This book utterly broke me. Where Book Lovers felt right for me because of the anti-hero and the cost of her ambitions, Happy Place feels right for me because of the crushing weight that we place on ourselves to ensure other’s joy.

As soon as I heard Emily Henry was writing a second-chance romance I planned to take a day off of work to read it. HAPPY PLACE is her best work yet, truly a remarkable work of literature. This book touched my literal SOUL. The most perfect story of love and friendship, Harriet and Wyn are my forever family

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley publishers for the ARC of one of the most highly anticipated books of 2023.

OMGGGG this book was everything I could want and more. This is my new favourite Emily Henry book and I cannot wait for the publication date.

Harriet is going to meet up with her best friends at the cottage that holds some of her happiest memories. But when she get there she is surprised to see that her ex fiancé Wyn is there even though he said he wouldn’t be attending.

I found myself relating the the story line of how hard it is to reach out to your friends in your twenties as well as how family dynamics effect our relationships. If that still doesn’t have you sold there’s also some enemies to lovers, fake dating, and LOTS of forced proximity (one bed ;))!!

4.75

she did that!!!!! emily henry’s books work so well because of the emotions that run alongside the romance, and the friendships/found family in this book are beautiful. i loved every character, especially cleo and kimmy, and i liked the alternating timeline chapters. there are so many great quotes i want to put here but this was my favorite (paraphrased):

“You said [your brain] felt like a Ferris wheel. Like all your thoughts were constantly circling, and you’d reach out for one, but it was hard to stay on it for too long because they kept spinning.”
“Except with you. You’re like gravity … Everything keeps spinning, but my mind’s always got one hand on you.”

I can’t quantify the magic of Emily Henry I have tried, but that’s all I can describe it as magic. These intense feelings of joy and loss and vivid imagery and you can feel the love. it just comes off the page. I was so in love with Beach Read so in love. I remember making video chat messages to my girlfriends about it while unloading my dishwasher when we were locked down in the spring of 2020 after I read my advance readers copy. I waxed poetic about how it made me love my husband more and brought me so much joy. This is not that. Happy place is not that. I cried, almost the entire novel. The writing in the “dark place” is staccato. That is what dark places feel like and are remembered like sharp and pointy and intense. Read this book if you’re ready to examine the relationship of your parents and how it affected every relationship you’ve ever been in. Read if you’re ready to examine your relationship with your parents and how it has made and shaped you and how you view yourself. This book is not for the faint of heart but it’s worth it.

Wow.

Emily Henry’s books have made me cry before. I have found characters within her pages that I relate to on an eerily personal level. However, none as much as one Harriet Kilpatrick.

The thing about Emily’s books is that the love stories always feel deeply real. The characters are relatable. They’re awkward, charming, sarcastic, hilarious, stubborn, foolish, genuine. Wyn and Harriet were like these two people who truly found each other and melded into each other alongside their found family - an incredible (INCREDIBLE) ensemble cast of characters. I loved this group of friends. Absolutely wept over my baby girl, Cleo, and cried for Sabrina.

I didn’t know about Wyn at first - especially because Gus is like my favorite grumpy son and how could anyone ever compete or compare? But in the end, I found myself wanting to hold him. To wrap him in a blanket and keep him safe.

This book was so funny and so warm and cozy and familiar, and yet it was heartbreaking and bittersweet at the same time.

I loved it. I still have tears stinging the back of my eyes as I write this review.

THANK YOU to Netgalley and Emily Henry and Berkely/Penguin Random House for this Advanced Reader’s Copy. I am in shambles.

Emily Henry has the ability to put the entirety of the human condition in book form. While this wasn't my absolute favorite Henry book, it still was utterly delicious.
Happy Place has every emotion, piled together. Every turn of the page left me anticipating the next. The basis of this story, the start of a friendship, is something that almost anyone who went to college envies. It's rare to find friends, let alone best, in a college admissions process. But Henry weaves this tale together from the bottom up, with this friendship. The ebbs and flows, the growths and setbacks, and the fear of change.
All in all, this book did not disappoint. I will always be delighted to see where Henry takes us readers, and this book was a perfect addition to her collection.

