By Book Club Team 
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is an opposites-attract romance that follows the story of Poppy and Alex, two best friends who couldn’t be more different. For over a decade, they have shared summer vacations together each year despite their contrasting personalities: Poppy, outgoing and adventurous, and Alex, introverted and practical. But then, two years ago, something happened that ruined their friendship. To patch things up now, Poppy persuades Alex to take one final trip with her. Pressured by memories and lingering emotions, they will have to resolve if the love they had is worth fighting for.
| Author | Emily Henry |
| Publication date | May 11, 2021 |
| Goodreads Rating | 3,86 |
| Page count | 364 page |
| Genres | Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Chick Lit, Romance, Adult Fiction, Travel, New Adult |
People We Meet on Vacation Summary
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is a novel of honest, witty, and emotionally deep dimensions, about love, friendship, and how people relate to each other. The story revolves around Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen, complete opposites who formed an unlikely bond during a car ride home in college. Although they were quite different, with Poppy being fun-loving, adventurous, and extroverted, while Alex was more introverted and in love with routine, they turned out to be inseparable best friends.
For over a decade, Poppy and Alex have been the very best of friends, always taking a summer vacation together, going different places, and setting their friendship in cement. These summers are the highlight of Poppy’s life, and even though they get older and their lives pull them in different directions-Poppy pursuing a glamorous travel-writing life and Alex settling as a teacher in their small hometown-they always make time for the trips.
But on one of these vacations-two years before the timeline of the present story-something went wrong, and their friendship was fractured. They haven’t spoken since, and the emptiness is deeply felt in Poppy’s heart as she realizes that she hasn’t been truly happy since they drifted apart.
Determined to fix things, Poppy reaches out to Alex and persuades him to take one last trip with her, hoping to fix their friendship and figure out where it went wrong. The film flashes between their past vacations through flashbacks and the current-day trip as it gradually unwraps the history of their bond, the awkwardness of reunion, and feelings that have been simmering beneath the surface all this time.
With all the complicated feelings, reminiscing of old memories, and unspoken tension between them, Poppy and Alex must face their emotions-whether the relationship should stay platonic or if they are willing to take a risk for love, maybe losing the friendship. The journey takes them to some of the most beautiful locations, really awkward moments, heartfelt conversations, and them getting closer than ever.
Ultimately, People We Meet on Vacation is not only a romance but an unraveling of just what makes us truly happy, embracing the beauty in risk, and how love tends to be discovered in very, very unexpected places. This book is one that, with the relatability of characters, witty banter, and super emotional moments, just lingers in your heart way past that last page.
Is People We Meet on Vacation Book Spicy?
People We Meet on Vacation isn’t terribly spicy, but the moments of it are sweetly romantic or emotionally intense. More focal within this story is how Poppy and Alex emotionally react to each other-that wonderful, tenuous build-up toward them confronting their feelings rather than steamy sexual relations. A few well-placed, intimate scenes add to a deep connection, but never going in too hard in explicating the obvious.
If you’re looking for a romance that balances heartfelt storytelling, witty banter, and a touch of spice, this book strikes that sweet spot. It’s more about the build-up and the emotional payoff than anything overly physical. Perfect for readers who enjoy chemistry and vulnerability without things getting too heavy in the spice department!
People We Meet on Vacation: Age Rating
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is generally recommended for readers aged 16 and up. The book contains some mature themes, including romantic and emotional relationships, mild language, and a few intimate scenes, but these moments are handled tastefully and aren’t overly explicit.
People We Meet on Vacation Characters
Emily Henry does a phenomenal job creating two characters who feel real, flawed, and deeply lovable, making readers root for them to find happiness—together or apart.
Poppy Wright
- Personality: Poppy is an extroverted, adventurous, and fun-loving travel writer. She thrives on spontaneity, new experiences, and connecting with people. Despite her outwardly vibrant personality, Poppy struggles with feeling truly content and grounded in her life.
- Role: She’s one half of the best-friend duo and the narrator of the story. Poppy drives much of the plot as she attempts to reconnect with Alex and repair their fractured friendship.
- Strengths: Energetic, charismatic, and deeply loyal to the people she loves.
- Flaws: Poppy sometimes avoids confronting her deeper emotions, which leads to internal conflicts and relationship challenges.
Alex Nilsen
- Personality: Alex is introverted, reserved, and practical. He’s a high school English teacher who prefers stability and routine over adventure. While he seems stoic, he has a soft and caring side that’s especially evident with Poppy.
- Role: The other half of the duo, Alex serves as the grounded counterbalance to Poppy’s chaotic energy. His hidden feelings and quiet strength are central to their dynamic.
- Strengths: Dependable, thoughtful, and quietly funny.
- Flaws: Hesitant to take risks, often holding back his emotions and desires out of fear of disrupting the status quo.
Supporting Characters
- Rachel: Poppy’s quirky coworker and occasional confidante. She brings humor and lightness to Poppy’s professional life as a travel writer.
- Poppy’s Family: Her loud and loving family provides background on her upbringing and why she seeks adventure. They contrast with Alex’s quieter, more reserved family dynamic.
- Alex’s Family: His relationship with his brothers and their shared history in their small hometown add layers to Alex’s personality and his struggle to open up.
Dynamic Between Poppy and Alex
The heart of the book is their relationship, which evolves from unlikely college friends to inseparable best friends and eventually something more. Their differences highlight the saying “opposites attract,” and their shared love of their annual vacations brings depth and connection to their bond.
People We Meet on Vacation Review
People We Meet on Vacation is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and slow-burn romance, ideal for readers who love emotional storytelling with lovable characters. While it’s not groundbreaking in terms of plot, it excels at delivering a heartfelt and memorable love story. Fans of contemporary romance and travel-inspired stories will adore this book!
Pros
- Engaging Characters: Poppy and Alex are wonderfully developed and feel relatable. Their differences create a dynamic, opposites-attract chemistry that’s hard to resist.
- Witty Banter: The dialogue is sharp, funny, and perfectly captures the quirks of a close friendship. It adds lightness even in emotional moments.
- Slow-Burn Romance: The gradual build-up of their relationship creates incredible emotional payoff, making it deeply satisfying.
- Dual Timeline: The story alternates between past vacations and the present, adding layers of depth while slowly revealing their history.
- Emotional Depth: Beyond the romance, the book explores themes like personal happiness, self-discovery, and taking risks, making it more than just a love story.
- Travel Vibes: Each vacation is vividly described, making the settings feel like an extra character in the story. Perfect for readers who love travel-inspired romance.
Cons
- Predictable Plot: As with many romance novels, the trajectory of the story is fairly predictable, especially for seasoned romance readers.
- Slow Pacing at Times: Some readers might feel the dual timeline drags in certain places, especially when you’re eager to see what happens in the present.
- Limited Side Characters: The focus is almost entirely on Poppy and Alex, with few side characters leaving a strong impression, which may make the world feel small.
- Low Spice Level: While some might consider this a pro, readers who prefer steamier romances may find the physical aspects of Poppy and Alex’s relationship understated.
- Emotional Overload: For readers not drawn to introspective, emotion-driven narratives, Poppy’s internal monologues might feel a bit heavy at times.