Travel writer Poppy and English teacher Alex are best friends, and each summer since college they have taken a trip together to a different location. Until a mysterious circumstance while on vacation two years ago has caused them to stop talking. But Poppy misses Alex and has a plan to win back their friendship: one more summer trip to Palm Springs, where Alex's brother just happens to be getting married. Mixed with flashbacks of trips of years past, Henry's newest book is a charmer, letting the reader in on a decade of will they or won't they between Alex and Poppy. This book is an impressive page turner with a nod to the rom-com classic When Harry Met Sally.

Emily Henry has done it again! For those of you have read Beach Read, you’re in for a treat! For those who haven’t, what are you waiting for?!

This book gave me all the feels. Just like in Beach Read, Henry has a knack for being able to create such loveable and relatable characters!

I always love a good friends to lovers and this one fully fit the bill. It was a slow burn that was full of combustible tension, oodles of witty banter and had a swoon worthy lead in Alex!

The story explores Poppy and Alex’s friendship as it alternates between their past summer trips and their present day trip. I’m such a fan of multiple timelines in books and I loved how this one was able to make me feel so immersed and invested in their friendship! I also throughly enjoyed being able to travel around the world with them as we’re all craving a little getaway and escapism in these current pandemic times.

Emily Henry has now established herself as an auto-buy author for me so make sure you check this one out!

ust like Beach Read, Emily Henry's latest is utterly charming. People We Meet on Vacation doesn't have the same zingy banter that I adored about Beach Read, but rather is a slightly softer, slower story. Whenever a story is an homage to another well-known and beloved story, I'm automatically a little wary, but this nod to When Harry Met Sally is different and strong enough to be its own thing.

One of my favorite things about the story is that while there's a classic misunderstanding-leads-to-mess moment, it's not just a trope, but a moment that allows both of the characters to grow and make better decisions for themselves.

Once again, Henry's work feels like more than "just a beach read."

Emily Henry has done it again. I adored Beach Read and I absolutely adored this book! Poppy and Alex has the sweetest friendship ever! Poppy is the wild child and Alex is the sense of calm in the duo. I loved their chemistry together. I loved the history they shared and how they have always been there for each other. I laughed a lot, I cried a lot and in the end I was perfectly content and in love with these two.

Nothing but 5 stars for this one! I loved it and didn’t want it to end. I stayed up way too late finishing it and had a book hangover the next day.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This is my second book I've read by Emily Henry and I enjoyed it just as much as Beach Read. I loved the style of every other chapter going back in time through the years that Poppy and Alex made their yearly summer trips. I had a hard time putting it down because I just had to find out what exactly happened to them 2 years previously that ruined their friendship. This is a fun and fast read with a satisfying ending!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I am quite fond of Henry's book Beach Read so when I was approved for an advanced copy of this book I literally squealed.

I was not at all dkssapointed.

This book has a storyline that involves two friends who have a vacation together every summer until something happens.

We hop between past vacation and the current summer as we piece together the story. I felt a little like a detective as I was gathering my data.

The conclusion was powerful. I laughed, I cried, I squealed some more. I loved it!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for an advanced copy of this book for my honest feedback

5/5

Now we all know that friends to lovers is the superior trope, but I raise you, friends to lovers to acquaintances that circle all the way back to friends to lovers again. In this sensational sophomore novel to Emily Henry’s debut Beach Read, two former best friends attempt to reconcile a past incident that ruined their decade long friendship. Despite the fact that they have completely different personalities, both Poppy and Henry have been best friends since college. Every year, the two embark on the time honored tradition of their friendship, a vacation to the destination of their choosing. When an unforeseen moment in Croatia tears apart their entire relationship, the two don’t speak again for some time. Until Poppy hatches a plan for one last vacation, one that just might let her reconcile her feelings and put her entire future.

Emily Henry has done it again folks, and if you thought Beach Read was good, just wait until you get your hands on this one. People We Meet on Vacation is the Love Rosie inspired romance of my dreams; one that tore at my heartstrings while simultaneously making me crave a vacation getaway. Where do I even begin with a book that made me laugh, cry, swear, and feel giddy, all in under a few hours. This book really is the whole package. What with its effortless humor emblematic of the romantic comedy, and its mutual pining that made me want to bash my head into the wall on more than one occasion. There really isn't anything more I could possibly want in this. The witty banter and grumpy/sunshine dynamic being enough to satisfy just about any reader. Most of this story takes place a little over a ten year time period, with chapters alternating between past and present timelines. A stylistic choice that certainly made for some excellent angst and character development. In fact, the entire focus on these significant moments through the lens of the varying vacation destinations was so interesting to me. The author utilized it in such a way as to make a commentary on the unknowability of the future and the struggle for human connection. The idea that you don't have to search the entire end of the earth to find either being central to the book's message. It’s clear that Emily Henry has perfected the romantic comedy, as she once again showcases her talent for writing romance that imparts something onto its readers. This is absolutely one of those books that I wish I could read all over again for the first time. A feeling that only grew stronger with every passing page. While I may not be able to plan a vacation getaway at the moment, I can safely say that this is shaping up to be one of the best romances of 2021. Look out world.

