Great Big Beautiful Life: Reese's Book Club

Bookseller recommendation

“Writers Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson are traveling to Little Crescent Island, where the heiress to a legendarily scandalous family has exiled herself. Scott and Anderson must compete with each other for the right to tell her story, and at the same time manage their growing desire to be with one another. Emily Henry’s witty writing style and readable, smart romances (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation) make this one of the highly anticipated books of the summer. ”

— Ana • Bookshop Santa Cruz

Bookseller recommendation

“If Emily Henry writes it, I’m going to read it!! Two rival journalists, Alice and Hayden are invited to compete for the opportunity to write Margaret Ives story after she’s been out of the public’s view and in hiding for years. They’ll be required to stay on the island for a month interviewing her and writing up their proposals. But as secrets start to unfold they discover they might be getting different stories but are unable to discuss the interviews with each other because of the NDA they signed. The story has snippets of historical fiction woven throughout as Margaret’s family story is shared and secrets are revealed. Hayden and Alice quickly go from rivals to attraction for each other but they can’t act on their feelings so a tender friendship develops with the romance! I LOVED the romance! Julia Whelan narrates the audiobook and I find myself wondering if there ever could be a bad story that she’s narrating. She always nails the characters and emotion of the story! ”

— Jodi • The Book Shelf

Bookseller recommendation

“A delightful, believable love story. It's a story within a story, really. A gentle, lovely, feel good book.”

— Darci • Prologue. Books & Wine

Bookseller recommendation

“Emily Henry is only capable of writing stunning, deeply reaching and deeply felt novels, and this is no exception. Ending my listening experience in tears and will be reflecting on everything this story meant for a long time. This was so different than her other books, with elements of mystery and what feels like historical fiction alongside the romance plot. All of it connects in such a beautiful way. Loved it. ”

— Amy • Book Ends

Bookseller recommendation

“Romance, surprises, secret family revelations, skilled writers, and a picture-perfect ending—what more could you ask for? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I truly adored this!”

— Jess • Portals in Pages

Bookseller recommendation

“Emily Henry has mastered the art of building tension, and stretching it like taffy. Knowing someone is into you and you are into them is often just an acknowledgement before the main event, and luxuriating in the sensation is truly a treat. This whole book is dessert. Not to sneak diss, but in a world of predictably structured wide open door, smash cut, fade to blinding neon light, no build up, immediately resolved sexual tension, and then subsequent plot based on and around unpacking and DTR convos, this felt extremely refreshing. Also, Julia Whelan crushed it on the audiobook, my god. As usual, I need to cast this movie (limited series probably i mean let's get real), and it does seem that Jacob Elordi and Elizabeth Debicki could pull this off height wise, though I actually think if we go full unkowns it would hit harder, while casting a well known celeb a la Meryl or Patricia Clarkson (!!) to play Margaret would work well. ”

— Nyawira • Page 158 Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A story within a story and a love story that transcends the typical romance - how does EmHen do it?! A Great Big Beautiful Life differs from Henry's previous novels in that it is so much more than just a love story; if anything, the romance is a side character, but it has all of EmHen's charm, witty and loveable characters, and an emotional story that pulls on your heartstrings while also instilling a sense of hope. This story was unexpected and deeply profound; Henry keeps surprising me with every book! As always, Julia Whelan does a beautiful job narrating the audiobook. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook on Libro.fm!”

— Anna Rose • The Well-Read Moose

Bookseller recommendation

“I loved the surprises with each character along the way. The end was not to be missed. It was quite steamy too! ”

— Carrie • Interabang Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A heartwarming story that includes falling in love ( with some spicy scenes) and discovery of true self. Emily Henry delivers again!”

— Mary Kate • Bank Square Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Emily told us, when she announced this book, that it is not like her others. And she's right. It's so much more. It's truly great, truly big, truly beautiful. A dozen big lives created, molded, interwoven around each other in this one book made up of several stories. An exploration of love and the way it builds us, how the people we come from live in us, how our decisions matter, and sometimes don't. How the truth is not just limited to one thing, or two, or three, but maybe all of it. All at once. It is wonderful to love Emily Henry's writing, because she captures the human experience so well that you cannot help but feel like she is cutting you open to bury herself inside. This book is a trip, it's a comfort, it's a joy and an ache. There was not a single moment where I did not sit here thinking, "I love this book". ”

— Paola • Steamy Lit

Bookseller recommendation

“Loved the story line and plot twist ”

— Daniela • Dani’s Bookshelf & More

Bookseller recommendation

“Two stories in one in a perfect place. ”

— Tammy • Lake Country Books and Gifts