Great Big Beautiful Life
Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
my review : ✮✮✮✮✮
Look… I get it! We are used to a certain something when we pick up an Emily Henry book. I would argue that she still delivers what we expect; it just looks a little different. This book has Emily Henry’s signature writing style, her layered characters, well-written banter, and all the yearning that comes with a good slow burn.
I understand readers picking this up looking for Book Lovers-style Emily Henry might be a bit disappointed, but I celebrate her trying something different. Honestly, so long as Emily Henry keeps writing, I can’t imagine her writing much that I don’t thoroughly enjoy.
I found this story to be a slow burn, both in the romantic elements and in the overall story. It felt more atmospheric and meandering, which is exactly why I consider Emily Henry to write cozy, comfort reads. The book, to me, felt like romantically leaning literary fiction.
This story follows two journalists who have tracked down the elusive Margaret Ives, who at one time was one of the most famous women in the world, but has been in hiding for two decades. Margaret has allowed both journalists the opportunity to spend a month with her, and at the end of the month, they’re to pitch her the book they’d write about her, and she will pick one of them to tell the (tightly held & career-making) story of her life. One journalist is a tall, brooding, and handsome Pulitzer Prize-winning writer from NYC. The other is a California eternal optimist, profiling celebrities and trying to get her big break. They’re total opposites stuck on one muggy Georgia island. This story is told in alternating timelines.
I obviously have a huge bias toward Emily Henry. I adore her books. I went into this story ready to love it. If you’re looking for a critical review, look elsewhere! I will say, my romance-loving heart missed her signature love story, but I found this to be engrossing and life-affirming!
It feels only right to pair this book with a fishbowl cocktail. Hopefully, I make Captain Cecil proud. Make one at your own risk!
you’ll love this book if you love:
Atmospheric literature
Slow burns
Cozy, comfort reads
my favorite quote:
“When I let myself dream,” he murmurs against my ear, “or it all comes crashing down—it’s Alice, Alice on my mind. Alice all the time.”
