A Complete Guide to Emily Henry’s Romance Books: Her Tropes, Adaptations & More
Whether you’re embarking on a pre-movie People We Meet on Vacation reread or want to jump into the EmHen universe for the first time, it’s always a good time to read an Emily Henry book.
Here at Swooon, we’re massive Emily Henry fans. That’s why, leading up to the release of Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation adaptation on January 9, we’ve crafted a complete guide to Emily Henry’s romance novels, spanning from her 2020 release of Beach Read to her most recent novel, Great Big Beautiful Life. This comprehensive guide is complete with (spoiler-free) plot summaries, key tropes, and adaptation statuses. Don’t get us wrong, all the EmHen love stories are phenomenal, but we all have our favorites.
Scroll to find out everything you need to know about Emily Henry’s six romance novels.
People We Meet on Vacation, Streaming, January 9, 2026, Netflix
Beach Read
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for anyone going through it right now.
Beach Read follows January, a romance author who’s fallen into a bit of a rut. Disillusioned by love, January moves to her father’s beach house, which conveniently lies next door to brooding literary fiction author August, who’s going through some writer’s block of his own. Together, the unlikely duo strikes up a deal to get back their creativity by switching genres. As Henry puts it, “Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.”
Main Characters: January Andrews and Augustus Everett
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, small town, forced proximity, opposites attract
Adaptation Status: In development at 20th Century Studios, with Yulin Kuang set to write and direct.
People We Meet on Vacation
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for all the yearners out there.
Poppy has been in love with Alex ever since they met as freshmen in college. But now, after a decade of epic vacations together, Poppy and Alex are not on speaking terms. With one final vacation and their entire relationship on the line, Poppy and Alex travel together to his younger brother’s wedding. Could Alex really be her soulmate, or has their will-they-won’t-they friendship finally come to an end?
Main Characters: Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen
Tropes: Friends-to-lovers, slowburn, there’s only one bed, opposites attract
Adaptation Status: Coming to Netflix on January 9, 2026. Find out all about the Emily Bader and Tom Blyth-led movie here!
Book Lovers
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for anyone who’s ever been likened to an ice queen.
As a cutthroat literary agent, Nora’s life is anything but a romance novel until she travels to Sunshine Falls with her sister. Determined to find her own main character moment, Nora sets out to find her small town meet-cute, only to be reunited with her editorial rival, Charlie. Could they subvert the genre, or will their love story hit its last chapter before it’s even begun?
Main Characters: Nora Stephens and Charlie Lastra
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, small town, workplace rivalry
Adaptation Status: In development at Tango Entertainment, with Sarah Heyward set to write.
Happy Place
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for anyone who won’t admit that they’re still in love with their ex.
Harriet and Wyn were seemingly the perfect couple — until they broke up without telling their best friends. During their friend group’s last hurrah at their favorite vacation spot, the exes are forced to confront what went wrong in their romance.
Main Characters: Harriet Kilpatrick and Wyn Connor
Tropes: Second chance, fake dating, there’s only one bed, forced proximity
Adaptation Status: In development as a Netflix series, produced by Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions.
Funny Story
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for anyone who’s ever had a crush on Shaggy from Scooby Doo.
After her fiancé, Peter, leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra, Daphne moves in with Petra’s boyfriend, Miles. When Miles and Daphne get an invite to their exes’ wedding, the unlikely duo finds themselves RSVPing as a couple. But it’s just for show… Who would actually fall for their ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex?
Main Characters: Daphne Vincent and Miles Nowak
Tropes: Second chance, fake dating, there’s only one bed, forced proximity
Adaptation Status: In development at Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company, written by Emily Henry.
Great Big Beautiful Life
Emily Henry
The best EmHen book for anyone who religiously listens to true crime podcasts.
When Alice is called to write the biography of reclusive heiress Margaret Ives, she is absolutely thrilled. That is, until she finds out that Pulitzer-Prize-winning biographer Hayden is also up for the job. Throughout their month-long trial period, both Alice and Hayden try to win over Margaret and uncover the truth between the lines of her life story.
Main Characters: Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson
Tropes: Historical romance, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, small town
Adaptation Status: No news yet, but if anyone’s looking for a casting team, we’ve drafted our own dream cast.
