This was my first book in this style: the Japanese cozy read, with each chapter focused on a different character and their life lesson they learned along the way. It was interesting enough, but not really something I see myself reading a lot more of.

I did think the concept of magical candies was very fun, and found the stories to be very heartwarming, if somewhat oversimplified in their resolution. The bright spot of this book was definitely the end, focused on the proprietor of the Amberglow Candy Store, which ironically, left me feeling pretty melancholy overall, but brought out a strong emotional reaction that I didn’t get from the rest of the book.

3.25/5

An epic comeback for Emily Henry after I finished and did not love People We Meet on Vacation.

To me, this is a perfect romance book. The love interest is mysterious and brooding and secretly a softy. The two main characters are engaged in a competitive rivalry of some sort. Forced proximity. Emotional, personal character arcs for each main character.

Honestly I don’t have much more to say, it’s hard to write in-depth reviews on books you really loved!

No I will not be taking any criticisms on this book, thank you! I read this on vacation and kept wanting to go back to my room so I could finish it.

Going into People We Meet on Vacation, I thought it might be my favorite Emily Henry yet. The concept is very cool, I love travel, I usually enjoy friends-to-lovers, and I was excited for the movie that’s coming out soon. Unfortunately, I thought this one was just okay.

I still think the travel stories were very cute, fun and meaningful. And I stand by the fact that I usually like friends-to-lovers. It just felt like the ONLY reason that Poppy and Alex hadn’t gotten together years ago was that they refused to talk to each other about anything involving feelings, which is a weird thing for best friends to do. I totally get the aspect that it’s very scary to try and change a friendship dynamic to something more, but surely it’s better to talk it out than go no contact for two years. Just very frustrating dynamic overall.

I also didn’t care much for Alex. He was so awkward and closed off that he often came off as kind of a jerk when reading from Poppy’s perspective. Refusing to acknowledge any of their good memories together came off as downright cruel, sometimes. I did not feel that he gave Poppy very much grace when it came to figuring out her feelings, because her thought processes didn’t run the same way his did. Overall, not my favorite love interest.

I still plan to watch the movie, but this is one Emily Henry I don’t plan to ever reread.

2.75/5

I am obsessed with this book. I read it in one sitting. I actually regretted returning it to the library once I finished because I wish I had just immediately started it over again.

It has my favorite kind of main character of all time, the kind that is very rude/prickly towards other because they are secretly afraid of being hurt again. I won’t say I always agreed with Tam’s version of events, but I nevertheless found myself getting emotional over his perspective on things over and over.

This is also just overall a very sweet love story with a very kind love interest, set in an interesting fantasy world. I will definitely reread at some point, and I’m very excited for the traditionally published version to come out with an extended ending, as I did find the ending a tad abrupt.