People We Meet on Vacation

In Emily Henry’s "People We Meet on Vacation," opposites collide in a decade-long saga of friendship, love, and second chances. Poppy and Alex, despite their wildly different personalities—she’s the adventurous New Yorker, he’s the reserved hometown guy—forge a deep bond through annual summer vacations.The story unfolds through dual timelines, alternating between their carefree adventures and the aftermath of a falling out that fractures their friendship. Poppy, with her irrepressible wanderlust and infectious spontaneity, contrasts sharply with Alex’s quiet, bookish demeanor. Yet their banter and deep understanding of each other’s quirks make them inseparable—until a pivotal moment changes everything.Henry deftly navigates the friends-to-lovers trope, infusing humor and heart into their journey. Poppy’s quest to revive their tradition becomes a voyage of self-discovery as she confronts her own stagnation and yearning for happiness with Alex. Her character is vibrant and relatable, driving the narrative with wit and charm.Alex, seen through Poppy’s eyes, is portrayed as lovable yet mysterious—a man of routines and hidden depths. While the single point of view intensifies the story’s tension, glimpses into Alex’s perspective during critical moments could have enriched their evolving relationship.The novel thrives on Henry’s sharp dialogue and evocative settings. The chemistry between Poppy and Alex crackles with energy, their witty exchanges and unspoken longing drawing me into their emotional rollercoaster.While the conclusion offers closure and hope, I craved more insight into Alex’s thoughts, particularly in the airport scene near the end. Nonetheless, "People We Meet on Vacation" is a delightful romantic comedy that celebrates the power of friendship, the magic of summer adventures and loving someone "all the way."

For not being super contemporary romance based reader, these characters felt real enough to smile and laugh at. The struggles felt important and overall this was just a fun way to spend some time with a different feet kicking group of characters. The material felt close but far and overall I enjoyed it.

4.5 Stars ☆“Like a good book or an incredible outfit, being on vacation transports you to another version of yourself.”This book was as incredibly sweet as Beach Read, it moved me, filled me with the same warmth these characters brought to each other, and reminded me of the importance of finding people that feel like home. I felt the emotions, rise and fall tremulously, that being together, even sharing the same communal space, brings as our journeys connect us to people that we may not initially have felt we have anything in common with.“That crush of happiness, that feeling that this is what life’s about: being somewhere beautiful, with someone you love.”Alex and Poppy, Alex being more quiet, bookish, and reserved initially with a penchant for becoming himself once you get to know him, and Poppy, the more wildly spontaneous, bubbly firecracker, have been friends since they met at the University of Chicago and both bring out the inner weirdness and wonder of the other as their chemistry builds with a fervor matched by the electricity and lasting, poignant fulfillment of a beach sunset. My only hesitation in giving this book a full five stars comes from points in the novel where the banter between them was a bit over the top and felt too witty or manufactured to be true to life, which has moments of equivocating, unsureness, and dialogue that isn’t overly beautiful, scripted, or exciting. I did think that the seriousness and rich profoundness of their connection was more well-drawn out in the latter parts of the book, though, which won me over through and through and mostly balanced out my frustrations with being drowned in calculating wittiness.“I’m crying because I’m relieved. Because I will never again feel as alone as I did during those long nights as a kid. As long as I have him, I will never be alone again.”I could feel the swallowing pain they felt at being apart and failing to communicate, as life events happen to both that the other isn’t around to be a part of. I could also feel the want pulsing between them even when things were more strictly platonic and how much it hurts to want when you can’t read the other’s mind and know they feel the same. I desperately, urgently vied for the truth behind their love to triumph in the end and could feel on each vacation they took together, as they are famously known to vacation together to exciting, mouth-watering destinations, how they were there for each other, but also messily would say one thing while meaning another. They would end up with infuriating miscommunications that felt real and catastrophic as the unrelenting heat burning on their latest vacation. I could, however, see past the gaps in their communication and recognize all the love there that existed miraculously even when everything else in life felt wrong and irrational.“He would or he wouldn’t, but in the end, there would be someone, and I didn’t think my heart could take it.”I entered my own journey through reading this book, as I traveled into a whole new dimension with the reverberant, titillating intoxication of flavors, sights, smells, touches, and feelings. Alex and Poppy will stay best kept in a safe, eternal place in my heart.

this is my first emily henry book. i can say it is a great summer book! i love the way she describes each location they visit and it makes u feel like ur on vacation. i also enjoy what she says about traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing life.however, the couple was just so mid for me. i dont like the super eccentric girl meet shy awkward guy, it felt a little lackluster in chemistry. i appreciate getting their backstory and seeing their foundation of friendship so it doesnt fully fall into that trope.also, it took them like 70% to finally get together and after that have a third act breakup which was just like ? for that, im giving this book 3 stars bc i did enjoy her writing style and i look forward to reading her other works. i just did not buy into this couple

This was a fun and easy read. I think my favorite parts were the actual trips. It was fun exploring the various locations and the fun situations that Poppy and Alex found themselves in. The character of Poppy enjoyable. Her lighthearted humor was refreshing. I liked the evolution of the relationship of the two best friends. Everyone needs that one person in their lives. This story was a good way to explore that kind of relationship.

You will fall in love with Alex and Poppy right from the very beginning... this story takes you on a journey through their friendship—the vacations they've taken, the people they've met. If you love a slow burn, this one is for you. I laughed. I cried. It was beautiful. I will be counting down the days until we see these characters come to life on screen!

Fue un regalo, le encantó.

Li o livro em 6 dias, pegando a cada oportunidade que tinha, pois a leitura é muito fluida, os personagens são imperfeitos e cativantes, e apesar de sabermos o que vai acontecer no final, como praticamente qualquer comédia romântica, o desenrolar da história é o mais interessante mesmo. Super bem escrito, despojado e viciante.

This book is a fantastic read - made me cry because I'm scared that I'll never get to fall in love. Definetly worth the price.

Great book

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