... an excellent reminder that a familiar trajectory doesn’t erase the fun of the journey ... absorbing and entertaining. Henry isn’t aiming for originality: This is an updated version of When Harry Met Sally, which all these years later still sets the standard for friends who become lovers. She freshens it up with her signature wit, epic near misses and steamy longing that threatens to seep through the page, fogging the reader’s glasses ... Be still, rom-com loving hearts ... The flashback vacations are terrific, vicarious fun, especially as Poppy and Alex evolve from best friends to people who are clearly pining for each other ... Henry masterfully depicts early-30s uncertainty and angst, adding an interesting personal-growth dimension to the story ... If the friends-to-lovers trope is ever in danger of feeling tired, Henry saves it with sassy wordplay. Plus, the connection between Poppy and Alex feels genuine, like the romance next door. It’s easy to imagine yourself in Poppy’s heels or Alex’s khakis, realizing you’ve fallen for your closest friend but wary of the potential costs of making a move ... lacks the pizazz — the special spark — that helped Beach Read shine. It’s not as deep as its predecessor, and more of a 'beach read' in that it doesn’t demand too much of the reader. But it’s still unabashedly fun.
... inspired and achingly romantic ... gorgeously written, delightfully original ... a wonderful tribute that puts Henry firmly on the path to becoming the millennial Nora Ephron.
... a contemporary friends-to-lovers romance novel and would be of great interest to those who enjoy travelling. Considering that most of us are not able to travel right now due, this book is the perfect way to escape reality and take a mental vacation this year ... This was my first time reading a book by Emily Henry and it was really enjoyable! I was hooked right from the start because I wanted to know what happened on the Catalina trip that forced Poppy and Alex to stop talking for two years and whether Alex and Poppy became more than friends. It was great reading about all the previous trips that Poppy went on (with Alex as well as for her job as a travel writer) because they also sounded super cool. As mentioned, this book is a great way to escape, but it would also be an excellent summer read because of all the travelling ... The are a few minor negatives about this book including that it’s slow to start, but once Poppy and Alex got to Palm Springs, the action started to pick up and the book became more engaging. Then there’s the regular switching between past and present, which was a bit difficult to keep track of, and it was also frustrating having to wait until towards the end of the book for a flashback of what went wrong between Alex and Poppy during their Catalina trip ... an enjoyable read with a unique plot and quite the satisfying ending! It would be a great read for fans of Talia Hibbert, Jojo Moyes, or Robyn Carr, and this jet-setting novel would be perfect to read during summer while sitting by the beach or pool.
... all the characters are incredibly strong, even the ones we meet only briefly. The story lends itself to a large cast, and each voice feels authentic, each character fully-formed. Character relationships are also very well-developed; Poppy and Alex have a really raw, emotional connection. There’s also the fact that the chemistry between them is PALPABLE and very sexy. Their relationship is a tender, aching love that is slowly revealed throughout the story and events from the past, and present ... Though I was initially skeptical about the switching between time periods which forms the novel’s basic structure, it really works for the story and it feels organic to the narrative as it unfolds. It also increases tension for the reader as the history of the characters unwinds and small details come into focus ... The tone of the book took me a little by surprise, as it was quite heavy at times. I kind of expected some light angst, but the book has a really deep emotional core. It still has some wonderfully funny moments, but I was definitely a little taken aback by how intense it is. I also found the pacing to be a little off as the story enters its third act. The resolution doesn’t feel as final as I’d like, either, with some of the roadblocks seemingly remaining unresolved ... surprised me in a lot of ways, and while I had some issues with it, I would still definitely recommend it. Some of my favorite tropes are at work in this book – opposites attract and friends to lovers, just to name two. It’s a great read, and will definitely satisfy anyone who loves a good getaway.
What Henry is especially skilled at is writing dialogue. The banter between Poppy and Alex is so natural, quick and witty that it would make Shonda Rhimes do a slow clap. It also reminds the reader why these two come alive with each other in a way that they do not with anyone else ... Whether or not Poppy or Alex can resolve their difference remains to be seen, but Henry creates a story where you’ll want to stick with it to see what happens.
Buttoned-up, starchy Alex and chaotic, sunny Poppy are perfect foils who are also a perfect match ... Henry’s latest will appeal to readers who are drawn to stories with emotion, poetic language, and a strong sense of place.
... a book I ended up loving even though I almost didn’t make it past the first few chapters. With its friends-to-lovers/opposites attract tropes and slow build, this book has a When Harry Met Sally feel to it with a bit more angst ... My biggest problem with this book is that initially I was not a big fan of Poppy. I found her to be self-centered, impulsive, spoiled, and slightly dishonest, and I considered DNF’ing the book because I didn’t care about her story. However, as the book progresses, it reveals more positive layers of her personality. Poppy matures a lot during the course of the book and I did eventually want things to work out for her ... This book has a lot of ‘worst-trip-ever’ humor and a ton of truly delightful friendly banter, which I very much enjoyed. It’s theme of travel makes it a lovely summer read and readers with the patience for a very slow burn will enjoy it, especially once Poppy’s character develops. I ended up being heavily invested in the book and the characters, and I loved travelling vicariously with these funny, sweet people and meeting their equally sweet friends and family ... I think readers will enjoy this book most if they approach it as romantic comedy as opposed to Romance Novel. It will also appeal most to readers who have a lot of patience as Poppy and Alex’s relationship takes years to evolve from platonic friendship to romance, with a lot of pining in between. For those readers, the long trip is worthwhile and you’ll have a lot of fun on the way! The banter alone makes this book a fun read, not to mention the locations and the supporting characters. Pack a bookmark and have a good time.
Their slow-burn love story hits on beloved romance tropes (such as there unexpectedly being only one bed on the reconciliation trip Poppy plans) while still feeling entirely fresh. Henry’s biggest strength is in the sparkling, often laugh-out-loud-funny dialogue, particularly the banter-filled conversations between Poppy and Alex. But there’s depth to the story, too—Poppy’s feeling of dissatisfaction with a life that should be making her happy as well as her unresolved feelings toward the difficult parts of her childhood make her a sympathetic and relatable character. The end result is a story that pays homage to classic romantic comedies while having a point of view all its own ... A warm and winning When Harry Met Sally… update that hits all the perfect notes.
... lacks the spark of 2020’s Beach Read, but still offers plenty of lighthearted summertime fun ... Flashbacks to each past summer trip make for fun travelogues that highlight both characters’ understandable but frustrating refusal to discuss their feelings. Watching them dance around the inevitable grows tiresome as things drag on, but Henry’s skills with sensory detail and lovable characters shine through. This is a strong choice for readers looking for a vicarious summer vacation of their own.
