If you’ve been scrolling through BookTok or browsing romance shelves lately, you’ve probably spotted Emily Henry’s gorgeous covers everywhere. Her books have become the ultimate comfort reads for countless readers, blending laugh-out-loud humor with deep emotional truths about love, loss, and finding yourself.
Whether you’re curious about her beloved adult romances or wondering where to start with her earlier YA novels, we’ve got you covered with this complete guide to reading Emily Henry books in order.
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About Emily Henry | Complete Book List | YA Books | Adult Romance | Reading Order Guide | Where to Start | FAQs
Emily Henry Books at a Glance
Adult Romance (Best Starting Point):
– Beach Read – Enemies to lovers, writer romance
– People We Meet on Vacation – Friends to lovers, dual timeline
– Book Lovers – Career woman, small town romance
– Happy Place – Second chance, friend group dynamics
– Funny Story – Roommates, healing from heartbreak
YA Books (Different Style):
– The Love That Split the World – Magical realism
– A Million Junes – Family curses, forbidden love
– When the Sky Fell on Splendor – Sci-fi mystery
Who is Emily Henry?
Emily Henry is the New York Times bestselling author who has captured hearts with her perfect blend of wit, warmth, and emotional depth.
Known for tackling themes of love, grief, personal growth, and the messy beauty of human relationships, Henry writes characters who feel like your closest friends.
Her breakout success with Beach Read in 2020 launched her into romance superstardom, but she’s been crafting compelling stories since her YA debut in 2016.
What sets Henry apart is her ability to balance humor with genuine emotional weight, creating stories that make you both laugh and cry—sometimes on the same page.
Emily Henry Books in Order – Complete Chronological List
YA Books (2016-2019)
The Love That Split the World (2016)
Emily Henry’s debut novel is a genre-bending blend of contemporary fiction, magical realism, and romance. The story follows Natalie, who experiences strange visions and encounters a mysterious boy who claims to be from a parallel universe. As she navigates her final months before college, she must choose between the life she knows and a love that defies explanation.
Why our HTB readers love it: This book showcases Henry’s early talent for combining the supernatural with deeply human emotions. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy magical realism with their romance and don’t mind a more complex, layered narrative structure.
A Million Junes (2017)
Henry’s second novel tells the story of June O’Donnell, whose family has been feuding with the Angerts for generations. When June starts seeing impossible things and falling for Saul Angert, she must uncover the truth behind the curse that has haunted both families. This lyrical tale weaves together family secrets, magical realism, and forbidden love.
Why readers love it: Fans praise this book for its gorgeous, atmospheric writing and the way it explores family legacies and the power of storytelling. It’s ideal for readers who love magical elements grounded in family drama and small-town secrets.
When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)
Henry’s final YA novel follows a group of friends who witness a mysterious crash that gives them supernatural abilities. As they investigate what happened, they uncover dark secrets about their town and must decide how far they’ll go to protect each other. This sci-fi tinged story explores friendship, trauma, and the price of truth.
Why readers love it: This book is perfect for readers who enjoy ensemble casts, mystery elements, and the transition from YA to more mature themes. Many consider it Henry’s bridge between her YA and adult work.
Adult Romance Books (2020-Present)
Beach Read (2020)
The book that launched Henry to romance stardom follows January Andrews, a romance writer suffering from writer’s block after her father’s death and her parents’ marriage falling apart. When she encounters Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author and former college rival, at a beach house, they make a pact: she’ll write literary fiction while he attempts romance, and whoever finishes first wins.
Why readers love it: Beach Read perfectly balances humor with heavy themes like grief and family dysfunction. Readers adore the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, the writer characters, and Henry’s ability to tackle serious topics without losing the joy and hope that make romance so satisfying.
People We Meet on Vacation (2021)
This beloved friends-to-lovers story spans a decade of summer vacations between Poppy and Alex, two opposites who become best friends in college. After a falling out during their last trip, Poppy convinces Alex to take one more vacation together to fix their friendship—and maybe discover something more.
Why readers love it: The dual timeline structure, the slow-burn romance, and the genuine friendship at the story’s heart make this a fan favorite. Readers love watching Poppy and Alex’s relationship evolve through their annual trips, and the emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying.
Book Lovers (2022)
Literary agent Nora Stephens finds herself living out what feels like someone else’s small-town romance when she keeps running into Charlie Lastra, a brooding editor, during her sister’s girls’ trip to North Carolina. But Nora refuses to be the other woman in someone else’s love story—she’s determined to be the heroine of her own.
Why readers love it: This meta-commentary on romance tropes while fully embracing them delights readers. Nora is a complex, career-focused heroine, and the book cleverly subverts expectations while delivering all the emotional beats romance readers crave.
Happy Place (2023)
Harriet and her college friends gather for their annual beach house vacation, but this year everything’s different—Harriet and Wyn, her ex-fiancé, are pretending they’re still together to avoid ruining the group dynamic. As secrets unravel over the week, Harriet must confront what she really wants from life and love.
Why readers love it: The group dynamics, the second-chance romance, and Henry’s exploration of how friendships change as we grow up resonate deeply with readers. The beach house setting and ensemble cast create a perfect summer read with serious emotional depth.
