Two exes. One pact.
Could this holiday change everything?
Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple – they go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
Every year, they take a holiday from their lives to drink far too much wine with their favourite people in the world.
Except this year, they are lying through their teeth, because Harriet and Wyn broke up six months ago. And they still haven’t told anyone.
But the cottage is for sale so this is the last time they’ll all be here together. They can’t bear to break their best friends’ hearts so they’ll fake it for one more week.
But how can you pretend to be in love – and get away with it – in front of the people who know you best?
This ARC was sent to me by VikingsBooks UK, please read our disclaimer policy for more information.
The Review:
I’ve read all of Emily Henry books and I’m one of the few people that adored Beach Read. I was very sceptical going into Happy Place but gosh did I absolutely fall in love with Wyn and Harriet.
“No,” he says quietly. “In every universe, it’s you for me. Even if it’s not me for you.”
It focuses on Harriet, who has broken up with her long term boyfriend/fiancé, Wyn, without telling their friendship group. They’re invited to one last holiday at their friend’s holiday home and they decide to keep up the pretence that they’re still engaged. Ultimately rediscovering the love they have for each other.
It has some of the best tropes:
One bed trope
Second chance romance
This book had me thinking about the definition of a happy place. I’ve have a few actual places where I experience true joy, just some being a bookstore, the cinema, by the beach in Jamaica and more.
But then there’s those people that make you feel so much happiness that you’re afraid you might burst with love. Those people become your happy place. The place you can be your true unfiltered self. You’re unapologetic you. If you’re anything like me, it can be really hard to let go around people. But this book made me truly grateful for all the loved ones in my life. For the friendships I’ve formulated over my life and the ones that have continuously shown up for me.
Our love is a place we can always come back to, and it will be waiting, the same as it ever was.
You belong here.“
I loved that although this book looks at romantic relationships and exploring how to discover yourself. It delves into friendships as a form of love, which is then placed on the same level hierarchy. I really loved the friendships portrayed in this book and the care all these characters had for each other. It was truly beautiful.
It reminded me just how precious life is. And how quickly it can flash before your eyes. This last year especially made me realise how much I want to make priceless memories with those I love. I want to look back at my twenties when I’m older and know that I had a TIME. Just like the friendship group in this book.
If you’re looking for a romance that really explores so many different themes of loneliness, grief, friendships, sisterhood and discovering who you are. This book is without a doubt for you. You won’t be disappointed.
“It doesn’t matter how busy life’s been, how long the live of us have gone without seeing one another: meeting at the cottage is like pulling on a favorite sweatshirt, worn to perfection. Time doesn’t move the same way when we’re there.”
This by far is undoubtedly my second favourite Emily Henry book and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it just as much.
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