Happy Place by Emily Henry
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?
A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.
I really enjoyed this one. There were so many parts that made me laugh out loud, but also parts that made me so sad.
I was rooting for Harriet and Wyn. Most of the book takes place in modern times, but there are also a lot of chapters from the past ten years. We find out how Harriet met her roommates and also how she met Wyn. They start a very slow relationship and were afraid of telling their friends. Ten years later and Harriet is in San Francisco and Wyn is with him mom in Montana. They split up five months before and neither of them has told their family/friends about the breakup. Every year, Sabrina invites the group to her families summer home in Maine. Harriet didn’t realize Wyn would be there and things get awkward fast. Sabrina and Parth have a surprise for the group. Cleo and Kimmie almost didn’t come because of how busy they are. But everyone is there. Harriet and Wyn decide to pretend to be together and not tell everyone until the week is over. Sabrina’s dad is selling the house and this will be the last trip there. Harriet realizes that it’s her happy place. But so is Wyn and her friends that are more family to her. The book is definitely about relationships. How they grow and change over time. Not only was there focus on romance, but there was a lot about friends and even family. I loved the entire friend group.
I gave this book 4 1/2 stars.
Have you read this? Is it on your TBR?
