These days, we’re all so cynical and divided. That makes it hard to believe in a love will last forever. Maybe that’s why romance novels are more popular than ever. We need that happily-ever-after. Plus, there’s the amount of amazing romance novels published recently. Emily Henry’s novels are among them.

However, since she’s known for writing complex, realistic characters, their happily-ever-after’s are sometimes slightly in question. Make no mistake, I adored all five love stories, and I cheered at the end of each one. (I listened to them all, usually during my morning run. And yes, I literally cheered and happy-cried)

Okay. But what if her characters were real life people? Would their love last?

I like to think they all would.

But…here’s my ranking of the couples from Emily Henry’s novels, from least to most likely to stay together.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

#5 Most Likely: Wynn & Harriet from Happy Place

Happy Place is probably my favorite Emily Henry novel. I loved  how Wynn and Harriet found their way back to each other. But that’s one reason why I rate them as #5–they were already having problems. More importantly, I worry that Harriet will grow tired of living in a small, rural town and that she’ll regret abandoning her medical career to work in a pottery studio. The financial strain could prove to be quite stressful.

#4 Most Likely: January and Gus from Beach Read

Beach Read was my introduction to Emily Henry, and I was very invested in the relationship between literary fiction author Augustus and romance writer January. The writing challenge they gave each other was the perfect set-up for an enemies to lovers romance. I rate them as #4 however, because their connection began with contempt. If either of them reverts to their previously held beliefs about the other, then that could strain their relationship.

#3 Most Likely: Daphne & Miles from Funny Story

I think Emily Henry’s books just get better and better, which might make Funny Story her most well-written novel. The way that Daphne and Miles slowly fell in love was both believable and moving, and it made me happy that Daphne chose to be (sort of) on her own for a while, rather than moving into the perfect home with Miles right away. Both of them had major issues to work through, not so much about their exes, but with their families. Especially Miles. So, while I believe that their love would ultimately last, I rank them as #3 because they both have abandonment issues.

#2 Most Likely: Nora & Charlie from Book Lovers

Honestly, if I had to choose one of Emily Henry’s novels as a less-than-five-star-read, it would Book Lovers, and that’s only because Libby got on my nerves big time. But the romance between Nora and Charlie was lovely. They both really saw and accepted each other. They wanted the same things. Nora could love Charlie in a way he’d been waiting for his entire life, and he did the same for her. The only reason I didn’t place them in the top spot is that they were each so set on living in the city. But what if something happened and Libby could no longer run the bookstore? If Charlie got called back to his small town, that would be an issue. (And I don’t trust Libby.)

#1 Most Likely: Alex & Poppy from People We Meet on Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation is the Emily Henry novel I remember least well. Not sure why. But I rate Alex and Poppy as the number one most likely couple to stay together because they started as friends. They’ve seen each other at their worst, and they’ve forgiven each other multiple times for multiple reasons. Plus, they’re both in a really good place in other areas of their lives by the end of the novel. I can’t think of a single reason why they might not last.

 

“Nothing really forces you to confront your demons like falling in love.” – Emily Henry

This video explains why Emily Henry’s novels are both romances and complex stories of self-discovery.