The Bookish Ashley

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Emily Henry delivers another gem in The Great Big Beautiful Life—a layered, atmospheric romance with a touch of mystery, a dash of tragedy, and a whole lot of heart. This book is both quintessentially Henry and yet something a bit different, with a quiet depth and a slow-burn tension that rewards patient readers.

The Setup

Meet Alice Scott, a bubbly, ever-hopeful writer still searching for her “big break,” and Hayden Anderson, a grumpy Pulitzer Prize-winning author who’s made a name (and likely a few enemies) through his piercing prose. Thrown together on the charmingly remote Little Crescent Island, they’re both tasked with writing the biography of the elusive Margaret Ives—a socialite turned recluse with a past full of glamour, scandal, and secrets. But Margaret isn’t making it easy. Each writer is given only fragments of her story, bound by a strict NDA, and forced to untangle a legacy wrapped in myth and manipulation.

What Works

Henry shines when it comes to voice, and this novel delivers two compelling perspectives in Alice and Hayden. Alice is effervescent and deeply human, while Hayden is complex and guarded, yet never slips into caricature. Their chemistry is deliciously tense—intellectual sparring, emotional vulnerability, and smoldering attraction all rolled into one.

Margaret Ives is a standout character in her own right—a blend of old Hollywood elegance and crumbling vulnerability. The novel balances romance with a character study of a woman shaped by fame, family, and failure, and Henry’s prose is at its lyrical best when peeling back Margaret’s layers.

The setting—Little Crescent Island—adds to the novel’s allure. It feels like a world apart, perfect for a slow-burning romance and an unraveling mystery. Think wind-swept cliffs, cozy writing cabins, and moonlit conversations laced with meaning.

Minor Quibbles

While the dual biographies concept is clever, it occasionally leads to a narrative tug-of-war that slightly slows the pacing in the middle third. The NDA device, though believable, also limits some dialogue opportunities that could have deepened the emotional stakes sooner. Still, the payoff is worth the wait.

The Verdict

The Great Big Beautiful Life is a love letter to storytellers, a meditation on how narratives shape identity, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave readers swooning. It’s smart, sexy, and satisfyingly tender.

If you love your romances with a side of mystery and a dash of vintage glamour—or if you’ve ever believed that how a story is told matters just as much as the story itself—this one is for you.

Perfect for fans of:

Beach Read and Book Lovers Slow-burn rivals-to-lovers Stories about stories Glimpses into old-money secrets and modern-day ambition

Final Thoughts:

Emily Henry has once again proven that she can craft a tale that’s just as thoughtful as it is swoon-worthy. A near-perfect novel, and a strong contender for your next book club pick.