When I say the excitement in the office was palpable when we received the Happy Place advanced reader copy, I mean it (Thanks team Penguin!). Emily Henry has become an author whom we wait on bated breath to hear about her new books, blogs, thoughts, and Instagram posts….. you get the idea. I devoured Happy Place in just a few sittings, and I have to say, Henry just keeps getting better and better. Read on to find out my thoughts….
In truth, I thought Happy Place was a genuinely beautiful, heartfelt book. I adored how well thought out each character was, the unique relationship of Wyn and Harriet, and most of all I adored the found family.
Unlike Henry’s previous rom-com novels (Book Lovers, Beach Read, and You and Me on Vacation), you begin the story with the main couple Harriet and Wyn having already broken up and in a rough place. This is definitely a ‘coming back together’ kind of story, that I’m sure many people are going to love, with a dash of ‘fake-dating’. Harriet’s inner dialogue is captivating and riddled with anxiety, something I think that many people can relate to.
Without spoiling anything, I believe Happy Place ironically has more pain and sadness in it, which leaves a mark on its reader. To balance this, the setting and the friendships bring the much-needed warmth and love that feels like a cosy cup of tea. I adored Sabrina and Cleo, and their relationship with Harriet. Henry delves into what it’s like to have important relationships change and grow over time, and all the feelings that come along with it.
Another aspect that Henry explores in Happy Place is the pressure of expectations that we place on ourselves, what it looks like to be unhappy in your professional life and how hard it is to make the changes that are necessary for health and happiness.
Also – there are one or two spicy scenes……
This book really has it all!
Happy Place by Emily Henry (Penguin Random House) is out on April 25.
Looking for more recommendations? Check out our podcast, Tell Me What To Read!
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Happy Place
The bestselling author of Book Lovers
Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple - they go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Every year for the past decade, they have left behind their lives to drink far too much wine and soak up the sea air with their favourite people in the world. Except this year, they are lying through their teeth. Harriet and Wyn broke up six months ago. And they still haven't told anyone.
This is the last time they'll all be together here. The cottage is for sale, and since they can't bear to break their best friends' hearts, they'll fake it for one more week. But how can you pretend to be in love - and get away with it - in front of the people who know you best?
About the Contributor
Kassidy Fisher
Kass is Booktopia's resident Comms and Social Media Specialist. She spends her day scrolling TikTok, picking up the latest trends, and posting content. When she isn't on social media, you can find her on BookTok, reading the latest contemporary romance, or playing with her dog, Leia.
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