[Got an ARC through NetGalley.]

Emily Henry is great at writing believable relationships. When I don’t like romances it often comes down to the fact that I don’t buy why the characters like each other. Some books, especially with the opposites attract and friends to lovers tropes, focus on witty banter to the exclusion of any kind of real, tangible relationship growth. There's definitely witty banter in this but from the very first chapter of People We Meet on Vacation I understood why they liked each other, what the backbone of their friendship was, and most importantly, the depth of their friendship.

It's a really late twenties/early thirties romance, in a good way. It's not a romance that these characters just fall into, nor is it a friendship they just fall into. I think more than ever your twenties and thirties are a time of realizing if you want people in your life, you have to hold onto them and reach out to them, which makes things both more meaningful and more fragile. The process of Poppy and Alex reconnecting and attempting to renavigate the old paths of their friendship makes their budding romance all the more tense and adds real stakes to the book.

A lot of romances I don’t buy the ‘we can’t, it would ruin our friendship’ excuse but after going through the effects of two years apart I believed Poppy when she said, “I like Alex way too much to date him.” Throughout the book there was a real sense of what could be lost if things went wrong between them, a real reason to keep them apart. There's this sense during their present summer trip of holding onto something breakable and precious and feeling like holding on too tightly will ruin things but not wanting to let go. I found myself so emotional about how their whole trip sucks and things keep going wrong and things are awkward between them, but they both keep trying because they both care.

Emily Henry's emotional throughlines are a real strength of her books, and I felt there was a real maturity to People We Meet on Vacation that shined through them. It felt very adult to actively try and try for a friendship and a relationship, and the characters are both rooted in a very late twenties anxiety. They both struggle with feeling like time is running out on the things they want to accomplish, that they're too late to get the things they want out of life anymore while everyone around them is getting those things. There's a lot of pressure in your twenties and thirties to accomplish so much and at certain points everyone feels like they're falling behind. I was especially fond of Poppy's arc and how she felt listless, unhappy, and lonely in her life but didn't know how to fix it; I liked that it both was and wasn't solved by Alex. That a boyfriend can't solve everything, but that being loved, supported, and known make a difference. I was fond of the Jason scene near the end of the book as well, and the realization Poppy had that she was running from her past and her hometown because she was scared she would always be the lonely, unhappy person she was there, but that people change and she changed, and going back to her hometown doesn't mean she's back in high school.

Got a little cheesy at the end but that's an Emily Henry staple too, and nothing that cheapened the rest of the book. Overall big fan!!

Emily Henry's writing is just... magical. This second book shows that the perfection of Beach Read was not a fluke, and she hopefully has many emotional, humorous, and romantic tales to come. After conquering enemies to lovers in Beach Read, we get the next best trope, friends to lovers in People We Meet on Vacation. This book is much more serious that its super cute, brightly-colored cover lets on, and gave me the feels in numerous instances.

The story is told in alternating timelines, swapping back and forth between the present day summer and previous summers, working from 12 years ago and counting down to present day. This format worked especially well for this book. Poppy and Alex, our two main characters, met in college and (eventually) became friends and travelled together each summer. Through boyfriends, girlfriends, illness, job changes, moves, The Summer Trip has been a hallmark. Until two summers ago in Croatia. Now, the pair haven't seen each other in two years, but Poppy is itching to reach out to him for one more Summer Trip.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

Emily Henry did it again! I absolutely loved Beach Read so I had high hopes for this book and it delivered!
I loved this book and the characters. I’m usually not a big fan of the friends to lovers trope, but Poppy & Alex’s story was just so sweet. I loved their banter and teasing, while also watching them deal with their own personal stuff.
It also made me really want to take a trip somewhere immediately because it seemed like no matter where they went it was a fun time! This was a super quick read and I didn't want to put it down. The writing a story was so captivating. I really loved this book and I need more Emily Henry romances ASAP!!

Emily Henry has done it again! I loved Beach Read, but I love this book even more. It is about best friends (Poppy and Alex) who travel together every year. It hops back and forth between past vacations and a current trip that they are on after being estranged from one another because of some unexpected drama.

Alex and Poppy are hilarious, especially when they are together. They both have their own quirks that had me laughing out loud. The book is so well written and provides readers with characters, relationships, and situations that make you not want to put the book down. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a light, vacation read.

I loved Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation is a great second novel Emily Henry. A more complex story than you would likely expect elevates this book out of the chick lit category as we follow the main characters through years of friendship, love and loss.

This is SUCH a great follow up novel to Beach Read. I love the friends-to-lovers trope, but I loved the slow burn friends-to-acquaintances-to-friends again-to-lovers in this one. It sometimes made my heartache and it made me smile and this will likely be a favorite romance of 2021 for me.

I have to start this one by saying that Beach Read by @emilyhenrywrites is one of my all time favorite romance books. So you can imagine my excitement as I got the email notification and dropped everything to read this advance copy. As soon as I started reading, I was immediately drawn to Poppy, she is smart, hilarious, adventurous, driven and full of life. She is so confidently herself and I admire her so much for that, I wish I could be more like her. At the same time, Poppy is lonely, sad and a little lost, which I kind of identified with too and made me love her even more. I loved the way the book was written with time jumps where I got to experience Poppy and Alex’s friendship and deep connection over the years. Their witty and hilarious banter dynamic made me laugh out loud too many times to count.

