Review of ‘Great Big Beautiful Life’ by Emily Henry. Discover the heartfelt and emotionally rich story behind Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry’s newest novel that’s less about romance and more about healing, connection, and the people who shape us. With its atmospheric coastal setting, deeply personal storytelling, and a backstory that steals the spotlight, this book feels like a warm, introspective hug.
‘Great Big Beautiful Life’ by Emily Henry is a tender mystery wrapped in nostalgia, legacy, and quiet romance
Synopsis
Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years–or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.
When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.
One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.
Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication
Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.
But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.
And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.
Review
Alice Scott is a cheerful aspiring writer who lands the chance of a lifetime. Alongside Pulitzer-winning journalist Hayden Anderson, she’s invited to Little Crescent Island to compete for the job of writing a biography about Margaret Ives, the reclusive former heiress of a famously scandalous family. The catch? Margaret’s only sharing pieces of her story with each of them, and the ironclad NDA makes it impossible to compare notes. While Alice and Hayden are technically rivals, they’re also drawn to each other, stuck between a growing attraction and a professional standoff.
I really liked this book. It had everything I love in a character-driven story. The setting felt so vivid and lush, I could practically hear the ocean and smell the sea air. Little Crescent Island is more than just a backdrop. It’s the kind of place that feels alive, soaked in nostalgia and secrets. It’s warm, intimate, and full of history, and Emily Henry brings it to life in a way that made me want to pack a suitcase and move there.
Margaret’s backstory was absolutely my favorite part. She’s magnetic. The way her past unfolds is captivating and emotional and gave the entire story a depth I wasn’t expecting. Watching her slowly reveal pieces of herself, and seeing how those revelations affected both Alice and Hayden, was honestly what made this book so special. Her life added layers to the story that made it about so much more than just who gets to write a biography.
Alice was such a joy to follow. She’s got this gentle optimism that you can’t help but root for, and her interactions with the people on the island were some of my favorite moments. I also loved the cast of side characters. They were full of charm and quirks, and their presence gave the book this warm, lived-in feel that I didn’t want to leave behind.
If I had one small gripe, it’s that the romance felt a little too quick for me. Alice and Hayden definitely had chemistry, but I missed the slow-burn tension and witty back-and-forth that usually defines Emily Henry’s love stories. I found myself wishing for more buildup, more moments of emotional tug before things started to fall into place. That said, I really appreciated that the story wasn’t about the romance. It was about the past, about storytelling, and about two people uncovering not just Margaret’s truth, but their own.
Final thoughts
Great Big Beautiful Life is emotional, atmospheric, and rich with meaning. It’s not your typical Emily Henry rom-com, but that’s exactly why it stands out. If you’re drawn to layered backstories, quiet romance, and characters that grow on you page by page, this book will definitely leave a mark. Margaret’s story will stay with me for a long time, and so will the quiet magic of this island.
Rating
8/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Grief, loss of a parent, aging and memory loss, professional rivalry, references to past trauma and scandal
- Themes: Legacy, storytelling, found family, ambition, identity, and the blurred lines between truth and memory
- Representation: The story features a strong female protagonist and centers around multigenerational female relationships. There’s also subtle queer representation and nuanced portrayals of grief, ambition, and personal reinvention
- Genre: Contemporary romance
- Pages: 420
- Publication date: April 22, 2025
- Publisher: Penguin
- About the author:
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read, as well as the forthcoming Happy Place. She lives and writes in Cincinnati and the part of Kentucky just beneath it.
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