Emily Henry: Beach Read, The People We Meet on Vacation, and Book Lovers
January 7th 2023
For this year’s first book review, I’ve decided to review Emily Henry’s latest three novels, Beach Read (2020), The People We Meet on Vacation (2021), and Book Lovers (2022). I read these books all within about two weeks last year, and while on winter break, I reread all of them! They’re definitely comfort books, and for anyone who loves little angst and (mostly) wholesome romance. Two local places you can get any of these books include Quailridge Books or So & So Books (not sponsored).
Beach Read (2020):
Here’s the thing about writing Happily Ever Afters: it helps if you believe in them.
January Andrews is a best-selling author who’s in a funk. And not just a writing funk, though she’s in that, too. After uncovering a family secret that rocks her world, she travels to her father’s house in Near Bear Shores, Michigan, where she ends up living right next to her college rival, Augustus “Gus” Everett. How will January reconcile the past with the present, and find hope for the future?
This was the first real romance book I’ve ever read, and I immediately fell in love with it. January is sweet and sensitive, and I love seeing strong female characters who are traditionally feminine as well. Gus was an excellent male lead, and I appreciated how Henry fleshed him out as well and gave him his own character arc. The prose was clean and well-paced, and there were lots of little one-liners that made my heart give itself a hug. (The Olive Garden scene, anyone?).
Very minor spoilers in the following paragraph.
One critique I did have of this novel was the last few chapters. I was confused at January’s actions, and Gus’ lack of communication with her. It seemed unlikely given their character development, and it kind of felt like they almost backtracked. I guess that is realistic, but for this book, I didn’t think it worked, or at least not as well as it should have if it was intentional.
That all being said, this was still a wonderful book. 7.5/10 for me!
The People We Meet on Vacation (2021):
But most of us are too scared to even ask what we want, in case we can’t have it.
Poppy Wright is a colorful tornado of chaos that really likes to travel. Poppy’s best friend of over a decade, Alex Nilsen, is just as practical as she is wild, and shares her love for travel. After an awkward encounter several years before, things haven’t been quite right between the two friends, but when a new vacation opportunity presents itself, Poppy knows just how to fix it. Will Poppy be able to fix her friendship and escape from the liminal space she’s put herself in?
One of the hallmarks of this book is the strong narrative voice Poppy brings, which I think is what makes the dueling timelines work in this novel. I don’t even really like dueling timelines, but I loved it here, and I felt for Poppy through every frustrating experience she had. Alex was an incredible male lead, and I fell in love with himself almost right away- his kindness for not just Poppy but all those around him was beyond endearing. Henry outdid herself with this whole When Harry Met Sally trope she had going on here, and brought it new life. Once again, excellent prose, even better characters.
Very minor spoilers in the following paragraph.
I don’t have any major “cons” for this book other than the whole idea of Poppy and Alex keeping their feelings from each other for SO long. I just have a hard time believing they’re both THAT bad at communicating. I think this was another case of, I-guess-this-is-actually-realistic-but-it’s-not-quite-realistic-enough. That being said, I was able to suspend enough belief that it didn’t bother me too much.
Really, this was an excellent book. A little more angst than the previous one, but in some ways more tender, too. I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers. 8.4/10 for me!
Book Lovers (2022):
Those were the endings I found solace in. The ones that said, Yes, you have lost something, but maybe, someday, you’ll find something too.
Nora Stephens is a shark, the “city person” in a Hallmark movie, the hardworking businesswoman who everyone is afraid of. At least, that’s who she thinks she is. The truth is, she’s a tenderhearted woman who agrees to go off with her very pregnant little sister for a month to a place called Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, working remote from her job in New York City as a literary agent. Charlie Lastra, a rude acquaintance from years ago, ends up in Sunshine Falls too, except it turns out he isn’t really rude either. In fact, the two end up discovering they have a lot more in common than they thought. Will Nora finally be able lower her defenses without betraying who she is?
I’m in absolute awe of this book. My summary really only scratches the surface. While this is a romance book, at its heart it’s about so much more- how we see ourselves, the pressures we put on yourself, the pressures and double standards society puts on women, family responsibility, and so much more. Nora was tough, ambitious, and quick-witted, and cares so much for her family it hurts. Her internal monologue was fantastic, and I found myself relating to her love for organization and cleanliness. Charlie Lastra as a grade A male lead- basically, he was Nora with a little more zest, and the way these two fell for each other was realistic and honest to goodness beautiful. It was realistic, every part of this book, even though I’m biased that it’s set in a small town in NC.
Truly, I have absolutely no critiques for this book. I don’t think there was a word wasted nor were there any gaps that needed to be filled in. All I can say is that you should read it. Resounding 10/10.