Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - Review

Rating: ★★★★

This is easily my second favorite Emily Henry book (with Funny Story still holding first place in my heart). It’s beautifully written, full of layered storytelling, and packed with the kind of romance and emotional depth that Emily Henry does so well.

What I loved most about this book is that there are two compelling stories happening at once, and I was equally invested in both. On one side, you have Alice and Hayden, two very different writers competing for the same writing opportunity. On the other, you have Margaret Ives and her scandal filled, tragic, and glamorous past. The way those two timelines weave together is so engaging and feels incredibly intentional and well crafted.

Alice is such a classic Emily Henry heroine in the best way. She’s hopeful, driven, a little messy, and deeply earnest. I loved her determination to finally prove herself , not just to her family, but to herself. And Hayden, he is the grumpy to her sunshine. The tension between them was so good, and their chemistry felt natural, layered, and earned. Every interaction had this quiet pull to it that made me want to slow down and savor their scenes.

The secrecy surrounding Margaret, the NDA, and the carefully given fragments of her past made the book feel mysterious. I loved slowly putting the pieces together.

By the end, I felt fully satisfied, but also emotional in that quiet, reflective way Emily Henry is so good at evoking. It’s romantic, yes, but also smart, introspective, and very human. If you love rivals to lovers, writers as main characters, hidden histories, and gorgeous, atmospheric storytelling, this one is absolutely for you.