Tag Archives: Emily Henry

Funny Story by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
23

Funny Story by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

 

 

Review:

Funny Story by Emily Henry is a rom-com/dramedy novel about two opposites.   Daphne, our heroine, is a children’s librarian, who is wonderful with the kids; where she is happy and content.  To her shock, her fiancée Peter, decides to dump her (so close to her wedding) after his bachelor party, to be with his childhood friend, Petra. With no place to go, Daphne ends up sharing an apartment with Miles (Petra dumped him).

Miles is very likeable, as he is charming, caring, easy going and loves to have fun. In the early days, the roommates mainly avoided one another, but one day, they get an invitation to Peter and Petra’s wedding.  Daphne finds herself becoming comfortable around Miles, with them becoming friends. After a night out a bar, they accept the invitations.  Miles and Daphne tell their exes that they are now dating (fake), and are happy together.

Both Daphne and Miles have their own family issues, which bring them closer to each other.   Daphne’s mother lives further away, and speaks to her weekly; her divorced father she rarely sees, and to her surprise, he will show up later in the book.    Miles is close to his sister, Julia, who also decides to show up, but sooner than later. Miles is exactly the opposite of practical and socially awkward Daphne in her journey to self-discovery.  Miles goes out of his way to get Daphne out, as he takes her to different places, including where he works at a bar, where she meets other great friends of Miles. I also liked Ashleigh, a new found friend, and loved Julia, who was lots of fun.  In a short time, she finds herself falling for Miles, as he also has feelings for her.  I really loved Miles and Daphne together. What was great about Miles was his putting others before him, warm hearted, caring, and helping her to open her heart in rediscovering herself.  

What follows is a sweet wonderful story about two opposites who eventually find love. Miles was always there for Daphne, and she managed to find friendship with Ashleigh, Julia and others that Miles introduced to her.  Funny Story was a very good storyline, that kept us unable to put the book down.  Funny Story was very well written by Emily Henry.  This was a fun read, which I suggest you read Funny Story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Emily Henry’s publisher is graciously offering a hardcover copy of  FUNNY STORY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from April 22 to 26, 2024

 

 

 

Share

Happy Place by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
28

Happy Place by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
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?

 

 

Review:

Happy Place by Emily Henry is a fun sweet romantic standalone novel.   We meet our heroine, Harriet, a surgical doctor, who is invited to 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. When Harriet heard that Sabrina’s father was selling their Happy Place, she knew it may be the last time they get together.  Sabrina, a lawyer, has been dating Parth, also a lawyer, and they planned to get married.  Cleo, a farmer, was with Kimmie. Harriet has kept a secret from her friends, as she and Wyn (together for 8 years) broke up 5months ago, and to her shock, when she arrives, Wyn is there.

They both agree not to ruin the week with the news of their breakup, and tell them when the holiday is over.  So they pretend to be together, sharing a room, and totally fake dating (not admitting their attraction to each other remains). Harriet has still not gotten over why Wyn broke up with her in a brief phone call.

What follows is a fun, sweet 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 was hot; but would that be enough to bring them together, after the week was over? Slowly, things change, as each of the couples have issues, which caused concern.  Harriet was always the one who kept others together, never fighting, as she hated conflicts, and wanted to please everyone.

Happy Place was a wonderful second chance romance, with fantastic friendships, family atmosphere, and love all around. I loved Harriet’s fantastic friends in Sabrina and Cleo, and really like Parth, Wyn and Kimmie.  It was so much fun to see them together. As we got closer to the end, secrets are revealed, causing possible break of friendships.  An amazing group of friends will rise to the occasion, to bring love back into the picture.  Happy Place was so very well written by Emily Henry. I really enjoyed this book, and suggest you need to read this.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Emily Henry’s publisher is graciously offering a hardcover copy of  HAPPY PLACE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from April 24 to 28, 2023

 

 

Share

Book Lovers by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
22

Book Lovers by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming…

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

 

 

Review:

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a stand alone novel. We meet Nora Stephens, our heroine, who is a literary agent, always landing great deals for her clients; she is cutthroat in many ways, but her clients love her.  Nora runs into a book editor, Charlie Lastra, who hates the book that one of her clients is releasing, with the negativity between them sarcastic. Nora represents Dusty Fielding, a romance novelist, who just completed her book, Once in a Lifetime to wonderful success.

Nora’s sister Libby, is pregnant again, very exhausted and wants to take a trip with her sister for the month of August, to Sunshine Falls, N.C. (where the book Once in a Lifetime takes place). Nora is a workaholic, but she agrees to take some time off to be with her sister, especially since she has always taken care of Libby over the years, including spending time with Libby’s family (husband and two kids, who stayed home).  When they arrive at Sunshine Falls, the small town is not quite what the book describes, but the residents are very nice.  Nora will be shocked to run into Charlie Lastra, whom she hasn’t seen since their disagreement two years ago.  Turns out that Charlie is living in Sunshine Falls to help his family, and they keep running into each other. When Nora needs some help, she asks Charlie, about a new novel by Dusty, and he falls in love with the book, begging to be the editor for the book,  Frigid; Nora is upset, because the heroine in the book reminds her of herself. Once they begin working together, the relationship between Nora and Charlie begins to change to slow burn romance.

