Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

The thing I miss most during this pandemic is travelling. I love seeing new places, eating new foods, and meeting new people.  So I was very drawn to travel writer Poppy, one of the main characters in, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.  She has my dream job as a professional travel writer!  But when she, herself, goes on vacation, she travels on the cheap with her male friend from college, Alex.  This novel is an ode to the movie, When Harry Met Sally.  Can male and female friends be "just friends"?  Given how deeply they connect with each other, you can guess where this goes.  This was a really fun, romantic novel, and the perfect summer read.

What I Liked:

Vacation Theme:

This book is a celebration of that freedom we all feel on vacation.  Vacations are an escape from our "real" lives.  We eat all the food we've denied ourselves, laugh more easily, and flirt with strangers.  I liked that there were a variety of different types of vacations.  Some of Poppy and Alex's trips were super touristy, where they see every kitschy tourist trap and do every stereotypical vacation activity one can imagine.  Other trips were more about relaxing and getting to know people.  Each time they met they learned to appreciate each other more and more. They were really good together.  But, if they were around each other every day, would they still get along so well?  Or was the magic of their relationship based on the ease one creates on vacation? 

Characters:

Poppy is a woman who knows what she wants.  She strives for the freedom of travel, and doesn't want anything that will tie her down, particularly having children.  Alex is the exact opposite.  He craves  having the ideal family life with a wife and children.  As the book progresses, we learn the reasons behind this.  But they also have a lot in common.  They come from the same area of Ohio, share a similar sense of humor, and are open to learn from each other.

Of the supporting characters, I really liked Poppy's glamorous boss, Swapna.  This is a strong woman who mentors Poppy in her career, even though she is rather intimidating.  I loved a scene where Swapna tells Poppy to stop apologizing for missing work, pointing out that her male colleagues would never feel the need to do that.  We all need this kind of support in our professional life!  

Throughout the book, Poppy and Alex meet a variety of wonderful characters on their trips.  Shopkeepers who give them discounts for pretending to be newlyweds, friendly older couples enjoying life, as well as free spirits, dot the landscape of their journeys.  This is one of the joys of travelling that I love.

Story:

The story is a celebration of friendship, travel and romance.  Poppy and Alex's friendship is unlikely, at first.  But over the years, from college, to first jobs and first romances to becoming more established, Poppy and Alex grow to depend on each other.  Both of them are attracted to each other, but they also don't want to ruin their friendship (Harry and Sally, meet Alex and Poppy).  Over the years the sexual tension builds as they see each other through other relationships.  There are misunderstandings, and almost declarations that keep the reader wondering (hoping) if they'll ever get together.

But the story also brought up some questions for Poppy and Alex that were uncomfortable.  Why is Alex so attached to his family?  Why does Poppy feel the need to get as far away from their small town as possible?  Are they each other's escape, or are they each other's destiny?

What I Was Mixed About:

Sex on the Page:

Sorry, but I am not a fan of graphic sex scenes in books.  That's just my personal preference.    I think since the whole story is a build upon , "will they, or won't they", it was understandable that there would be the big sex moment.  I still loved this book.  But, if you're looking for a "clean" romance, you might want to skip this novel.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: May 11th, 2021

Author:  Emily Henry

Publisher:  Berkley Books

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Page Length:  384 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun reminder of why we love vacations!  This would make a great summer read.