Two writers. One reclusive heiress. One month to win the story of a lifetime—and possibly each other.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry is a gorgeous, layered story that blends rivalry, family secrets, and a slow-burning romance across timelines. If you love character-driven stories where the love is earned and the past is never just backstory, this one will linger with you.
Title: Great Big Beautiful Life
Author: Emily Henry
Publisher: Berkley / Reese’s Book Club Edition
Pub Date: April 22, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5)
Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Dual Timeline, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Mystery Elements, Writer Characters
Heat Level: Moderate (emotionally rich, not overtly steamy)
Content Notes: Family secrets, parental abandonment (in backstory), grief/loss, complicated family dynamics, references to past trauma
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Publisher’s Description
Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize–winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives, tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.
When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game:
- Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.
- She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.
- Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the-core way that suggests he sees her as competition.
But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story—pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.
And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, a tragedy, or a love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.
My Review
Great Big Beautiful Life starts with competitive sparks: Alice Scott, a journalist hoping for her big break, and Hayden Anderson, a Pulitzer-winning writer, are both invited to Little Crescent Island for a chance to write the biography of the elusive Margaret Ives. Margaret sets them a one-month trial, and they must pitch their narrative without sharing notes—while navigating their growing feelings and the secrets hidden in Margaret’s past.
What feels like a simple writing contest evolves into something far more emotional. Henry’s dual timelines and the unfolding Ives family history give texture. The romance between Alice and Hayden is gradual and thoughtful, and it’s the tension in what isn’t spoken that often lands hardest. Some readers may find the pacing contemplative, with character development taking precedence over external plot momentum—a shift from Henry's earlier, more plot-driven romances.
Where Henry shines is in characterization. Alice’s optimism is grounded by real vulnerability. Hayden’s guardedness gradually cracks in believable ways. And Margaret Ives’s own narrative—her fame, regrets, and gaps in memory—adds mystery and weight.
That said, not every element lands perfectly for every reader. Some critiques point out tonal shifts or moments where the competing narrative structure feels uneven. But those moments are often offset by emotional high points: revelations about family, the fight for truth, and the way love tugs at identity and loyalty.
In sum: this isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about legacies, the stories we choose to believe, and whether we dare to love someone while holding them accountable. For longtime Emily Henry readers and lovers of rich romantic fiction, it’s a rewarding, beautifully messy ride.
Character Spotlight
Alice Scott: Bright, hopeful, and full of ambition. Her optimism is part of her armor, and her growth comes from realizing some truths can’t just be told — they have to be understood.
Hayden Anderson: Moody, precise, and deeply wounded. His journey is about learning trust again, and reconciling brilliance with vulnerability.
Margaret Ives: The reclusive heiress whose past defines so much of the story. Her secrets echo—not all truths are clean, and her legacy is central to both the plot and the romance.
Critical Praise: Early reviewers are calling Great Big Beautiful Life one of Emily Henry’s most heartfelt and mature novels to date. Praised for its emotional depth, witty dialogue, and beautifully drawn slow-burn romance, it’s a story that blends rivalry, redemption, and self-discovery with Henry’s signature warmth. Many critics highlight her ability to balance humor with heartache, turning what begins as a rivalry into a moving exploration of truth, ambition, and connection. — Based on early reviews from NetGalley, Goodreads, and book media outlets
Why You’ll Love It
- Rivals-to-lovers with heart: Alice and Hayden’s dynamic captures that irresistible mix of tension, intellect, and vulnerability.
- Emily Henry at her most thoughtful: Themes of storytelling, ambition, and emotional honesty elevate this beyond a simple romance.
- Dual timelines, single heartbeat: Margaret Ives’s past mirrors the present in subtle and deeply satisfying ways.
- For fans of rich, reflective romance: Perfect if you loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Henry’s Funny Story.
- Slow-burn satisfaction: Emotional before it’s physical—built on trust, rivalry, and growing respect.
📚 For Emily Henry Fans: If you loved Beach Read, Book Lovers, or Funny Story, this marks Henry's most ambitious work yet—blending her signature wit with deeper emotional complexity and dual timelines. It's Emily Henry, elevated.
More for Readers: If you love romantic stories with depth and layered storytelling, check out Romantic Fiction Favorites or explore other categories in Book Reviews.
Join the Conversation
What did you think of Great Big Beautiful Life? Did Alice and Hayden’s story pull you in, or did Margaret’s secrets steal the show? Share your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing your take on every story we discover together.
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