People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is one of those stories that feels both comforting and emotional at the same time. After reading the book on vacation and watching the new movie on Netflix, I can understand why so many people love this story—it’s funny, honest, and surprisingly relatable.
The story follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends who take one vacation together every year despite being complete opposites. Poppy is adventurous and loud, while Alex is quiet and prefers staying in. As someone who enjoys seeing different personalities clash and connect, I liked how realistic their friendship felt. For years, their annual trips keep them connected until something happens that causes them to stop speaking. The novel alternates between past vacations and the present, slowly revealing what went wrong and whether their friendship can survive it.
As a student, what stood out to me most was how much the story focuses on growing up and figuring yourself out. Poppy’s struggle with knowing what she wants in life felt very real, especially for high schoolers who are constantly being asked about their future. The book does a great job showing that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away.
The movie was enjoyable and brought the characters to life in a new way. Seeing the different vacation spots on screen made the story more exciting, and the actors had strong chemistry. However, I personally liked the book more because it allowed us to understand Poppy’s thoughts and emotions on a deeper level. Some of the emotional moments felt stronger on the page than on screen. The movie is more fast-paced and speeds through some of the fun travel destinations. In particular the end trip in the book is held in Palm Springs, CA while in the movie it is Barcelona, Spain.
Overall, People We Meet on Vacation is a great choice for students who enjoy romance, humor, and stories about self-discovery. Whether you read the book or watch the movie, it’s a reminder that friendships can be just as important and complicated as romantic relationships.
Rating:
📘 Book: 4.5/5
