I love Emily Henry. I've said it before and I will say it again, I love Emily Henry but I now also love Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.

I could not put this book down. I want to speak about my experience reading the book rather than the plot itself as I think I may unintentionally spoil in my excitement to shout about this book. 

I feel like this is completely different to the previous EmHen books I've read before. It's essentially a story within a story (I guess that stuff about not talking about plot has gone out the window), with Alice and Hayden our main characters competing for the opportunity to write a book on Margaret Ives are reclusive former socialite, and undertake a month long job interview. I loved reading about Margaret's story, and I loved watching Alice and Hayden fall in love on paper.

Henry time and time again writes complex, well thought out characters that feel tangible and GBBL is no exception. At times, I could imagine sitting with Alice as she questioned Margaret and was coming up with theories on the side with my little notebook. There's just so much substance and so much to cling to in an EmHen read.

It's rivals to lovers, it's he falls first, there's mystery, tension but most of a perfect read. I'm having the worst time of my life trying to convey how much I loved this book and how in tears but happy tears I was at the end of it. 

Thanks you to Netgalley and Viking Books for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry releases in the UK, April 24th 2025.