Happy Place
Happy Place is a story that centers around a secretly separated couple - Wyn and Harriet - who have to pretend to be together while on vacation with their friends in order to keep the peace as they celebrate a wedding and the last gathering at the summer cottage. The story presents a unique scenario that I haven’t seen a lot in my reading, and in surprising ways, the characters learn a lot about one another as they fake it until they make it - or don’t - in this hilarious and satisfyingly heartfelt story about second chances and coming home.
I like how each chapter alternates between “real life” and other places and times in Harriet’s life with Wyn and her friends, and how all the vignettes come together at the end to paint the entire picture. Henry has a way of converging different timelines seamlessly in a way that always keeps me reading. Some of my favorite parts throughout the book are the revenge flirting and the secret banter throughout between Wyn and Harriet. Their friends also add lots of fun dynamics to the mix, especially when they all attend Lobster Fest together and get high and spontaneously jump in the pool in their clothes after a perfect summer night together.
I found myself resonating with Harriet and Wyn a lot in this book, about their secret wants and regrets, why they are the way they are, who they are as individuals and who they are together. As always, I can never choose between the two main characters because I relate to both so well in different ways. I also never meet a character of Henry’s that I don’t like. The story is raw with the harsh realities of real life, and highlights lots of common issues in a romantic relationship as well as dear friendships that are built on different wants and needs at the onset and that change without you realizing it when you grow older.
Henry always manages to deceive in her book titles, and even though I know that the overarching themes will be lighthearted, fun and memorable in the best way, I also know by now that she is an expert at weaving real trauma and struggles into the narrative, and I love how much well-roundedness it gives her characters. I also love how it always leaves me heart wrenched and in deep thought about my own life and my struggles. Even when I have a general idea of where the plot is headed, I never know how much I’m going to enjoy the ups and downs of the journey to get to the end until I’ve made it there. Henry has a way of writing that flows, makes you laugh unexpectedly, and catches you off guard with the hard stuff every single time. Though I wish I could peek into the window of “happily ever after” at the end, I know there’s beauty in leaving some things to the imagination.
I also love the lessons I learn through Henry’s characters. It’s easy to resonate with the pressures of pleasing others, and justifying letting a passion or desire fall to the wayside out of fear or care for another person. It’s relatable to fall into a dark period and push the people we love most away because we think we’re protecting them. In a way I also envy the friendships in this story, how the characters are able to lay everything out on the line and come out stronger for it in the end, after the inevitable explosion in the story when everyone crumbles under the pressure.
Once again, Henry tells a humorous and moving story that is so human and accessible. Through the funny lines and the heartbreaking moments in between, I absolutely loved the journey of self discovery for Wyn and Harriet, even their friends. Happy Place is a wonderful story about fighting for what you want and finding your place in the world, whether it’s with someone you love, a literal place on the planet, or - for those lucky few - both. As always, if you’re looking for a laugh out loud story filled with great characters, romance, and even a bit of harsh truths about being human, this book is a must read.
Reference
Henry, Emily. Happy Place. Berkley Romance, 2023.