Emily Henry's 'People We Meet on Vacation' Netflix Adaptation

The film adaptation of Emily Henry's novel "People We Meet on Vacation" is scheduled to debut on Netflix on January 9, 2026. Henry has become a dominant force in the romance genre since her 2020 breakout "Beach Read," with five subsequent novels reaching The New York Times bestseller list.

Her writing is characterized by honesty and humor, often featuring characters ranging from enemies living next door to best friends risking their relationship. The upcoming movie is expected to drive interest in Henry's backlist titles, including "Book Lovers," "Happy Place," and "Great Big Beautiful Life."

For readers looking to fill the void after finishing her works, the article recommends several similar romance novels by authors such as Bolu Babalola, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Josie Silver, and Jasmine Guillory, covering themes of second-chance romance, fake dating, and literary rivalry.

The film adaptation of "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry hits Netflix on January 9. This release is considered one of the most highly anticipated book-to-screen adaptations of 2026.

Henry's novels are described as romantic and sexy, often leaving readers wanting more. "People We Meet on Vacation" specifically focuses on best friends who are scared to risk it all for something more.

Whether you are already a fan of Henry or are just getting to know her work through the movie, the story will likely leave you wanting more. The film brings to life the summer romance that has captivated readers.

Emily Henry smashed onto the romance scene in 2020 with "Beach Read" and has written five more books since then, each of which has skyrocketed to The New York Times bestseller list. Her summer romance books often approach love with a sense of honesty and fun that the genre needs to thrive.

Beach Read (2020)

In Henry's 2020 novel "Beach Read," author January Andrews is in a writing rut. She retreats to the beach house she inherited from her father, only to discover Augustus Everett, an acclaimed literary author and her college archnemesis, is living next door. They decide to try their hand at each other's writing style—Augustus writing romance and January writing literary fiction—leading to unexpected romantic feelings.

Book Lovers (2022)

"Book Lovers" is Henry's third summer romance book. It follows Nora Stephens, a literary agent who escapes to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, with her sister. There, she keeps running into Charlie Lastra, a grumpy New York editor she has never gotten along with.

Happy Place (2023)

"Happy Place" ruminates on what it means to fight for love. Harriet has spent her adult life loving Wyn, but he breaks up with her after she starts her medical school residency. To avoid hurting their friends, they pretend to be a couple during a group trip to Maine.

Great Big Beautiful Life (2024)

Henry's latest book, "Great Big Beautiful Life," marks a departure from her typical romances. Journalist Alice Scott competes against Hayden Anderson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, to convince the elusive heiress Margaret Ives to let her write her biography.

If you have finished Henry's books, the following titles offer similar themes of romance, chemistry, and emotional depth.

Contemporary Favorites

• "Honey & Spice" by Bolu Babalola: Features fake dating at a university involving a radio show host and a student.
• "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A masterclass in yearning and epic love involving a famous film star.
• "The Two Lives of Lydia Bird" by Josie Silver: Explores a woman navigating a way to return to her old life after a tragedy.
• "The Wedding Date" by Jasmine Guillory: A chance elevator encounter leads to a fake date at a wedding.

Unique Concepts

• "In Five Years" by Rebecca Serle: A woman wakes up five years in the future with a different man beside her.
• "Normal People" by Sally Rooney: A darker tone but features undeniable chemistry between high school opposites.
• "One Golden Summer" by Carley Fortune: Captures the angst and ecstasy of summer love and photography.
• "Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid: Follows two rival hockey players with a secret relationship.

More Recommendations

• "Love & Other Words" by Christina Lauren: Uses a dual timeline to explore a second-chance romance involving books.
• "The Seven Year Slip" by Ashley Poston: A woman meets a man living in her apartment seven years in the past.
• "Just for the Summer" by Abby Jimenez: Two people with a dating curse decide to date each other to break it.
• "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams: Two romance novelists reunite years after a week of teenage love.
• "Deep End" by Ali Hazelwood: A Stanford diver and swim captain explore a casual arrangement that becomes serious.
• "Same Time Next Summer" by Annabel Monaghan: A woman returns to her childhood beach house to find her ex-heartbreaker next door.
• "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach: A woman crashing a wedding finds unexpected connections.

When is the "People We Meet on Vacation" movie releasing?

The film adaptation is set to debut on Netflix on January 9, 2026.

How many Emily Henry books are New York Times bestsellers?

Since her 2020 debut "Beach Read," Emily Henry has written five more books, and each has reached The New York Times bestseller list.

What is the plot of "People We Meet on Vacation"?

The book follows best friends who are scared to risk their relationship for something more. It has been adapted into a film scheduled for Netflix.