What a beautiful way to waste a day. Sat in the sunshine. No place to go. No people to see. And a practically perfect book to read.

The slow burn is absolutely one of my favourite types of book. I just love knowing the characters are madly in love with each other before they do. I feel like I’m in on the secret.

I loved, loved, loved Poppy and Alex. I love their quirky insider jokes, the little phrases they repeat to each other than nobody else gets but make them fall about laughing. I just love those little things. I’m stealing “too many wine” as my new catchphrase. I want to steal Alex and Poppy too and have them as my best friends so we can go on holiday together and laugh all day and have our own insider phrases.

Their funny little holiday phrases reminded me so much of Cundy Conroy holidays of the past and the silly phrases that you had to have been there for. I think “stop with that tomfoolery” followed by “down with that horseplay” might be my absolute favourite phrases ever uttered. Aren’t holidays ace?

I want quirky Poppy clothing advice and kind, caring Alex mopping my forehead when I’m ill. I just love the pair of them so hard.

This is an absolutely lovely, lovely story of two friends falling in love with each other without realising. Two friends having the best of times together. Two friends making memories. Two friends realising that a compromise isn’t always a compromise if it means that you found your home.

This was a really slow burn and I found the first half a bit tedious. The second half was better and there were some great moments but I just didn’t feel the chemistry between these two. I also found it a bit crazy that it took them twelve years to finally have a conversation.

I was intrigued to give this a read as I was a bit on the fence about Beach Read and wanted to see if this next book would grab me more. I found the first 50% of the book to be very slow paced and really lacking in structure and storyline. The constant flicking between past and present didn’t feel like it added much to the storyline and I found it hard to stay motivated to read more of the story. It did definitely improve in the second half but I found the “reveal” of what happened between the characters two years ago to be very lack lustre and generally this one fell a bit flat for me.

You and Me on Vacation is about two best friends: Poppy and Alex. They have been going on a summer trip every year for 10 years until two years ago. Now, Poppy wants to reconnect with Alex and go on another trip to save their friendship.
First, both characters are awesome and they felt real. Their story is perfect and so sweet. It made me believe that you should value friendships.
Secondly, the plot is amazing and the flashbacks were great and essential to the story. As well as that, it was addictive and excellent. I even cried at the end and it broke my heart...
Last but not least, You and Me on Vacation is well written and Emily Henri wrote the perfect summer read.
Overall, I loved this book and its cuteness. Now, I truly want to read more from Emily Henry.

I read Beach Read by Emily Henry last summer which was about two nemesis writers who fall in love, and I quickly became hooked on her writing style. I wasn’t surprised at all to have loved People We Meet On Vacation just as much. Henry’s got a knack for the kind of romance novel that is sweet but doesn’t feel too cheesy, and she keeps you fully invested in her characters’ happiness through a delicious slow burn of tension and “will they or won’t they?” vibes.

In People We Meet on Vacation, we have the silly and flamboyant Poppy and the buttoned-up, emotionally reserved but kind Alex who meet as college students on a road trip— not unlike the way the movie When Harry Met Sally begins. They become fast friends, and though they end up moving apart from each other after school ends, they agree to spend every summer traveling together to a new destination.

When we start the story in the present day, something unnamed has happened between Poppy and Alex that has kept them from staying in touch over the last couple of years, but Poppy is desperate to get the old tradition back on and win her friend back. Slowly, we dip back and forth between old vacations and the present day to weave out the story of their friendship over the years and how things went wrong.

This was an adorable story and it was the perfect level of lightness I needed between my university reading assignments. I can’t wait to see what other classic romance tropes Emily Henry can whip into fabulous, squishy, warm reading concoctions.

I am not really a lover of romance fiction. I usually find it either cringey or corny or a combination of the two. But of course, there are always exceptions and I think that Emily Henry hits the sweet spot here.

In her own acknowledgements, the author talks about “When Harry Met Sally” and there is a definite homage/link. What worked for me in Ephron’s script was the throwback to the banter between characters that had made me fall in love with the old black and white screwball comedies (Cary Grant, Clark Gable, etc). That’s exactly why you fall in love with Alex and Poppy, not because they are good looking, intelligent or ripped - these are incidental - but because of the way they riff off each other.

Perfect for summer or at any other time just as a mood-enhancer.

I’m blown away by how much I’ve loved this book. It’s so much more than a romance. It’s about people. About friendships. About finding yourself and taking the next step.

I loved how different Alex and Poppy are. Their dynamic and chemistry were so unique and surprising. I haven’t rooted for a couple to get together as much as I have for Poppy and Alex in a really long time.

Alex melted my heart. I felt like I was constantly looking at his Sad Puppy Face while I read because I just wanted to cry for these two.

They felt like real people and I related to them on such a deep level, it honestly made me mad at times.

The way the story came together was refreshing and worked perfectly. Emily Henry built the mystery and suspense around the Croatia trip so well, I was scared to finally reach that part of the story.

Now the romance. This was honestly the slowest slow burn romance I’ve ever read. I felt the yearning and desperation they felt for each other in a way I didn’t think possible. It worked amazingly that it’s a friends-to-lovers romance. The fact that I loved the romance in this book so much, and it’s not an enemies to lovers, is saying something.

