Books

Happy Place Review

Bymirandabachicha January 17, 2025January 10, 2025

Sometimes a tiny glimpse of summer is the pick me up needed to get me through these dreary January days. At the beginning of the month, this glimpse came in the form of Happy Place by Emily Henry. It’s no secret that romance is my favorite genre, and yet, this was my first Emily Henry novel. I always feel a little hesitant to read an author that has a particular BookTok fame, especially after I’ve DNFed several BookTok recs. However, this book came at the recommendation of a trusted friend, so I took a chance and now I’m never looking back! Without further ado, here is my Happy Place Review.

The Plot

Harriet and Wyn have been together for years. As a friends to lovers success story, their relationship has long been a cornerstone in their close knit friend group. However, Harriet and Wyn broke up, and have yet to tell any of their friends. With the group’s annual summer trip to Maine on the horizon, Harriet and Wyn are forced to fake their relationship for one final week at the beach house. Naturally, pretending to still be engaged to the love of your life is easier said than done, and it isn’t long before feelings get caught in the cross fire.

Review

I’ve always believed that the sign of a good book is the absence of time felt while reading. The plot is so immersive that an hour feels like five minutes, and “just one more chapter,” inevitably turns into three or four. These are the best kinds of books. They transport you to another time and place, where the characters feel like friends and the setting feels like home. Happy Place by Emily Henry is one of those magical time bending novels.

First of all, Emily Henry writes characters that are multi-dimensional, empathetic, and communicative. This makes the relationships and the subsequent problems feel real and relatable. Although much of the central conflict is caused by withheld information and or miscommunication, these issues are resolved through honest and open communication.

Harriet and her friends feel like real people with problems and hopes that feel translatable to the real world. I loved the easy banter and familiarity they experienced with each other, and I appreciated that the dialogue was conversational and raw, rather than trying hard to be quippy.

In addition to the characters, one of the other things that made me love this book was how much I could relate to Harriet. It was refreshing to see the main character of a romance novel struggling with self and navigating people pleasing in relationships. It all hit a little close to home, but in a way that felt comforting.

All of this to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. There’s nothing quite like a well-written romance set against the backdrop of a beach-y Maine town! It feels a little cheesy to give this book 5 stars, but I read this in a day and a half and I still have the best kind of book hangover. It’s safe to say that I’m officially an Emily Henry fan. As we speak, I have her entire catalogue on hold at the library!