Every once in a while, I go down a rabbit hole and read an author’s entire backlist. It often starts because I pick up one of their books and love it, so I decide to read another and another, and before I know it I am looking up every book they have ever written. I wasn’t always the biggest fan of Emily Henry, but she’s quickly become one of my “always-read” authors.
Why the Backlist?
I view literature as a form of art- my preferred art to appreciate- and I find the best way to appreciate the artist is to see how their work has evolved over time. When you take the time time to read an author’s work in order of publication patterns and themes become more apparent. I am so grateful I took the time to read Emily Henry’s backlist because I found one of my favorite reads of 2022 (and possibly of all time).
The Love That Split the World (2016)
Natalie Cleary is a high school graduate who has always felt different from her adoptive family and her small-town peers. She has also been haunted by visions of a mysterious woman she calls Grandmother, who tells her stories of Native American folklore and warns her of an impending danger. One night, Grandmother tells Natalie that she has three months to save him, without explaining who he is or how to find him.
Soon after, Natalie discovers that her world is not what it seems. She starts seeing things that are out of place, such as a preschool where there should be a garden store, or a red door instead of a green one. She realizes that she can slip into another version of reality, where everything is slightly different. There, she meets Beau, a handsome and charming boy who makes her feel alive and understood. Natalie and Beau fall in love, but their relationship is threatened by the secrets they keep from each other and the forces that try to tear them apart.
As Natalie tries to figure out who Beau is and why she needs to save him, she also learns more about her own identity and heritage. She uncovers the truth about her biological parents, her connection to Grandmother, and the reason why she can travel between worlds. She also faces a difficult choice: to stay in the world she knows and loves, or to follow Beau into the unknown and risk losing everything.
A Million Junes (2017)
Emily Henry’s second book is such a haunting and impactful book that I still think about it months after reading it. She also developed as a writer, author, and storyteller throughout this entire narrative.
June O’Donnell lives in Five Fingers, Michigan, a town where magic and mystery abound. She is the daughter of Jack O’Donnell IV, who died when she was young, leaving her with a legacy of stories and a curse that binds her family to the Angerts, their sworn enemies. June has always followed her father’s rules: stay away from the Angerts, don’t go to the waterfalls, and don’t ask too many questions.
But everything changes when she meets Saul Angert, the son of her father’s nemesis, who returns to town after three years of absence. Saul is handsome, charming, and irresistible, and he seems to know things about June’s past that she doesn’t. As they fall in love, they also uncover the truth about their families’ history, a truth that involves ghosts, magical places, and a harrowing curse that haunts them every time they see each other.
A Million Junes is a captivating and lyrical story of love, loss, and redemption. It is a modern Romeo and Juliet tale with a twist of magical realism. Think of the family feud between the Hatfields and McCoys.
Also, the representation of the “other” and generational trauma in the midst of a budding relationship was so well done. Henry’s exploration of grief and healing was one of the best I have read in a YA novel.
When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)
When the Sky Fell on Splendor tells the story of Franny and her friends, who call themselves the Ordinary. They’re a group of misfits who make amateur horror films and cope with the aftermath of a steel mill explosion that killed or injured many of their loved ones. One night, while filming at a cemetery, they witness a strange object falling from the sky and crashing nearby. They decide to investigate, hoping to find something extraordinary. But what they discover is beyond their wildest imagination: a glowing disc that grants them supernatural abilities and connects them to a mysterious woman who claims to be their grandmother.
As they explore their new powers and try to unravel the mystery of the disc, they also face dangers from the FBI, a sinister neighbor, and a dark force that threatens to destroy the world. They realize that they are not the only ones affected by the disc and that they have a role to play in a cosmic conflict that has been going on for centuries. They also learn more about themselves, their families, and their town, and discover that nothing is as it seems.
This was, quite frankly, one of the weirdest books we’ve read. It was definitely a “wtf is going on” kind of moment. Like her other young adult/ new adult novels, Henry explored the possibility of “other” and its interactions with individuals as well as grief.
Beach Read (2020)
I am sure you have seen Beach Read all over social media and bookshelves. January Andrews is a successful romance writer who has lost her faith in love after finding out about her father’s secret affair and breaking up with her long-term boyfriend. She moves into her late father’s lake house in a small town in Michigan, hoping to finish her next novel and sell the property. However, she suffers from severe writer’s block and a looming deadline.
To her surprise, she discovers that her next-door neighbor is none other than Augustus Everett, a critically acclaimed literary fiction author, and her former college rival. Gus is also struggling with his own writing project and personal demons. They reconnect and make a bet: January will try to write a serious literary novel, while Gus will attempt to write a happy romance novel. They also agree to swap research methods and go on field trips to inspire each other.
As they spend more time together, they realize that they have more in common than they thought. They both have complicated family histories, unresolved grief, and hidden feelings. They also challenge each other’s views on life, love, and literature. They start to fall in love, but their relationship is not without obstacles. They have to deal with their past traumas, their professional reputations, and their uncertain futures.
