Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

 

Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of an heiress with more than a few plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

When Margaret Ives, the famously reclusive heiress, invites eternal optimist Alice Scott to the balmy Little Crescent Island, Alice knows this is it: her big break. And even more rare: a chance to impress her family with a Serious Publication.

The catch? Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud, Hayden Anderson, is sure of the same thing.

The proposal? A one-month trial period to unearth the truth behind one of the most scandalous families of the 20th Century, after which she’ll choose who’ll tell her story.

The problem? Margaret is only giving each of them tantalising pieces. Pieces they can’t 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.

I have only recently discovered Emily Henry but I have been slowly working my way through her backlist with Funny Story being my stand out favourite so I was looking forward to reading her new upcoming release Great Big Beautiful Life.

I have to admit this is the first one of this authors books that I actually found quite hard to get into. The first half of this book really didn't grip my attention and I nearly DNF the book but I am glad I persevered because the book definitely picked up in the second half. 

As we have come to know with Emily Henry books they usually centre on two main characters, which in this case would be Alice and Hayden and I was really interested in these characters as they competed to win the contract of writing Margaret's book. The story kept pulling me away from them both to tell Margaret's story but in all honesty I wanted to spend more time with Alice and Hayden! 

The second half of the book we not only get to spend more time with them both but I also found my interest in Margaret's story begin grow too as things began to tally up and make a little more sense. 

There are many situations that are quite sensitive and many of the characters are all struggling with situations that have now shaped who they are today. What I did love was the unpredictable revelation that I didn't suspect at all. There are a few light spicy scenes but this fits well with the storyline so it had its place.

This felt very different to her other books and although it isn't a favourite of mine it was still a good read, just be patient while the story builds.

Available in Hardback or Kindle HERE

Funny Story by Emily Henry

 

Daphne always loved the way Peter told their story.

That is until it became the prologue to his actual love story with his childhood bestie, Petra.

Which is how Daphne ends up rooming with her total opposite and the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra's ex, Miles.

As expected, it’s not a match made in heaven – that is until one night, while tossing back tequilas, they form a plan.

And if it involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex . . . right?

One of my 2025 reading goals I set myself this year was to try books by three authors one of those being Emily Henry. I didn't have a clue which one to start with so I walked in the bookshop and picked up the first one I saw which happened to be Funny Story. 

Having just finished this book I can now see why so many people are rating these books so highly because Emily Henry has such an easy reading writing style that picks you up and sweeps you away in a storyline full of friendships and romance.

Daphne and Miles are in the most awful situation with their ex's dumping them for each other and now with nowhere else to go Daphne moves in with Miles and ok there is a predictable feeling as to what the outcome was going to be but this didn't dampen the enjoyment of the storyline. 

Daphne was such a relatable character and what I loved more than anything was watching this woman who feels like she has lost everything actually realise she has never had anything because she has always lived for other people and now with the help of Miles and her new friend Ashleigh she begins to actually blossom and learn what it is that she really wants to enrich her life. So often in these sorts of books it is always the woman that has struggles but it was nice to see in this book that Miles has his demons too which has shaped who he is and this just made me love his character even more. The romance that slowly burns is a great addition too and I was routing for a happy ending.

Alongside the new friendships made and romance crackling there is also discovery, healing and cutting off toxic people that have a negative effect. It's not all deep and depressing though there are also plenty of humorous moments and a light spice too.

I loved this book and will certainly be picking up another book by Emily Henry in the near future.

Available to buy here