Book Review: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Some stories nestle around you like a blanket—familiar, warm, and fluffy. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is one of those books. It’s a beautiful exploration of the classic tension and wonder between best friends of the opposite sex, wrapped in humor, longing, and a love story that feels both inevitable and terrifying.

The Story

Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college—opposites in many ways, yet undeniably drawn to each other. Every summer, they take a trip together, a tradition that cements their bond year after year. But two summers ago, something happened that changed everything, and they haven’t spoken since. When Poppy convinces Alex to take one last trip, she hopes to fix what’s broken between them—but deep down, she knows she wants more.

Told in a dual timeline, the novel flips between past and present summers, slowly unraveling their history, missed chances, and the unspoken truths that have kept them apart.

What I Loved

This book is a masterclass in slow-burn romance. Henry doesn’t just tell you these two are meant for each other—she makes you feel it. Every glance, every inside joke, every almost-touch carries so much weight that by the time their true feelings come to the surface, you’re as desperate for their happy ending as they are.

Beyond the romance, the novel beautifully captures the fear of stepping into something real, something that could change everything. Poppy and Alex’s struggles—the fear of losing a friendship, the fear of not being enough, the fear of ruining something good—are deeply relatable.

And then there’s the humor. Henry’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of banter that makes Poppy and Alex’s dynamic so engaging. Their conversations feel real, their connection undeniable. Add in the immersive scene-setting—each travel destination comes alive on the page—and you have a book that feels like a vacation in itself.

What I Didn’t Love (But Can Live With)

If I had to pick something, it would be the nonlinear storytelling—the jumping back and forth between summers. At first, it was a bit jarring, but it’s Emily Henry’s signature style, and you adjust. If anything, it builds suspense, making us piece together what went wrong between them.

Who Should Read This

If you love slow-burn romance, emotional depth, and rom-coms that are equal parts swoony and introspective, People We Meet on Vacation is for you. It’s for anyone who’s ever had that what if lingering in the back of their mind, anyone who’s ever feared taking a friendship to the next level but secretly hoped it would turn into something more.

Poppy and Alex’s story lingers and reminds you that love—real, terrifying, once-in-a-lifetime love—is worth the risk.