Great Big Beautiful Life: Reese's Book Club

Great Big Beautiful Life was one of my most anticipated reads of the year—and it absolutely did not disappoint. Emily Henry wove such a masterful story here, and I know it’s going to stick with me for a long time.From the very first page, I was hooked: I loved the opening line and was completely in love with Alice by page three. There were so many sweet and "awww" moments throughout, balanced perfectly with moments that tugged at my heart. Watching Alice and Hayden fall for each other was such a joy—Hayden made for such a wonderful love interest and MMC. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the way their relationship unfolded felt so natural and satisfying.I loved the little "puzzle pieces" sprinkled throughout the story—it was really fun trying to piece everything together, and the plot twists kept me hooked. I could definitely feel some inspiration from Taylor Swift’s The Last Great American Dynasty woven into the narrative, which added such a unique flavor to the story.The ending was everything I could have hoped for—so sweet and heartwarming. I adored this book from start to finish!✨ Tropes you’ll find: rivals to lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, small town romance, and workplace romance.🌶️ Spice rating: Very light—Chapter 30 has a bit of spice, but it’s not super descriptive.If you're a fan of Emily Henry or just love a heartfelt, slow-burn romance with great characters, this one is a must-read!

Two journalists compete to be the author of a memoir of a past but well known heiress whose family (think Hearst) owned most national newspapers, were ridiculous wealthy and lived a life style that constantly drew the attention of the press, up until the heiress drops off the face of the earth for over 40 plus years. Now she has decided to provide a tell all book and hires for one month two journalists to interview her separately, held from discussing their interviews with each other because of a NDA and only one writer will get the job.Of course the two journalists fall hard for each other and the heiress is lying to one of them and the real truth implodes the entire plan. Good characters, the plot of the past story is filled with twists, marriages, affairs, and all sorts of surprises which finally comes to light. A really enjoyable read!

I just finished, and I’m emotionally wrecked in the best way. This book hit me hard. Emily Henry crafted a story that pulled me in so deeply, it felt like I was unraveling a mystery. It wasn’t always easy to follow—some parts felt foggy, others were strikingly vivid—but the final picture? Absolutely breathtaking. It’s really two stories in one: the sweeping, emotional chronicle of Margaret Ives—her family, her loves, her losses—and the tender, heart-melting romance between Hayden Anderson and Alice Scott. These two threads aren’t separate; they’re reflections of one another, like sky meeting sea.“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺: 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀, 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵.”This quote truly captures the essence of Hayden and Alice’s intertwined journey as they take on the task of writing about the iconic Margaret Ives—a project that’s more than just a job; it’s a turning point. Margaret’s life, rich with legacy, marriage, and mystery, unfolds as a story within a story, keeping me hooked until the very last twist. The author layers the suspense beautifully, delivering two jaw-dropping reveals while building a slow-burn romance between Hayden and Alice. But let’s talk about Hayden. Hayden, a sharp yet guarded freelancer, begins with practical intentions but is slowly pulled deeper—into Margaret’s past and into Alice’s world. Their connection was like a slow dance, full of unspoken tension and perfect balance. I appreciated the portrayal of a romance where both characters are equals, intellectually and physically, offering a refreshing contrast to stereotypical pairings.Alice is the kind of character who makes you root for her from the start—bright, emotionally intelligent, and determined to prove herself. Her sweet curiosity about Hayden and those quiet wins—like when he finally says her name with softness—were so satisfying. Their connection grows through moments that feel honest and vulnerable—like when Hayden says, “Tell me something no one knows about you. I’m in love with you.” Or when he admits, “I don’t like people looking at me,” but reassures her with a soft, “Not you.” Ugh, those moments! They’re vulnerable, intimate, and perfectly placed against the backdrop of a job that could change everything for both of them.Emily Henry demonstrates narrative finesse in her dual timeline structure, allowing the suspense surrounding Margaret Ives to unfold in measured beats. Hayden and Alice’s investigation propels the story with a sense of steady intrigue, culminating in revelations that are both unexpected and logically grounded. The contrast between the quiet evolution of their romance and the dramatic arcs of Margaret’s life creates a carefully balanced narrative tension that keeps readers fully engaged. Great Big Beautiful Life swept me up in a world where love, legacy, and the pursuit of truth collide. Hayden and Alice’s relationship starts with a slow burn—yes, you need a little patience—but the payoff is so worth it. What begins as a gentle simmer turns into an emotional crescendo, layered against a dual storyline. The second storyline, centered on the fierce and unforgettable Margaret Ives, is a masterpiece on its own. Her life, entangled with family drama and an epic romance with Cosmos Sinclair, is mesmerizing. Together, both timelines create a rich, emotionally charged novel I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

This is a hard one to rate. I usually love Emily Henry novels. I enjoyed reading this, but ultimately the two main characters seemed sort of flat. The protagonist was a little bit too manic pixie for me. The romance piece was particularly weak. Other than physical attraction it wasn’t clear what they actually liked about each other (or why we, as readers, were supposed to like them). Alice’s personality seems to be a combo of unending perkiness and doormat. Hayden was just grouchy. We learn facts about them, but they aren’t really developed as characters. I won’t be specific so as to avoid spoilers, but there were so many things that never got resolved. Things that were introduced but we never came back to, or that were just papered over.

Great Big Beautiful Life is an easy summer read but has an complex 2nd story with many characters. The author is Emily Henry who has written many books and this will be a very popular book for her.This is the story about Alice and Hayden who are both authors that go to compete for the right to write the story of Margaret Ives who is from a very celebrity wealthy family with many secrets. Margaret has been in hiding much of her life due to celebrity and the press. Margaret has both authors meet with her for a month to compete for who she selects to have the coveted author position of the book and her life. There is a romance, mystery, and much family drama with deep secrets in this book. I recommend it as a fun summer read. I did not give 5 stars because I thought some of it got too wordy and tedious and all the different characters were hard to keep straight, otherwise it is a fun read.