Book Reviews

Is Great Big Beautiful Life Worth Reading? An Honest Review of Emily Henry’s Latest Book

Opening Thoughts

I finally got my hands on Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry’s newest release, after waiting weeks on Libby for my Kindle copy. If you know Emily Henry, you know she’s the queen of rom-com novels, cheesy, cutesy, and full of love stories that stick to the romance formula (and that’s not a bad thing!). But this time, she promised something different: more drama, less comedy.

As someone who doesn’t always gravitate toward rom-coms, I was excited about the shift. Early buzz even compared it to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, one of my all-time favorite books. With that comparison, my expectations were high.

So, was it worth the hype? Let’s get into my review of Great Big Beautiful Life.

General Thoughts: Genre, Vibe & Expectations

This book sits at the intersection of romantic drama and contemporary fiction. While Emily Henry hinted at a tonal shift, it still felt more rom-com-adjacent than full-on drama.

The story follows two journalists tasked with interviewing Margaret, a woman with a very public yet private past. The narrative alternates between Margaret’s retelling of her life and the journalists’ perspectives. It’s undeniably reminiscent of Evelyn Hugo, though with Henry’s signature lighthearted, witty touch.

In short: it’s a good book, but if you’re expecting the sweeping, emotional depth of Evelyn Hugo, you may be a little disappointed. For Emily Henry fans, though, it’s familiar, cozy, and engaging.

Spoiler-Free Review of Great Big Beautiful Life

If you’re here for a spoiler-free review:

  • This book blends romance, mystery, and historical-style storytelling.
  • It’s more emotional than Henry’s usual rom-coms, but still has that quirky humor and rushed romance she’s known for.
  • If you’re an Emily Henry fan, you’ll likely enjoy it. If you’re more of a Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, it might feel a little too light.

Spoilers Ahead — Stop Here if You Don’t Want to Know More!

What I Loved

  • The dual journalist interviews! Watching Margaret tell her story separately to each journalist added intrigue. I liked the secrecy of what each character knew (and didn’t know).
  • Laura’s storyline! Margaret’s sister Laura was, for me, the most fascinating character. Complex, layered, and heartbreaking in the best way.
  • The mystery of Jodi! Uncovering her connection to Laura and Margaret gave the book its strongest emotional weight. This seemed like the bigger twist as compared to Hayden being the grandson of Margaret.

What Didn’t Work For Me

  • The predictable twist… The “big reveal” about ‘someone’ being related to Margaret felt obvious early on. I didn’t know who at first but knew it was coming.
  • The rushed romance… Classic Emily Henry style: a whirlwind love story with the big dramatic confession. Many readers love this, but it didn’t work for me.
  • Margaret’s later years felt rushed… I wanted more about her recent life leading up to the interviews. Instead, much of the focus was on her youth and family.

Favorite Quotes

  • “There’s an old saying about stories, and how there are always three versions of them: yours, mine, and the truth.”
  • “I find myself thinking that maybe every bit of heartbreak in life can be rearranged and used for something beautiful…”
  • “Just because something doesn’t make money or win awards doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.”

Final Thoughts & Rating

Overall, Great Big Beautiful Life is worth a read if you’re already an Emily Henry fan or if you enjoy romantic dramas with a lighter tone. Just don’t expect the same depth and grit as Evelyn Hugo.

  • 3/5 Stars
  • Recommended for: readers who love rom-coms with a dash of drama
  • Not recommended if: you’re hoping for a true drama-heavy literary read

I’ll keep reading Emily Henry’s books because they’re fun, trendy, and a good palate cleanser between my darker reads. This one just wasn’t my personal favorite.

Have You Read Great Big Beautiful Life?

Let me know if you’ve picked it up yet or if it’s still on your TBR! I’d love to hear your thoughts (especially if you’re an Emily Henry fan).

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