What follows is a fun, heartwarming and emotional story focusing on Nora and Libby’s relationship and how to relinquish her parental control after the mother’s death; and the slow burn romance that builds between Nora and Charlie was lots of fun.  The banter and snark between them were amazing, and in the second half of the book, I really rooted hard for them; which made a fantastic enemy to lover’s story. I also loved the publishing background revolving around agents and editors. 

Book Lovers was a wonderful fun story of family and romance with a small-town atmosphere, not to mention the constant bantering between our couple. Books Lovers was so very well written by Emily Henry.  I suggest you read this fun storyline.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Emily Henry’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of  PEOPLE WE LOVE TO MEET ON VACATION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from May 2 to 7, 2022

 

 

Share

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
20

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart–she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown–but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together–lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

 

 

Review:

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is a standalone, friends to lovers novel. Poppy, our heroine, has a successful career in New York, writing about inspirational trips.  Every year, Poppy invites her best friend Alex, to take their summer week long trip to somewhere different each year. They rarely see each other the rest of the year, as Alex lives far away in their old home town, Linfield.  Poppy and Alex are very different; she is bubbly, wild, gregarious, fun and a wanderer; he is reserved and an introvert, who prefers to stay home and read.

The story switches back and forth between the past 12 summers and the present.  Two years ago, something happened in their last trip, with Poppy and Alex not talking to each other since then.  Poppy realizes that something is missing in her life, as she is not happy, and knows it is Alex she misses.  She is determined to fix things, and texts him to go on a summer trip to right things between them.

As we follow each of their previous trips, the witty banter between Poppy and Alex creates wild crazy, at times exciting adventures; as well as each sharing their own romantic conquests, which never stay the same.  This is a slow burn friends to lover romance, which becomes more apparent in the present day, while they take their expected last trip together.  Though some of the trips were funny, I did find some of it a bit slow, pushing more to the present.  I did love the last 1/3 of the book, which was in the present, but for the most part, I did not feel the bond between them through most of the book.

People We Meet on Vacation was a fun friend to lover trope, which had some humorous moments, as well as very good characters.  This was well written by Emily Henry.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Emily Henry’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of  PEOPLE WE LOVE TO MEET ON VACATION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from May 10 to 15, 2021

 

 

 

 

Share

Beach Read by Emily Henry – a Review

Posted on by
10

Beach Read by Emily Henry – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

 

 

Review:

Beach Read by Emily Henry is a fun romantic stand-alone novel focusing on two authors, who are totally different.

January Andrews, our heroine, arrives at her new beach home on Lake Michigan which she inherited from her deceased father.  January is a romance author, who is currently having writers block, and is having money problems.  The house is a surprise, as she discovers the father she always loved, was also having an affair, and owned this beach house with his mistress.  January has problems coming to terms accepting the truth about her father, especially with her mother still alive, having recovered from cancer, and her mother never told her about his other life.  All of this make it even more difficult for her to write happy ever after romance novels. 

Gus Everett, our hero, is January’s next-door neighbor, and the two get off on the wrong foot immediately.  Gus is also a writer, but he writes literary fiction more towards dark story lines, and he too has his own issues writing his next book.  They are both totally opposites, as Gus is more pessimistic and January is an optimist, though things will change. 

In a short time, they begin to get to know each other, and a friendship will develop.  The banter between them was cute and funny, and with both of them unable to write, they decide to help push each other by making a bet.  January will take Gus to romantic field trips, dinners, to teach him how to write a romance novel with a happy ending.   Gus will take January to meet people who have suffered a loss, visit a grave yard or meet someone involved with a cult.  The bet is for them to write something different, and whoever sells their manuscript first will win.

What follows is a romance between two people who had their own issues with family, leaving both of them somewhat damaged.  In a short time, they both will move forward past their friendship to love.  Gus comes off of a divorce, and his fear of getting hurt again keeps him from making the next step toward his relationship with January.  January has her own problems dealing with her feelings of betrayal by her father, and though she knows she loves Gus, she too is scared to move forward. During this period, they enjoy each other’s company, as they do all the things together that require research for each of their novels. There was a lot of fun and bantering between them, and we knew they were perfect for each other. 

Emily Henry has written a wonderful story of two people who deserve happiness and each other, but there was much heart wrenching angst, betrayals, secrets, and pain that made it difficult.  But in the end, happiness, forgiveness and love will change everything.  I wholly suggest that you read Beach Read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share