I’m still trying to get my sister to read this one, so I can get properly coherent about why I felt so uncomfortable with the ending of this one. I’m going to spoil it, so I can talk it through with myself.
If you haven’t read Happy Place as yet, please stop now.
I found this equally captivating and infuriating.
Emily Henry knows a good love story. I was 100% engaged in Harriet and Wynn’s story. From the setting to the reconciliation, everything about this was a top shelf rom com.
Except.
However.
There’s a good reason for them to break up. Wynn’s mental health needed the breather after his dad’s death, and long distance wasn’t workable over the long term.
And then. I fucking HATE IT when the female lead gives up her high powered life and job to go and live in small town America with the guy. Everyone hates that, right? This is a trope that Henry has made fun of her own self. And it just doesn’t matter to me how well told the reasoning behind the decision is. It doesn’t matter if it’s a blessed relief to see both leads as whole people with equally detailed needs and lives.
There is no way around Harriet giving up on being a Dr that doesn’t make me side eye the whole thing.
MAYBE if she’d gotten through her residency and schooling, so she wasn’t making this call during an incredible stressful period that wasn’t representative of the career path as a long term option? Maybe. I’d probably still side eye it.
I still loved parts of it? I still wanted them to find a way. I just don’t think I can get behind this being the way.