I wish I could bottle this moment and wear it as a perfume. It would always be with me. Everywhere I went, he’d be there too, and so I’d always feel like myself.
People We Meet on vacation, emily henry
Author: Emily Henry
Publication Date: 11 May 2018
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 382
Reading Method: Physical [BOTM]
Dates Read: May 8-9
Synopsis:
Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.
Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.
Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.
Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?
Review:
Last year, Beach Read was one of my favorite books of the summer. Naturally, I was ridiculously stoked when I saw we were getting another Henry masterpiece. I’m happy to report it didn’t disappoint!
Plot:
Gahhhh so much loveliness I don’t know where to start. Poppy and Alex are besties and every summer they go on a vacation together. The story is told in multiple timelines leading up to present day – where Poppy and Alex are on the outs?! We get to see them meet, go on so many epic adventures, live their lives, and (hopefully) restore their friendship. I mean, it’s a romance novel so we kinda know what to expect, right? Eh… I wouldn’t be too hasty. I have to say, the ending took me a bit by surprise. I’ll leave you on that cryptic note.
Characters:
Poppy is freaking wild and I love her. She’s loud and outgoing and keeps you on your toes. You never know what is going to come out of her mouth, which makes her hilarious. On the other hand, Alex is reserved and a bit more standoffish. But he really comes out of his shell around Poppy, like she brings out a different side of him (Naked Alex *whoop whoop*). Naked Alex is my favorite Alex.
Henry knows how to write characters the reader will fall in love with. They are complex and fun and ugh… I just want to be a part of Alex and Poppy’s friend group, hardcore third wheelin’. We also get to meet a ton of side characters during their vacations and they are just as well written. Each person has a clear and distinct personality and adds something to the dynamic.
Writing:
I’m a big fan. I’m going to elaborate, but just needed to get that out. As I mentioned above, Henry has an excellent way of writing characters. More than that, there’s humor, heat, and fun. It’s all swirled together in this magical concoction that makes for an excellent read.
Overall:
What I’m about to say will come as no surprise. I absolutely loved People We Meet On Vacation and will be recommending this book to literally anyone and everyone (except my mom – ya know, because the spice).
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