I enjoyed Beach Read when I read it last year, even if I was a bit disappointed by the lack of romance. However, I am in love with this book. It’ll hold a special place in my heart for how raw and honest it felt to read.

I highly, highly recommend it.

<b> I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. With thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this arc </b>.

This was my first Emily Henry read (I know... I need to read 'Beach Read' and trust me I will!) and she really did not disappoint. I was initially drawn in by the cover and description and then when I started reading was hooked from chapter 1.

I loved Alex and Poppy. I loved those glimpses we got into how they first met and how their relationship evolved from strangers, acquaintances, summer hometown friends to best friends and finally lovers. The angst, the wit and the development of the relationship between the characters was so well written. At times the love between them was so palpable you couldn't not root for them!

If you like 'When Harry Met Sally' you will enjoy this book! It's very modern day Nora Ephron; WHMS retelling with some extra oomph!


Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and its one of a few 5 stars I have given this year. Cannot wait to read more from Emily Henry!


<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54985743-people-we-meet-on-vacation" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="People We Meet on Vacation" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54985743-people-we-meet-on-vacation">People We Meet on Vacation</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13905555.Emily_Henry">Emily Henry</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3810881592">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
<b> I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. With thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this arc </b>. <br /><br />This was my first Emily Henry read (I know... I need to read 'Beach Read' and trust me I will!) and she really did not disappoint. I was initially drawn in by the cover and description and then when I started reading was hooked from chapter 1. <br /><br />I loved Alex and Poppy. I loved those glimpses we got into how they first met and how their relationship evolved from strangers, acquaintances, summer hometown friends to best friends and finally lovers. The angst, the wit and the development of the relationship between the characters was so well written. At times the love between them was so palpable you couldn't not root for them! <br /><br />If you like 'When Harry Met Sally' you will enjoy this book! It's very modern day Nora Ephron; WHMS retelling with some extra oomph! <br /><br />Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and its one of a few 5 stars I have given this year. Cannot wait to read more from Emily Henry!
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/84942186-megan">View all my reviews</a>

Superb summer read!

Thank you Penguin Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!

The first book I read of Emily Henry’s was Beach Read and I loved it but this was a whole different level really gripping and unputdownable!

I felt emotionally attached to the main characters, Poppy & Alex, and loved going on their annual travels with them, experiencing their growing attraction and turmoil as they embrace other relationships.

It all came together in a satisfying end.

Can not recommend this enough, great escape and thoroughly enjoyable novel.

A bit slow, long and repetitive. And rather obvious! I just wanted to knock their heads together.....
Beautiful ending - I don’t think I’m putting spoilers out here, it was pretty clear what was going to happen!
But not my favourite Emily Henry. Maybe I’m getting too cynical.....

I read Beach Read last year, and it was absolutely a bookstagram-made-me-do-it read - I don’t usually read romances, but I was completely swept away by Beach Read and fell totally in love with the characters and Emily Henry’s writing.

All of that meant I was so excited to hear about You and Me on Vacation - I’ve gotten a lot more into romance since last year, and this sounded like the perfect book to continue that theme. And it is - You and Me on Vacation is a cosy, heartwarming, beautiful story - complete with throw-the-book-across-the-room moments.

I can’t recommend this enough as a summer read - we won’t be getting away for an actual holiday this year, but I will be picking up a copy of this so I can read it again in the sunshine for some beautiful escapism.

After reading and loving Beach Read earlier this year, I was desperate to get my hands on a copy of Emily Henry’s next novel. While it didn’t surpass my love for Beach Read, I still really enjoyed reading this. I love how the story is told, with each chapter alternating between past and present vacations. Parallel timelines are usually so difficult to get right, but when it’s done well it’s my favourite novel structure. It also lets us see how Poppy and Alex’s early friendship really began and how they grew around each other. My only complaint would probably be the break-up in the final third of the novel (one of my pet hates) as I felt it was very out of character and the angst it caused could have been easily avoided. But overall, a delicious summer read I can’t wait to share!

Best friends Poppy and Alex have nothing in common; she’s wild at heart and he prefers home comforts with a book. despite their differences, after one car ride home together at University they have been friends ever since. He lives in their hometown, while she is in New York but every year they get together for a holiday – it is tradition. Until two summers ago when everything fell apart. Poppy is desperate to make amends and asks Alex for one final trip to try and make things right.

A wonderfully addictive romance. I had been so looking forward to reading this one, and it did not disappoint. Poppy and Alex were both lovable characters and it was entertaining to get to know them throughout each chapter and summer holiday. There aren’t enough friends to lovers topes in my opinion. I would say this one is a slow burn, but certainly worth the wait.

The chapters flip between present day and previous vacations. I loved this to begin with and felt it worked well in the story, but after reading about six of the different holiday I personally wanted more present day focus.
I read this book over a couple of days – you know it’s good when you can’t put it down. I highly recommend this brilliant engaging romance.

Friends to lovers with mutual pining and annual summer trips. I loved this so much! Chapters are told in the present summer and the past ones from years before. It shows Alex and Poppy’s relationship well and how different they are from each other but their relationship works. I liked the way it was told because it made me understand their relationship more.

