I read somewhere that the romance genre is really personal which is why romance books are either a hit or miss depending on the individual. That’s definitely true to my experience with this book because one of the reasons I absolutely LOVED it was due to how I could relate to the characters, their relationship, and the general… circumstances of it.

For instance, the book is narrated through the present and past where Poppy and Alex used to take annual summer trips before their big meltdown (that we don’t find out the cause of until the end of the book). Their first trip was to Tofino, a small city on Vancouver Island. I had visited Tofino for the first time myself a month before reading this book and it was the first trip I had taken with my friends too so that was a happy coincidence.

Secondly, a major focus of Poppy’s character revolved around her career and the happiness related to it. She works as a travel blogger at a luxury travel magazine called R+R which is what makes this book such a perfect summer read, especially amidst ongoing travel restrictions- you get to live out your travel plans through Poppy and her lavish life. Anyway, despite living this Gen Z ‘goals’ lifestyle that she does, Poppy is unhappy. One of my favourite passages, besides the ones filled with the sexual tension between Alex and Poppy, comes from this situation:

“That purpose matters more than contentment. You had a ton of career goals, which gave you purpose. One by one, you met them. Et voilà: no purpose.”

“Apparently the completion of long-term goals often leads to depression. It’s the journey, not the destination,”

This was a hard-hitting truth for Poppy when she realized she had achieved everything she wanted to and even something that she loved doing, travelling, was becoming a chore for her. I also related to this painfully hard as a fresh graduate, new in the workforce. Whereas Poppy decided to link up and travel one more time with her former bff Alex to get rid of this “millennial ennui” as she put it, I set my alarm for another 9-5 shift the next day.

Also, can we talk about Alex? I’m a SIMP for Alex. Who doesn’t love a stoic, hunky, reserved, but secretly gentle and goofy man who only brings out his vulnerable and “naked” side to his best girl-friend that he’s obviously in love with but can’t say anything to for fear of ruining the friendship??? The slow-burn tension was KILLING ME especially during the ‘having to share a bed’ scene. Pleaseeeeeeeee *claws at face*

Basically, this book was ADORABLE. It was the embodiment of a lifestyle this generation secretly wants to live: travelling for a living and posting about it on social media. I think I read it at the perfect time which is why it was extra relatable/likeable for me; I’ve been thinking about blogging more seriously, experiencing some MAJOR travel nostalgia, been yearning to visit NYC, and also just experienced a friend breakup like Alex and Poppy (sadly mine wasn’t with a potential love interest). Without revealing too much, I hope my book review of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is enough to get you to pick up this delightful novel- it might make for a perfect read on a trip of your own.