Book Review: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
There’s something magical about holding a new Emily Henry book in your hands. Her works have a way of captivating readers with their relatable characters and sharp dialogue. When I picked up Great Big Beautiful Life, I felt a rush of excitement, thinking, “This is going to be special.” But what I discovered was not quite the beautiful story I anticipated.
A Deep Dive into Expectations vs. Reality
In this novel, we follow Alice, a “quirky but determined” journalist, and Hayden, the brooding, silent type, as they compete to write a biography of the enigmatic heiress, Margaret Ives. With such a compelling premise, I was fully invested at first. The dynamic between Alice and Hayden had so much potential. Yet, as I navigated through the pages, it quickly became clear that the heart of the story was buried beneath a mountain of background detail about Margaret’s life—a narrative choice that left me frustrated.
The romance, which I came expecting to take center stage, felt more like an afterthought. It constituted a mere 10% of the book, overshadowed by a deep dive into Margaret’s lineage. Henry is always praised for her insightful exploration of relationships, but here, their interactions felt stiff and lacking the spark that defines her previous works. A quote that lingered with me was, “Love isn’t something you can cup in your hands, and I have to believe that means it’s something that can’t ever be lost.” I hoped to see this theme reflected in the relationship between Alice and Hayden, but unfortunately, it never materialized.
Alice’s rich inner monologues initially drew me in, yet as the story progressed, I found her more awkward than endearing. Hayden, too, suffered from a lack of character development, feeling more like an idea than a fully fleshed-out person. The situations they found themselves in, particularly their loftily romantic near-moments, felt forced and repetitive rather than engaging.
Emily Henry’s Signature Style
While I struggled with character depth, it’s only fair to highlight Henry’s exceptional writing style. Her prose remains captivating, with quotes that manage to resonate on a level that is nothing short of poetic. I actually found myself racing through the pages, eager to uncover the next gem of insight or clarity. The pacing, though, left much to be desired. The buildup leading to the book’s climax was lackluster, and the whole mystery angle felt disconnected and unnecessary, taking the focus away from the characters I was eager to learn more about.
Towards the end, when the narrative shifted into a blunt mystery, my investment dwindled. Alice investigating inconsistencies in Margaret’s story felt like an attempt to add intrigue, but instead, it became a frustrating detour that added little to the romance or overall plot.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Great Big Beautiful Life felt like a story with tremendous potential that never fully materialized. As I turned the final page, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a script more suited for a film adaptation than a novel rich with depth and emotional resonance. If you enjoy compelling writing and can look past a plot that veers into over-explanation rather than heart, this book might still be for you.
For those who crave the heartfelt romance that Henry has delivered in her past books, I’m afraid this one may leave you feeling even more disappointed than I did. Personally, it was a journey filled with anticipation that ultimately felt unfulfilled. But perhaps that’s the beauty of reading—every experience shapes our expectations for the next adventure waiting for us just around the corner.
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