Did I love this like I loved Beach Read? No. Is it still better than the vast majority of contemporary romance? Yes. Am I beyond excited at the prospect of Book Lovers? 100%! I will read anything Emily Henry writes at this point and I refuse to be objective!

Der Klappentext hörte sich nach einer witzigen, leichten Lovestory an, und das vor dem Hintergrund diverser Urlaubskulissen. Ich fand, das hörte sich nach einer guten „Zwischendurch-Geschichte“ an, und das meine ich durchaus positiv, ich mag Liebesgeschichten, es muss nicht immer tiefsinnig sein, ich lasse mich durchaus auch gerne einfach gut unterhalten. Also, dieses Buch wollte ich lesen (und vielen Dank an Netgalley und den Penguinverlag an dieser Stelle für das Rezensionsexemplar!)
Die Geschichte beginnt mit Poppy, designierter junger und hipper Reisejournalistin aus New York, und ihrer Lebenskrise. Job ist toll, Wohnung ist toll, alles super, glücklich ist sie trotzdem nicht. Das letzte Mal war sie glücklich, als sie mit ihrem besten Freund Alex zusammen im Urlaub war, im jährlichen Summer Trip - allein, es ist etwas vorgefallen und zwischen den beiden herrscht seitdem Funkstille. Poppy gibt sich einen Ruck, schickt Ales eine SMS, und die beiden verreisen noch einmal zusammen. Und so peu a peu werden dem Leser auch die vorherigen Jahresurlaube der beiden dargelegt. Und die grosse Frage ist: kommen Poppy und Alex jetzt endlich als Paar zusammen?
Jaaaaa. Und es hat mich nun so gar nicht geflashed und abgeholt. Eigentlich mag ich den Stil von Emily Henry sehr, sie schreibt locker-flockig und man kann den Roman durchaus gut und flott weglesen, auch als Nichtmuttersprachler (ich habe das englische Original gelesen). Ich mag Henrys leichte Ironie und ihren flüssigen Stil sehr. Ihr letztes Buch „Beach Read“ beispielsweise fand ich toll.
Aber mit Poppy hier bin ich nicht warmgeworden. Bloggerin, Influencerin, mit Influencer-Social-Media-best-friends, ach ich weiss nicht, mich hat das nicht angesprochen. Ich hab mir schon in den ersten paar Kapiteln gedacht, ich bin nicht mehr die Zielgruppe (und ich habe durchaus auch selbst meine social media accounts, aber hey, gibt’s nix Wichtigeres im Leben?). Ich bin anscheinend Jahrzehnte zu alt dafür. Und auch Alex, der Lehrer, der eher introvertierte tolle Typ, ach , auch der war einfach uninteressant. Die Geplänkel zwischen den beiden, sofern vorhanden, fand ich nur pseudo-lustig, und irgendwann hat mich die Geschichte einfach nicht mehr interessiert und ich habe nur noch quergelesen. Da war für mich kein romantischer Funke zwischen den beiden, mich hat das einfach an beste Freunde erinnert, aber nicht an ein potentiell romantisches Liebespaar.
Schade. Aber ich sags nochmal, wahrscheinlich finden sich Mittzwanziger echt wieder in den Protagonisten und ihrer Welt, nur ich hatte irgendwie keine Lust mehr.
Ganz unabhängig von der Story hatte ich auch erneut das Problem mit dem Buchformat: leider hat Netgalley als Platform das eBook nur im pdf Format zur Verfügung gestellt, und mein pocketbook-Reader macht daraus teils abenteuerliche Seitenumbrüche, die das Lesen erschweren. Kleine Anmerkung: epub wäre toll!! (Ja, ich weiss, es gibt auch noch eine spezielle Netgalley-Lese-Handyapp, aber ich lese keine Bücher auf meinem Handy, das ist mir viel zu klein….).
Alles in allem muss ich sagen, war dieses mal leider nicht meins.

The book is about a friendship over the years it was a bit of a slow burner to start with but got better as the book went on.

