Story Summary
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is a tender, funny, and emotional friends-to-lovers romance that perfectly captures the messy beauty of growing up — and growing closer.
The story follows Poppy Wright, a spontaneous travel writer, and Alex Nilsen, a bookish English teacher. Despite being total opposites, they've spent ten years taking summer trips together — until something happened in Croatia two years ago that ended it all.
Now, Poppy feels lost despite her dream life. Hoping to repair their friendship, she invites Alex on one last trip to Palm Springs. What starts as an awkward reunion slowly rekindles everything they'd buried under years of distance, denial, and love they never dared to name.
It's a story about friendship, second chances, and realizing that sometimes, home isn't a place — it's a person.
Main Characters
Poppy Wright
Age: Late 20s | Hair Color: Brown | Eye Color: Hazel
Identity: Travel writer
Adventurous, chaotic, and full of heart — Poppy chases excitement to avoid standing still.
Alex Nilsen
Age: Late 20s | Hair Color: Blonde | Eye Color: Blue
Identity: English teacher
Steady, thoughtful, and quietly charming — the calm to Poppy's storm.
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love People We Meet on Vacation? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
Emily Henry writes intimacy with warmth and realism. The romantic tension builds slowly through years of friendship until it finally bursts — honest, awkward, and full of feeling.
Chapter 28 – Croatia
Poppy and Alex are in a small Airbnb when a storm traps them inside. With laughter, teasing, and some wine, they let their guards down. As they dance, a light touch leads to a hesitant but charged kiss that quickly becomes passionate. They make love for the first time, a mix of fear and certainty.
"When his mouth found mine, the world stopped moving."
Chapter 33 – The Reunion
Back in the present, the truth finally comes out. They talk about Croatia, about fear, about why they ran. The conversation turns into a confession, and then into something more — a long, desperate kiss that turns into something deeper.
"It felt like coming home — not to a place, but to a person."
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love People We Meet on Vacation? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Goodreads Reader Reactions
People We Meet on Vacation holds an average rating of 4.1 stars on Goodreads, with readers calling it "heartwarming, bittersweet, and beautifully written." Many view it as Emily Henry's most grounded and emotionally resonant romance.
Positive Reactions
- "I smiled through tears. It's not just romance — it's a love letter to friendship."
- "The pacing is perfect. Every flashback makes their final reunion hit harder."
- "Alex Nilsen is the blueprint for the quiet, kind book boyfriend."
"It's not a fairytale ending. It's better — it's real."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: People We Meet on Vacation — what happened in Croatia?
Poppy and Alex slept together for the first time during their trip to Croatia. The morning after, uncertainty and fear caused an emotional rift that ended their friendship for two years.
Q: How does People We Meet on Vacation end?
Poppy confesses her love to Alex after realizing that every meaningful moment in her life has been with him. They finally reunite and start a relationship built on honesty and love.
Q: How many chapters in People We Meet on Vacation?
There are 34 chapters, plus an epilogue.
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love People We Meet on Vacation? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.