Challenge Corner discussion

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?

Started this one

Chapters 1-7 (view spoiler)[I’m liking this more than I thought I would. I’m not a fan of this author. But I like that we are getting both past and present chapters. I think it’s interesting that this is sort of a forced proximity/one bed situation since their friends forced them together. I still don’t get why they didn’t tell them they aren’t together if they haven’t been together for six months. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 8-17 (view spoiler)[I take back what I said. This is so boring!! Like these two together clearly like each other. It’s stupid that he thought she cheated. And just to tell him that she was happy. Ugh! I hope this picks back up. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry I shouldn't laugh but the nevermind I take it back is very relatable. I really like Emily Henry so am hoping it's not the same for me.

Lol I think I liked Beach Read the most so far and gave that one only a 3.5 stars. I don’t know why I keep reading her books.

Chapters 18-27 (view spoiler)[OMG this is so boring!!! Like it’s not terrible but it’s boring. Their drug induced conversation was very deep, which I wasn’t expecting. I loved how she threw the bra at him though. I just need these two to get back together. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[So glad to be done!! I mean it wasn’t terrible, it was just so boring. Like I’m glad she stood up to her parents and she FINALLY figured out that she needed to fight for him, but seriously this took way too long. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Lol I think I liked Beach Read the most so far and gave that one only a 3.5 stars. I don’t know why I keep reading her books."

I also do this to myself, I never seem to learn.

Will be starting this in the next couple of days (where did January go oh my god)

Going to start this one after I finish my current read.

Chapter Eleven
Enjoying this so far
(view spoiler)[ I want to know what happened with them, why did they break up. They are both being idiots and are clearly unhappy about it. I'm also curious what's going on with Sabrina, being passive aggressive about a last minute visit not working out isn't cool, and she was at Harriet for not talking to her in the beginning (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty One
(view spoiler)[ This isn't my favorite. I can't put my finger on what it is but it's missing something. I like these character and their stories but I'm not super invested in the romance. I more want to know about what the hell happened to make them break up. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty Seven
I am struggling. I've loved all the Emily Henry I've read so this is extra disappointing but I'm not having a good time.
(view spoiler)[ I don't know what it is about this book, but yeah I'm not feeling this romance at all. I should be thrilled that they kissed and instead I'm like meh and also am I done yet. (hide spoiler)]

This makes me feel better because I don't like her books and didn't like this one either.

I'm finished now and it got better by the end but yeah this wasn't it. I don't like flashbacks or miscommunication so I was never going to love this but it also dragged a lot in the middle.
(view spoiler)[ Also sorry she gave it all up for pottery. Like fair enough she's not happy don't do that anymore but with her level of education and having loved being in school there are so many other things she could have done. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JULY 16TH, 2024


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10 chapters

(view spoiler)[
I like that they are all best friends and have remained friends through the years

but I'm only meh about the 2 main characters - Wyn and Harriet
I hate that they are lying to everyone and didn't tell everyone months ago
it makes me wonder how close they all actually are

but I can't imagine how heartbreaking it was for Wyn to leave and move away
(hide spoiler)]

20 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure about the cellar either
the friends DO seem to sense that something was going on with them. I wonder if Gloria reached out. . .maybe

I'm sad it seems like all of them are growing apart and now they won't have this house anymore - to go to and remember
they all need to put more attention and time into their friendships

the gummies and their adventures were funny. I'm glad they are letting loose and having fun (hide spoiler)]

30 chapters

(view spoiler)[ awe, so they did know - or at least Sabrina did
I thought they might

and it's heartbreaking but it seems like it was a big misunderstanding between these 2. but I wonder if they can forgive each other

and interesting how hard Cleo is pushing back. I wonder if there's more here (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 10

(view spoiler)[I feel the same way. It seems they would've told the good friends they'd broken up. I did think it was funny they gave them the biggest bedroom. I mean, come on now. Of course, they were going to reminisce about their times together. But for being seniors in college, I am really surprised they weren't more candid.

I thought the grocery store race was kind of fun. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 20

(view spoiler)[I have a pretty strong feeling that they all know, especially Sabrina. She just makes me think something is up with her and she knows for sure...in my opinion. lol That would explain why she locked them in the wine cellar, right?

I have no idea why they broke up. It seems like their relationship was overall good. I think Wyn wants her back just by how he acts and he's not dating anyone else. And, of course, the kiss would indicate they definitely still have feelings for each other.

I love all the fun things they did, too. Lots of fun and memories they're creating no matter what. And I love the setting of a cottage in Maine. Love it. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 30

(view spoiler)[I don't understand why Harriet thinks the worst of Wyn. I mean, isn't it obvious that he truly does care about her? Wants to make amends? His reasons for breaking up with her in the first place, now we know, is he felt like he was holding her back. That's love in my opinion. And the way she kept pushing him away like she didn't want to marry him I don't blame him. She was sending the wrong/mixed messages.

I am glad that he told her and that she finally sees the light and that SHE was the reason for their breakup. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I don't know how I feel about this one. I was glad that they got back together though because I feel like Harriet learned that she needs to do what's right for her and not always do what she thinks will please others. That doesn't work very well.

Overall I liked the characters okay, but I didn't love them all. It did drag for me for quite a while, but it picked up so I'm okay with that. (hide spoiler)]

I'm done too!

(view spoiler)[ I agree, I was so glad when they finally started actually talking. . .they had some stuff to catch up on and really get off their chest

I was wondering if pregnancy was going on once she wasn't drinking. . .

I was also really surprised by the turn - how tough for her to admit that what she fought to do she wasn't finding joy in. And to think there's this idea/stigma around the medical profession that you must just love what you do - so I like that she stood up for herself and admitted she didn't love it. she was exhausted.
(hide spoiler)]