Happy Place by Emily Henry

 💖💖💖💖💖/5

Happy Place by Emily Henry is a beautiful an amazing second chance romance with a close-knit group of friends who gather each year for a weekend retreat at a cabin in Maine; showing the bonds of friendship. This year there will be a few changes and surprises. Harriet is beyond ready for her annual Happy Place, where she spent the last 10 years with her wonderful and fun best friends, Sabrina and Cleo; after college Parth, Wyn and Kimmie became part of the group. They have been friends for 10 years so I can say that they have witnessed each others' worst moments, successes, and everything in between.

 

Harriet and Wyn were a perfect couple, until five months ago when they broke up and told none of their friends about it. Upon arrival, Harriet finds Wyn is there instead of taking care of his ailing mom. Soon they learn that the cottage is up for sale, so this is their last hurrah. Harriet and Wyn can't bear to break their friends' hearts, so they'll just pretend that everything's good for one more week. Maybe it’s destiny, or fate, or karma. Or maybe they truly aren’t done with each other, just yet. That's how Harriet finds herself sharing the bedroom with only one bed with Wyn, “pretending” to be in love, sharing kisses, and PDAs.

 

What follows is a fun, charming week with all of them enjoying each other’s company, drinking wine & cheese, eating at various restaurants, having the time of their lives in their sun filled happy place. Harriet and Wyn began to succumb to their feelings, and the chemistry between them sizzled. It is going to take some honest and open communication before between Harriet and Wyn can solve what caused them to separate. Slowly, things change, as each of the couples have issues, which caused concern. 

 

The story alternates between the present and their relationship over the years, from the moment Harriet and Wyn met, fell in love, and their eventual break-up. The past chapters (Happy Place) were full of joy and love, as readers watch them fall for each other; but it also made reading the present chapters (Real Life) painful to read after knowing how much they loved each other. The Real Life chapters allow readers to know all of their unique and wonderful friends who have all arrived with secrets of their own, as they party for one last joyous and happy summer, together in Maine.

Happy Place was a wonderful second chance romance, with fantastic friendships, family atmosphere, and love all around. As the end of the story approaches, secrets are revealed, causing a possible break of friendships.  An amazing group of friends will rise to the occasion, to bring love back into the picture.  Overall, this is an inspirational novel about self-growth, friendship, growing up, changing, grief, and mental illness. I highly recommend Happy Place to other readers.  

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

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