May 2023 Standalone BOTM - Happy Place by Emily Henry

[Alaina]

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?

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to 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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until June 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Ashley]

Started today!

First thoughts! I'm excited to read this one. I really enjoyed Book Lovers and hope that doesn't skew my expectations! Also, I love the pink cover.

[Ashley]

(view spoiler)[After reading about half the book, I'm struggling with the tone of this one. It feel sad and depressing. There is an air of something missing and I'm not sure what it is.

I just reached a point where they are replaying the two of them meeting her parents, and I can definitely see why there is a problem. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

(view spoiler)[Bahaha! The "sex in the car" line is classic! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

75%
(view spoiler)[swoon, the sexy time!

Also, poor Wyn, I feel so sad for him, but glad he's finally figuring himself out!
(hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Finished
(view spoiler)[It was good. The characters were complex, not just 2d beings full of lust. I struggled a bit with the flashbacks, which were essential to the plot, but also left me feeling lost on occasion. (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

25% (view spoiler)[Going into this book, I was already super excited. I have heard great things about Emily Henry, and this book's synopsis sounded like a very fun read.
I am currently loving Happy Place and I feel like I am in romance novel Heaven. I love forced proximity so much that I might actually combust, and I hope I enjoy the rest of the book as much as I'm enjoying it right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

51% (view spoiler)[Thankfully, I am still enjoying the book. My favorite parts are whenever things turned into a competition, of sorts, between Wyn and Harriet. There is always so much tension, but it's just so much fun to see both of them getting pushed to their limit. I can't wait for the moment they break. (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

77% (view spoiler)[ Wyn is the happiest he has been in a while living with his mom in Montana, and Harriet is stressed but enjoying her blossoming career...not in Montana. Harriet just found out that Wyn still loves her, but he doesn't want to leave the place he is most joyful. The problem here is that I don't understand how this is supposed to work out. Like, I cannot come up with a way to solve this problematic scenario, so now I am a little nervous about the ending. (hide spoiler)]

[christene_littlelibrary]

Started today!
25% (view spoiler)[ Im already hooked. I loved that its an alternating timeline and the forced proximity between them is just good. I wonder whats the reason of their break up, its so obvious they still like each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

Finished (view spoiler)[I'm not a fan of the ending. It doesn't feel like a decision Harriet would make, but overall, the book was amazing. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 1-9

(view spoiler)[
Like all of Henry’s books, I got sucked in right away. The characters are all likable. Harriet and Wyn are good together, funny and cute. But why have they broken up?

Spending the week together with friends will likely help to bring them back together. Harriet being jealous that Wyn may be moving on with someone else is a good sign.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 10-18

(view spoiler)[
So pretty much a misunderstanding broke them up. Wyn thought Harriet cheated on him. They need to clear the air. But that won’t happen for awhile. LOL

I do enjoy the joking around between the friends. It would be fun to be on vacation with this group. But they don’t seem to notice any of the tension between Harriet and Wyn.

At the end of this section it seems the reason Wyn broke up with Harrie was much more complicated. Losing a parent would change anyone’s perspective.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 19-27

(view spoiler)[
The gang really does get pretty silly. LOL

And I do like it when Harriet and Wyn get real with each other. There’s obviously more going on under the surface between them. But I can feel them getting closer again.

Happy Wyn is starting to gain confidence in himself. And is making a success at crafting furniture.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 28-End

(view spoiler)[
So the friend group also had things to clear up too. Phew! That became a lot to get through!

So nice when Harriet and Wyn decide to be together. Wyn is getting treated for his depression. And Harriet also realizes she is not happy. Both have definitely grown up. And have learned to communicate better with each other. I enjoyed Harriet and Wyn. They made me laugh and sigh. I cheered for these two to get back together.
(hide spoiler)]

[christene_littlelibrary]

50% (view spoiler)[ I do love the bantering, the competition between Harriet and Wyn. Lmao. There is still no clear reason why they broke up. Maybe losing his father changed everything? Not sure but its obvious they still love each other they just need to get real and talk it all out. (hide spoiler)]

[christene_littlelibrary]

75% (view spoiler)[ It was all a misunderstanding and miscommunication. If only they tell each other how they feel and not kept it to themselves maybe this wont hurt that much. Okay im cryin dont know if its just because of preggy hormones or what. Lmao. (hide spoiler)]

[christene_littlelibrary]

100% (view spoiler)[ So glad it ended so well. A happy place indeed. Super enjoyed reading this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

35% (view spoiler)[ Oh, now I really need to know what happened with their break up. With the way Harriet has been describing his reaction, him accusing her of cheating feels out of left field. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

56% (view spoiler)[ Harriet and Wynn still have a lot of chemistry and I'm both surprised it's taken them this long to do anything about it and also not, because they didn't get a clean break up. (hide spoiler)]

72% (view spoiler)[ I finally felt saw parts of myself in Harriett and Wynn as we revealed more about what happened before they broke up and had the emotional connection I've had with Emily Henry's other books. But damn. They both really had a lot going on. I think they're a good example of wrong timing. They both needed different things from each other and they couldn't be there in the way they were needed. (hide spoiler)]