Happy Place in What's the Name of That Book???

Dec 05, 2022 Trin rated it it was ok

Shelves: american-lit, romance, fiction, 2020s

I think Emily Henry and I have to break up.

It's entirely possible that this is an "it's not you, it's me" situation. I really loved Beach Read but every book since has been diminishing returns for me. Well, it's possible I was less actively annoyed by Happy Place than I was by Book Lovers, but that's because I was mostly just bored. I never connected with the main couple, never cared about or felt what initially supposedly made them so right for each other, so it didn't matter to me that they ha I think Emily Henry and I have to break up.

It's entirely possible that this is an "it's not you, it's me" situation. I really loved Beach Read but every book since has been diminishing returns for me. Well, it's possible I was less actively annoyed by Happy Place than I was by Book Lovers, but that's because I was mostly just bored. I never connected with the main couple, never cared about or felt what initially supposedly made them so right for each other, so it didn't matter to me that they had broken up or might get back together. This is just another book about heterosexual white people not having basic conversations. Which, I am not saying is not a realistic situation, but it isn't very fun to read about.

Instead I guess we're supposed to enjoy the trappings of yet another scenario where the main characters aren't rich -- so they can still be relatable! -- but they have one super rich friend, which means they can do rich people stuff in spotless Nancy Meyers kitchens without the reader starting to hate their guts. But I did sort of hate the controlling rich friend Sabrina (who is finally called out for being controlling and then forgiven four seconds later) and her no-personality fiancé Parth. The friend group is rounded out by two token lesbians, who I'm sorry, are just a straight couple except one has a female name. That's the vibe. These are all the least-queer people you've ever met. And they're all BEST BEST FRIENDS!!! we are told repeatedly, who have quirky little grocery store games... but honestly this whole vacation sounds like a drag, and I was so bored the whole time and only kept turning pages like I myself was on a bad vacation and just had to wait it out until my scheduled flight home.

Look, I appreciate that Henry is trying to included nuanced character beats, like our protagonist Harry's complicated relationship with her demanding family, and elements of that storyline were well drawn. Henry's dialogue is often cute! But this romance felt passionless, the majority of the characters flat or actively disagreeable, and most of all -- this book was not fun. That is, in my mind, a romcom's most basic requirement. Henry isn't giving me that anymore. So, sorry -- it's sayonara. ...more

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Jun 10, 2023 Melinda Worfolk marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: women-authors, fiction, romance, romantic-comedy, 2020-2024

I am not going to finish this. I’m going to return it to the library early so the next person can be disappointed by it.

I hate second chance romance and I hate romance that depends on characters who can’t communicate like adults. This has both, plentifully. The main characters are ridiculous. The only thing I liked about the first 25% (which is where I stopped) was the description of the titular happy place, an amazing holiday “cottage” that I guarantee I wouldn’t be able to afford as my only d ...more

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Oct 01, 2023 Nadine in NY Jones rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, romance, r2023-in-2023, womens-day, contemporary-romance, lotsa-buzz, audio, chick-lit, second-chance-romance

I suspect that anyone who was once one half of a long happy relationship that ended wishes they could fix whatever ended it and go back to the happiness they had in their younger days. Maybe there are even some people in this world who pull that off, but for most of us it's not possible. Pure and perfect endless love is not a reality for most people. But it sure is nice to fantasize about!!! This book offers up that fantasy on a silver platter, complete with a tight knit friend group and a ...more

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Jun 30, 2023 junia rated it liked it

Emily Henry always writes creative fun snappy books. I had fun. But also I feel like no one talks this way in real life. And the friendship stuff and exploring relationships and performance etc was a little forced. Lastly the ending resolution seemed to have come from no where. And lastly lastly. “Coarse” was definitely an overused adjective here.

I also hate issues that happen bc people are bad at communicating. Oh well.

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