Find your Happy Place in Emily Henry’s latest romance

In a sea of romance novels that leaves readers craving for more realism and rationality, Happy Place by Emily Henry stands out as a breath of fresh air. Known for her romances like Beach Read and PeopleWeMeetonVacation, Henry is a New York Times bestselling author whose stories defies all typical jealous-ex clichés and Mary Sue tropes with her relatable and raw storytelling.

The story follows ex-fiancés Harriet and Wyn, who, despite their recent breakup, pretend to be a couple on a vacation with their unsuspecting friends. With a slow-burn unraveling of their past, Henry masterfully reveals the drama and cause behind the ex-lovers’ split, creating an irresistible tension that captivates readers and fuels their eagerness to uncover the mystery.

As for their split, Harriet’s romantic struggles stems from her deeply rooted belief that bottling up her emotions and avoidance of conflict will save her relationships. Her placating facade and attempts to smooth over all conflicts—even when Wyn canceled a trip to see her when they were long distance—was seen as an apathetic, unpassionate demeanor, which eventually led to their falling out.

Henry also offers a realistic and raw portrayal of familial and platonic connections, adding depth and relatability to the narrative. As a kid, Harriet grappled with the burden of being the “perfect child” in hopes of keeping her family from falling apart, which also led to a strained relationship with her older sister due to always being perfect. This portrayal of familial relationship—where not everything is perfect—resonated with me, as not every interaction within the family was the most optimal or supportive; her parents and sibling had lives of their own, expectations and pressure of Harriet, and portrayed a real family life rather than the perfect family life, which I appreciated. I would recommend this novel to readers who appreciate authentic portrayals of people, personal struggles, and relationships. Fans of books like TellMeThreeThings, The Unhoneymooners, and TheWrongBachelor will find HappyPlace to be a valuable addition to their reading list.