Trigger warnings: panic attacks (mentioned), grief, death of a loved one, alcohol consumption

Heartwarming, funny, and relatable. Emily Henry's newest is even better than Beach Read, which is really saying something as that was one of the first books that managed to take me out of all the pandemic anxiety for a bit when the U.S was first shutting down. It's an extremely well-done friends-to-lovers that I would recommend to romance readers and non-romance readers alike.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily HenryThis is one of the best books I've read in a long time! 5 HUGE STARS. I read this cover to cover in one sitting and could not take a break from these two and their history and I had to find out what happened in Croatia! If you like friends to lovers with low steam - this is your book!!
Alex and Poppy are complete opposites, best friends, and have taken a summer vacation together for the past ten years. Two years ago, their friendship was ruined and they haven't spoken since. Poppy is reaching out for one more vacation to make their friendship whole again.
I love stories with flashbacks woven into the story. These not only showed us the history of their friendship, but where they each were in their lives and where they vacationed each year. There was the perfect amount of suspense to keep you hooked to want to know how they got to where they are.

I loved these two characters so much and loved to see where they were through the years in their lives and where they vacationed every summer. Fitting in 10 vacations and their current trip is no small task and Emily made us feel like we were right there with them every trip. I LOVED their banter, I laughed so much and thought they had such a great dynamic together.
I also really connected with each of their personal struggles and loved how these were addressed and how the characters grew. Poppy struggled with finding her true happiness and what sort of career pathway would bring her fulfillment and joy. Alex struggled to put himself first ahead of others and his needs and wants.

A couple other notes - as someone that previously played the saxophone for ten years I'm offended at Alex's disdain for it! I also love so many of the things Alex hates like theme parties and owning five things of the same thing you like! And a couple fun references to Beach Read were in here! 

I imagine this book will be everywhere this summer. This publishes May 11. Thank you @berkleyromance, @berkleypublishing, and @emilyhenrywrites for my advanced copy of this gem of a book.

I may be one of the only people who didn't read Beach Read last year but now I know why everyone was raving about it! Emily Henry is an amazing writer and People We Meet on Vacation was terrific. The characters were layered and complex but still likable and their relationship was nuanced and captivating. I can't recommend this one enough!

First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Berkley Romance for my ARC of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.

Publishing Date: May 11, 2021.

I was not expecting much out of this book because after being obsessed with Beach Read I really did not want to get my hopes up for this one, but wow was I shocked. I devoured this book in one day because I could not put it down. I loved the escapist vibes that made me feel like I was traveling again, and not just stuck in my house.

The main characters Poppy and Alex, seemingly polar opposites were best friends in college who decided they were going to travel on a summer trip together every year. This summer trip was sacred for most of their life until they stopped going. Poppy was a travel influencer who had it all but still felt like something from her life was missing.

The ups and downs of this book had me laughing but also took me on an emotional ride throughout the years of all of their trips. I always love when authors break up the timing like different years into different chapters so I feel like we get the whole story.

This book will definitely leave you feeling emotional, and maybe rethink how full you feel your life is and maybe think about what is missing. I could definitely relate to the main characters in totally different ways which I loved.

I highly recommend this book even if you didn’t love beach read because this is a fantastic friends to lovers romance with a lot of emotion and humor woven into the pages.

This was a fantastic romance story. I loved the characters and watching the way their relationship develop was fun and emotional. There were a few times toward the end where I wanted more of the book to be in the present and less in the past but overall this was a great read.

Emily Henry knows how to WRECK ME. I was so wrapped up in Alex and Poppy and wanting them to finally get together that I read most of this book in one sitting. I loved the glimpses of their relationship through various trips over 12 years, and the way they finally got together in the end was so satisfying. Henry's writing is absolutely hilarious while also being beautiful and heart-wrenching. I felt so much for these characters so quickly and was deeply invested in their happiness. It was the same way I felt with Beach Read, and I honestly don't know how she does it so well, but I'm so looking forward to whatever she does next!

People We Meet on Vacation is the story of Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen, two best friends that two years ago, had a falling out. Now Poppy wants to fix their relationship and in one week, win back her best friend.

Alex and Poppy have always been opposites. While Poppy loves to travel, is carefree, and a wild child, Alex would rather sit with a good book at home. But, even though they are total opposites and quite frankly have nothing in common, they are the very best of friends.

People We Meet on Vacation brought me nothing but joy while reading and I gave this five stars. Emily Henry continues to surprise me after reading Beach Read and falling in love with that book and I felt that I wanted People We Meet on Vacation to deliver the same array of emotions that Beach Read gave me. And it did. The happiness and sadness I felt through People We Meet on Vacation was so strong when reading about Poppy and Alex. Their friendship was amazing and you can tell that even though you are polar opposites, you really can be best friends.

