Below is the complete list of Emily Henry books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
- The Love That Split the World (2016)
The Love That Split the World was published in 2016 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series. - A Million Junes (2017)
Published in 2017, A Million Junes is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series. - When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)
When the Sky Fell on Splendor is a 2019 release and appears as book #3 in the Standalone Novels series. - Hello Girls (2019)
(With Brittany Cavallaro)
In the Standalone Novels series, Hello Girls is book #4 and was published in 2019. - Beach Read (2020)
Beach Read was first published in 2020; within the Standalone Novels series, it is listed as book #5. - People We Meet on Vacation / You and Me on Vacation (2021)
People We Meet on Vacation / You and Me on Vacation was published in 2021 and is listed as book #6 in the Standalone Novels series. - Book Lovers (2022)
Published in 2022, Book Lovers is listed as book #7 in the Standalone Novels series. - Happy Place (2023)
Happy Place is a 2023 release and appears as book #8 in the Standalone Novels series. - Funny Story (2024)
In the Standalone Novels series, Funny Story is book #9 and was published in 2024. - Great Big Beautiful Life (2025)
Great Big Beautiful Life was first published in 2025; within the Standalone Novels series, it is listed as book #10.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
- Layover (2020)
Layover was published in 2020 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
About Emily Henry
Emily Henry is an American novelist best known for writing contemporary romance and women’s fiction that blends humor, emotional depth, and literary sensibility. Her novels often explore the complexities of relationships, creative ambition, and personal identity, while maintaining the warmth and optimism readers expect from modern romance. Over the past several years, Henry has become one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary romantic fiction, with multiple bestselling titles and a growing international readership.
Emily Henry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the Midwest. Her early interest in storytelling developed through reading widely across genres and writing stories from a young age. Henry later attended Hope College, where she studied creative writing. During her time there, she continued developing the narrative voice and character-driven storytelling that would eventually define her novels.
Before becoming widely known for adult romance, Henry first published several novels in the young adult genre. These early books allowed her to experiment with themes of friendship, identity, and emotional growth while building experience as a novelist. The transition from young adult fiction to adult romantic fiction would later prove to be a turning point in her career.
Reading Emily Henry’s books in publication order reveals how her writing gradually shifted toward contemporary romance that focuses on adult relationships and personal reinvention. Her breakthrough novel in this genre, Beach Read (2020), quickly gained attention for its blend of romance, humor, and reflections on the writing process. The story follows two authors with very different literary styles who challenge each other to step outside their usual genres while spending the summer in neighboring beach houses.
The success of Beach Read introduced many readers to Henry’s storytelling style, which often combines witty dialogue with emotionally complex characters. Rather than relying solely on romantic tropes, her books explore how relationships develop alongside personal growth and creative ambitions.
Henry continued this approach with later novels such as People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers. These stories often feature protagonists who are writers, editors, or creative professionals, allowing Henry to explore the publishing world and the challenges of artistic careers. The novels also emphasize friendship and family relationships, adding depth beyond the central romantic storyline.
A notable feature of Henry’s writing is her ability to balance humor with emotional vulnerability. Her characters frequently grapple with past disappointments, self-doubt, or changing life goals. Through the course of the story, they learn to confront those challenges while forming meaningful connections with others.
Henry’s novels also stand out for their conversational narrative style. The dialogue between characters often carries much of the story’s emotional weight, making the relationships feel natural and believable. Readers are drawn not only to the romantic arcs but also to the authentic voices of the characters themselves.
In addition to commercial success, Henry’s books have received strong critical praise and have appeared regularly on bestseller lists. Several of her novels have attracted interest for film and television adaptations, reflecting the growing popularity of contemporary romance stories in visual media.
Emily Henry’s work represents a modern approach to romantic fiction—one that blends humor, introspection, and emotionally grounded storytelling. Following Emily Henry’s books in publication order highlights the evolution of a writer who continues to expand the genre while creating memorable characters and relationships that resonate with a wide audience of readers.
