Happy Place

By: Emily Henry

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

“The beach-read master hooks us again."—People

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by BuzzFeed ∙ Paste Magazine ∙ Elle ∙ Southern Living ∙ SheReads ∙ Culturess ∙ Medium ∙ Her Campus ∙ Readers Digest ∙ Zibby Mag and more!

A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best?

©2023 Emily Henry (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Henry's new novel is a slow-burn romance and an ode to the chosen family we need when everything gets too complicated...The beach-read master hooks us again." —People

“Blur[s] the lines between women’s and literary-leaning commercial fiction, departing from the fantasy spaces of bodice rippers and misty moors to depict a world that looks a lot more like, well, our own…Henry operates at the top of her—and her readers’—intelligence, telling sophisticated, heartfelt stories that are conscious of the romantic comedy conventions without being overly meta about them…Henry’s dedicated readers know what to expect: wit, charm and heart, satisfying to the last page.” —The Washington Post

“With tender insight and quick wit, Henry delivers prosecco and sea breezes alongside startling mediations on friendship, loss, and adulthood.” —Oprah Quarterly

OMG That was painful

I listened to it all…not sure why…it was a bit like screeching my nails on the chalkboard. Narration was fine. There was no substantial storyline. This one was painful for me

I enjoyed this book

I enjoyed this book. Easy to get back in the story if you have to stop

Perhaps a little too "real life" for comfort

Let me start by saying this book, like Emily Henry's other works, is well-written and full of likable characters embedded in a relatable storyline. But therein lies the rub: the story is *very* relatable. It's actually tough to read if you've ever struggled with a difficult breakup with someone you loved but with whom love was just not enough. This story ends well, thankfully (as all romance novels should!)..And I loved the way the friends' stories were interwoven within Wyn and Harry's story...however, their love story is almost brutal. Almost too real.
The fact that I finished this one when so much of it caused me painful emotions goes to show how well written it is. Overall, I recommend but I would caution anyone with a tender heart or who is overly empathetic to take this one in doses. Make sure you have someone nearby who can give you hugs every now and again to offset what will undoubtedly make you feel a little sad.

Emily Henry is a Queen

💖 ℍ𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖 💖

First off: How does Emily Henry even have friends? Her banter is TOP TIER. She is so quickly and witty. How does she tolerate interactions with us mere mortals?😆😆

This book had me smiling immediately. I adore the way she writes. I went into this book blind and had a moment where I was asking myself if this was actually a romance or not 😅 but it is. And it was truly wonderful.

💖 Romance
💖 Second Chance
💖 Fake Engagement
💖 Forced Proximity
💖 Only One Bed
💖 Found Family
💖 Epic Banter

I know, this book is everywhere… you don’t need a review. But I loved it so much that I’m sharing it anyway.

“You’re like gravity… everything keeps spinning, but my mind always got one hand on you”

I laughed, I almost cried, I physically clutched my chest at some points. The emotions, the tension, it was all absolutely incredible. This book is a work of art.

Harriet and Win haven’t told their best friend’s that they are no longer engaged. Forced together for a week of fake smiles they struggle to pretend they’re happily in love to their friends while simultaneously trying to hide their shattered hearts from one another.

Julia Wheetan narrated this book beautifully! The audio was absolutely perfect.

“In every universe, it’s you for me. Even if it’s not me for you”

That feeling when you’re listening to Julia Whelan narrate Emily Henry’s dialogue! 🤌

I’ve been not so anxiously waiting for this book since the day after I finished Book Lovers! I was turned down for the ARC so my dreams were dashed there. I clicked “add to cart” the minute it was available on Audible.
I’m not a fan of “fake dating” tropes with lots of lying and miscommunication but Emily Henry makes me forget about any bitter taste with her exquisite dialogue and astute observations of the variety of humans interacting.
I have *thoughts* about the ending of the book but I posted those in Goodreads with a spoiler tag so go find me there if you have *thoughts* too!

Beautiful

Loved this book! Emily Henry really can bring relationships to life. This book was tragic, heart wrenching, but absolutely beautiful.

Great all around!

Although I was skeptical fir there first chapter or two, Happy Place started to reel me in them I couldn’t focus on anything else until I finished it.

Julia Wheelan is phenomenal and was flawless in this. I hope Emily Henry and Julia Wheelan team up for more.

Devastatingly Beautiful

This book made me laugh, cry, want to pull my hair out, want to scream! Most of all, however, it made me fall in love with each character, and I was fully invested from the start. One thing that didn’t quite drive me crazy, but made me laugh a lot, is how often she described Wyn’s scent. It was a bit overdone, but understandable in the context. This story was fun and riveting and intense and lighthearted all at once. The narration was perfect. Highly recommend.

Loved every minute ❤️

My new favorite Emily Henry book. Absolutely fantastic read. The writing, the characters, the romantic, friend, and family relationships. All of it was done wonderfully.

In very universe ✨

I loved this book. It was more sad than anticipated, but oooof, it was so good. Julia Whelan knocked it out of the park again with her narration. It was all just beautiful and poignant to love and friendship.