Emily Henry is a master! This book is a really lovely book, that has a romance and is a main focal point. But I thought that the friendship between Sabrina, Harriet & Cleo was really wonderful.
Harriet and Wyn were a struggle. You can see how much they love each other and you slowly get it revealed why they broke up.
I liked the dual timelines, it gave a great look into the past.
Another great novel by Henry!
Thanks NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC!

I love Emily Henry's previous books like Book Lovers and The People We Meet on Vacation. Her books are fun and light and easy to read. I have given all her books 4 stars and Happy Place will be no different. I enjoyed meeting the characters in this friend group and loved the way she separated out the chapters. I would have loved a different ending more than the one she went with, but was thoroughly entertained all the way through. Will easily recommend this book to patrons once it is released in April. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of this title.

I don't have enough wonderful things to say about Emily Henry. She is such an incredible author, and I'm so grateful I got to read this book in advance!

The main draw of this book for me (besides the author, of course) was the description. One of my favorite books of the past few years is You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, and the premise of this book sounded very similar. While I adore the two books individually, they differ in that You Deserve Each Other has more of a rom-com feel while Happy Place has more of a romantic drama vibe.

The characters are so well-written and the depictions of mental illness in all its forms (workplace anxiety, relationship anxiety, grief, depression, etc.) are expertly crafted and delicately handled. I loved getting to know them through the "before" of their relationship and the "during" of their break-up. There are so many emotions involved, and there wasn't just one thing that went wrong in the relationship... sometimes it bugs me in books where a single miscommunication results in the breakdown of a years-long relationship. In this case, both characters needed to do some reflecting and growing before they could find each other again.

I laughed. I cried. I read it in one sitting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was so cute!! I love love love the way Emily Henry writes characters and how relatable they are in so many ways. I loved the friendship between the characters in this book, but especially how certain issues were dealt with. I think that's what makes her books so good to me, her characters feel real in a way that I've never noticed in other books.

I love Emily Henry's characters, and Happy Place is no exception! This latest installment of the Henryverse follows Harriet and her former fiancé Wyn as they navigate a messy, unplanned reunion with their already-tense friend group. Harriet is a driven doctor sludging through a surgeon residency, and Wyn is a loyal son carrying on his family's furniture repairing while struggling with his self-worth. Their whirlwind romance begins at a small liberal arts school, but their engagement recently came to an abrupt, confusing end. When they're both summoned to Maine for their friends' annual summer vacation, they scheme to hide the breakup from the group.

I'm not a huge fan of the exes/second chances trope, but this was a good version of it! There was a bit too much miscommunication for me, but I felt the issues dividing the couple were realistic.

4/5: Another great story from the reigning queen of well-rounded, funny, and witty romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Another can’t - put - it - down, sexy, heartfelt book from the boy - can - she - write - sexual - tension superstar Emily Henry! Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read! Love the story of Harriet & Wyn and their wonderful friends — it’s also a love letter to Maine and the friends we make in college who change our lives. Add it to your TBR pile!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a copy of the digital ARC*

Every time I think Emily Henry has reached the peak of her writing, she publishes another book, and all my expectations are exceeded. Like her three previous books, I devoured Happy Place in a day, staying up into the wee morning hours sobbing every fifty pages because Henry's writing is so personal and raw.