Poppy & Alex become friends and over the next few years they take holidays together and becomes their thing. Will this friendship turn into something else. Over the years they have other partners but things don’t work out.

It was funny in places and you could see that the couple would do anything for each other.

A funny and refreshing story. One that made me laugh out loud. This was the first time reading this author and I would love to read more. It was a fast-paced easy read that I read quickly taking in the vividness of the settings described by the author. A fantastic summer read!

Poppy and Alex have a beautiful friendship and the timeline of this story demonstrates this beautifully. The reader is so invested in their future and follows their summer holidays over 10 years. It wasn’t your typical friends to lovers tripe as both characters had to make sacrifices. Whilst the plot is forgettable, the connection between the reader and the characters was powerful.

When Poppy met Alex twelve years ago, she was sure that they'd never speak to each other again, but one year later the two find themselves driving home together. A drive that would lead to the duo becoming friends and going on holiday together every summer.
Until two years ago when everything went wrong.
This summer, Poppy is determined to give Alex the best holiday yet in order to rekindle their friendship.
Can Poppy and Alex's friendship return to the way it was?
What happened two years ago?

While contemporary/romance novels are not usually among my favourites, I liked the sound of this book and decided to give it a go.
I found both Poppy and Alex to be likeable and relatable protagonists. The duo were complete opposites personality-wise, but they got on really well and I enjoyed reading as their friendship developed. I liked that neither Poppy nor Alex were perfect - they both had past experiences that still affected them and they needed to work through.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention, but I wasn't gripped and nothing happened that shocked or surprised me. However, I did find myself smiling several times while reading this and I liked Poppy and Alex's banter.
The writing style was easy to follow and at one point I thought the plot was going to go in a direction that I didn't want it to, but luckily it didn't.
I am a little disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more, but I would still recommend it.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

So I’ve just finished this book and it was a great rom com. I do think it would have been better sat by a pool in the sunshine rather than hibernating in the cold but it was still an enjoyable book. I really like how every chapter was separated by different trips with Alex and Poppy but keep coming back to this summer they are together. Sometimes you don’t realize the best thing you have is right in front of you all along and sometimes all it takes is a little bravery to end up finding the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

This is one of the best books of 2021, hands down! I love Emily Henry's writing and this book was the perfect contemporary read.

12 SUMMERS AGO: Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other, and are pretty confident they'll never speak again.
11 SUMMERS AGO: They're forced to share a ride home from college and by the end of it a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together.
10 SUMMERS AGO: Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver.
Poppy holds his hand the whole way.
7 SUMMERS AGO: They get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans.
2 SUMMERS AGO: It all goes wrong.
THIS SUMMER: Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.

A lovely book to read, I couldn’t wait to see how their relationship panned out and found myself willing them to just get on with it lol! I did find the first part a little slow to get into but as soon as I got into the rhythm of the book and where it was going I couldn’t put it down.
This would make a lovely RomCom film also! This is the 2nd book I’ve read by the author and I look forward to another.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#YouandMeonVacation #NetGalley

This was just a "meh" for me, which was a surprise given all the buzz about this book. I enjoyed the meet-ups between Poppy and her friend but didn't find the rest of the book believable.

Poppy and Alex meet during their first week at college. They are sure they will never speak again as they are polar opposites. However, at the end of the year they carpool back to their hometowns. This starts a friendship that results in them taking a summer vacation together each year with the exception of last year, after something went horribly wrong during the trip the year before. This year, they are taking one last trip together.

This book alternates between the present day and past trips. It gives an insight into how Poppy and Alex’s friendship developed and how they change as people over time. I loved both characters - Poppy’s crazy, carefree nature and Alex’s more uptight but incredibly caring personality. Reading about their adventures firstly made me want to go on lots of amazing holidays, but had me hoping that they would eventually end up together.

A lovely romcom that is really well written!

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinukbooks_ for the review copy.

There's something about Emily Henry's writing that is just so compelling that you cannot stop reading. I did, however, struggle a little bit to get into this story.

