A review by rachrreads
Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS? EMILY HENRY YOU HAVE RUINED ME!!

Harriet and Wyn’s love story have me sobbing. Where is my Wyn 😭😭

Harriet Kilpatrick and Wyn Connor met through mutual friends while in college and immediately felt a connection. They’ve been together ever since— even while Harriet worked her way through med school. After med school Wyn followed her out to California for her residency. When Wyn has to move back home to support his mother, they try long distance. The two are engaged and their wedding unfortunately keeps getting pushed back. About six months back, the two broke up and decided to keep this a secret from those they love.

Every year the six friends (Wyn, Harriet, Sabrina, Parth, Cleo, and Kimmy) take a trip to Sabrina’s family cottage in Maine. The annual trip is coming up and Wyn and Harriet agree Win will forgo going this year— it’s still too painful to be near each other. Harriet is ready to spend the week in her Happy Place… and break the news to her friends. Except when Harriet arrives, Wyn is there and acting as if they never broke up? Sabrina and Parth announce they are engaged and plan to get married with their best friends present at the end of that week. Harriet being the people pleaser she is goes along with it— only she’s not sure her heart can take it.

This novel flips back and forth between present day and the past. I really love how Emily Henry did this, it made it easy for the reader to keep everything straight timeline wise. 

Miscommunication is a huge plot point here so beware. I wanted to throw my book at points. Harriet grew up being the peacekeeper in her family, so she avoids all confrontation. Wyn grew up with two insanely smart sisters, knowing he was destined to stay in his small town in Montana— he hid his insecurity behind humor, not allowing others to dig too deep beneath the surface.

Read if you like:
• Forced proximity
• Fake dating
• Maine
• Close friendships