This book is so much more than a romance, it’s about family, friendship, finding yourself and finding happiness in the process. I very much had all the ~feels~ during this book, I cried sad tears and happy tears, and if I’m being honest, it made me feel a little lonely at times. How Emily Henry understands me in an emotional level, I sincerely don’t know?!

As far as book boyfriends go, it is safe to say that Alex Nielsen is my #1. But don’t worry, Augustus Everett will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤️
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Thank you @netgalley & @berkleyromance @berkleypub for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Pub day is May 11.

Fans of Emily Henry rejoice! Henry's Beach Read is one of my favorite books and I've been dying for her next book to come out. I was thrilled that it was released early for BOTM. People We Meet on Vacation is one of my most anticipated books this year and it was worth the wait! In true Emily Henry fashion, the book is hilarious with fun, quirky characters. The plot is divided into two storylines (one spans over ten summers / years) that converge brilliantly at the end. I did get This Time Next Year vibes from the book but luckily, it's only a little. I absolutely loved the book. Full 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing & Emily Henry for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review. (I did buy the book via BOTM).

Poppy and Alex are best friends. They would do anything for each other and to make sure they can be in each other’s lives. Every year since college they have taken a summer vacation together, until two years ago when something happened that threatened to tear these two apart.
Poppy reaches out to Alex when she realizes she’s stuck in a rut and he might be the key to finding a solution. Their reunion is equal parts familiarity and awkwardness. It felt completely real and relatable.
The story is told from Poppy’s perspective which meant that sometimes I interpreted situations differently than she did. It took me on the emotional ride of loving someone so much that it’s terrifying to think of ruining the relationship you already have in the hopes of finding romantic love. But I was also on the outside, wishing I could shake her and tell her what I could see unfolding. I stayed up all night reading this engrossing story.
People We Meet On Vacation story was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021 and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend for anyone who loves slow-burn, opposites attract, or friends-to-lovers romances. The banter is funny, the themes are deep, and the characters are layered. Go get it!

I loved A Million Junes and Beach Read by Emily Henry so much and this did NOT disappoint! When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite movies and this is the perfect book match for it! I love Henry’s characters and she does a great job of mixing cute, heartwarming, and steamy. I loved this so much it may have just bumped itself up to my favorite read of the year so far!

This is my favorite romance of the year thus far!! The characters felt so real to me, people I’ve met before and their romance blossomed perfectly from friends to lovers. I will definitely want to revisit this story again!

✨ Book Review ✨⁣
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Let me start off by saying, if you haven’t read a book written by Emily Henry, do so right away! I am absolutely obsessed with her writing and had very high expectations for her newest book. People We Meet on Vacation exceeded my expectations and I absolutely loved it! ⁣
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Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college and they literally couldn’t be more different. Poppy is fun, loves to travel, and has no problem stepping out of her comfort zone. Alex, on the other hand, would prefer to stay in and read a book. Every year they have always done a summer trip together, but after their last trip, they haven’t spoken in a couple years. ⁣
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When Poppy reevaluates her happiness, she realizes that Alex is what really makes her happy. She takes a chance and decides to ask Alex to go on a trip with her. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and things are just going awkward. She starts to realize that maybe what they had before, may never be the same.⁣
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This was the perfect summer romcom, especially if you are going on a trip! I found myself relating so much to both characters. Emily’s writing is so witty and entertaining that it is easy to devour her books in a day! I highly recommend! 5 💫’s. ⁣
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Cute but boring storyline. I wouldn’t recommend to my fellow patrons. Not even a beach read. I guess I expected way to much.

Emily Henry is maybe one of my all time favorite authors. I first stumbled across her with BEACH READ last summer, and it was my favorite read of the whole summer--PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION is an incredible follow-up.

Poppy and Alex were long-time best friends, vacationing together every year. Until something happened, and everything changed. It's two years later, and they're finally coming together again for another trip, that of course, will not go as planned. Can these two reclaim their friendship--and maybe more? This book is written in the author's signature style, with plenty of wit and humor, while also not shying away from the more serious side of personal relationships. Highly recommend!

I loved everything about this book and this is the second time I've picked up a book by Emily Henry and haven't wanted to put it down until I finished.

Not only are the characters in this story real and likable, but their story is one that had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen for them. I'm probably going to be purposely vague only because you shouldn't read it all here - you should definitely go grab the book!

Poppy and Alex met their freshman year of college and despite a bumpy start, their friendship became something they both depended on. It's clear they are very much opposites of each other but that's what makes things work and I loved their banter and the way their relationship evolved.

Every year they plan a week long summer trip and they had a really good run no matter where they were in their lives but when something happens during their trip to Croatia 2 years ago, things change for both Alex and Poppy and they don't really have a plan for coming back together. Until...Poppy reaches out again to reconnect and plan a getaway.