I started reading this a while ago and stopped at the 25% mark. I wasn't drawn to our main character, Poppy, and the premise just didn't grip me as much. I found Poppy to be an annoying character with such a strange sense of humour that I just couldn't connect with.

Yesterday I decided to try reading this book again and once I got passed the 30% mark, I was hooked. The story started becoming more complex and the characters started revealing more of themselves. I love Alex Nilsen's character. I think he is so brilliantly written and his personality is complex and layered. I definitely felt the same about Gus in Henry's 'Beach Read'. Poppy became more vulnerable and more bearable.

By the 60% mark I was fully invested in their romance and when they kissed on that balcony, I got goosebumps. I flew through the rest of the book in hours.

Comparing this book to 'Beach Read', I feel like this is more of a traditional romance. 'Beach Read' really delved into some serious topics and the romance fell into step with that. In 'You and Me on Vacation', the romance really takes centre stage and the serious topics were pushed back. I wish that some of their traumatic experiences were explored more and I felt frustrated that the resolution to their struggles were pushed into the last chapter. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if Henry had really sunk her teeth into Poppy and Alex's traumatic pasts.

I usually don't like 'friends to lovers' romances so this really surprised me. I thought that Poppy and Alex's relationship developed beautifully on page and I was fully rooting for them towards the end.

One of the biggest pet peeves I have about this particular edition of the book is the title. It just doesn't work. 'People We Meet on Vacation' is the perfect title and matches up with the title of Poppy's column at the end of the book. 'You and Me on Vacation' is such an odd choice and has definitely confused buyers and potential readers who think these are two different books.

Overall. I really enjoyed this book. Another solid read from Emily Henry. I will definitely be picking up her new book next year.

This was a very quick, easy flowing read which I devoured in just a couple of sittings. It’s cleverly written, trickling stories from the past in with the present day. It was a delight to read form beginning to end. I really enjoyed the ending and it really tugged on my heartstring’s.

Not my usual type of read but oh, how I loved it! I don't think I've ever wanted two people to get together more. Emily Henry has produced a brilliant, bang up-to-date homage to Nora Ephron's "When Harry Met Sally". I found her writing extremely engaging, some passages provoking thought and lingering. "You and Me on Vacation" is funny, insightful and I couldn't put it down - so I was up till 5am finishing it. "Beach Read" is now firmly on my radar, along with everything Emily Henry writes from now on.

3 Stars

I have such mixed feelings about this one and I can’t tell if it’s something personal to me maybe orrrrrr if it’s just one of those things? I’ll try and explain things as best as I can and see how it goes.

I want to start off by saying that I really really loved Poppy and Alex, I thought they were both great characters and I genuinely feel like I have the softest spot for Alex because his character is just so kind and caring towards Poppy.

So usually I’m all for friends to lovers, like 10/10 really enjoy but I think what I found my issue is that each of the characters both had significant others and I just got the sense they were both holding out for the other person and it just kind of left me with a bad taste in my mouth I guess? I’m all for platonic friendships, it’s literally one of my favourite tropes and we don’t get enough of them but this, when reading it just wasn’t platonic for the longest time and I low key felt bad for Poppy and Alex’s significant others. Once again this is just an IMO and I guess it just gave me a book ick.

If I was to take out the friendship aspect I genuinely think I would of enjoyed it more and it wouldn’t of felt like a bit hmmm about it and I just know I would have been routing for them! The chemistry between the characters was SO good, but once again, I felt a bit like choices because of different elements throughout.

When I read more of my adult romance/chick lit I always appreciate that there tends to be a lot more communication and this is something that is just *chef kiss* for me, so for this to be so prolonged and lacking in some areas it just kind of irritated me some times.

I’m left feeling with so many mixed thoughts and feels, because of something that Alex went through towards the end with Poppy and once again personal reflection time, it low key made me angry… but I won’t go into that and it’s just a me thing.

Been a bit of a weird one, because I feel like I would of loved this if I read it at a different time in my life or some elements had been changed, still really enjoy the writing style and Emily Henry always provides amazing characters so I look forward to her next book.

