Romance Books Like People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
If you loved reading People We Meet on Vacation, then chances are you’re yearning for another romance that has that same kind of magic—opposites attract, friends to lovers vibes with banter, heartfelt moments, and incredible travel adventures. It really is no wonder this book by Emily Henry is a contemporary romance fave! But luckily, there are other books out there to keep your PWMOV kick going. Here are the best romance books like People We Meet on Vacation to add to your TBR.
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Why is People We Meet on Vacation so Popular?
Aside from the Emily Henry magic that she puts into all of her books, the People We Meet on Vacation book (also called You and Me on Vacation depending on where you live) has a perfect combo of tropes and a delicious setup that hooks you from the start. Friends to lovers romance books are always a hit because of the tension—that feeling of seeing two people who are so compatible as friends discover deeper feelings for each other is always fun to read. We get to witness Poppy and Alex’s relationship develop over time, giving it a bit of a slow burn vibe, plus there’s a great mix of humor and heart-tugging emotional moments. And as someone who loves romance books set abroad—and even worked as a travel writer!—I adored the People We Meet on Vacation locations.
The Best Books like People We Meet on Vacation
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
Why You’ll Love It: Kate Clayborn is a master at crafting nuanced characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. It’s also got a great caretaker moment when the the Female Main Character, Meg, has her period and the Male Main Character, Reid, takes care of her—great if the caretaking moment between Poppy and Alex in People We Meet on Vacation had you swooning!
Key Tropes:NYC setting, slow burn, caretaker, mistaken identity
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Why You’ll Love It: A friends to lovers romance with dual POV? Sign me up! Carley Fortune writes books that will have you yearning for summertime, and this one is just a masterpiece. Plus, similar to PWMOV, it’s been given a screen adaptation!
Key Tropes: childhood friends to lovers, estranged friends to lovers, lake setting, dual POV
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
Why You’ll Love It: Lacie Waldon is an IRL flight attendant, so you know the travel aspect to her books will shine. When a quick stop at the Belize airport turns into a week-long layover, flight attendant Ava is stuck with cocky, gorgeous pilot Jack. If you yearned for longer scenes in all the travel destinations of People We Meet on Vacation, then this one will let you bask in the Caribbean sun.
Key Tropes: Belize setting, enemies to lovers, romcom
In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine
Why You’ll Love It: Friends to lovers is one thing…but estranged friends to lovers adds a whole new layer to the angst. In People We Meet on Vacation, Poppy and Alex had a falling out that we discover through the course of the book. If you loved the underlying tension of two friends who make their way back to each other—and discover romance along the way—plus a vibey California desert town setting, this book will give you just what you’re craving. On KU!
Key Tropes: estranged childhood friends to lovers, small town, he falls first and he falls harder, roommates
Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
Why You’ll Love It: This has a great combination of witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and scenes that will tug at your heartstrings. Georgina and Lucas were in love as teens, but after twelve years apart, he doesn’t recognize her. To make matters worse, he’s broodingly handsome and one hundred percent her type. But the closer these two become, the more that past secrets bubble to the surface.
Key Tropes: second chance, UK setting, grumpy sunshine, mistaken identity
Take a Leap by Marie Landry
Why You’ll Love It: One of the things that makes PWMOV so charming is the dynamic between outgoing, sometimes reckless Poppy and detail-oriented Alex. For more opposites attract vibes, check out this book with a breathtaking Canadian setting. The two main characters, Fiona and Nathan, used to date, and when they’re back in each other’s orbits, they agree to be friends. Except, as it turns out, whatever is between them means they were never destined for just friends… This is a swoony, emotional read!
Key Tropes: second chance, Canada setting, second chance, it was always you
Until Summer Ends by N.S. Perkins
Why You’ll Love It: Cassie returns to her hometown to take care of her late grandmother’s estate, which puts her back into orbit of Eli, her childhood best friend—and guy who was almost something more, before she had to leave town. Their lives have changed drastically, but as they get to know each other again as adults, they rediscover all the reasons they fell in love with each other in the first place. This is perfect if you want some of the slow burn action like in People We Meet on Vacation!
Key Tropes: slow burn, friends to lovers, small town, second chance
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Why You’ll Love It: There are a lot of reasons to pick this one up, but the banter is number one. I just loved the interactions between the two main characters, Hannah and Jack. Their dynamic is so much fun to read and had me laughing out loud many times. Katherine Center’s sharp writing makes this book super enjoyable to read, and I personally felt like Jack was an unexpected, refreshing celebrity for our FMC, Hannah, to fall in love with.
Key Tropes: romcom, female bodyguard, celebrity romance, fake dating, closed door
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Why You’ll Love It: The setup for this one is so juicy: when Olive and Ethan are the only two people not to get food poisoning at her sister’s wedding, they end up going on the bride and groom’s honeymoon to Hawaii. The only problem? They despise each other. This one has the classic Christina Lauren humor and a dreamy destination for the setting.
Key Tropes: resort in Hawaii setting, fake dating/married, enemies to lovers
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Why You’ll Love It: This book gave me legit butterflies! This is perfect if you liked how PWMOV balanced funny moments with more serious ones. The relationship between Emily and Simon unfolds naturally, and we get to see how many layers there are to both of these characters. It’s super swoony, and the Ren Faire backdrop is really unqiue.
Key Tropes: opposites attract, small town, enemies to lovers
So Which Book Should You Read Next?
Hopefully you’ve got lots of choices now on your TBR, but here’s a shortlist of what to pick up based on what you’re looking for…
For more travel vibes… The Layover by Lacie Waldon
For more estranged friends to lovers angst… In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine
For the best banter… Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
For more slow burn action…Until Summer Ends by N.S. Perkins
Whether you want more friends-to-lovers moments that have you screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY!!” to your e-reader, a slow burn that has your heart aching, or you need some more of that classic EmHen banter and chemistry, the book above are for the People We Meet on Vacation book lovers. They’ve each got their own unique twists on beloved tropes while while giving us a perfect Happy Ever After at the end. Which one will you pick up next?