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."

the story didn't start off too great but improved as I got further into the story; eventually, I reached a point where I couldn't put the book down

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.

I gave this 3 stars because I liked the witty banter between the main characters and it kept me entertained for the most part, but I never felt like I couldn’t put the book down because the plot a bit dull to me. It bounces back and forth between the past and present day and most plot elements are mainly to develop the characters and their relationship. The characters would probably appeal to a younger audience (I’m 47). They both have hang-ups and need therapy in the end (like most books by this author…not sure why every one of her books’ characters needs therapy). However, it did make me chuckle in several parts. It’s not a bad book, but many of this author’s books are better. I recommend “Funny Story” over this one.

Without giving away too much, the whole time I was reading this book I was fighting the urge to skip towards the end to find out what happened 2 summers ago. There is a lot of back and forth and the will they won't/they will almost drive you mad. That being said, it was a good read. I've already pulled Book Lovers off the shelf to start next.

I loved this book! Well written and good storyline.

My first Emily Henry book and it was so stinking cute.Friends to lovers is a trope I can always and will always get behind.I’m trying to write down how it made me feel now that I just finished it.My heart aches for Alex, so much.Taking care of your family, emotionally , has to be the hardest things and I loved that Poppy realized, a little too late if you ask me but she did.Poppy I have mixed feelings about but overall she spoke out about it in the end. Thankfully it wasn’t too late.Great book !!Made me swoon in several parts!!

The book was a little boring at times. Too much detail about the vacations and not enough detail or focus on their relationship.