Happy Place by Emily Henry Published by Berkley on April 25, 2023
Pages: 395
Genres: Romance
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A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends.
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?
I have liked Emily Henry’s previous books, despite their tendency to be overhyped. I was pleasantly surprised that Happy Place exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt tale.
Happy Place is summer encapsulated in book form, and it had me reaching for my sunscreen, flip flops, and ice cream. Based in Maine, the story is a breath of fresh New England air that reads like a nostalgic love letter to a place that holds magical memories for the main characters.
I want to be part of Harriett, Chloe, and Sabrina’s friend group. They have been ride-or-die friends since college, and their distinctly different personalities only seem to make their bond stronger. One week each year, the girls—along with their significant others—get away to Sabrina’s family’s Maine beach house, where they escape the real world and enjoy fun vacation rituals.This year is the last hurrah since Sabrina’s family is selling the house, and there is pressure to make this the perfect, most memorable trip. However, it isn’t long before one can sense fissures forming in their group.
The bittersweet story is told from Harriett’s perspective. She and Wyn, fearful of upsetting the group’s dynamics, keep the fact that they have ended their years-long engagement a secret. While the flashbacks aid the story and successfully convey the history and depth of their friendship, I grew impatient wondering about the cause of Wyn and Harriett’s breakup. (Spoiler alert: It’s complicated. A little communication would have done wonders.) It’s so obvious that they are meant to be together. Their love is soul deep, and Wyn’s pain and longing actually hurt my heart. Chloe and Sabrina are also facing things that threaten the trio’s friendship.
Even though the characters are adults, in many ways this is a coming of age story. Balancing the Happy Place chapters and the Real Life chapters creates a tender evolution of the relationships and personalities. This is one of my favorite reads this year and a perfect beach read.
I listened to the audiobook, and Julia Wheelan is a masterful narrator who never disappoints. Her expressiveness is warm and heartbreaking in all the right places.
Recommended for fans of:
Second chance romance
Beach towns
Life-long college friends
Lobster
About Emily Henry
Emily Henry writes stories about love and family for both teens and adults. She studied creative writing at Hope College and the New York Center for Art & Media Studies, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it.
That’s really cool that this one was better than the hype for it. I love it when that happens!
adore the review
Thank you!!
Glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites this year too. The audiobook, as expected, was fantastic 🙂
I’ve been hearing some great things about Emily Henry. I have her books on my TBR.. . I haven’t been able to start reading it though. I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much.