And oh my, the love between Alex and Poppy was strong. They have been best friends for years and the way they pine for each other even though they think that their love is unrequited was unbelievable. It has always just been the two of them and you can tell that their love is so strong. Even though their relationship was rather unrequited in the beginning, their love for each other, even in friendship was so strong. I idolize them even just as friends. They were perfect with each other and honestly for each other.

People We Meet on Vacation talks about two people who were lonely, but found each other and were no longer alone. This book could not be any more perfect and urge everyone to pick this up. And if you have the chance, pick up Beach Read as well.

Thank you again to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Great read, the character's chemistry pushed this story forward. Beach Read was my favorite of the past year or so, I entered this read with trepidation.. but I was not let down.

I loved this book!! It was a light, fun, beautiful, and romantic journey that had me entertained from start to finish. The story is told in Poppy’s POV and bounces around between the present day and flashbacks from eleven years worth of summer trips she takes with her best friend Alex.

I absolutely love Emily Henry’s writing style. It flows so well and has the perfect balance of humor and heart. The dialogue in this book was amazing!! The witty banter had me laughing out loud at the things these two would say, and the emotional comments were so heartfelt. While Poppy is the stronger character, both she and Alex felt genuine and relatable and I absolutely loved them both! This is a slow burn friends-to-lovers tale. While you build the pieces of their relationship and history, you get to enjoy their travel and adventures, and during Covid times I was very grateful to be able to travel vicariously with them! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! 5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me this eARC to read and review.

TW: discussions of past bullying

I didn't think that Henry's writing and storytelling could get better than Beach Read, but she managed to top herself. If you loved Beach Read then you are going to enjoy this book just as much. She comes back with anotherin enderaing, real life love story that showcases just how complex relationships can be. I adored Poppy and Alex as we follow them through the years. We understand all of their history while also starting to piece together what would have caused these two friends to fall out. Henry's writing remains witty and laughable at moments, while dropping in nuggets of profound sentimentality. It's easy to read and captures you attention from the start.

Emily Henry has done it again–created another contemporary romance that you’ll want to read in one sitting and them ruminate in for a few hours over a glass of wine, in the good way. I LOVED Beach Read–freaking devoured it in one night–and I ended up picking up my ARC of People We Meet on Vacation when I decided my super-literary 18th century novel for a book club just wasn’t what I was in the mood for. Ultimately, I thought People We Meet on Vacation was a great 5 star read–it brought up some friendship TRAumA for me, but it was good.

Two unlikely friends–Poppy and Alex–an annual summer vacation, and a story that takes you back in forth through time as you recount the previous twleve years of vacations as Poppy attempts to make this one–their first in two years since their trip to Croatia went wrong. As Henry toggles back and forth betwee Poppy’s attempt to make their too-hot vacay in Palm Springs special with all the trips they took before, you get to watch these friends develop, fall in love in the subtle ways, deal with outside relationships butting in, but you keep asking “WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED IN CROATIA.” It’s a rom-com full of friends to lovers with a travel bug (a bit odd during a pandemic to read, right?). It’s got “only one bed” and AirBnB drama and gushy love confessions and awkward encounters and I really enjoyed it, even if it reminded me a little bit TOOO much of a situation I escaped from last year.

I thought the dynamic between Poppy and Alex felt realistic–friends that find themselves drawn to how different they are, and do fight sometimes, and don’t assume from the get-go they end up together, and say stupid stuff sometimes, and have REAL jobs (my fave part of rom coms, haha). I was a bit underwhelmed by “what happened in Croatia” but it also felt sadly a bit realistically underwhelming–sometimes it’s not the BIG things that break you, you know.

I did like the internal debate over Poppy’s feelings towards her hometown in Ohio–how she loved her family, wasn’t ashamed of them, but wanted out when she could get out, and how the idea of returning felt like a joke.I feeeeeeelt that.

This book will definitely be well received by the contemporary romance lovers of the world–for good reasons. It’s the right mix of friends-to-lovers with “omg, travel?” pandemic fatigue, so expect to see it on every list every where.

Emily Henry didn’t have to rip my heart out but she did. when it started snowing yet again, I decided to pick up this ARC because I figured it would be a nice light vacation-y read. it wasn’t and I love it.

Beach Read was my favorite 2020 release and while I have trouble comparing the two, PWMOV is definitely a 2021 favorite. Poppy and Alex’s dynamic was EVERYTHING. this is a sloooow burn in the best way, so much longing and just enough angst. this read more like a contemporary than a romance in my opinion (although the ~love~ was definitely there) which I think makes it great as a wide recommendation for different readers.

for me personally, what I loved most was how seen I felt by this book. a lot of Poppy’s insecurities and feelings about life overlap with mine (millennial ennui!!!) and it really felt like Emily Henry saw straight into my soul while writing some parts. like, I cried actual tears, THAT’S how seen I felt.