book review

book review : People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

if you know me, you know i looove the friends-to-lovers trope and miscommunication tropes. so, it came as absolutely no surprise that i ended up flying through People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.

Synopsis : People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry follows Alex Nilsen and Poppy Wright, two best friends who met at the University of Chicago and spent years taking an annual summer trip together, until a falling out in Croatia left them no longer speaking. Told through alternating flashbacks and a present day timeline, the story unpacks the evolution of their friendship, the slow burn tension, and the almost relationship that never quite crossed the line. (source:bookishgoblin.com)

i began my reading in a park and it was wonderful

what i loved most about Emily Henry's writing is how she handles Poppy's internal journey. on the surface, Poppy seems to have it all: a dream job in New York, constant travel, and a vibrant lifestyle. but as the story unfolds, you realize her obsession with traveling started back in Linfield as a way to escape feeling like an outsider.

the realization that traveling doesn't make her happy anymore without Alex and that he is the only person who makes her feel truly seen is what gives this book its emotional core. that confrontation when she finally admits her feelings and her fear of being alone was easily one of the most touching moments in the story.

the chapter structure seamlessly alternates between their present-day reunion trip and past vacations over the last decade. you watch their friendship evolve from awkward college acquaintances to inseparable soulmates, all while an overwhelming, unspoken tension builds underneath every joke.

if you get frustrated by characters who simply refuse to have an honest two-minute conversation about their feelings, this book will definitely test your patience! but for me, the slow-burn and fear of ruining a lifelong friendship is exactly what makes the trope work.

a note on the adaptation

if this title is sitting on your reading list, i strongly recommend reading the book first.

i actually watched the film adaptation first, which put my brain on constant comparison mode while reading. while the book gives you so much more depth into Poppy's inner thoughts and emotional growth, i did appreciate a few tweaks in the movie:

♥ the setting: while the book's reunion takes place in palm springs, the film shifts it to barcelona, which added a really romantic European atmosphere.

♥ the pacing: the film condenses their many book destinations into four main trips, making the storyline a bit tighter, though you lose some of the subtle character development present in the novel.

final verdict

♥ my favourite scenes: the confession under the rain, the moment Poppy runs towards Alex and has a monologue and the Norway trip have a special place in my heart.

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

have you read the book yet, or did you start with the adaptation like i did? drop your thoughts in the comments below! 

💌 love, deerie