Emily Henry's 'People We Meet on Vacation' follows Poppy and Alex, best friends whose annual summer vacations form the backbone of their relationship until a mysterious falling-out two years prior. The novel alternates between past and present, slowly revealing how their friendship developed and what went wrong during their final trip to Croatia.

Henry excels at creating authentic chemistry between her leads—Poppy's free-spirited travel writer persona contrasts beautifully with Alex's cautious, small-town English teacher sensibilities, yet their connection feels genuine rather than forced. The dual timeline structure works well, building tension as readers piece together the source of their rift while watching them navigate their current reunion in Palm Springs.

Henry's writing shines in quiet moments of friendship and her ability to capture the specific anxiety of potentially ruining a treasured relationship by wanting more. The vacation settings are vividly rendered, from cramped European hostels to luxury resorts, making this an ideal beach read.

However, the book's pacing occasionally drags in the middle sections, and some readers may find Poppy's quirky, commitment-phobic personality grating rather than endearing. The central conflict, when finally revealed, feels somewhat anticlimactic given the buildup. The novel works best for readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary romance with emotional depth and don't mind a slower burn. Those seeking steamy romance or fast-paced plotting should look elsewhere. Henry tackles themes of friendship, fear of change, and the courage required to pursue happiness, making this appealing to readers in their twenties and thirties navigating similar life transitions. While not groundbreaking, it's a solid entry in the contemporary romance genre that prioritizes emotional authenticity over dramatic plot twists.