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 six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest 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, blue 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?

2.5 stars

Happy Place by Emily Henry missed the mark for me. While the beach house setting with old friends seemed perfect for a summer read, the story ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but the plot felt stagnant and boring, with little to no action or significant events to keep me engaged. The characters, particularly the friend group, were flat and unrelatable, with many feeling one-dimensional or annoying. The dynamics were chaotic and messy, and I struggled to connect with any of them. Their immaturity and selfishness, especially when it came to love and communication, made the story feel frustrating. The lack of honest conversations between the supposed lifelong friends was hard to ignore.

The dual timelines between the past and present were hard to follow, as it wasn’t always clear when we were shifting, and the relationship between Wyn and Harriet felt shallow. I didn’t sense much chemistry between them, and their love story seemed built on lust rather than a deep emotional connection. Their constant lies about being happy after their breakup just didn’t feel authentic.

The writing itself felt pretentious—too descriptive, flowery, and sometimes off-putting, with metaphors that didn’t land. It made the reading experience feel bloated and unnecessarily long. The book also veered into wokeness, with a diversity inclusion that felt like it was there just to check a box, rather than being an organic part of the story.

While I appreciated the book’s themes of friendship, growing apart, and mental health, the execution didn’t resonate with me. The messaging about antidepressants and the character of Harriet, who came off as a people-pleaser, felt heavy-handed. The spicy scenes were graphic and R-rated, which I’m not a fan of, so I skipped over those in the audiobook.

Overall, Happy Place wasn’t for me. The characters and their attitudes, along with the over-the-top writing and lack of depth in the romance, left me frustrated. This will likely appeal to fans of Emily Henry’s style, but I’m breaking up with her books after this one.