Hi all!
Today I am going to rank all of Emily Henry’s adult romance novels. She has penned a couple of young-adult books, but they aren’t particularly well-known or talked about. If you didn’t know, Emily has been likened to a Taylor Jenkins Reid or a Beth O’Leary. In other words, she is an extremely popular rom-com author, with the brightest and bubbliest book covers. I am a HUGE fan of her work. She is so good at building flirtatious tension and writing witty banter. Her concepts are great, and, in my opinion, she only grows stronger with each release. Emily has a pretty expansive cinematic universe – meaning, a lot of her characters from previous books, show up in others. As a person, she adores Taylor Swift (excellent taste), so you can almost guarantee a Swiftie reference in every novel. With all of that out of the way, from most favourite to least, let’s get into it!
1.) Happy Place
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. 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?
My absolute favourite Emily Henry book is Happy Place. I picked it up in 2024 and it was by far, one of my best reads that year. I don’t think any number of words can truly express how this book made me feel. I had such a raw, vulnerable and emotional reading experience. It took me completely by surprise. Straight afterwards, I bought her entire set of works. Without spoiling anything, this isn’t your typical rom-com. It tackles the power of female friendships, disconnected family relationships and anxious-avoidant patterns when it comes to love. I saw so much of myself in the lead character of Harriet. It forced me to confront some difficult truths about my own behaviour and who I want to be moving forward in life. I cried an embarrassing amount, my face glued to the tear-stained pages. I cannot imagine any of her new novels topping this one.
2.) Book Lovers
Nora Stephens’ life is books – she’s read them all – and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laid-back dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls for the month, 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, 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.
In second place, we have Book Lovers. In my opinion, this is the best relationship out of the six. It has the most sexual tension, chemistry and excitement. I was so invested in Nora and Charlie’s connection. Throw in a charming small-town, complicated family dynamics and a bookstore that needs saving – I was hooked from start to finish. The only reason it did not top Happy Place, was I had less of an emotional reaction to it. It didn’t make me sob, nor change my life, but it was so enjoyable. The banter is off-the-charts! A beautiful, meta love story about tropes within tropes.
3.) Great Big Beautiful Life
Alice Scott is an eternal optimist, still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years – the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.
In third place, we have her latest release: Great Big Beautiful Life. This one took me by complete surprise. At first I thought it was going to flop, but by the end, I was sold. It is very different to anything Emily has written previously. The romance is not at the forefront, which isn’t going to work for everyone. It is also getting negatively compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I understand the comparison, but it is a completely original story. Margaret’s love life does not matter nearly as much as her overall family does. There are some beautiful twists and an extremely wholesome ending that made me shed a tear. It stands very much on its own. I also want to add that Little Crescent Island reminded me so much of my own coastal home. I really connected with the setting. Don’t sleep on Great Big Beautiful Life.
4.) Beach Read
Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance novels. 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 neighbouring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts.
In fourth place, we have Beach Read. Originally, this was higher on my list, but it dropped after some fathoming. If I’m being honest, the title doesn’t really deliver on the final product. I expected something way more upbeat and summery, but it’s actually quite dark and moody. The side-story involving the cult really threw me. I was not invested in that part at all. I just wanted light and fluffy. If I had adjusted my expectations, I would’ve enjoyed it more. Having said that, I love how often Gus and January pop up in Emily’s other books. They were a super cute pairing.
5.) You and Me on Vacation
Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. And yet 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, 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.
One day, Poppy decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together – lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees. What could possibly go wrong?
In second-last place we have You and Me on Vacation, which is a much better title than the alternative one: People we Meet on Vacation. The majority tend to agree that this is Emily’s worst book, but I didn’t hate it. I think the big issue was the setting. The pair find themselves stuck in an awful, self-contained apartment in the middle of the desert. It’s not an overly sexy or inviting location, but I think that was the point. Furthermore, Poppy does come across as quite shallow and one-dimensional in the beginning. Her problems are enviable. But as the story progressed, she showed more depth. I really like how the story reflected on the pair’s past trips, working its way up to the fateful disaster that changed everything. I also LOVED Poppy’s adoration for Alex. The way she really respected and valued him was the most wholesome thing ever. I was a bit let-down by the lacklustre ending though. It was a good read, just not a great one.
6.) Funny Story
Daphne loved the way her fiance, Peter, told their story. How they met, fell in love 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 realised 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, proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. One day, while drowning their sorrows, the roommates form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, because there’s no way Daphne would actually fall in love with her ex-fiance’s, new fiance’s ex… right?
In last place, we have Funny Story. This is quite a controversial placement, because it is a lot of people’s favourites. Unfortunately, for me, there were just one too many things wrong with it. Firstly, a good romance novel has a build-up to that first kiss. Daphne and Peter literally made-out within the first 50 pages. It was such a missed opportunity. I also found it to be a bit unrealistic. Why would you move into the same apartment as your ex-fiance’s, new fiance’s ex? I struggled to connect with the choices and the fast-pacing. Daphne is also a much stronger character than stoner Miles. They didn’t really make sense to me. Sorry!
Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank Emily Henry’s works? Did you agree/disagree with my list?
Peace & Love xoxo
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