Could Emily Henry Be Our Generation’s Nora Ephron?
BookTok, a particular but popular corner of the internet, has done a lot for the reading community. Whether you interpret the platforming of certain authors and genres as negative or positive, there is no denying that it has created many opportunities for writers.
One author whose work has skyrocketed in popularity is Emily Henry. Initially, she wrote in the young adult romance and fantasy genre. Then, in 2020, she took a shift in her work with Beach Read, an adult romance. It changed the trajectory of her career, and she has released four more romance novels since then. All of them have been #1 New York Times Best Sellers, and seven million copies have been sold in the United States since 2020.
Image Courtesy: Emily Henry Bio
The main way her books circulated was through small influencers on TikTok sharing their praise for not only Beach Read but also her second novel, People We Meet on Vacation. Promotion ranged from a contender for Jimmy Fallon’s 2021 Summer Reads to Instagram posts of the colorful illustrated covers on beach towels, bookshelves, and tables.
The settings of her romance novels are what makes them so intriguing. Most of them take place in beach and lake houses during the summer, giving the reader a cozy world to dive into. However, the characters completely juxtapose the tranquility with the love interests ranging from college enemies to friends who have drifted apart to a divorced couple. Nevertheless, the banter and chemistry between the main characters are both witty and intoxicating.
The main way her books circulated was through small influencers on TikTok sharing their praise for not only Beach Read but also her second novel, People We Meet on Vacation. Promotion ranged from a contender for Jimmy Fallon’s 2021 Summer Reads to Instagram posts of the colorful illustrated covers on beach towels, bookshelves, and tables.
The settings of her romance novels are what makes them so intriguing. Most of them take place in beach and lake houses during the summer, giving the reader a cozy world to dive into. However, the characters completely juxtapose the tranquility with the love interests ranging from college enemies to friends who have drifted apart to a divorced couple. Nevertheless, the banter and chemistry between the main characters are both witty and intoxicating.
Her debut novel also came at a difficult time. In 2020, the book provided an opportunity for escapism in the characters' relationships. However, difficult topics such as grief, divorce, and feeling lost in one’s career were also discussed. All of her novels show the beauty of love and the importance of confronting the difficult aspects of life.
With all this overwhelming support and Henry’s incredible writing, Hollywood has decided to hop on the bandwagon. Earlier this year it was announced that all five of her books are going to be adapted on screen. Beach Read, People We Meet On Vacation, and Book Lovers are going to become films. Even Funny Story, which was just released in April this year, has already been confirmed to be a movie, and Happy Place will be a Netflix series.
The casting process is in its early stages, but that hasn’t stopped fans from sharing the actors they want to see on screen.
People We Meet On Vacation is the first to announce their leading couple. Tom Blyth (known from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) will play Alex Nilsen. Emily Bader (known from My Lady Jane) is Poppy Wright. This news has received extremely positive reception from fans since both actors have been very successful in their previous roles.
Image Courtesy: SOPA Images Limited / Daniel G. Castrillon; Rose & Ivy
So, what does Nora Ephron have anything to do with Emily Henry? Even if you are a casual rom-com fan, you know of a film from the writer/director. Her most popular works include When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail.
Tom Blyth seems to have manifested his role in an interview a couple of months prior to his announcement as Alex. First, he said he is open to doing a rom-com but is just waiting for a good script, a sentiment many fellow actors share. Interestingly, when asked who he would like to star alongside, Blyth answered, “I don’t know who the new Meg Ryan is, but whoever the Meg Ryan is.”
Romance film buffs know she was the go-to leading woman in Ephron’s rom-coms. Could Blyth and Bader be the new Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan?
The romance novelist turned director/screenwriter pipeline is running dry. The hopeless romantics are looking for a modern Nicholas Sparks and Nora Ephron to fill the void of heart-wrenching rom-coms. Is this a sign that we’re getting close?
Image Courtesy: HBO
Another popular topic is who will play Augustus Everett from Beach Read. Harry Styles, Logan Lerman, and Callum Turner are just a few famous names circulating. But a new development has taken the internet by storm. Ayo Edebiri and Paul Mescal are two actors who are currently at the top of their careers.
Earlier this year, Mescal expressed in an interview that he was interested in starring alongside Edebiri in a rom-com. Then, AwardsWatch asked Edebiri if she was open to the idea, to which she responded, “I actually said, so, is someone writing a script for us now, or what? So that’s my answer, if somebody writes us a good script. I think he’s so brilliant, and I honestly would also really enjoy seeing him try his hand at comedy.”
So when Edebiri shared a St. Patrick's Day Instagram story, playing into a running joke of being Irish, with Mescal, fans knew they found their January and Augustus.
Image Courtesy: Ayo Edebiri via Instagram
Both Henry and Yulin Kang, the director of Beach Read, heard the pleas of the internet and reposted Edebiri’s story in support of the casting. In an interview with Variety, Henry said "I think that they would be amazing. I actually saw them being discussed for several different roles — and I definitely have a favorite.”
She also added that “I can’t confirm or deny anything with casting for any movie. I will say that those are two of my favorite ‘Irish’ actors.”
Alongside exciting cast announcements and rumors, several other exciting people are attached to these adaptations. Most notably, Happy Place was picked up by Jennifer Lopez’s production company. This is leaving some fans a bit worried, but Lopez has starred in some rom-coms herself such as The Wedding Planner. If that isn’t enough consolation, Leila Cohan, a writer and producer on Bridgerton, will be the showrunner and a writer.
Image Courtesy: Getty Images; Deadline
So could Emily Henry earn her place among rom-com legends Nora Ephron and Nicholas Sparks? Maybe! With the amount of passion from the fans, the Emily Henry cinematic universe could be something special. Especially if the fancasts come to life.
With Henry being an active participant in production, fans can only hope that the source material is reflected on screen. Many successful names are already attached to each product, so it seems as if the novels are in good hands regardless.
Image Courtesy: Emily’s Grocery List via Substack
Even if the movies don’t fully emulate the beloved romantic movies from the 90s and early 2000s, they are bound to be memorable. They could possibly be the iconic rom-coms for this decade.
Now it’s time to pick up an Emily Henry novel before they debut on screen so you can brag to your friends that you read the books first.
Strike Out,
Kim Nguyen
Boca Raton
Kim Nguyen is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. When not overthinking, this fangirl is either consuming romance media, Vietnamese coffee, or Beyoncé's discography. You can reach her by email at kimvunguyen14@gmail.com or on Instagram @kimnguyen1_.
