Emily Henry Books in Order
By the Ember team · Updated July 2026
Emily Henry has written six standalone contemporary romance novels since 2020. Her books are witty, emotionally intelligent, and feature characters in creative fields: writers, literary agents, editors, librarians. Every book is a standalone, which means you can start anywhere.
Most readers start with Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, or Book Lovers. Those three capture what Emily Henry does best: sharp banter, emotional depth, and relationships that feel earned. If you want something recent, try Funny Story or Happy Place.
Short answer
Emily Henry has written six standalone contemporary romances since 2020. Read them in any order, but most readers start with Beach Read (2020), People We Meet on Vacation (2021), or Book Lovers (2022). Her books are witty, emotionally grounded, and feature characters who work in creative fields.
Where to start with Emily Henry books
If you want a writer romance with genre-swap tension
Beach Read
January and Gus challenge each other to write in opposite genres for the summer. It's Emily Henry at her most meta, and the dual challenge structure keeps the plot tight while the emotional beats land hard.
If you want friends-to-lovers with years of history
People We Meet on Vacation
Poppy and Alex have been best friends for a decade. The dual timeline reveals what broke them, and the present-day trip tests whether they can fix it. Warm, aching, and inevitable in the best way.
If you want a small-town romance where both characters hate small towns
Book Lovers
Nora is a literary agent who always gets dumped. Charlie is an editor who seems impossible to like. Both of them end up in a small town neither of them wants to be in, and sparks fly. The anti-small-town small-town romance.
If you want fake relationship with real stakes
Happy Place
Harriet and Wyn broke up months ago but have to pretend to still be together for one last week at the friend-group beach house. The fake-it-till-you-make-it trope with emotional depth and group dynamics that feel real.
If you want revenge fake dating in a small town
Funny Story
Daphne's fiance left her for his childhood best friend. She ends up living with the other ex. They decide to fake date to make their exes jealous. Messy, self-aware, and emotionally sharp.
Emily Henry books in publication order
Every book is standalone. Read them in any order.
Beach Read
Published 2020
January is a romance writer facing writer's block and a dead father's secrets. Gus is a literary fiction writer stuck in the beach house next door. They challenge each other to swap genres for the summer.
People We Meet on Vacation
Published 2021
Poppy and Alex are best friends who vacation together every summer. Except they have not spoken in two years. One last trip might fix what broke, or destroy what is left.
Book Lovers
Published 2022
Nora is a literary agent who always plays the anti-heroine in her own love story. Charlie is an editor who seems to be the villain in hers. But what happens when the anti-heroine and the villain get their own book?
Happy Place
Published 2023
Harriet and Wyn broke up five months ago. They have not told their best friends yet. So they have to pretend to still be together for one last week at the beach house where their friend group gathers every year.
Funny Story
Published 2024
Daphne's fiance left her for his childhood best friend. Now Daphne is living with Miles, the other woman's ex, in a small town where everyone knows their business. Fake dating might solve both their problems, or create new ones.
Great Big Beautiful Life
Published 2025
Emily Henry's sixth novel continues her streak of witty, emotionally grounded contemporary romance with characters navigating messy, real lives.
Emily Henry movie and TV adaptations
People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix, 2026)
The first Emily Henry adaptation debuted on Netflix in 2026.
Happy Place (Feature film, in production)
Originally planned as a TV series, Happy Place shifted to a feature film format.
Funny Story (Netflix, announced)
Netflix picked up Funny Story after the success of People We Meet on Vacation.
Beach Read and Book Lovers (in development)
Both are in development as feature films.
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read Emily Henry books?
Emily Henry has written six standalone contemporary romances since 2020. Read them in any order, but most readers start with Beach Read (2020), People We Meet on Vacation (2021), or Book Lovers (2022). Her books are witty, emotionally grounded, and feature characters who work in creative fields.
Which Emily Henry book should I read first?
Most readers start with Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, or Book Lovers. Beach Read is about a romance writer and a literary fiction author who swap genres. People We Meet on Vacation is a friends-to-lovers second chance romance. Book Lovers is about a literary agent who falls for an editor in a small town. All three are witty, emotionally grounded, and feature main characters in their late twenties or thirties.
Are Emily Henry books connected?
No. Emily Henry books are all standalone novels. You can read them in any order. Her books share a similar tone and style (witty banter, emotionally intelligent characters, dual timelines or dual POV), but the stories and characters are not connected.
Are Emily Henry books being adapted into movies?
Yes. People We Meet on Vacation debuted on Netflix. Happy Place is being adapted as a feature film. Funny Story has been picked up by Netflix as well. Beach Read and Book Lovers are also in development.
What is the heat level of Emily Henry books?
Emily Henry books are medium heat. They have sex scenes that are emotionally grounded and character-driven rather than explicit or graphic. The focus is on chemistry, banter, and the emotional progression of the relationship.
Sources
Bibliography and film adaptations verified as of July 2026.
- Emily Henry Official SiteUsed for official book list and publication dates.
- Goodreads Emily HenryUsed for book details and reader context.
- Netflix Emily Henry adaptationsUsed for People We Meet on Vacation and upcoming film adaptations.
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