I have enjoyed my previous Emily Henry books so Happy Place was going straight on my TBR. As a bonus it ticks off the vacation prompt.

What it’s about?

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 six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest 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, blue 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?

What I think:

Happy Place is a second chance romance between Harriet and Wyn. They are the perfect couple and have been together since college.

To be honest, the premise does seem a bit daft to me. Harriet and Wyn broke up 6 months ago but haven’t told anyone! How have they not told anyone. Family and best friends – including their entire college friendship group that they go on an annual holiday with.

Harriet plans to tell her friends on holiday, but then Wyn unexpectedly turns up. They decide to pretend to be together rather than upset the balance of the group.

The book switches between the present-day holiday and various scenes in Harriet and Wyn’s relationship that show how they got together and how they fell apart.

There are some parts about this book I really liked. Harry was both relatable and frustrating. Her need to work hard and please people even at the expense of her own happiness is something that I am sure will resonate with a lot of readers. Her and Wyn’s lack of communication was annoying. Some of their issues could and should have been resolved with a conversation.

And I wasn’t convinced that someone who had spent their whole life training to become a doctor would give it all up so easily to make pottery. She is surely going to have to sell a lot of pots to pay back her student debt! That to me seemed out of character and too big of a turnaround.

While the individual characters in the friendship group didn’t really make an impact on me, I have experienced the intensity and gradual drift of college friendships as people return home and establish careers. Beyond college, I’m not sure any of the group really had in common, and that sense of an era ending was done really well

This isn’t my favourite Emily Henry book so far – I enjoyed Book Lovers more – but it was an enjoyable read. The cover is gorgeous and I’m sure it will be a huge bestseller.