Thank you to Netgalley and Emily Henry for the advanced review copy of You and Me on Vacation. After ploughing through Beach Read the week before and then seeing another read by Emily Henry I was keeping everything crossed that it would be just a joyous and fulfilling as the first book...I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of friendship and love and would highly recommend to lovers of Beach Read.

I was so excited to read this as Beach Read was one of my favourite reads of last year. Sadly this fell a little flat for me and left me disappointed. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy it but that was it really. It was cute, made me chuckle at times but nothing more really.

So the characters. I disliked Poppy, loved Alex. Poppy annoyed me several times. Without spoiling anything, there was one scene when she was acting so selfishly and poor Alex was almost passing out, feeling unwell - annoyed me to no end. She's a bit too over the top for my liking. I did love Alex though. Quiet, reserved and passionate, he was a breathe of fresh air in romance books usually dominated by dark, brooding, and sometimes, bad guys.

I also loved the friends to lovers aspect but cmooon guys, communicate please! The lack of communication was so frustrating and I just wished they'd stop assuming things (usually the wrong thing!) and actually talk.

I did like the representation of therapy in this book and the fact it included a positive experience of it too. This book is a bit of light hearted fun and escapism, yet it also deals with some serious topics. I especially liked the discussion of seemingly having everything you've ever wanted but also feeling empty and lonely.

This book also gave me some serious wanderlust. Especially mentioning Norway - a place I should be visiting in a weeks time if the world wasn't in its current state. I found the different places a fun part of the story, and I love travelling, so this was probably one of my favourite aspects of this book.

Overall, You and Me On Vacation is a bit of fluff. Fun, light hearted, cute fluff. Nothing more which sadly left me wanting. I definitely seem to be in the minority but I would like to stress that I did enjoy it, but sadly it didn't wow me like Beach Read did.

There is a special kind of emotional energy that one uses to keep a secret, unrequited love from burning them up.
"You and Me on Vacation" is the story of one such secret between two longtime friends. She forces him to lighten up and he teaches her that it's okay to rely on someone once in a while.

But that's not all that happens between Poppy and Alex. They survive university life, settle into adult jobs and travel the world together, all the while learning more and more about why they are so incredibly perfect for each other. So perfect that they would rather ignore that age-old question: is pursuing a romance worth risking the beautiful friendship they have?

In prose that is easy and engaging, Emily Henry paints a lovely picture of a pair of millennials finding the love they need.

As a newcomer to this author, I started this book with an open mind. This is the story of two friends Poppy and Alex in a heartwarming, engrossing Summer read that is funny, original and a real success. The characters will become your friends, complete with their insecurities and problems.

My most anticipated read of the year and it blew me away. Emily Henry's new romance stunning, cute and simply phenomenal.

You and Me on Vacation (published as People We Meet on Vacation in the US) is the perfect getaway romance read for anyone needing a little escape- and aren't we all right now? It's an absolutely gorgeous story of Poppy and Alex, both genuine, unique and unforgettable, but also two people with seemingly nothing in common. But they become friends and as a result of a pact, they go for a weeklong vacation together every year... until two years ago, something happened and they haven't spoken since.

But this summer, they speak again and decide to go on vacation one more time. Will they stay friends, say goodbye forever or become something more?

Honestly, I haven't been this engrossed in a book for a really long time. Henry's new novel is definitely a slow burn, but gosh, it burns so good. There's tension for days, sizzling heat and uncanny wit, all of which make this book an unforgettable experience.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this book was absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. as a big fan of Emily Henry, i thoroughly enjoyed Beach Read and was very excited to hear she was going to release another book this year. i’m very glad to say that she hasn’t disappointed me and has quite possibly written something even better than her first ground-breaking novel.

Poppy and Alex mean everything to me, and it’s not only because they’re best friends-to-lovers. every moment they spend together, every emotion they were feeling, every conversation they had—it all felt so raw, so genuine, so real. i’m really amazed at how Emily Henry manages to write fully fleshed out characters who feel like they’re real people. not only does she manage to write characters who are easily lovable, these characters seem to have a purpose other than existing in a book that is meant to spark joy. you become so invested in them and their problems and their insecurities, and you just want to help them. that was how i was feeling reading You and Me on Vacation.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. I enjoyed Emily Henry's first romance novel, Beach Read, but this one was just leaps and bounds better. There are so many things I loved about this: the friends-to-lovers aspect, the yearning, the character development, the tropes (oh no there's only one bed!), the fact that these characters have known each other for so long, the tenderness. It was all beautifully done. Another thing I really love about this book is how much it emphasizes emotional maturity and having real, honest conversations about your life, your motives, etc. That's something that I think really makes Emily Henry's books unique, and it was definitely present in this book. This is an absolute delight of a book, and I want to reread it already. I can't wait for everyone to read this because everyone is going to LOVE it.

