It’s spring, which means a new Emily Henry novel is currently making the rounds. This time, it’s Great Big Beautiful Life, a sweeping story-within-a-story about two rival journalists slowly falling for each other while competing to write the tell-all memoir of a secretive elderly celebrity. With each fresh EmHen release, I see a wave of avid readers rushing to update their rankings of her wildly popular titles. Do I judge strangers on the internet based on how they order their EmHen faves? Yes, absolutely. Forget astrology. Instead, let’s talk about what your favorite Emily Henry book says about you.
A friend of mine shared a compelling theory. Emily Henry fans fall into two camps: those who prefer her stories set in the book world and those who prefer her less bibliophilic romances. Under this framework, readers obsessed with the world of books and publishing are likely to fill the top of their ranking with books starring authors (Beach Read), editors (Book Lovers), librarians (Funny Story), and writers (Great Big Beautiful Life). I also think lines can be drawn between EmHen readers who tend more toward romance versus those that prefer “women’s” fiction or literary fiction, and the battles waged over those genre lines are arguably more intense than EmHen’s spiciest scenes.
In any case, there are no wrong answers here. Each Emily Henry book is someone’s favorite, and deservingly so. But your choice also reveals your deepest truth. How am I judging you based on your favorite Emily Henry book? Let’s find out.
If Your Favorite Emily Henry Book Is…
Beach ReadNothing invigorates you as much as a little flirty banter. Your personality is made up of an amalgamation of characters played by Meg Ryan. Nostalgia is your kryptonite. You live for summer and believe dipping your toes in the ocean centers you. Drive-in movies are the height of romance, in your opinion. Bright, quirky prints are your fashion signature. |
![]() People We Meet on VacationYour carefully curated vacation dream board contains more destinations than you can reasonably hope to visit in one lifetime. You self-identified as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl for at least a short period of your life. “Tall and emotionally unreadable” is your type. You actually kind of enjoy playing devil’s advocate. You have a childhood crush that you still deeply believe you’ll reconnect with someday. |
![]() Book LoversIf there was an award for “Funniest Running Commentary on a Hallmark Movie”, you would win it handily. You believe New York City isn’t overrated and the smell’s actually not that bad. You regularly quote your favorite early 2000s rom-com movies in everyday life (and judge anyone who doesn’t get the references). Resting Bitch Face is something you’ve been accused of having; you take it as a compliment, since you secretly practice it in the mirror. |
![]() Happy PlaceYou believe friendships should receive just as much respect as romantic relationships (maybe more). You have a favorite chair and you WILL fight someone if they take it. Worrying is your love language, followed closely by quality time. You are always quickest to respond to your high school/college besties group chat with a heart reaction, inside joke, or cat picture. |
![]() Funny StoryYou love rooting for an underdog. When you attend a wedding, you secretly hope someone will stand up and object for the drama. You believe romantic love should always be rooted in friendship first. Matilda was a formative book/movie for you and you wish you could actually consult Miss Honey about your problems. You swoon over tough-looking tattooed hotties with hidden marshmallow cores. |
![]() Great Big Beautiful LifeYou have one of those faces that make total strangers tell you their secrets. Quirky small towns are your catnip. You have a favorite diner and the servers there know your order by heart. You think love and romance are low-key embarrassing. Keeping other people’s secrets is your mundane super power. You may or may not be the oldest daughter, but you definitely have Oldest Daughter Energy. |
![]() A Million Junes or Any Other Pre-2020 EmHen BookIt’s true, you really are cooler than the rest of us. Congratulations. |
Find some new non-EmHen books to fall in love with:
10 Unputdownable Authors like Emily Henry
More Than Words: 6 Swoon-worthy Bookish Romance Novels
17 New Romance Books Out in May to Help You Through Spring Cleaning