People We Meet on Vacation
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People We Meet on Vacation
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Someway, somehow it is almost JULY. I can’t believe it! I hope you enjoyed our June book, People We Meet on Vacation. It screams Summer to me and I just could not stop thinking about Alex and Poppy and their story. I’ve really been looking forward to discussing this book more with all of you, so let’s get started!
xo- Ashley Brooke
People We Meet on Vacation
Discussion Questions
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
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People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
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A little late to the game finishing June’s Book 🙂
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
On vacation I always take time to disconnect. Turning off emails is the biggest stress reliever and I feel so good turning on that “out of office message”. On vacation I refuse to make my bed, so rebellious. I make it everyday at home though.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I think Alex and Poppy were so “different” that it took them a while to see their differences actually make them compatible. They really embodied the idea that “opposites attract” but they were fighting that the majority of their friendship.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
I loved their “on the cheap” vacations to places like Canada. When my husband and I were first married we traveled on the cheap very well. Sometimes passing over baggage fees in exchange for packing for a week in a single backpack. We had more fun on those trips than staying at 4 start resorts with room service and champagne. I love the memories you can reflect back on during the times we had student loans to pay off but still had the time of our lives. There isn’t a vacation I wouldn’t like but I do think it would be cumbersome to travel with a photographer like they did for R+R
I’m with you, I love a good OOO auto reply!
xx
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
I absolutely loved the line in the opening of the book about feeling like a different person on vacation. I think, as someone who really only has the opportunity to do any type of traveling during the summer, I fully embrace this. So much of my life is compartmentalizing; I have to be one way with my students, there’s a me I get to be at home, a me I get to be with my family, and the me I get to be with my friends. What I love about “vacation me” is how much I love to explore! As a teacher, my daily life is very based in routine, so I love going somewhere I have never been before and getting to experience that side of myself. Seeing new things, eating new food, is so exciting and makes me feel so alive!
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I like that this went a bit deeper than just a misunderstanding, not communicating story line. I think they were both so caught up in what they were “supposed” to want and had to let go of that to be happy.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
My number one would definitely be that Italy trip, that sounded amazing. I really hate the heat, so I’m going to take a pass on Palm Springs in the middle of the summer haha.
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
I love to sleep in & not make my bed during vacations- mini rebellion to keeping my space kept up while at home.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I think their different personalities made them overthink the obvious- probably afraid of possible rejection too.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
Palm Springs but with a cute, air conditioned airbnb!
1. Vacation me is fairly similar to home me – still wanting to go on adventures, out to eat, document the best sunsets, etc!
2. Their friendship was just so strong and something they didn’t want to risk losing by moving forward into a relationship if they weren’t exactly on the same page, in my opinion.
3. The non-air condition situation in Palm Springs sounded awful, although I loved that that didn’t ruin everything about that trip 😉 I would most like to go on their trip to Italy!
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
I am definitely more “go with the flow†on vacation. I do plan activities and dining but allow time to just make impulse decisions that I don’t normally do at home.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
When they became close friends I think they were afraid to ruin that friendship by romance. Yes it took way too long for them to realize they were meant to be together, but I think they both needed to grow as individuals to be right for each other.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
I would love to go to Palm Springs, only while staying in a well air conditioned hotel!
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
i work out a lot more on vacation. not sure why. but i do. love waking up early, having coffee, working out and then starting my day! nothing to block that routine!
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
i think both of them were afraid of the changes it would make in their relationship. both thought/assumed a lot of things and knew it would make irreparable changes. i married someone who was a really good friend before we decided to take it to the next level. both of us spent some time singing and dancing around it and then acknowledged that either it would work and we would be together forever, or it would be a disaster and we would have no friendship. a friendship of years is important and taking that leap is scary.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
none of them sounded particularly appealing to me? there was always some kind of disaster included in them.
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
I’m usually a pretty shy, reserved person. When I’m on vacation, though, I’m suddenly a social butterfly. Striking up conversation over happy hour drinks at the hotel or getting to know people in a tour group just feels like second nature.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
Risk can be tough… and scary. I think Alex was afraid to risk loosing love, and Poppy was afraid to risk loosing the security that comes from being known. Throw in the mix of other relationships, bad timing, and norm of ‘just friends’ and you’ve got a tricky dynamic to navigate through.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
The Italy vacation sounded *so* dreamy, but the Croatia trip seems like it would have been an amazing adventure. Croatia is now officially on my travel list.
