between all the friends. It was so fun, and I thought it made them seem like they've all been friends for a long time. But thankfully, I never felt like it out stayed its welcome.
The format of interchanging chapters of present day on holiday, and then chapters of the past perfectly work together to weave a realistic and cohesive story that invests you in the characters and their relationships.
If I had to compare it to another Emily Henry book, I think I'd pick "You and Me on Vacation/People We Meet On Vacation". Similar vibes.

I have mixed feelings about the book, i enjoyed reading most of it and did like it, but i do feel like parts where very forced and did not really fit the story.
Overall I liked the story and most characters. I really liked the different happy places that got mentioned in the book and how they were described, together with important things that happened for the story.

Emily Henry you are my Happy Place!
I have read this book twice now and still feel all gooey inside for their second chance romance. It is more than that though it is about the love of friends as well.
I can’t write without gushing as Harriet and Wyn as a couple are exactly as described they go together and are the ultimate couple goal but the sadness that stems from each of them is so tangible in the way Emily writes this story I felt my heart break.
Obviously a Happy Ever after otherwise Happy Place would be slightly ironic but o worth the read and then some!