The somewhat definitive ranking of Emily Henry’s novels

Even though the pandemic and the rise of BookTok have given the romance genre a new lease of life, Henry stands out for her mainstream, even upscale, appeal. (One sure sign of that: Since Happy Place in 2023, her publisher has been releasing her work in hardcover, a more expensive format.) Her books have become the go-to for friends looking for something funny but not silly—think middle-class America’s Nora Ephron. The female protagonist is sharp and likable, working her dream job; so is her lover, who is reliable and kind and probably goes to therapy regularly; the setting is usually a picturesque, semi-remote location that forces her out of her old lifestyle; the plot offers a deliberate but not too jarring twist on a classic romance novel setup.

Each of Henry’s novels shot straight to the top of the bestseller lists. But although her work is extremely likeable, readers argue fiercely about which book is the best.

After much internal debate, here is the Book World staff’s overall rating (with some of our individual assessments of the novels):

Henry’s 2021 novel has an entertaining structure: the romance unfolds over 10 trips of two best friends, Alex and Poppy, who have been traveling together since college. The problem is that the years-long plot really overstretches the emotional arc. Romance novels always make you a little impatient for the characters just kiss, but here the longing is repeated and thus becomes kitsch. — Sophia Nguyen

If this were my personal list, this book would be at the top. With the caveat that part of my fondness for this book comes from the fact that it was my introduction to the world of romance novels, basically everything about People We Meet on Vacation feels like a delicious, layered Ferrero Rocher chocolate. As you chart the evolution of Poppy and Alex’s friendship, you reveal the central mystery: why did they lose touch? What a glorious contrast in texture! How much you enjoy this book may depend on whether you find their relationship charming or cloyingly cute. Admittedly, even I, a staunch member of Team Charming, have my doubts that Poppy and Alex will be happy together in 10 years. But I love that the more you learn about their shared past, the better you can understand their current dynamic. –Rachel Kurzius

An ambitious literary agent reluctantly agrees to go on a sisters’ trip to an impossibly charming North Carolina town, Sunshine Falls, where she keeps running into her hot professional rival, a book editor named Charlie, who also happens to be visiting from New York. Depending on your taste, this sounds like either a cheap Hallmark Channel movie or a tongue-in-cheek nod to that genre. The trap, however, is that for all the cuteness, it feels jarring when Henry tries to discuss broader issues — complex sibling relationships and caregiving responsibilities. — SN

The premise alone is responsible for Henry’s recent rise in the rankings: Daphne, a children’s librarian, moves to her fiancé Peter’s small hometown, only to break up with him after he drunkenly discovers at his bachelor party that he’s in love with his childhood friend Petra. Who has a spare room in their apartment and is looking for a roommate? Petra’s equally unhappy ex, Miles.

The revelation that the protagonist is actually a minor character—the annoying obstacle!—in a romance where someone else is choosing whether they want it or not gives the story a bitterness that sets it apart from Henry’s works. Yes, there is a silly scene involving a wedding dress. Plus, Daphne’s devotion to the library’s summer reading program takes a much a lot of room in the plot. But between the clueless ex-partners and a work-shy father, you get the feeling that Henry is letting more antagonists into her story and with them more interpersonal complexity. — SN

Henry’s first novel for adults is a clever retort to those who scoff at romance novels, and a lush, scream-inducing entry into the genre. January is a romance writer suffering from writer’s block as she grieves the loss of her father and the end of her relationship with her seemingly perfect boyfriend. Her summer neighbor is her former college rival Gus, who has since written acclaimed fiction. When she discovers that he, too, is stuck in a creative dead end, they decide to switch genres and take each other on trips to learn more about their writing processes. Beach Read shows why readers turn to Henry when they want quick-witted, hilarious quips and scenes of longing and suspense. Sure, the characters lay out why romance novels are worth serious consideration, but the book itself does much more work toward that mission. We should all be lucky enough to read it on a beach. –RK

Set during an annual group trip to a cottage in Maine, this novel seems to be the densest of Henry’s novels. The central romance (between a couple who keep their breakup a secret for the sake of their college friends) is just one part of a much larger, richer story about nostalgia and the fear of change. — SN

I don’t want to be the troublemaker again, but I can’t in good conscience call this Emily Henry’s best work. I appreciate what “Happy Place” is trying to do. I just don’t think it does it very well. The emotional stakes are low, and the central tension could be resolved with an honest conversation. See, the reveal that the big conflict isn’t between the two main romantic characters, but actually within the larger circle of friends is incredibly clever. It reflects how much we as a society, and the romance genre in particular, focus on that one special someone, to the detriment of other, important relationships. Brilliant in theory, but it just wasn’t that much fun to read. But let’s be honest, even my least favorite Emily Henry is still a pleasure to read. –RK