Review: You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Author: Emily Henry
Edition: eARC
Publisher:  Penguin (May 11, 2021)
Genre: Adult Romance, Contemporary

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Synopsis

My review of You and Me on Vacation

I received a free digital ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I loved Beach Read so obviously, I was excited about Emily Henry’s newest novel. And I was not disappointed! You and Me on Vacation is the equivalent of strawberry lemonade on a hot summer day: sweet, refreshing and I would like more of it, please. Continue reading my review to find out more!

A Vacation From Your Life

You and Me on Vacation felt like a breath of fresh air in my pandemic-induced monotone life. I may be confined to my four walls for the most part and there is no summer vacation in sight, but I can live vicariously through Poppy and Alex on their vacations. It’s escapism at its finest.

I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the book, jumping between different vacations, sometimes revisiting moments later on with more context. It kept the pacing quick and simultaneously allowed for me to really get to know Alex and Poppy and how their relationship developed over time. The best way I know how to describe how this structure felt is this: it feels like a friend recounting stories. I felt so close to Poppy and her narration and really rooted for her and Alex!

A Loveable Duo

Speaking of our main duo: Alex and Poppy are adorable. They’re so different and definitely shouldn’t work, but somehow they do and it’s glorious. They truly make each other better, bringing out the best parts of their personalities. Alex is quiet and structured, he balances Poppy’s quirkiness and steadies the whirlwind of chaos. On the other hand, Poppy’s unabashed authenticity allows Alex to be himself, too. I loved their dynamic immediately.

I didn’t expect to particularly relate to the characters, after all, my life is very different from both of them. I’m not a travel blogger or a teacher and I sit somewhere in the middle of Alex and Poppy, personality-wise. But there was a moment where Poppy recounts feeling lonely and disconnected as a child because she can never fully know anyone or be known by anyone. And that part almost made me cry because it’s exactly how I feel and had never read about it in a book! Needless to say, Poppy owns my entire heart now.

I think there’s something about books that feature cats with weird names that just always work for me. In this case, the cat belongs to Alex and is called Flannery O´Connor. If you too happen to enjoy books that feature this very specific element…well, You and Me on Vacation fits the bill. Even though the cat isn’t plot-relevant, I love it.

Overall…

Overall, You and Me on Vacation was the boost of soft and warm summer vibes and serotonin I needed.

This book is for you if…

…you like friends to lovers romances with unlikely friends
…you are looking for a vacation from your life

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A post you might also enjoy: My review of Beach Read by Emily Henry