Summary
People We Meet on Vacation is a captivating romance novel by Emily Henry that skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists upon its release in 2021. This heartwarming story of friendship, love, and self-discovery resonated with readers worldwide.
The novel follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends with contrasting personalities who embark on annual summer vacations together. Henry's masterful storytelling and witty dialogue have drawn comparisons to classic romantic comedies, with Kirkus Reviews hailing it as a “warm and winning When Harry Met Sally update.” The book's exploration of early-30s uncertainty and personal growth adds depth to its charming premise.
Netflix and Sony Pictures are set to produce the movie, with Tom Blyth and Emily Bader cast as Alex and Poppy. Filming began in New Orleans in fall 2024, with the premiere scheduled for 2025.
Plot
People We Meet on Vacation follows best friends Poppy and Alex, who are polar opposites. Poppy is a free-spirited wanderer living in New York City, while Alex is a reserved homebody residing in their small hometown. Despite their differences, they've maintained a tradition of taking an annual week-long vacation together for a decade.
Two years prior to the story's main events, something went terribly wrong during their trip to Croatia, causing a rift in their friendship. They haven't spoken since. Poppy, now feeling stuck in a rut despite having her dream job as a travel writer, realizes her happiest moments were during those vacations with Alex.
Determined to salvage their friendship, Poppy convinces Alex to take one last trip together to Palm Springs. She hopes this getaway will allow them to mend their relationship and address the underlying issues that have always existed between them. Alex agrees, giving Poppy a week to make things right.
As they embark on their journey, Poppy and Alex revisit memories from their past trips, confront their personal struggles, and slowly unravel the events that led to their falling out in Croatia. Throughout the vacation, they must navigate their complex emotions and the unspoken truth that has always lingered in their seemingly perfect friendship.
Themes
The power of friendship
The evolution of relationships over time
The conflict between wanderlust and stability
Overcoming past mistakes and misunderstandings
Self-discovery and personal growth
The importance of communication in relationships
Finding happiness and fulfillment in life choices
Setting
Set in the contemporary era, People We Meet on Vacation primarily unfolds across various vacation destinations that Poppy and Alex visit over the course of a decade. The story's geographical scope is expansive, spanning from their small Midwestern hometown to exotic locales around the world.
New York City serves as a crucial backdrop, being Poppy's current residence and the place where she works as a travel writer. In contrast, Alex remains rooted in their unnamed small hometown, likely in Ohio or Indiana, creating a stark contrast between urban and rural American settings.
The novel's pivotal moments occur during the characters' annual vacations. These trips take readers on a journey through diverse locations, from domestic hotspots to international destinations.
Characters
Poppy Wright: The main protagonist, a travel writer in her early 30s living in New York City. Poppy is outgoing, adventurous, and has an insatiable wanderlust. She struggles with feeling stuck in her life despite having her dream job. Poppy's happiness is closely tied to her friendship and annual vacations with Alex.
Alex Nilsen: Poppy's best friend and the deuteragonist, an English teacher in his 30s living in their small hometown. Alex is introverted, prefers stability, and enjoys staying home with a book. He's described as Poppy's opposite in many ways, yet they share a deep, complex friendship. Their relationship is central to the story's narrative and emotional core.
Rachel Krohn: Poppy's best friend in New York, a social media influencer and artist. Rachel encourages Poppy to reconnect with Alex when she's feeling lost and unhappy.
Sarah Torval: Alex's on-and-off girlfriend who also teaches at his school. She plays a role in Alex and Poppy's complicated relationship dynamic.
Swapna Bakshi-Highsmith: Poppy's boss at the travel magazine. She's described as stylish and meticulous, serving as a role model for Poppy in her career.
Quick facts
The book was published under the title You and Me on Vacation in the UK and Australia.
It became a New York Times bestseller shortly after its release in May 2021.
The story spans ten years of summer vacations between the two main characters.
Emily Henry wrote the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic when most people couldn't travel.
The book received starred reviews from both Library Journal and Kirkus.
It won the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance in 2021.
A film adaptation was announced in October 2022, with Brett Haley attached to direct.
The novel has been compared to the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally.
About the Author
Emily Henry is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her popular romance novels. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she attended Hope College on a creative writing scholarship. Henry's career took off with the publication of her debut young adult novel The Love That Split the World in 2016, but it was her transition to adult romance that catapulted her to literary stardom.
Henry's breakout adult romance novel, Beach Read, was published in 2020 to widespread acclaim. This success was followed by a string of bestsellers including People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, and Happy Place. Her books have been featured in numerous publications and have collectively sold over 2.4 million copies as of March 2023.
The author's work has gained significant attention from the film industry. Several of her novels have been optioned for on-screen adaptations, with People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read already in development. Henry's writing style has been noted for blending elements of rom-com and chick lit genres while focusing on themes of respect and love.
Currently residing in Cincinnati and the neighboring part of Kentucky, Henry continues to captivate readers with her storytelling. Her latest novel, Funny Story, was published in April 2024, and fans eagerly await her sixth adult romance, Great Big Beautiful Life, set for release in April 2025. Henry's work has also been recognized with multiple Goodreads Choice Awards in the Best Romance category.
