Great Big Beautiful Life

De: Emily Henry

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping novel from Emily Henry.

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Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.

©2025 Emily Henry (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Readers can count on Em-Hen to transport them to a kinder, sunnier, and funnier galaxy where happy endings can be counted on . . . Henry’s magic elixir, it seems, is to return again and again to a simple boy-meets-girl formula while writing textured novels populated with vivid characters that never feel formulaic: she takes us back to a time when we believed, with all our being, that love conquers all.”—The Boston Globe

“A sweeping love story about the choices we make and the threads that knit us together. Thoughtful, moving, and deliciously tender. Emily Henry is as captivating as ever. I love everything she does.”—B.K. Borison, New York Times bestselling author of First Time Caller

“A true joy. Playful, fun, and virtuosically plotted, Great Big Beautiful Life is a novel about life's winding paths and dangerous dead-ends—and the way that love can lead us out of the labyrinth.”—Kaliane Bradley, New York Times bestselling author of The Ministry of Time

Gripping from beginning to end

I devoured this audiobook. Loved the depth of characters, its setting, and the performance of the narrators.

A story within a story

This is by far my favorite Emily Henry book. The story within a story added a level of complexity and mystery. I can’t wait for her next book.

And Julia Whalen, the perfect voice actor for this one.

Another treasure from our girl

What wasn’t to love? I’m here for not only Emily but also for Julia. These two are a power team that is unmatched. I sobbed (I don’t cry with many books) about a handful of times… and idk… maybe it’s where I am in my own life timeline, but this story struck a goddamned nerve. It was a perfect balance of everything that makes a great story. At the core, it’s a love story…. Covering different forms of love. But is was so much more. I love all EH books, but this one… THIS ONE HIT DIFFERENT. I was ill prepared. I’ll be thinning about this one for a long time.

Not a romcom - reminds me of Evelyn Hugo too much

Meh. Not what I expected from EH … it’s ok. There is no comedy in this one, the romance factor is a subplot … I listened while waiting for my BN edition … no less than 4x I found myself thinking I was listening to Evelyn Hugo.
Julia always 5 star narrator. Without her I would of DNF

I really enjoyed this book

This book has historical fiction plot and the romance isn't front and center. beginning, I found myself wanting to skip ahead to Hayden & Alice parts but after a while I really got into Margaret's story as well. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could as it was a bit slow in the beginning and the ending seemed a bit rushed.

Overall, I loved reading & listening to this.

Ps - I've seen other reviews that have compared Margaret's story to Evelyn Hugo. I haven't read that book so this story by EM read as original to me. I loved the combination of historical fiction with romance. Bravo Emily 👏👏👏

Julia Whalen is QUEEN

Honestly just really love Julia’s voice. She kills it in everything that she records.

Overall, this story was good. It kept me hooked and I didn’t see the whole plot twist!

One of her best yet!

I LOVED this book so much! I think k this might be one of Emily Henry's best books. Amazing narration! One of my absolute favorite narrators. This book is wonderful! I couldn't stop listening! Enjoy!

Best E.H. Book yet!

As a huge fan. I love romcom books but since most are predictable; I tend to get bored of them.
THIS WAS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE!!
Love it so much!!

I f***ing LOVED this book, thank you Emily & Julia

I was shocked once I finished the audiobook that I’ve been seeing low 4 stars - this book had everything for me! Maybe it’s bc I am also an obnoxiously optimistic person as well but I loved it so much. I loved the suspense and twist. Thank you Emily!! And Julia - as always - you made parts that wouldn’t have made me tear up or get butterflies with other narrators do just that. Ps. I think I’m only attracted to Julia’s “man voice “, real men readers voices never make me get goosebumps or butterflies like hers does LOL

So Much More Than a Romance!

I am a huge fan of Emily Henry’s, partly because her stories are so rich and layered. There is a great romance at the heart of them, but they’re really about what it means to be human, to be part of a family, and to have friends. This book has almost two whole stories in one, and it’s amazing how they each add depth to the other. Julia Whelan is also the best American narrator working today. It’s easy to visualize each of the characters to whom she lends her voice. You will definitely enjoy this story. I only wish it didn’t have to end.