Funny Story (2024)
When Daphne’s fiancé leaves her for his best friend Petra, she finds herself moving in with Miles—Petra’s ex-boyfriend. What starts as a practical arrangement between two people dealing with heartbreak slowly becomes something neither expected. As they navigate their complicated situation, they discover that sometimes the best relationships come from the most unexpected places.
Why readers love it: Readers love the unique premise, the healing journey both characters go through, and Henry’s signature blend of humor and heart. The small-town Michigan setting and the way the book explores moving on from betrayal make it both relatable and hopeful.
Great Big Beautiful Life (2025)
Note: Great Big Beautiful Life is Emily Henry’s newest novel, published on April 22, 2025. It follows two writers trying to tell one story—an emotional, heart-forward tale of creativity, grief, and second chances.
Recommended Reading Order for Emily Henry Books
For newcomers to Emily Henry, we recommend starting with her adult romance novels rather than jumping straight into her YA work. Here’s our suggested reading order:
Start Here: Beach Read or People We Meet on Vacation
Both of these books showcase Henry’s signature style perfectly and are accessible entry points. Choose Beach Read if you love enemies-to-lovers and writer characters, or People We Meet on Vacation if friends-to-lovers and dual timelines appeal to you more.
Continue With: Book Lovers → Happy Place → Funny Story
After your first Henry novel, you can read the rest of her adult books in any order, though reading them in publication order lets you see her style evolve.
Then Explore: Her YA Novels
If you fall in love with Henry’s writing, definitely explore her YA work. Start with The Love That Split the World to see where it all began, then continue chronologically. Keep in mind that these books have a different tone and include magical/supernatural elements.
Which Emily Henry Book Should I Read First?
Beach Read is our top recommendation for first-time Emily Henry readers. It’s the book that made her a household name in romance, and for good reason—it perfectly captures everything that makes her writing special. The story deals with serious themes like grief and family secrets, but balances them with genuine humor and a swoony romance that will have you highlighting quotes left and right.
If enemies-to-lovers isn’t your thing, People We Meet on Vacation is an equally excellent starting point. The friends-to-lovers romance, vacation setting, and emotional depth make it incredibly accessible for romance newcomers while still satisfying longtime genre fans.
Avoid starting with her YA novels unless you specifically prefer young adult books. While they’re beautifully written, they’re quite different in tone and style from the adult romances that made Henry famous.
Emily Henry Books FAQ
Do Emily Henry books need to be read in order?
No! All of Emily Henry’s books are standalone novels. You can read them in any order and still fully enjoy each story. However, reading her adult romances in publication order lets you see how her writing style has evolved.
Are Emily Henry’s YA books connected to her adult books?
No, her YA novels and adult romance books are completely separate. The YA books feature magical realism and supernatural elements, while her adult books are contemporary romance without fantasy elements.
What’s Emily Henry’s most popular book?
Beach Read (2020) is her most famous and widely-read book. It launched her to romance superstardom and remains a BookTok favorite. People We Meet on Vacation is also extremely popular.
Are Emily Henry books spicy?
Her adult romance books contain some steam, but they’re not considered “high heat.” They focus more on emotional connection and character development. Her YA books contain age-appropriate romance with minimal physical content.
What tropes does Emily Henry write?
Emily Henry loves enemies-to-lovers (Beach Read), friends-to-lovers (People We Meet on Vacation), second-chance romance (Happy Place), and grumpy/sunshine dynamics. She often subverts romance tropes while still delivering satisfying romantic storylines.
How long are Emily Henry books?
Her adult romance novels typically range from 350-400 pages, making them perfect for weekend reading or vacation books. Her YA novels are slightly shorter at around 300-350 pages.
Will there be more Emily Henry books?
Yes! Emily Henry continues writing, with new releases planned regularly. Great Big Beautiful Life is her next confirmed release in 2025.
More Books You’ll Love If You’re an Emily Henry Fan
If you’re falling down the Emily Henry rabbit hole, you might also enjoy these similar authors and books:
- Christina Lauren – Beach Read vibes with dual POV romance
- Taylor Jenkins Reid – Emotional contemporary fiction with romantic elements
- Casey McQuiston – LGBTQ+ romance with humor and heart
- Ali Hazelwood – STEM romances with banter and emotional depth
- Ashley Poston – Geeky contemporary romance with emotional storytelling
Why Readers Love Emily Henry: The Magic in Her Writing
Emily Henry has mastered the art of writing romance that feels both escapist and deeply real. Her characters face genuine struggles—grief, career uncertainty, family dysfunction—while still finding their way to love and happiness. She writes dialogue that sparkles with wit, creates settings that feel like vacation destinations, and crafts emotional moments that stay with you long after you close the book.
What sets her apart is her ability to make every reader feel seen. Whether you’re the career-focused woman who puts work first, the friend who always tries to fix everyone else’s problems, or someone navigating loss and change, Henry creates characters you’ll recognize and root for.
Final Thoughts
Emily Henry has created a catalog of books that feel like warm hugs and honest conversations with your best friend. Whether you start with her viral adult romances or dive deep into her YA backlist, you’re in for stories that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the transformative power of love—both romantic and platonic. Her characters feel real, her dialogue sparkles, and her ability to find hope in difficult situations makes every book a worthwhile journey.
Which one’s your favorite Emily Henry book? Drop it in the comments — or come discuss in our Facebook Group!
Happy reading!
— The HookedToBooks Team