This is Emily Henry’s first Adult Romance and was released at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Reflecting on my impressions of the book it became clear my experience was impacted by my “post-covid” lenses.
When you pick up an Emily Henry romance novel you are promised a happy ending that has to be earned. Her characters feel realistic and admirable relationships worth striving for,
People We Meet on Vacation (2021)
Funny enough, People We Meet on Vacation is my least favorite of Henry’s romance books and one of Chantelle’s favorites.
Poppy Wright is a travel writer who has seen the world but feels unhappy and restless in her glamorous life. Alex Nilsen is a high school teacher who loves his quiet and predictable hometown, but feels lonely and stuck in his routine. They are best friends who met in college and have nothing in common, except for their annual summer vacations together. For ten years, they explored different destinations and shared unforgettable memories, until something went wrong two years ago and they stopped talking.
Now, Poppy misses Alex and wants to fix their friendship. She convinces him to join her for one last trip, hoping to rekindle their bond and maybe something more. But as they travel to Palm Springs, they realize that they have changed over the years and that their feelings for each other are not so simple. They also have to face the truth about what happened on their last vacation and how it affected their relationship.
Did you know the UK title is actually You and Me on Vacation? I find it fascinating that the change was made. The dual timeline way of telling the story makes People We Meet on Vacation a great example of Henry’s storytelling skill.
Book Lovers (2022)
Book Lovers is spectacular because it centers on a female heroine whose life is literally books – except she is not your typical main character.Nora Stephens is a successful and ruthless literary agent in New York City, who has no time or interest in romance. She has always prioritized her career and her sister Libby, who depends on her for emotional and financial support. Nora’s love life consists of a series of flings with men who end up leaving her for small-town women who are the opposite of her.
Charlie Lastra is a handsome and brooding book editor, who has a personal connection to Sunshine Falls, a quaint town in North Carolina. He is also Nora’s professional rival and nemesis, who often clashes with her over their different tastes and opinions on books. Charlie is secretly working on his own novel, but he struggles with writer’s block and self-doubt.
When Nora’s sister Libby convinces her to take a month-long vacation in Sunshine Falls, Nora reluctantly agrees, hoping to get some work done and escape from her stressful life. However, she is shocked to discover that Charlie is also staying in the same town, working on a project with a local author. Nora and Charlie are forced to interact with each other, and they soon realize that they have more in common than they thought. They also feel a growing attraction that neither of them can deny.
As they spend more time together, they start to challenge each other’s views on life, love, and literature. They also share their secrets, fears, and dreams. They begin to fall in love, but their relationship is not without complications. They have to deal with their past traumas, their professional reputations, and their uncertain futures. They also have to decide whether they are willing to compromise and change for each other.
It was recently announced that a movie for Book Lovers is in the works and we couldn’t be more excited. When I read the Vulture profile it helped provide even more context for Henry’s writing style and development over the years. I think Book Lovers is our favorite of her adult romance because of the depth and development of all of the characters. This development of the cast of characters is something she has strengthened over time that wasn’t present in her first novels.
Happy Place (2023)
Happy Place is Henry’s latest work (though she recently announced a new novel and we’re so excited). Harriet and Wyn are a couple who have broken up six months ago but have not told their best friends yet. They are forced to pretend to be still engaged when they join their friends for their annual week-long vacation at a cottage in Maine. The cottage is owned by Sabrina, a lawyer, and heiress who is planning to marry her boyfriend Parth that weekend. The other friends are Cleo, an artsy farm owner, and Kimmy, Cleo’s girlfriend.
Harriet is a surgical resident who works long hours and avoids conflicts. Wyn is a charming and laid-back book editor who has a personal connection to the town. They met in college and dated for eight years until Wyn broke up with Harriet over the phone. They still love each other, but they have unresolved issues and secrets that drive them apart.
As they spend time with their friends, they try to act as affectionately as they used to, but they also feel the tension and attraction between them. They go to Lobster Fest, boat on the ocean, dance, and visit their favorite places. They also discover new things about each other and themselves, such as their passions, fears, and dreams. They start to question their breakup and wonder if they can get back together.
However, their relationship is not without complications. They have to deal with their past traumas, their professional reputations, and their uncertain futures. They also have to decide whether to tell their friends the truth or keep lying. And they have to face the fact that this might be their last week together in their happy place, as Sabrina’s father is selling the cottage.
Happy Place is a witty and heartwarming novel that explores the themes of friendship, family, and love. It is a story of two people who try to fake it until they make it, but end up finding themselves and each other in the process. We will state that we hated the epilogue and felt it was a total cop-out.
Conclusion
Emily Henry is a talented and versatile author who has written six novels so far, ranging from young adult to adult, from fantasy to contemporary, from romance to mystery. She has captivated readers with her engaging stories, compelling characters, and beautiful writing. If you have not read any of her books yet, we highly recommend that you do so! We are so excited to see what else she comes out with over the coming years. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more book reviews.
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