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
When I go on vacation- I fully give in to the vacation vibe. I care much less about the rental or hotel being spotless, always want to try the best restaurants in town and be lenient with the budget and soak up all of the moments.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I think it took so long because they were each other’s best friend. The one who truly understood them and that loss could be devastating. Oddly, I think in real life when people think that best friends should date- it’s often the pressure from others versus their own desire. I truly felt like it was their desire to be together and they have no outside influences forcing them to “make it work.â€
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?! I mean, I love a good vacation. But I am DYING to go to Italy
1. I try to make our vacations be “phone freeâ€. Love to put all our phones in the safe & just be present with each other. It’s hard the first couple days, but than we all cherish the time without them.
2. I think Poppy’s desire to never go back to their hometown & Alex’s desire to stay there and have a family kept them apart.
3. Italy for sure!!
I just didn’t feel that this book lived up to the hype. By the end I was thinking just get together or don’t but just decide for God’s sake. I simply lost interest and didn’t care one way or another. Although I figured they would end up together which made it even more predictable and boring.
totally agree with you. i was bored by the constant obvious end of the book.
1. I definitely have more of a yolo attitude on vacation so I’ll try things I’d never try because I don’t know when I’ll go that destination again. And I am less frugal with spending because I want to enjoy my time.
2. I was honestly frustrated with how long it took them to get together and a lot had to do with them not being honest with each other about their feelings and not wanting to ruin the relationship. I agree with the other reader, Patty. I don’t think the book lived up to the expectations. I found the first 150 pages slow and bit boring. Then finally when you think they are going to get together, it takes almost another month of time to go by before they do.
3. Italy but that’s because that’s where I went on my honeymoon and I’m dying to go back.
1. 1 love booking dream home Airbnb’s and actually putting an effort into my wardrobe lol.
2. Alex and Poppy both probably didn’t realize their feelings for a while to begin with but probably they knew how important and special their friendship was that they didn’t want to risk it. In some ways Alex I’m sure was more protective of that but Poppy either didn’t think it’d work or justify that she wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment with him and preferred the guarantee that he’d be a part of her life by them remaining just friends. Even having sex just one time or friends with benefits would damage and/ or drastically change their dynamic.
3. I’d like to have gone on Italy trip just to be a fly on the wall lol.
1. I am way less frugal on vacations, especially when it comes to food and drinks!
2. It was so frustrating how long it took Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another, but I guess that’s the fun in the story! I think they both had individuals areas they needed to grow in first, and of course didn’t want to ruin their friendship if the feelings weren’t mutual.
3. Italy for sure! I’m still dreaming of going there after having to cancel a trip in May 2020. This book also made me more interested in Palm Springs!
1) When I am at my house I clean and organize a lot. I don’t relax or sit for very long (I have a 9 year old, 2 year old, and a French Bulldog named Vanna). However, when on vacation I take full advantage of the house keeping service! I actually relax and allow areas to get more unruly than I normally would.
2) I think Alex was too scared of losing love again. For some (not all) losing a parent causes walls to go up and a very strong anxiety of losing a loved one again to the point of making sure not to get into a relationship again. I think it took Poppy a long time of getting over the feeling of not being worthy. She let too many silly and unimportant high school stuff get her down.
3) I would love to go on the Norway/Sweden trip!!! It sounded amazing!! Of course I would always be up for any tropical island trip!
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
I can’t think of anything specific like they do, but I do know I’m far more likely to be a “yes Mom†on vacation. For example, extra dessert or staying up late or an excursion or activity we wouldn’t do at home.
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I wondered that the whole book!! It actually made me sad thinking of the time they had wasted…but by the end I decided maybe it wasn’t wasted after all. They both needed to work through a lot and become the versions of themselves who could be in a successful relationship.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
Italy-I’m not sure how I feel about the ice hotel ha!
1. I loved how Alex and Poppy had vacation versions of themselves. Is there something you only do on vacation or something in your real life that you refuse to do on vacation?
Oh man, I’m definitely a bit “messier” on vacation! Like I’ll totally let clothes pile on the floor, etc. and at home that really stresses me out! ha!
2. Why do you think it takes so long for Alex and Poppy to admit their feelings for one another?
I just think they were each other’s only person that totally understood them. And the fear of loosing the *one* person in the whole world who you could be yourself with was totally terrifying. I get it, but wow was that a slow burn.
3. Which of Poppy and Alex’s vacations would you most like to go on? Is there one you wouldn’t like?!
Honestly all of them sounded kind of amazing, even the Palm Springs trip. I love a trip with a good story! But come on, Italy sounded amazing!
I’m not in the bookclub because I just never seem to be in sync with everyone else. However, I did add this book to my reading list and recently finished it. What a fun, well written little beach read. It really was an enjoyable book.
I’m so thrilled you loved it!! x