Summary:
Harriet met Sabrina and Cleo when they were randomly assigned roommates in college, and it's been history ever since. Harriet, a midwestern pre-med student and a child of married, yet not-in-love parents; Sabrina, a classic New York heiress, pre-law student, and child of many divorces; and Cleo, an art student with divorced--yet completely healthy--parents, immediately click, and become inseparable from the moment they're united. Each grew up isolated and lonely, longing for friends, and since meeting each other, they've never been left wanting.
When freshman year exercises its usual grief, the three girls take a trip to Sabrina's family "cottage" in Maine, forever bonding themselves through late night stories, crying, and, of course, fire. The cottage becomes an annual tradition, a week-long getaway from the stress of school and work and families.
As the years progress, the trio add Parth and Wyn to their group, the former a year ahead law student with whom Sabrina always lovingly clashes, and the latter a flirty, handsome furniture repairman from Wyoming. Of course, the second Wyn and Harriet meet they're drawn together like magnets, and leading to a whirlwind romance, months of flirty and longing as they debate the pros and cons of a romantic relationship within a friend group, before finally giving in and falling head-over-heels in love.
That is until eight years into their relationship, Wyn calls Harriet to break up and cancel the wedding out of the blue, breaking the promise they made to their friends that nothing would ruin the yearly trips to Maine.
Thus begins the classic Emily Henry shenanigans. Of course Harriet and Wyn have to pretend to still be engaged for this year's Maine trip, because even though five months have passed, they haven't told their best friends. Of course they have to share a bed in the most romantic room in the cottage, and of course they have to keep their hands all over each other the entire week, because otherwise it would be suspicious.
But as the week goes on, Harriet and Wyn are tortured by each other and their lack of communication. Both need to work on themselves before they can work together, but will they ever get over their hurt and anger to try?

Thoughts:
Happy Place has my favorite cast of characters from Emily Henry yet. I loved each of the six friends, especially their found-family dynamic and dedication to keeping a decade-long friendship alive. I cried more while reading this book than I have for any other of Henry's, let alone any other romance, mostly because I saw so much of myself in Harriet.
As a bookseller and publishing student pursuing a career in editorial work, I thought there would never be an Emily Henry book that connected to me more than Book Lovers, or a character I related to more than Nora, but Harriet spoke to me in ways no other character has, leaving me sobbing at multiple points throughout the book from how seen I felt. Harriet is a classic over thinker, people pleaser, over achiever, and conflict avoider. Everything she has accomplished in life has been for others, never herself, and she's riddled guilt and pressure to prove to her parents that their investment was worthwhile.
I also felt more emotionally attached to this romance than any previous one, and I believe that came from Henry's use of flashbacks. Henry has split the book into "Happy Place" and "Real Life," where the "Happy Place" consists of flashbacks throughout Harriet and Wyn's relationship, and "Real Life" is the current getaway to Maine. Each time I earned a new happy memory of Harriet and Wyn's previous life together, I felt even more heartbroken when I returned to real life and saw them arguing. I loved Wyn's family, and the way he revered Harriet, and how passionate each of them were about the other. I was unable to put the book down until the end, because I needed a resolution more than sleep.

Overall:
I truly believe this is Emily Henry's most emotional and raw novel to date, although that may be because Harriet was basically me but in STEM. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the characters and plot since I finished, and I keep catching myself thinking that I can pick the book back up and keep reading because I don't want to let it go. The witty dialogue, setting (boy am I a sucker for Maine/New England), flashbacks, found-family, all the classic romance tropes, and above all the cast of characters made Happy Place simply a perfect read, and I'm already counting down the days until I can get my own physical copy (shoutout to JosephBeth, mine and Emily Henry's home indie bookstore).

Read Happy Place by Emily Henry as soon as it comes out. You will not regret it!

I think I need to sit with this one for a bit. I think Emily Henry might be an every other book author for me. I loved Beach Read, didn’t finish People We Meet on Vacation, loved Book Lovers, and I, not quite sure about my feelings about Happy Place.

The setting/scenery and feel of a friend vacation is perfect. The sights and sounds are magically described, as well as the friendship dynamics and that strange push-pull of growing up and trying to stay connected while also growing apart.

But Harriet and Wyn? I’m still undecided. I liked the flashbacks to their romance, but the present day stuff was me frustratingly yelling at them to just talk to each other. The book is basically a communication in relationships 101 manual and I grew tired of their angst. Grow up, talk and be honest with each, stop assuming. While I liked the overall cast of characters and parts of the romance, I also found myself growing weary of it.

Some people are going to love this and find this one incredibly swoon-worthy. They’ll find incredible insight about what makes you happy. It just didn’t quite get there for me.

I laughed, smiled, cried, beamed, and cried again.

