Episode Details

We Read the New Emily Henry So You Don’t Have To (Here’s What to Read Instead)

Published 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Description

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In this episode of What to Read Next, Laura is joined by guest Amy (from @novelgossip) to chat all things Emily Henry—specifically, what to read if you’ve already devoured her entire backlist and need your next fix of smart, emotional, and heartwarming romance. The duo also spills the tea on ARC drama, library hacks, and why Big Beautiful Life might not live up to the hype. Plus, they share six excellent book recommendations (and one bonus pick!) that offer the same emotional payoff and vibrant settings as your favorite Emily Henry novels.

📚 Books Recommended/Mentioned

Passion Project by London Sperry https://amzn.to/3Eshxyf
Summer in the City by Alex Aster https://amzn.to/3Y9vN5y
Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine https://amzn.to/3YbTVoa
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone https://amzn.to/4d1DZex
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan https://amzn.to/4is6Nxw
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan https://amzn.to/3Gj18wB
Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (discussed) https://amzn.to/4jGGHbb
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (comparison mention) https://amzn.to/4jNstFM

⏱️ Time Stamps

[00:00] Welcome and weather chat: cold in Arizona, gators in Florida

[02:30] Emily Henry ARC discourse & behind-the-scenes on influencer drama

[08:00] Library hacks: how to access books without ARCs

[09:00] Spoiler-free review of Big Beautiful Life and why it didn’t work

[14:00] What to read instead: intro to alternative author picks

[15:00] Passion Project by Bethany Rutter — grief, NYC, friends to lovers

[17:00] Summer in the City — classic NYC vibes, fake dating, and grand gestures

[21:00] Any Trope But You — Alaska setting, one-tent trope, romance author chaos

[24:30] Plug for the Spice & Swoon Book Club

[26:00] Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone — slow burn romance in Brooklyn

[30:00] Bonus picks: Annabel Monaghan’s summer novels

[31:30] Where to find Amy online + closing remarks

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