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A review by eloise_bradbooks
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
slow-paced
3.75
This felt different to Emily Henry's other books, in the sense that the romance isn't really the centre of the story.
It's about a friend group coming together for a few days in their "Happy Place". Harriet and Wyn's secret breakup will need to be discussed, and revealed, at some point, but for now they'll fake it. Anyway, that's not the only thing that's "off" between all six of them.
The 'romance' didn't work as well as I wanted. It's essentially based on miscommunication, or not wanting to talk about the issues... out of love? Out of fear, maybe. But still. These people love each other so much and can't talk to each other to try to figure out a way for both of them to feel happy? It felt to aggravating and tiresome to me.
As for the rest of the story, it could have been great.
The first two thirds felt quite long, very slice-of-life, not much going on. Just getting to know these characters interacting with each other. I started to think it was just going to be boring but then it turned around. The last third was packed with great discussions (finally!) from every character, realisations, thought-provoking internal questions...
But so many great things packed in the last few chapters... It still feels aggravating to wait so long for them.
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THINGS GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT LOSE EACH OTHER?
You do get those cutesy grand love declarations, great found family vibes, but only in the last few chapters... So it's up to you to figure out if you're willing to endure the rest.
It's about a friend group coming together for a few days in their "Happy Place". Harriet and Wyn's secret breakup will need to be discussed, and revealed, at some point, but for now they'll fake it. Anyway, that's not the only thing that's "off" between all six of them.
The 'romance' didn't work as well as I wanted. It's essentially based on miscommunication, or not wanting to talk about the issues... out of love? Out of fear, maybe. But still. These people love each other so much and can't talk to each other to try to figure out a way for both of them to feel happy? It felt to aggravating and tiresome to me.
As for the rest of the story, it could have been great.
The first two thirds felt quite long, very slice-of-life, not much going on. Just getting to know these characters interacting with each other. I started to think it was just going to be boring but then it turned around. The last third was packed with great discussions (finally!) from every character, realisations, thought-provoking internal questions...
But so many great things packed in the last few chapters... It still feels aggravating to wait so long for them.
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THINGS GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT LOSE EACH OTHER?
You do get those cutesy grand love declarations, great found family vibes, but only in the last few chapters... So it's up to you to figure out if you're willing to endure the rest.