We Read the New Emily Henry So You Don’t Have To (Here’s What to Read Instead)

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

In this episode of What to Read Next, Laura is joined by guest Amy (from @novelgossip) to chat all things Emily Henry—specifically, what to read if you’ve already devoured her entire backlist and need your next fix of smart, emotional, and heartwarming romance. The duo also spills the tea on ARC drama, library hacks, and why Big Beautiful Life might not live up to the hype. Plus, they share six excellent book recommendations (and one bonus pick!) that offer the same emotional payoff and vibrant settings as your favorite Emily Henry novels.

📚 Books Recommended/Mentioned

• Passion Project by London Sperry https://amzn.to/3Eshxyf
• Summer in the City by Alex Aster https://amzn.to/3Y9vN5y
• Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine https://amzn.to/3YbTVoa
• Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone https://amzn.to/4d1DZex
• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan https://amzn.to/4is6Nxw
• Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan https://amzn.to/3Gj18wB
• Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (discussed) https://amzn.to/4jGGHbb
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (comparison mention) https://amzn.to/4jNstFM

⏱️ Time Stamps

[00:00] Welcome and weather chat: cold in Arizona, gators in Florida

[02:30] Emily Henry ARC discourse & behind-the-scenes on influencer drama

[08:00] Library hacks: how to access books without ARCs

[09:00] Spoiler-free review of Big Beautiful Life and why it didn’t work

[14:00] What to read instead: intro to alternative author picks

[15:00] Passion Project by Bethany Rutter — grief, NYC, friends to lovers

[17:00] Summer in the City — classic NYC vibes, fake dating, and grand gestures

[21:00] Any Trope But You — Alaska setting, one-tent trope, romance author chaos

[24:30] Plug for the Spice & Swoon Book Club

[26:00] Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone — slow burn romance in Brooklyn

[30:00] Bonus picks: Annabel Monaghan’s summer novels

[31:30] Where to find Amy online + closing remarks

Join the Conversation

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Watch Novel Hour Live on Thursdays on YouTube at 12 PM ET.

Follow & Subscribe: What to...