Emily Henry’s second book of her summer trilogy You and Me on Vacation is here and is a lovely, simple friends-to-lovers novel.
Poppy and Alex, two best friends, met at college twelve years ago and have since had one summer holiday a year together. Yet two summers ago, their friendship turned into something more and they haven’t really spoken since. You and Me on Vacation follow Poppy’s quest to win Alex’s friendship back, but can she win something more?
One thing I liked about this novel was the switching between times. I don’t normally enjoy texts that seem to time hop, but this one worked. Told from the perspective of Poppy, we revisit every summer holiday that she and Alex have had as friends.
During this, Poppy also reveals how her current holiday with Alex is going in California as the two prepare for Alex’s brother’s wedding. The shifting in time worked as a way of explaining exactly what Poppy and Alex have been through and how they got to the point they’re at. It has you rooting for the pair of them much more when you know their history.
Who are the characters in You and Me on Vacation?
Poppy and Alex themselves are unique characters. Poppy is a New York City-based travel writer who loves holidays and meeting new people. Alex is an English teacher in their hometown, who isn’t the spontaneous type at all. Both have their inner complexities too. Poppy was bullied at school and hates their hometown.
Alex’s mother died and he feels a gravitational pull to their hometown. On paper, the pair do not seem to make sense. Yet, their understanding of one another means they’re perfect for each other. Henry makes it explicitly clear that Alex and Poppy are the only ones that can fully understand each other. Once again, you’re left rooting for them.
It’s a 4/5 from me
So why, when I finished this book, did I feel slightly disappointed? I’m a self-professed rom-com lover, but this book fell flat for me. Well, it’s a slow burner.
This book is set over 12 years, and while it’s great to know what happened between Alex and Poppy in that time, it is a very long time. At some points in the novel, it feels like Poppy’s reminiscing could be replaced with some tension between herself and Alex.
In some places, it didn’t feel like Poppy and Alex were as well matched as they’re portrayed to be. They certainly have chemistry and there is the tension building up between the pair, but towards the end of the novel, they seem somewhat mismatched.
Just as their reunion is meant to happen, they collide with each other in a way that seems different to the rest of the novel. Alex and Poppy seem to almost swap personalities, and it doesn’t entirely make sense.
Without any spoilers, the ending didn’t feel as coherent as I hoped. Because of that, You and Me on Vacation get a 4/5 from me.
It’s a perfect summer read and does what it needs to do. Only on a close analysis would you find any flaws.