Poppy and Alex have been friends for many years, they first met at Uni where they didn't really connect until they drove back home together.

Their thing is to always holiday together the summer, first on a budget, then as Poppy landed a job writing articles for a travel magazine as they get all expenses paid trips.

However are they really just friends?

I knew where the plot line was going from the beginning, but didn't make it a less interesting read. Love how the friendship between Alex and Poppy is described and developed throughout the book. Such a feel good rom com.

You And Me on Vacation by Emily Henry is my new favorite romance and I have been chasing after this exact feeling for some time now. It’s a second chance friends-to-lovers romance. Poppy and Alex are the exact opposites and did not like each other on their first meeting. To say it was awkward and tense would be an understatement. Despite the rocky start the two of them end up taking a trip back home together and realize they might have been too hasty in forming their opinions on each other. Poppy is eccentric, fun, quirky, and outgoing and Alex is the quiet guy who prefers to stay indoors and enjoy a book. The two start a friendship that becomes the highlight of their lives. With more time they not only become inseparable they also plan summer vacations together on a budget. Everything was amazing until two summers ago when things got really bad. Can Poppy and Alex repair their friendship? Will they ever be the same?

I have previously read Beach Read and enjoyed it. But the darker themes in it were a bit of a shock to me as I wasn’t expecting it and it also felt a little out of place in the story. I loved it but it wasn’t my favorite. Now when it comes to You And Me On Vacation, I had the best time with this. This was the friends-to-lovers I wanted and Emily delivered it tenfold. If a story can give me the feels then it’s going to have a special place in my heart. It was heartwarming to see the friendship bloom, the shift in their relationship, the denial, and finally, the get-together was all worth it. Usually, friends-to-lovers romances or the tropes don’t excite me because often we don’t get to see the journey of the couple or their interactions especially when it comes to second-chance friends-to-lovers. I read Anchored Hearts last month, and this was exactly what was missing in it. I remember feeling let down by the lack of interactions that showed us their journey and the friendship but rather had to rely on the author telling us they were amazing as a couple before. Thankfully, this story gave us all the flashbacks to help us build a connection with each of them, get us invested in them enough to cheer their friendship and their potential romance.

Overall, if you are a fan of romances that takes us through the journey of the couple and enjoy longer stories that deliver heartwarming romance, then definitely pick this one up. Poppy and Alex will sweep you off your feet and their romance will make you want for more. This is the perfect vacation companion you could ask for and is guaranteed to give you a good time. If this story doesn’t make you want to travel at the end of the book, I don’t know what to say honestly. The itch to pick up things and just go on a road trip or a vacation is so tempting. I really loved this book and gave it 5 warm, buttery stars. I highly recommend checking this one out.

I thought this was going to be a bit 'fluffy' for my usual tastes but it was just gorgeous from start to finish. Easy to read and enjoy, perfect for the beach and perfect to just switch off and relax with. Was just what I needed and I wish I had read it sooner!

TRULY INSPIRATIONAL LIFE CHANGING MIND BENDING AMAZING NEVER THE SAME I CRIED I GOT SHOT I LAUGHED 5/5

This is the second book by this author that I have read this year, the first being Beach Read - which I also enjoyed. I devoured this book, I really wanted something a little lighter and more fun after reading a few thrillers, and this definitely hit the spot. The book follows Poppy and Alex, who have been the greatest of friends since meeting at college, and who have taken an annual trip together ever since. Life events and significant others have come and gone, and in this book they find themselves rekindling the annual trip after a two year break.
I have to say at the beginning it all feels a little predictable, but what I like about both of Emily Henry's books, is that she takes the predictable and sends it on a fun little tangent. The book explores the friendship from the start, the annual trips, the events that have tested their friendship, the reason they have had a two year friendship hiatus, and we discover what the future holds for the two of them.
I couldn't put it down and found myself trying to find any window I could to pick it back up and keep going. I'll be right there in line for the next book from this author.
If you haven't read any Emily Henry books yet, but have read The Switch or The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary I'm certain you will enjoy these too.