Happy Place by Emily Henry Review

 Title: Happy Place

Author: Emily Henry

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Romance

Series: Standalone

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

I’ll be honest: This is the first book I’ve ever read by Emily Henry. I was kind of avoiding her work, because it felt like you either loved it or hated it. Happy Place was the book club pick for one of the book clubs in the town I live in, and I wanted to approach it with an open mind. I really enjoy romance, but I don’t read it too often. After this book, though, I will be making a point to read more romance, just to break out of the routine of the other books I read. Emily Henry has stolen my heart, and I also adore that she is from my state of Ohio! I’m looking forward to reading more books from her.

Happy Place begins with Harriet and Wyn, broken up after a long engagement. They’ve been summoned to Maine by the rest of their friends, Cleo and Kimmy and Parth and Sabrina. Sabrina and Parth have decided to get married, and Wyn and Harriet agree to keep the truth from their friends until after the weekend, so as not to ruin their friends’ fun. But old habits die hard, and when Harry and Wyn find themselves in close proximity again, sparks fly. Will they be able to figure out where they stand, or will they stay further separated by words unsaid?

I really enjoyed this book. Between all of the other, heavier stuff I’ve been reading, this was like a breath of salty, briny ocean air. I was immediately drawn in by Harry’s voice, and I was laughing a lot as I read! The banter was so funny and snappy. The pacing was good, but it took me a few chapters to get used to the time jumps. I loved all of the characters, it felt like I had stumbled onto a friend group that became a found family, and I absolutely love that trope! The tension between Wyn and Harry was palpable, and the steamy scenes were so perfectly done. I also adored the ending, everything was wrapped up really nicely. What I didn’t like was the second act breakup, even if it wasn’t technically that, and I don’t really care for the miscommunication trope, but that’s just me. Overall, this book was warm, funny, and so romantic! I really enjoyed it! My first Emily Henry book, and no regrets!