The famous Emily Henry released another NYT Bestseller almost a year ago, but it took me just as long to finally read it, and spoiler alert: I was not disappointed. Happy Place follows a woman named Harriet on her annual trip to Maine with her college best friends. The cabin and the people in it are Harriet’s whole heart. That’s where she first met her fiancé, Wyn, so many years ago. However, now he’s her ex-fiancé. And Harriet and Wyn have kept their break-up a secret for the past six months. Now, the two must spend the week lying to their friends to avoid ruining their beloved week-long vacation. 

I’m a consistent Emily Henry reader, and although none of her novels have really stood out to me, I never hesitate to recommend them to a friend. This novel is no exception. If anything, it may be my favorite Henry book yet. Of course, it has the usual Henry charm: creative banter, lovable side characters, and just cozy vibes all around.

What was different about this one, though, was the two timelines. Henry blended the past and present perfectly, revealing aspects of the couple’s romance at just the right time. Happy Place has a lot of pain woven into the romantic and platonic relationships, which differs from the author’s previous works. Some may not enjoy that aspect if they’re solely in it for the romance. Personally, I thought it added to Henry’s message about love’s complexities. My heart truly ached reading this!! My only complaint is that the end resolution felt rushed and even anti-climactic. It was somewhat predictable given the nature of the novel. Nevertheless, I easily give Happy Place five stars.