What Order to Read Emily Henry Books

I don’t know about you, but when I stumble onto an author whose books I instantly click with, my first instinct is to go full “completionist mode.” That means I need to know the right order to read everything they’ve written, no skipping around, no missing out. That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Emily Henry. Her books are warm, witty, emotional, and oh-so binge-worthy. But if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering: should you read them in publication order? Or is there a recommended sequence?

The good news is that Emily Henry’s adult romances are all standalone novels, you can pick them up in any order without being confused. That said, reading them in order of release gives you a nice sense of how her voice and style have evolved over time. She also wrote a few YA novels before becoming the queen of contemporary romance, which might be worth checking out if you want the full Emily Henry experience.

Order to Read Emily Henry Books

Adult Romance Novels (Standalones)

1. Beach Read (2020)
2. People We Meet on Vacation (2021) (UK title: You and Me on Vacation)
3. Book Lovers (2022)
4. Happy Place (2023)
5. Funny Story (2024)

👉 These are her most popular books, the ones that made her a household name in the romance world. You can honestly start with whichever one catches your eye, but many fans recommend beginning with Beach Read, since it was her breakout adult debut.

Young Adult Novels (Before Romance Fame)

If you’re curious about her earlier work, Emily Henry also wrote some YA fantasy and contemporary books:

1. The Love That Split the World (2016)
2. A Million Junes (2017)
3. When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)
4. Hello Girls (2019) (co-written with Brittany Cavallaro)

These books lean more magical and emotional, with coming-of-age themes. They don’t connect directly to her romance novels, but you’ll definitely notice some of her signature heartfelt storytelling shining through.

Why Emily Henry’s Romances Hit So Hard

What makes Emily Henry stand out is that she doesn’t just write lighthearted rom-coms, though there’s plenty of witty banter and swoon-worthy moments. Her books balance humor with real emotional depth. Characters are often dealing with grief, identity, friendship struggles, or family expectations. This makes the love stories feel earned and layered, not just fluffy.

Another thing I personally love is how self-aware her characters are. They’ll poke fun at romance tropes while still falling headfirst into them, which makes the stories fun for long-time romance readers. It’s like she’s in on the joke with you, but she still delivers all the feelings.

Where to Start if You’re New

• If you love books about books/literary settings → Start with Beach Read or Book Lovers.
• If you’re in the mood for friends-to-lovers → People We Meet on Vacation is perfect.
• If second-chance romance is your jam → Happy Place will hit you right in the heart.
• If you want a fresh new release → Funny Story is her latest, and it’s already getting buzz.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong. But having a starting point helps match your mood with the story.

Final Verdict

Emily Henry’s books are the perfect mix of cozy, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud funny. The reading order really depends on whether you want to dive straight into her blockbuster romances (Beach Read first!) or explore her earlier YA novels to see where she started. Either way, you’re in for sharp dialogue, complex emotions, and characters you’ll want to root for long after you’ve closed the book.

If you’re anything like me, once you start, you’ll probably end up reading them all, because with Emily Henry, one book is never enough.

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