Emily Henry perfectly describes how our heart, mind, and body can say all different things but simultaneously the same thing when it comes to love.

Her characters feel familiar in Happy Place. The love Wyn and Harriet share made me so happy. Harriet makes choices to control her life and live it how she wants to. She didn’t let things happen to her. The underlying message of being happy in the life you’re living resonated with me. The overall concept of having a happy place was very clever. I found myself enjoying both the “real life” chapters and “happy place” chapters.

This book perfectly describes friendship and changes we go through in our 30s. We are holding onto the past instead of enjoying the now. I’m glad the friend group was able to work it out.

Harriet and Wyn felt so real. They are hot, sweet, and passionate. This may be my favorite Emily Henry couple yet. Thank you for writing this story. It’s exactly what I needed.

Harriet and Wyn, a couple who has always had it all figured out, no longer does. Six months ago, for reasons that remain undiscussed and undisclosed, they broke up and have been hiding it from their closest friends ever since. Harriet, a star-surgical resident, is now traveling alone to their friend group's annual summer getaway in Maine; or so she thought. When she arrives she is faced with her ex-fiancé she hasn't seen for months. If that wasn't enough, they all then learn that this will be their last hurrah in a place they've considered a second home for the last decade. Harriet and Wyn now have entered a pact to pretend to be the doting and loving couple that they always were, while avoiding addressing the fallout from their relationship to make sure that the cottage in Maine remains a happy place.

This book was so cute! The relationship between Harriet and Wyn was so realistic and well thought out. Their personal struggles are those that every 20-30-something suffers through; self-worth, anxiety, knowing your place in the world, and finding out what to do with your life has made Happy Place one of Emily Henry's most relatable books yet.

The greatest strength of this novel is the setting and the friendships. As much as I love our two leads, I adored their friend group even more; a tight-knit pack of wildly different people who have been together for years. Anyone reading this book will want to be a part of their squad. The setting of the book is gorgeous and gives off the coziest of vibes. Emily Henry excels in making her novels and characters all very distinct and unique from one another which keeps her writing familiar, but her stories fresh.

Anyone who has loved an Emily Henry book before is sure to love this one as well.

This book is now my happy place. I absolutely devoured this- read in one sitting! The setting (beautiful Maine), characters (I want to be in their friend group, badly), and romance (second chance is one of my favorite tropes)... this book has it ALL. If you liked Every Summer After or Love and Other Words, you will eat this UP. I feel so incredibly #blessed to have read an early copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC of Happy Place

"I haven't forgiven you for breaking my heart."
"Good, don't forgive me. Stay mad at me. Don't get over me."

Harriet and Wyn, a seemingly perfect couple, ended their relationship 6 months ago. But they've kept it a secret from their family and friends. Trouble is, they 're spending a week with their closest friends on an annual trip to Maine. Trying not to ruin a last perfect vacation, Harriet and Wyn are resigned to play happy couple for one more week.

I absolutely loved this book.. I really enjoyed Book Lovers but, I feel Happy Place resonated with me a bit more. I connected with Harriet a lot, especially with her anxiety. and her need to clean things when she is anxious, There wasn't as much tension between Harriet and Wyn like there is with other Henry characters. But, it makes sense since Harriet and Wyn have known each other for almost a decade. I got the sense of how they fell in love with the flashbacks. As well as how their relationship evolved overtime.

The characters were entertaining and I loved the friendship they all have with each other. My only complaint is that I feel we didn't get enough time with the other characters and they felt a little 2 dimensional. However, it don't think it hindered the story. After all, this is really about Harriet and Wyn's relationship and how they can heal together.

Emily Henry really captured the feel of Maine and the joys of vacationing with friends. This book genuinely made me laugh and cry at times. Happy Place is another phenomenal book from Emily Henry and I highly recommend it!

This was by far my favorite read of the year. Emily Henry has a fantastic way of developing characters who are so drawn out and perfectly flawed. Even the supporting characters were fantastic. Having read all of her previous books, I can say for sure Emily Henry is an author I will always pick up and read.