Poppy and Alex come from the same small town in Ohio but first meet at college 12 years ago. She's an extrovert who can't wait to travel the world. Alex loves khakis and always drives the speed limit. Although they loathe each other initially, they become friends and develop a routine of having a Summer break together. They grow up, Alex becomes a teacher in their home town whereas Poppy becomes a travel blogger and lands her dream job for an aspirational travel magazine which pays for her to travel the world looking for new and exciting holiday ideas.

Two years ago in Croatia Poppy and Alex had a falling out and have barely spoken since, Poppy has come to realise that without Alex's friendship the rest of her life has no meaning, or perhaps that she has achieved all her dreams and still isn't happy. So she reaches out to Alex to persuade him to go on vacation with her again, trying to recreate the excitement of when they travelled on a shoestring.

Told from Poppy's POV in alternating flashbacks to previous holidays and the present day holiday we see how these two opposites became friends and see whether they can make it something more.

I really enjoyed Beach Read so when the publisher offered me an ARC of Emily Henry's new book I jumped at the chance. I thought I was clever to see that this felt like One Day meets Normal People, and then this morning I thought it had a bit of a When Harry Met Sallyvibe. Then I saw that the book's blurb specifically mentions two of those books so maybe I'm not so clever. The only problem is, I've seen One Day and Normal People and When Harry Met Sally and this didn't bring anything new to the table for me. Two people who hide their feelings because they are afraid of losing a friendship, one last chance to make it right, developing a deep bond when the issue of sex is taken off the table.

I liked it, but I didn't love it (and how many times have I said that line in the past 12 months) and the book contained a pet peeve of mine, where one character goes 'all in' and then issues an ultimatum to the other character - you have thought it through to the nth degree and reached a decision, maybe over weeks or months, and you want the other person to just on the spot get on board or get lost? Gah! Makes my blood boil.

Anyhoo, I think this would have worked better for me if it wasn't hooked on Alex and Poppy's annual holiday, if it had been told in flashbacks from Poppy's visits home for the holidays perhaps?

I still enjoyed Emily Henry's writing, it was just the story itself that didn't work for me this time.

I was invited to read a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex met 12 years ago and after a rocky start became best friends. Every year they go on 'The Summer Trip' together but this year it's different. Flashbacks to the previous 10 summer trips reveal the story of Poppy and Alex as we follow their ups and downs (relationships, families, jobs) throughout their 20s.

This is a fantastic book with fabulous characters and both poignant and hilarious story lines. I loved Poppy and Alex, loved their families and, given the current pandemic, really loved the places they travelled to! Very highly recommended - you're in for a treat!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC of this book.

Loved this story and felt like I was on the edge of my seat through out with a "will they, won't they" scenario. The main characters are really likeable and you can buy into the story so easily. True beauty!

Gosh I loved it!

Whilst it took me a little while to get into, I absolutely loved this book.

A great beach read that has so many insightful moments too.

Alex and Poppy are both delightful, complex characters and I felt myself getting behind them throughout.

I wasn't sure how it was going to end, but I am glad it ended the way it did!

Highly recommend for a weekend or holiday read, one for readers who love Laura Jane Williams, Dolly Alderton and Sally Rooney.

The alternate title for this book can be "What happened 2 years ago?" cause that is all I think about when I am reading the book. I love the way they became best friend is so natural and all their summer holidays together. They have such good chemistry that makes you wonder why the hell they are not together yet! I can't deny that I am quite annoyed that it took them so long to clear it out and the reason they are out of contact for 2 years is not as serious as I thought it should be. However the more I get to know about Alex and Poppy, I can understand why they are afraid to take a step forward on their relationship. It is still fun to read about them as friends but the romantic in me also love to see more of them as lovers. If only we can have more chapters on them being the cutest couple.
Am I the only one google search what a slow loris hand looks like?

