Ranking Emily Henry’s 5 Most Recent Novels

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Emily Henry has taken the literary world by storm. She has definitively solidified herself as a mainstay author in contemporary romance fiction. When browsing through TikTok creators most recommended lists, it’s rare to find one where her books are completely absent.

Her success stems from her unique ability to blend heartfelt emotions with lighthearted humour, creating a distinctive style that resonates with many readers. Let’s explore a few key factors that contribute to her success:

  • Witty Dialogue: she has a true talent and finesse for engaging, clever dialogue that adds a layer of charm to her stories. The sharp wit not only entertains the reader, but deepens the character relationships, making the narrative overall more enjoyable.
  • Relatable Characters: the protagonist in her novels grapple with real-life issues like career struggles and difficult family dynamics, making them relatable to a wide audience. You can often empathize with her protagonists as they exhibit real-life experiences.
  • Themes of Growth: Henry’s novels explore themes of self-discovery, healing and the complexities of modern relationships. A focus on personal growth in a protagonist resonates with readers that are searching for more than just a typical romance.
  • Emotional Depth: While her novels are meant to be lighthearted and comforting reads, they also dive into deeper emotional territory. Tackling issues like grief, family trauma and the pressure of adulthood. This balance of light and heavy themes makes her stories feel substantial and are easy to sink your teeth into.

Hopefully I have convinced you to try out an Emily Henry novel. To help you pick out your first, I’m going to rank her five most recent titles and give you my personal opinions on each. Caution: my ranking may differ from others.

1. Happy Place

I absolutely loved this novel. The characters come to life and you feel like you’re a fly on the wall. The novels centers on Harriet and Wyn. They were one a perfect couple, but secretly have been broken up for months and have to disclose this information to their circle of friends. Despite their separation, they both agree to attend an annual weeklong vacation with the aforementioned circle of friends at a cherished beach house in Maine. In an attempt to salvage an enjoyable trip, they pretend to still be together. As the week unfolds, Harriet and Wyn are forced to confront their individual struggles and the reasons behind their split.

2. Book Lovers

This was my first Henry read and I completely fell in love with the characters witty repartee. In my opinion, this novel has the best dialogue of all five on this list. The novel centers Nora Stephens, a high-powered, fiercely driven literary agent who thrives in the fast paced world of New York City. While on a month-long getaway to Sunshine Falls with her sister, she repeatedly runs into Charlie Lastra. He’s a brooding and cynical book editor she’s had a rocky professional history with. What starts off as antagonistic banter, slowly evolves into an electric and emotionally complex connection.

3. Funny Story

This is Henry’s most recent novel on this list and it’s a very fun read. The novel follows Daphne Vincent, who finds herself in a small town called Waning Bay after a devastating breakup. She becomes roommates with Miles Nowak, her ex-fiance’s new partner’s ex-boyfriend. Yes, it is quite the situation. The two agree to a fake dating arrangement in order to attend their exes wedding with dignity. However, their playful ruse deepens into genuine affection, forcing them to confront their vulnerabilities and past hurts.

4. People We Meet On Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation is the ultimate “friends to lovers” narrative trope. The story follow Poppy and Alex, polar opposites who have been best friends since college. Every summer, they go on vacation together, until an incident two years prior creates a rift between them. Feeling stuck in life, Poppy convinces Alex to join her for one last summertime trip in an attempt to mend their broken friendship. Throughout the vacation, old tensions and unspoken feelings come to the surface, forcing them to confront their true emotions.

5. Beach Read

All right, so I put Beach Read at the bottom because I bought into the characters the least. And that doesn’t seem to be the case for most Emily Henry fans. The story follow January Andrews, a romance novelist grappling with writer’s block and personal loss. She moves into her late father’s beach house. She finds that her neighbour is Augustus Everett, a cynical literary fiction writer and former college rival. Both struggling with writer’s block, they strike a deal to swap genres. January will attempt literary fiction and Gus will try romance. As they dive into each other’s worlds, the pairs spends more time together and discover surprising truths about life, love and themselves.

And the best news of all! Henry is releasing a new novel April 22, 2025. It’s called Great Big Beautiful Life and I’m so excited to read it.

 

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