Book Review: You and Me on Vacation

Emily Henry has a new book coming out soon, and I honestly cannot wait. So it seems somewhat serendipitous that my next read is ‘You and Me on Vacation’. I think after the last book, I needed a little pick-me-up, and Emily Henry’s writing is just what the doctor ordered.

Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college, sure it got off to an awkward start, but soon enough they became inseparable - of course, in a purely platonic way (wink wink). But it's been ten years of yearly trips, tumultuous relationships and a summer in Croatia that left them both reeling, and, as such, they haven't spoken to each other since. Now, Poppy is determined to get her best friend back, and she hopes this last hurrah summer vacation works its magic. It's adorable, light-hearted fun. Sure, you know what you’re getting with an Emily Henry romance novel. But they are a delight all the same.

What I liked about the book is how it is structured. I like how we see the present status of Poppy and Alex’s relationship, which is strained. But we also get to go back in time to the ‘glory days’ of their relationship. Their meet-cute isn't really cute. It's about as awkward as you can get. Poppy and Alex couldn’t be more opposite. Alex is the introverted writer, whilst Poppy is the multicoloured vintage-wearing travel enthusiast. Alex has never been on a plane. What I like about this is how it builds tensions, and it builds context. I found myself getting impatient as the chapters and vacations throughout the years rolled by - what happened in Croatia! I essentially flew through this book. Bravo, Emily Henry, well played.

BookTok is a great friend of Emily Henry, but what is it about her works that sets them apart from all the rest? If you have ever done a deep dive in the world of booktok, it is mainly romance novels, and the majority is unhinged smut. Don’t believe me? Check out how many videos are about Haunting Adeline, and then go read Haunting Adeline. But I digress, whilst Henry’s books do cover romantic tropes and topics, and yes, there are sex scenes. They are not graphic, violent or mildly traumatic. They are sweet and sincere - the moment when the pressure and tension burst, and everything aligns at the right moment.  Consent is given, never implied or slightly blurred. The characters themselves are relatable because they are built on realism and are well-researched. The women are smart, highly capable and independent. Continuously working hard to pursue their career dreams of careers. Them men are sincere (thank god and for BookTok, that's refreshing), they are grounded, clear-headed, unproblematic, averse to toxic masculinity - essentially the ideal man we should all be looking for. Something and someone real.

I will always recommend an Emily Henry book, I now own all of her books. Excited for the next one!