Emily Henry has been creating waves for the romance genre since BEACH READ, which blew up when it came out. Since then, she has been releasing a book almost every year, each having great success. HAPPY PLACE is my first read from Emily Henry, and I am in for the ride for whatever else she writes in the future!
HAPPY PLACE is a story about a found family at its center. Sabrina, Cleo, and Harriet have been inseparable since they met in college. Parth, a friend of Sabrina’s, and Wyn, a friend of Parth’s, are thrown into the mix. Together, they immensely enjoyed their glory days before life threw itself upon them.
We start with a reunion of this group at a holiday home of Sabrina’s in Maine, a tradition they have all been following every year. Things will not be the same when they find out this is the last time they can do this, as Sabrina’s father has decided to sell the house. Metaphorically, their relationships are also due for a revamp as they grow up and understand what they mean to each other.
Of course, then there is the romantic angle of the story—the story of Harriet and Wyn. They bring their complications to the table, filled with unresolved emotions that need closure. HAPPY PLACE beautifully unfolds these problems as our new adults try to figure out their lives and youth.
HAPPY PLACE utilizes all the cliches of a rom-com but very sensibly. The characters do not behave outlandishly and ground the story with their relatable human traits. The conflicts are not silly and are built up organically. The side characters are not one-dimensional and get enough time to shine with their storylines.
HAPPY PLACE is not without its flaws. Cleo, who is a lesbian, felt a bit stereotypical to me. Some creative choices regarding Cleo did not sit well, such as her job and lifestyle, which could have been explained better and justified her intentions. Wyn’s shy and innocent character saying that girls have always only wanted to sleep with him and not get to know him felt so bizarre and unnecessary that it put me off for a whole twenty minutes.
HAPPY PLACE is still an excellent novel despite these shortcomings. Above are just small things that did not work without which this book would have been perfect. I enjoyed reading about this group of friends who won my heart with their quirks and traditions. The YA to new-adult transition this book tried to bring worked wonders for me. It is a perfect cozy read you can fly through in a week over evening tea.
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