20 Great Romance Books Like The People We Meet on Vacation

If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, steamy love stories, or charming stories about personal growth, you’ve likely heard of Emily Henry. The author debuted with the well-loved Beach Read before releasing People We Meet on Vacation. Readers love the humor, charm, and nuance in the book, which is a class friends-to-lovers romp. 

After reading People We Meet on Vacation, you’re probably missing Poppy and Alex and their long-awaited summer road trip. While you can’t go back and experience the tension and romance of the book for the first time again, you can choose from a wealth of other books with the same heart and happy ending. 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

For another of Emily Henry’s romances, Beach Read is the best place to start. Augustus and January are both writers, but that’s where the similarities end. She writes romance novels and he writes dark literary fiction. The two find themselves holding up to write in neighboring beach houses and to break their writer’s block, they strike a deal: he will write something happy, and she’ll write something literary. As they show each other their crafts, the two find themselves writing their own happy ending.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren 

One of the most popular and prolific romance authors of the modern day, Christina Lauren has just about something for everyone. Like People We Meet on Vacation, her novel Love and Other Words follows childhood friends who have had a mysterious falling out, only to come back together as adults. As Macy and Elliott come back together, they must unravel their past and what made it all fall apart and determine if they can make it work as adults. Equal parts exploration of grief and swoony love story, this book is a perfect follow-up to a Henry book.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 

Another Christina Lauren novel, The Unhoneymooners follows identical twins: Olive, who is unlucky in every way, and Ami, who is living a charmed life. Following this pattern, Ami is planning her perfect wedding and asks Olive to entertain the best man, who happens to be her sworn enemy. The two try to get along for the sake of a free vacation, and neither expects the results. With vacation vibes and plenty of tension, this book is perfect for those who want to follow their heroine across the globe in pursuit of love.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey 

Like Poppy and Alex, the main characters in It Happened One Summer could not be more opposite. Piper is a celebrity known for her partying and fashion choices, while Brendan is a grumpy local fisherman. When Piper decides to spend time in her hometown, she can’t deny that there’s an attraction to Brendan – or to the town she thought she swore off years ago. If People We Meet on Vacation satisfied your need for childhood nostalgia mixed with steamy romance, Bailey’s novel will be the perfect next read.

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey 

A companion to It Happened One Summer, this Bailey novel follows a king crab fisherman who has never had a problem getting the girl – until Hannah. The two are just friends, and even live together when Hannah is in town for work, with Fox acting as her wingman. But when his feelings for her start to reemerge, how will he prove to her that he’s more than a flirt? Hook, Line, and Sinker is a witty take on the classic friends-to-lovers story. 

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood 

This popular novel is full of delightful tropes that any romance fan will know and love: a reluctant heroine, a fake dating scheme, a swoony love interest, and of course a happy ending. Olive is a heads-down scientist who finds herself in a “relationship” with a young professor, but when she experiences a huge setback, he becomes more than a charade. Anyone who loves a bit of banter in their romance will devour The Love Hypothesis in a single sitting.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune 

Persephone Fraser hasn’t returned to her childhood lakehouse since she made a huge mistake – until now. When her mother dies, Persephone must face Sam, who she once had a passionate relationship with, and the spark hasn’t died. But they will need to untangle the past and confront their decisions before they can move forward. A sweeping story of nostalgia and love makes Every Summer After a perfect read for fans of Emily Henry.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 

If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers and haven’t read The Hating Game, you are in for a treat. Lucy and Josh hate each other and everyone knows it, even their shared bosses. When they have to compete for a promotion, their tension reaches new heights, but may also signal another change in their relationship. The two must learn to trust each other and navigate a world where they’re no longer enemies.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 

Stella’s one true love is math, which she has made an admirable career of as a thirty-year-old. But dating is less obvious to her, and it doesn’t help that she has Asperger’s and struggles with the connection. Determined to start dating, Stella hires an escort to complete lesson plans that will make her experienced in the bedroom. But over time, she begins to have feelings for her teacher that defy her normal logic. The Kiss Quotient is a sexy, romantic novel that also has a huge heart. 

