Emily Henry Books in Order: The Best Reading Order for Every Emily Henry Novel
If you've spent any time on BookTok or wandered through the romance section of a bookshop, you've almost certainly come across Emily Henry. Known for her unforgettable characters, sharp humour and emotional depth, she's become one of the most-loved contemporary romance authors of the last few years.
One of the questions we hear all the time at Shimmy Books is:
"What order should I read Emily Henry's books in?"
The good news? Every Emily Henry novel is a standalone, so there's no wrong place to start. But if you want to catch the subtle Easter eggs and watch her writing evolve, we'd recommend reading them in publication order.
Here's our complete guide.
1. Beach Read (2020)
Perfect for: Enemies-to-lovers fans, writers, emotional romances.
January Andrews writes happy-ever-afters. Augustus Everett writes literary fiction. When they're both stuck living next door to each other for the summer, they make a bet: they'll swap genres and see who can write the other's style better.
What starts as playful competition becomes one of the most beloved romance novels of the decade.
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. People We Meet on Vacation (2021)
Perfect for: Friends-to-lovers lovers, slow burns and holiday romances.
Poppy and Alex couldn't be more different, yet they've taken a holiday together every summer for years. Until something happened two years ago that stopped them speaking.
Now they have one final trip to fix everything.
If you love yearning, chemistry and unforgettable travel settings, this one is for you.
🎬 Don’t forget to watch the Netflix adaptation once you’ve read the book!
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Book Lovers (2022)
Perfect for: Bookworms, witty banter and anyone tired of being "the career woman."
Nora Stephens is a literary agent who feels like she's always cast as the supporting character in everyone else's story.
When she heads to a small town with her sister, she keeps running into Charlie Lastra—an editor she definitely wasn't expecting to see there.
Packed with publishing jokes, brilliant dialogue and emotional family relationships, this is often considered Emily Henry's funniest novel.
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Happy Place (2023)
Perfect for: Second-chance romance, found family and emotional reads.
Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple.
The only problem?
They broke up months ago.
Neither has told their friendship group, so when everyone gathers for their annual holiday, they agree to fake their relationship for one final week.
Expect plenty of laughter, nostalgia and emotional damage.
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Funny Story (2024)
Perfect for: Roommates, fake dating vibes and character-driven romance.
Daphne's fiancé leaves her...
...for his childhood best friend.
The only person who understands is Miles - the ex-boyfriend of that very same best friend.
The obvious solution?
Become roommates.
It's warm, funny, heartfelt and one of Emily Henry's strongest books to date.
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Great Big Beautiful Life (2025)
Perfect for: Family mysteries, rivals-to-lovers and readers wanting something a little different. If you love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, then you will looove this!
Two writers compete for the chance to tell the life story of a famously reclusive heiress.
As they uncover long-buried secrets, they also find themselves falling for one another.
It's Emily Henry's most ambitious novel yet, blending romance with family drama and mystery while still delivering all the humour and heart fans expect.
Shimmy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can You Read Emily Henry Books Out of Order?
Absolutely.
Each novel features completely new characters and a new love story, so you won't spoil previous books by picking one up first.
That said, reading in publication order has its perks. Emily Henry includes little nods to previous novels, and you'll also notice how her storytelling and character work become even stronger with each release.
If You're Only Reading One...
Not sure where to start? Here's our recommendation based on what you love:
📚 Book Lovers – If you're obsessed with books, publishing and witty banter.
🏖️ Beach Read – If you want the classic Emily Henry experience.
✈️ People We Meet on Vacation – If friends-to-lovers is your favourite trope.
💙 Funny Story – If you want Emily Henry at her absolute best.
🏡 Happy Place – If you enjoy emotional, character-driven romance.
🌊 Great Big Beautiful Life – If you like your romance with a side of family mystery.
Find Emily Henry Books for Less
One of the best things about Emily Henry books is that they're perfect to buy secondhand. Whether you're building your collection or trying an Emily Henry novel for the first time, shopping pre-loved means you can save money while giving great books another life.
Browse secondhand Emily Henry books on Shimmy Books and discover your next favourite romance, for less. Because every book deserves a second chapter 💕
Happy reading! 💛
Shop Emily Henry Now