Reviewed by Melanie Koopmans, July 2023
Harriet and Wyn have always been perfect for each other. Ever since college they’d been together until, to Harriet’s surprise, they weren’t. Struggling with her surgical residency and the breakup with her long term fiance, Harriet was in need of her annual trip to Maine. Every year since she started college Harriet and her friends, Sabrina and Cleo, traveled to Maine to visit Sabrina’s family cabin. The only problem is, Harriet hasn’t told the group about her and Wyn’s split. She planned to tell her friends about the breakup, but when she showed up to the cabin a surprise was waiting for her in the form of her ex-fiance. The two decide to pretend they're still together for their friends.
Like all books written by Emily Henry, in my opinion, Happy Place was beautifully written. Not only was it funny, but it also has amazing underlying themes of friendship, finding one’s identity, and love. The nonlinear storytelling keeps readers engaged as the plot is constantly changing from the past to the present, allowing you to learn about Harriet and Wyn’s relationship as the current story develops. Additionally it has a wonderfully summery feel! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance books, especially those who have read Emily Henry’s books in the past.