People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (384 pages)
Former Best Friends Poppy and Alex Vacation Together One Last Time to Figure Out Where They Stand
I don’t know about you, but I could use a change of scenery. After more than a year of living in what often feels like Groundhog Day (wake up, home school and work, dinner, sleep, repeat), even a trip to the mall would seem like a mini vacation. Ah, vacation. Anyone remember the feeling of packing your bags in anticipation of being transported to another place – whether it’s a lakeside cottage or a tropical island? There is a magic and a mystery to being on vacation.
As Emily Henry writes in her New York Times bestseller: “On vacation, you can be anyone you want. Like a good book or an incredible outfit, being on vacation transports you into another version of yourself. On vacation, you strike up conversations with strangers, and forget that there are any stakes. If it turns out impossibly awkward, who cares? You’ll never see them again!”
Alex and Poppy, the protagonists in Henry’s novel, People We Meet on Vacation, became best friends on a trip home from college many years ago. For the next ten years, they’d go on vacation together every summer…until a disastrous trip occurred. They haven’t spoken or seen each other since.
While they have nothing in common – Poppy is a wild child with wanderlust and Alex is a khaki-wearing book lover – their friendship isn’t truly over. In fact, after being asked when the last time she was truly happy, Poppy realized that it was on her final vacation with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together to make things right. Miraculously, Alex agrees.
Now Poppy 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?
People We Meet on Vacation Is A Heartfelt Story About Friendship, Love, and Second Chances
I enjoyed People We Meet on Vacation, which focused on what has seemingly become a hot Hollywood trend – a second chance romance featuring complete opposites. (Hello, Bennifer!) Poppy and Alex had great chemistry and it was fun to go back in time to revisit their other summer vacations. It lent to a well-rounded story and great insight into the characters and how their relationship grew from a caring friendship into a relationship with some deep feelings. Yes, books should make you think, but sometimes they should just be there to entertain and give you all the feels.
The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars
If you are looking for a warm, witty read, then be sure to add this one to your summer reading list. This romance of opposites will have you laughing out loud and wiping away the occasional tear. While it might not be Pulitzer Prize-winning material, it’s exactly what most of us humans need right now – escape, love, and that feeling of connection.
In need of a summer vacation? Live vicariously through Alex and Poppy’s friendship, romance, and vacations while discussing this hot summer read with other book lovers during our upcoming virtual event. Purchase your tickets today!
Andrea Querido is a 40-ish book-loving, introverted word nerd who’s passionate about connection, self-care, personal growth, creating community and, of course, books!
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Favourite brunch spot: Anywhere I don’t have to cook.