I thought the first 20% of the story moved slow but after that was when I started enjoying it more. I love Poppy and Alex’s dynamic. I think they formed a good solid friendship and Poppy even saying Alex makes the world feel safer for her really got me.

Still, it’s been a while that I read a book that evoked so many emotions from me so I’m giving it 5 stars.

Perfect summer read, easy getaway book!
Perfect for the lighthearted reader. The whole story had me hooked from start to finish.

I'm now officially obsessed with Emily Henry. Like Beach Read, this was a witty, charming, hilarious, and fabulous read from beginning to end. She has a way of taking a usual trope found in rom com and somehow making it fresh and exciting again. Also, I think slow burn friends to lovers is my new favourite trope. Sorry, enemies to lovers.
You need this book in your life. Seriously. I don't usually read rom com but Emily Henry might have just won me over to the genre. Go buy it. Now!

Thank you kindly, NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got the wrong impression of this after skim reading the blurb, thinking it was about fate; two people who fall in love after their paths keep crossing. But, it was actually two best friends and twelve years of summer vacations resulting in one of the longest will they/won't they's ever. The fact that there was essentially only two characters, one storyline and such an extended timeline made this quite a long, slow, repetitive read. Sadly even the the multiple "vacations" were very samey. I wanted more flavour of the places they were visiting and alternating Poppy's point of view with Alex's could also have been a nice touch. Lots of people have loved this slow-burn friends to lovers romance but sadly it wasn't for me.

I read 'Beach Read' by Emily Henry and was sure it was going to be a 5 star read but I was disappointed because it just felt like an OK story. I wanted to try this one because the description and cover gave me the same expectations but yet again I was left disappointed. I liked the characters, but it was predictable from the start and I think I'll forget the storyline pretty quickly.
I know if her next book has the same interesting sounding description and beautiful cover then I'll want to read that one too, but not sure I should.

Poppy and Alex have an unlikely friendship. Poppy is free spirited, quirky and outgoing. Alex is quiet and prefers to stay indoors with a book.

They meet during orientation week in college and become friends after an awkward car ride home.

After college they mostly live far apart however every summer they take a trip together and go on exciting adventures.

Until one summer, everything falls apart.

Now, after two years of not talking, Poppy is determined to fix things with Alex. She manages to persuade him to go on one last vacation where she has one week to convince Alex to give their friendship another go.



Beach Read was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2020. So i went into this one with my fingers crossed, peaking through one eye, just in case it didnt live up to Beach Read.

I cannot put into words how ECSTATIC i was to find that it surpassed my hopes.


Its scary how perfect this book was (for me). I feel like the author stole my dreams (like the giant in the bfg hehehheheh) of the 💕perfect romance book💕 and picked every single trope that i loved and mashed it into one book.




Here are the tropes this book included: best friends to lovers (the superior trope). Grumpy/sunshine. witty banter. there's only one bed. opposites attract. slow burn. lots of yearning and pining. TENSION FOR DAYS.


The writing was like a bowl of chocolate mousse. Smooth, lovely and addictive.

After the first spoonful (or in this case: page) i could not put it down!


We follow their friendship from the day they met with chapters alternating between past and present.

At the time i read this (January 2021) i had been in lockdown for almost 10 months.
And when i tell you i was living vicariously through Alex and Poppy 😉🚣‍♀️. I felt like i was there with them visiting these beautiful places. ((Lowkey jealous of them tbh 💅🏽 ))


Poppy was so cute and i loved her so much. I found some parts of her so relatable and i just wanted her to be happy.

Alex was.... *whispers*.... everythingggggggg.
My sweet cinnamon roll introvert. *weeps* i want him 😭.

Y'all can thirst all you want over your smirking badboys. Just leave Alex with me mmkay?


I really enjoyed the chapters set in the Past. We get to see Poppy and Alexs' friendship grow and it was beautiful to see how much they cared for each other before romantic feelings came into play.

And then the Present chapters were filled with tension and yearning. *dies*



You and Me on Vacation/People We Meet on Vacation made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me 🥰'aawwwwwwww'🥰 - just,, ALL THE FEELS

In conclusion, this book was *chefs kiss* from beginning to end and i wish i had a physical copy so i can highlight all my favourite parts and stain the pages with my tears of happiness.

(If you are Emily Henry and youre, by some wild chance, reading this: hi i love you so much can i be your best friend? Pls tell everyone alex is mine)


« e-arc kindly sent to me by Penguin Random House and Berkley in exchange for an honest review »

I finished this book almost a month ago and I still feel the same. What a great book, I loved this!

If you’re a fan of second chance romance, friends to lovers or a romance story with a bit more heart/depth, you’ll love this! This is what I was hoping for from The Beach Read.

Emily Henry’s writing made me believe the feelings, the chemistry, the angst and I felt them, hard! I was SO invested, I cried too. I rarely re-read but I would definitely delve into this again in the future.

It’s not all sweetness and light, there’s discussions of heavier topics - mental health and death of a parent being the main two that stick with me.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. However, these opinions are my own.