It is such a relatable story - everyone has that friend (or friends) that could be something more but the question on the table is what are you willing to risk to find out? It was clear to me that both Poppy and Alex had feelings for each other but they always seemed to be too afraid to take a chance. When Poppy finally realizes that the last time she was really happy was when they were last together, she takes a chance to reconnect and although they don't pick up exactly where they left off, there is still some of that old relationship there. Add to this the fact that they are in a rough situation travel wise (crappy car, horrible apartment, Alex's back) and they finally push each other and confront what has been in front of them the whole time. Let's just say...the last day in Nikolai's apartment was fantastic!

As their vacation wraps up, they both have to face some truths and really truly figure out what they want/need. It's not all perfect but I'm happy to say I loved the ending and how they were both able to realize not only what they needed for themselves but also what that meant to the other.

I highly recommend picking this one up. The characters are great and the story is engaging and realistic. I can't ask for anything more for a contemporary romance. Emily Henry has officially made it onto my auto-buy list and I can't wait to read what she writes next!

There are books that come along that provide so much delight and joy that’s it difficult not to shout it from the rooftops. Emily Henry’s ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ is one of those books. It’s an excellent piece of fiction that has a wonderfully universal appeal.

From their very first time meeting, Poppy and Alex are polar opposites. She’s a colorfully clad free spirit, and he’s most comfortable with his combination of khakis and conformity. Their unlikely friendship begins an annual tradition of a summer vacation, and over the span of ten years, their bond is strengthened and tested in ways neither could have predicted.

First off, I have to say that Henry completely delivers her signature wit, humor, and brilliant writing in this novel. The fact that she used ‘When Harry Met Sally’ as part of her inspiration is just icing on the cake. The way that that narrative is constructed is so deft; anticipation slowly builds as we as readers are given more and more context regarding the nature of Poppy and Alex’s relationship. It’s a delicious unraveling that I didn’t want to end. It’ll be a novel I revisit time and time again.

If you loved ‘Beach Read,’ you’ll love ‘People We Meet on Vacation.’ (And if you haven’t read ‘Beach Read’ yet, you need to remedy that situation immediately.) I already know it’s going to be in my top ten reads of the year.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The first page instantly filled me with happiness--at the fact we finally got another chicklit from Emily Henry and for my instant love for a fictional man who preferred to read a book at a bar than talk to strangers. Henry has a way of making you instantly fall in love with her characters, which is no small feat. Switching from present day "This Summer" to snapshots of past summer trips, the story starts to build and the reader gets to know both Poppy and Alex as individuals and as a friendship.

Poppy and Alex used to vacation with each other every summer despite having little in common. Their friendship was unlikely, yet inevitable after a road trip back to their hometown forced them in close proximity with nothing to do but talk. I loved how Henry built up their characters while also showing the reader why they were such good friends. While I usually prefer the enemies-to-lovers trope (thank you, Beach Read), People We Meet on Vacation was the very best of friends-to-lovers. Their history and pure love for each other made me swoon at times, and misty eyed at other times.

If you're a fan of When Harry Met Sally, the friends-to-lovers trope, or books about traveling, this is the book for you! Also, if you haven't yet read Beach Read, it's absolutely essential that you do.

"Alex," I say, "if I can't love you at Times Square, then I don't deserve you in a Used Bookstore."

Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. It felt boring and I did not believe or feel any connection between the characters. I ended up not finishing it at 60%. Friends to lovers is my favorite troupe so I am disappointed. However, this has been getting great reviews from others, so while it wasn't for me, it might be for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Romance for providing me an eARC of this book!

I loved this so much. I loved it even more than Beach Read.

The banter in this book had me literally laughing out loud. I got so many weird looks but I couldn't help it, Alex and Poppy are literally so hilarious. I related to this book so much because Alex I would guess is an enneagram 1 which usually shows as wanting to do the absolute right thing, organized, needs to see the logic, etc. and that is exactly who I am. and 1s when in health go to 7 (spontaneous, love adventure, doesn't like to talk about their feelings) and that is what I felt Poppy was. So I felt myself in both of these characters.

There are not a lot of best friends to lovers stories out there that make me feel this warm and happy. I am just as much of an enemies to lovers as the next bookbird, but there is very little good representation of friends to lovers in my opinion and this one hit that spot so well!

My only complaint is I got lost sometimes on where we were in the flashbacks, but not enough for me to not enjoy this book to its fullest. If you are looking for a heart-warming romantic comedy, this is the one for you. It has a little steam in it!

Oh, my heart. I stayed up WAY too late reading this, but man, was it worth it. "Beach Read" is a romance I recommend to everyone, and I know this will be added to that list.

Emily Henry is a master at the slow burn romance. I felt the love and sexual tension between Poppy and Alex simmering beneath the surface of every interaction and it was hard to not root for them, not only together, but individually.

Emily Henry knows how to write layered characters that even when they make a mistake, you can't help but to still see the best in them. I happened to love the small "Beach Read" reference! Follow-ups can be disappointing, but this was anything but. I just loved this book so much.