A wonderful and emotional love story of two friends that suddenly realize they are a lot more than that. A truly romantic read!

I've got to admit I have been so excited for this since it was announced however when it came round to reading I was a bit nervous because I wasn't sure how it could possibly fare compared to Beach Read (one of my favourite reads of 2020 / all time). But I would now like to formally apologise for ever questioning Emily Henry because she seems to just get better!

The story follows Poppy and Alex. At their first meeting they were convinced they would never speak again, however, a year later during a shared ride home they form a friendship that would last another 11 years. Despite living far apart they reunite at least once a year for The Summer Trip, until two years ago when it all went wrong. Now they have one week, one final trip, to fix everything.

We follow them in the present as well as in flashbacks to previous Summer Trips. We watch their friendship gradually develop, grow and evolve as well as getting to delve into the struggles faced by most in their 20s, and even early 30s, through them. The uncertainty. Constantly striving for more, for what? What is it we actually want? Emily Henry is able to extract from us a multitude of emotions while still making us feel understood and accepted.

Friends to lovers is my favourite trope however in my opinion their actual romance was not my favourite aspect of the story. It had a few of my least favourite things (i mean it took them a looong time) but somehow, the way it was written, with these characters, I still managed to enjoy it.

Overall a fantastic book for fans of a super slow burn friends to lovers or just wonderfully crafted characters who make us believe in them and love them. And yet we still want to shake them for being so unbelievably annoying at times, just like you would a best friend.

**Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin General UK for providing this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are subjective but my own.**

This book follows the story of Poppy and Alex, and their strong 12 year friendship which develops into stronger feelings.

This book was moving, emotional and heartfelt. The timeline layout of the book which switches between past and present helps you to get to know the characters well and you become attached to them very quickly.

This will be a hot beach read for everyone! The must have summer feel good book! Another excellent piece of work from the author of Beach Read!

Emily Henry has done it again. I didn’t think it was possible to top Beach Read, but here we are.

Alex and Poppy meet by chance on their first day of college. They are convinced they will never see each other again. They are complete opposites, until they find out they are nearly from the same hometown and are forced to share a ride home together.

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Each summer Poppy and Alex travel to an exotic destination as “friends “, until one summer they stop speaking. The book is told through Poppy’s POV in the past and present.

I loved reading the history of Poppy and Alex. They never realizes that they were perfect for each other. They were always dating other people. What will become of the two? Read to find out’

3/3.5 STARS
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I found myself constantly wanting to skip the throwbacks to their previous summers which really affected my enjoyment of the story. However, I did like the romance and it was an easy read.

You and Me on Vacation is utterly delightful - Your hearts will be toasty warm after reading it.

While honouring the tropes of the romance genre, the author does not rehash the often frustratingly absurd or ugly conflicts and obstacles that keep lovers at bay.

We need more stories like this, full of love, charm, wit and (please!) vacations in our lives, thank you, Emily Henry.

P.S. I really enjoyed Beach Read, it this is even better!

i dont often read romance but im glad i read this one! the best friends-to-lovers trope was very well executed, i was rooting for them from the beginning.

oh how i miss vacationing, thank you to this book for giving me a great escape.

I felt that Poppy and Alex were both characters you could grow to love. Poppy being the outgoing, outspoken one and Alex is a soft and shy high school literature teacher. They were great for each other, and i wish i could have gone on those trips with them.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review :-)

This book is flawless. I loved it so much and that is obviously all down to Emily Henry's writing. This book was my first five star read of the year and it deserves all the love and praise. It made me so emotional and I connected with Poppy in so many ways and it's such a beautiful thing to connect with a character so easily. The writing is fantastic, I felt every single thing that was written and I couldn't put it down. It gave me Sweet Home Alabama vibes with Poppy not feeling at home in her hometown and leaving it to make something of herself, but I loved this book ten times more than the film. The timeline in which the book is set is so special, it helps you get attached to the characters so fast, yet the more you read the more you're still learning such basic things about them. It helped us learn the dynamics and the way in which Alex and Poppy bounced off each other so naturally, because we witnessed them in so many different situations. We saw their relationship from the beginning and it helps connect you to them in such a special way. It was brilliant and I will be thinking about it for such a long time. All the praise for Emily Henry, she has such a talent to write something so special and unique.