If you are a fan of romance, there is no chance you have missed the name Emily Henry. The author, who began her career writing young adult novels, has become the undisputed queen of the genre, with millions of copies sold worldwide, weeks spent on The New York Times bestseller list, and a devoted readership that simply wants more.
These days, five of her six romance novels are at various stages of adaptation for the big and small screens. On Friday, the first and most anticipated of them all, People We Meet on Vacation, will premiere on Netflix. To mark the new obsession about to take over our screens, here is the updated guide, from productions already revving their engines to projects still in early writing stages.
People We Meet on Vacation
Status: The film premieres on Friday, January 9, 2026, on Netflix.
The plot follows two best friends who could not be more different. Poppy is a wild, free-spirited soul with no brakes. Alex, by contrast, is best described as painfully square. Their unlikely friendship began in college, and despite living far apart, they made a pact. No matter what, once a year they would take a lavish vacation together. So far, so good. Except that two years ago, everything went wrong, and they have not spoken since. That is about to change when they decide to take one final vacation together, determined to confront the past and try to salvage their relationship.
People We Meet on Vacation trailer
(Video: Courtesy of Netflix)
Who’s in it: Emily Bader stars as Poppy, in her most significant role to date after a part in “Charmed: The Next Generation,” opposite Tom Blyth as Alex, best known as Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The supporting cast includes Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage, Alan Ritchson, Sarah Catherine Hook and Molly Shannon, who all appeared in various seasons of The White Lotus. Add Robyn’s dance-pop ballad Hang With Me to the soundtrack, and you have a winning formula.
What we know: One major change from the book is the location. While the novel’s central vacation takes place in Palm Springs, the film is set primarily in Barcelona. The trailer also hints heavily at the sexual tension between the leads, including a scene in which Molly Shannon’s character, Poppy’s mother, buys her daughter no fewer than 500 condoms ahead of the trip, just in case.
As in the book, Poppy pushes Alex to step outside his comfort zone, whether that means skinny-dipping in the sea, singing karaoke or, as you might guess, testing the boundaries between them. Henry has shared that the casting process made her extremely anxious, but the moment she saw the chemistry between Bader and Blyth, she knew audiences, and readers, would fall in love.
A reader’s take: One of Henry’s strongest novels, largely because the protagonists share a real history and their encounters do not feel absurdly random. Highly recommended.
Beach Read
Status: A feature film in advanced development at 20th Century Studios, with a director-writer already attached.
The story centers on January Andrews and Augustus Everett, yes, January and August, please try not to gag. She is a romance novelist, he is a serious literary writer, and they find themselves spending writing retreats in neighboring beach houses on the shore of Lake Michigan. To break through their respective writer’s block, they strike a deal. He will attempt to write a romance novel, and she will tackle a weighty, important book.
Who’s in it: Yulin Kuang, who also wrote the screenplay for People We Meet on Vacation, is directing and adapting the novel. Kuang has said she toured the real-life locations that inspired the book so the film could function as a love letter to the original. No official casting announcements have been made, but rumors circulated online about two years ago suggesting Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri as potential leads. Henry herself addressed the speculation in interviews, saying that landing them would be amazing, though for now, everything remains open.
10 View gallery
The most borderline frame we have of them together. Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri
(Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
A reader’s take: Sorry to disappoint, but in my view, this book is unbearable. Romantic comedies can be light and coincidence-driven, but the randomness here borders on irresponsibility. Skip the book and hope the movie surprises.
Happy Place
Status: In development as a television series for Netflix.
The story follows Harriet and Wyn, the perfect couple, or rather, they were perfect until they broke up five months ago. The exes are unexpectedly reunited during their annual group vacation with close friends and are forced to pretend they are still together to avoid breaking everyone’s hearts. Unlike Henry’s other adaptations, Happy Place is being developed as a series rather than a film, allowing for deeper exploration of the group’s complex dynamics.
Who’s in it: Jennifer Lopez’s production company, Nuyorican Productions, is leading the project, with Leila Cohen, known for her work as a producer on Bridgerton, serving as showrunner. No casting has been announced yet, but Henry has said that Eve Hewson, who also happens to be Bono’s daughter, would be her dream choice for Harriet, noting that she not only looks the part but also gives off the same vibe.
A reader’s take: Happy Place is the least saccharine of Henry’s catalog and, in some ways, despite the far-fetched central secret, the most realistic. Bonus points for the friends’ vacation setting, a perfect backdrop in books, movies, TV series and real life.
Book Lovers
Status: The screenplay is in advanced writing stages. Tango Studios, which produced the acclaimed drama Aftersun, acquired the rights, and a screenwriter has been selected.
The plot follows Nora, a tough literary agent, and Charlie, a gloomy book editor, who spend the summer in a remote town in North Carolina and, to their mutual frustration, keep running into each other. What initially feels like an unfortunate coincidence forces both to reconsider their paths and the role fate may be playing in their lives.
Who’s in it: The screenplay is being written by Sarah Heyward, also known for her work on Girls. No actors have been confirmed, though online speculation has floated names such as Elizabeth Olsen and Elle Fanning as potential fits for Nora. Henry has described the future adaptation as funny, cozy, emotional and messy.
A reader’s take: The premise does not sound especially exciting, but the reading experience is breezy and enjoyable. A true vacation book.
Funny Story
Status: Early development stages. Unlike the other projects, Henry herself is writing the screenplay and submitted a first draft last August.
The story follows Daphne, a woman who seemingly had it all until her fiancé left her for his childhood friend, Petra. Suddenly homeless and directionless, Daphne finds an unexpected solution in moving in with Petra’s ex. The two become roommates and pretend to be in a relationship to get revenge on their former partners. Try to guess why the book is called Funny Story.
Who’s in it: At this stage, no production companies or cast members have been announced beyond Henry’s involvement.
A reader’s take: The randomness is alive and well here too, but Henry’s writing has sharpened from book to book, turning oddity into effective bestseller material.
Great Big Beautiful Life
Status: Henry’s newest novel, released in April and not yet translated into Hebrew, has not been officially adapted for film or television. However, it was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, one of the industry’s most powerful accelerators for page-to-screen adaptations, so the odds are very much in its favor.