Well Met by Jen DeLuca 

One of the things that makes people love People We Meet on Vacation is the ever-changing setting and cast of new characters. In Well Met, the main character Emily is no stranger to this concept, as she gets roped into volunteering at a local Renaissance Faire in her hometown. There she meets Simon, who she could not dislike more, and the two clash at every turn – except when they put on their costumes for the faire. There, they develop a connection, and Emily must decide if she’ll stay put or leave.

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina Martin has four weeks to find a date for her sister’s wedding, which is across the ocean. It doesn’t help that she already dreamed up an American boyfriend who her family expects to meet. When Aaron Blackford steps up, though, she isn’t relieved, as he is all but repulsive to her. But she does accept, and as the wedding draws nearer, Catalina begins to see the good side of her date. The Spanish Love Deception traverses locations and brings together two unlikely people for a fun, funny, and joyful story.

The Friend Zone by Abby Jiminez

Kristen and Josh may not have the same history as Henry’s Poppy and Alex, but they do have one thing in common: a huge hurdle to get past. Kristen is a no-nonsense woman, perfect to plan her best friend’s wedding; Josh is the best man who is perfect in every way except one. He wants a large family, and she is about to have a medical procedure that will render her infertile. The Friend Zone is a touching romance that covers a serious topic with heart and a bit of banter along the way.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Friends since college, Josh and Hazel have a unique relationship. She’s a lot for most people to handle, and his mellow demeanor is a great contrast that has led their friendship to be solid for the last ten years. But after he’s cheated on, Josh begins to see Hazel differently. Sure, they’ve spent a lot of nights together, but not romantically. But will that change? Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is a great take on the story of long-time friends who connect in adulthood in new and unexpected ways.

The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary 

A perfect companion to People We Meet on Vacation, The Road Trip finds exes Dylan and Addie stuck in a car together. Though their relationship didn’t work out two years ago, they share mutual friends, and one is getting married in rural Scotland. As the two carpool to the wedding, they must get to know each other again and face their past. 

Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz 

If you enjoyed the summer vacation setting of People We Meet on Vacation and the baggage shared between the main characters, Luck and Last Resorts will be a surefire hit. Nina is happily single and a stewardess on a yacht, living life with no ties. But when her on-again-off-again ex Ollie is hired to be an onboard chef, he gives her an ultimatum. She must confess her love by the end of the summer, or be done for good. Now they must face their past if they want a future together. 

Island Time by Georgia Clark 

When a boisterous Australian family and a reserved American family are stranded together for two weeks, there is no shortage of chaos. Island Time follows two families in this predicament, who must confront family secrets and their own desires. Though this is an ensemble story, Emily Henry fans will love the romance at the center of the sprawling tale. 

Love at First by Kate Clayborn

With the same slow burn and beautiful prose you can find in People We Meet on Vacation, Clayborn’s Love at First is sure to satisfy. An unexpected inheritance brings Will back to his old apartment, where he once heard the girl of his dreams sing on a balcony. But despite their shared history, Nora won’t let his investment plans ruin the building they both love. A bit of sabotage and a raucous feud pepper this story of two people trying to find happiness despite their differences. 

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang 

People We Meet on Vacation introduces Poppy, who has landed her dream job and can do anything she wants, but isn’t happy. The Heart Principle gives us a contrast in Anna, who is successful only because of a fluke and feels like an imposter because of it. When her boyfriend decides they should have an open relationship, Anna finds herself in a series of flings and one-night stands that lead her to an unexpected companion.

Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan 

A huge misunderstanding right before Chloe’s first year of college leaves her and Fallon’s friendship destroyed and their communication cut off. But when Chloe returns home for the summer, they’re forced to work together at their mom’s joint business. Melt With You finds the two stuck together in a situation that leaves no option but to face their past, and potentially their future together. 

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole 

There was no explanation for why Likotsi and Fabiola’s romance ended – it just did one day. But now that they’re in the same town again, the two decide to talk and rekindle their story. A second chance romance like People We Meet on Vacation, Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is unique in that the characters work amongst royalty. But the heart of the story remains the same: a new chance at a happy ending. 

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