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Happy People by Emily Henry

A year or so ago, Emily Henry got me hooked on reading romance again.  I adored “People We Meet on Vacation”.  I was a bit less keen on “Book Lovers”, but with “Happy People”, she made me… happy!  Although I’ve only read these three books of hers, “Happy People” is my favourite.

“The silence leaves too much room for questions, for memories to vine around me, hold me captive.”

Happy Place by Emily Henry is a second chance romance novel that follows Harriet and Wyn, ex-fiancés who must pretend to still be together for their last holiday with their group of best friends at a cottage in Maine. I throughly enjoyed the female friendship and found family feel.

“My best friends taught me a new kind of quiet, the peaceful stillness of knowing one another so well you don’t need to fill the space. And a new kind of loud: noise as a celebration, as the overflow of joy at being alive, here, now.”

The book alternates between the present day and flashbacks to their past relationship, revealing the reasons behind their breakup and their unresolved feelings for each other.

“He’s a golden boy. I’m a girl whose life has been drawn in shades of gray.”

I must admit, I was a bit frustrated with the miscommunication between Harriet and Wyn.  Throughout it clear that there were things left unsaid when they broke up, but it took almost too long to get to the point.  Seeing that they were in a relationship for quite a while, it was strange that they, during all that time, could not communicate freely with each other?

“I sit on the edge of the bed, feeling the loneliness swell, not knowing whether it’s pressing against me from the outside or growing from within. either way, it’s inescapable, my oldest companion.”

The book is a mix of humor, angst, and emotion, as Henry explores the themes of friendship, love, loss, and finding one’s place in the world. The characters are well-developed, colourfully portrayed, and relatable, and the chemistry between Harriet and Wyn is undeniable. The book also touches on some timely issues such as the pandemic, mental health, and career choices.

“And not knowing something doesn’t make a person stupid, Wyn.” “Oh,” he says, amused. “Then what does?” After a moment’s thought, I say, “An unwillingness to learn.”

I enjoyed reading this book because it was engaging, witty, and heartfelt. I liked how Henry balanced the romance with the personal growth of the characters, and how she showed the importance of communication and honesty in relationships. I also liked how she portrayed the dynamics of the friend group and their loyalty to each other. They are all flawed and imperfect in their own way, and that just added to the authenticity and charm of these characters. The book made me laugh, cry, and swoon.

“Not at all,” I say. “I love sluts! Some of my best friends are sluts. I’ve dabbled in sluttery myself.”

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance, especially those who like fake dating and forced proximity tropes and second chance stories. I think this book is a great addition to Henry’s previous works, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Happy Place is a book that will make you happy indeed.

“What can you feel? Sunlight, everywhere. Not just on my bare shoulders or the crown of my head but inside me too, the irresistible warmth that comes only from being in the exact right place with the exact right people.”

Read an extract here:  Extract: Happy Place by Emily Henry Penguin Random House South Africa

With thanks to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book. 

The details:

Penguin Random House South Africa

ISBN 9780241997932

Format Trade Paperback

Recommended Price R340.00

Published April 2023

About the author:

Emily Henry EMILY HENRY (emilyhenrybooks.com)