Romance queen Emily Henry has her sights set on a cinematic universe

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Friends to lovers. Enemies to lovers. Emily Henry has written it all.

And soon, those lovers will be coming to a screen near you.

Since 2020, Henry has emerged as a dominant figure in modern romantic literature, penning six novels that topped the New York Times Bestseller list within the genre. Remarkably, these five bestsellers are now being transformed for both theatrical and television productions.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve witnessed the expansion and transformation of Henry’s adoring audience with every new release. Some fans have been captivated by her since her 2020 novel “Beach Read,” while others found themselves drawn to the emotional rollercoaster ride of “People We Meet on Vacation” (2021) or the tender exploration of relationships in “Happy Place” (2023). A different group, however, can’t get enough of her lighter, comedic works such as “Book Lovers” (2022) and the heartwarming “Funny Story” (2024).

The readers who have nicknamed her “EmHen” have probably read them all.

Henry hails from Ohio and dreamt of becoming a writer since childhood. Pursuing this dream, she enrolled at Hope College in Michigan on a creative writing scholarship. Following that, she undertook a writers’ residency at the New York Center for Art & Media Studies. In 2016, she released her first novel, a young-adult book. Prior to venturing into romance, she authored three more YA books.

In his youth, Henry confessed to The Times that he had a strong inclination towards romance. He is drawn towards it as a means to revisit the state of optimism, and to underscore the charm, mystery, and significance of existence.

Books

Traveling from enchanting realms of sorcery and buccaneers to a coastal hotel in Amalfi, these summer reads will whisk you away into an enthralling love story.

From her residence in Cincinnati, currently at the age of 34, Henry emphasizes these values to her readers too.

Henry mentioned that he consistently attempts to craft heartfelt narratives revolving around two flawed individuals who embody genuine romance,” he shared.

For Henry, character is what truly matters. Her stories often feature strong, intelligent, and ambitious female characters who serve both as protagonists and narrators. According to her, these characters all harbor something within themselves they fear and struggle to accept. Henry aims to encourage readers to challenge the self-imposed labels and fears they adopt, particularly those related to not fitting the ‘perfect’ mold of a woman.

Henry has a strong sense of this amorphous feminine figure.

She excels at her work, maintains an impeccably clean home, and has a knack for fashion that feels effortless yet stylish. Her living space is tastefully decorated, and she owns some unique, trendy clothing items, yet it seems like she doesn’t go out of her way to impress; things just seem to fall into place for her. She maintains a good physical shape without any apparent struggle, but she also enjoys food, suggesting that fitness comes naturally to her, rather than being the result of excessive effort…

From a renowned romance author with a predominantly female audience, Henry’s work veers away completely from this stereotype. To Henry, identifying with perfection in characters may not resonate deeply and might not even be appealing. Instead, he believes that genuine love involves cherishing someone’s unique quirks such as “a small scar or a slightly crooked tooth – these minor imperfections that can become utterly charming to you.

In most cases, Henry’s main romantic characters tend to have a rugged charm. These men may initially be adversaries, former partners, or even foes, but eventually, their feelings for each other deepen into genuine love by the conclusion of the story.

Henry’s books resonate strongly with countless individuals, and it’s anticipated that the upcoming film series will captivate even more audiences.

1) Henry’s rise and the film adaptations of her books mirror a shifting publishing environment. Sales of romance novels remain strong despite a decrease in overall book earnings. Meanwhile, traditional cinema has moved away from romantic comedies, leaving those genres, such as some of Henry’s works, to find homes on streaming services.

Before “Beach Read” came out, someone proposed an adaptation idea to Henry, but he wasn’t famous enough for a big payday at that point. After “Beach Read” became a bestseller, another book followed suit and sold millions of copies in the U.S.)

Titled “People We Meet on Vacation”, this is the debut movie of Henry in production. Starring Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex, it revolves around two improbable best friends who maintain their friendship by taking a summer vacation to a new picturesque location each year. Directed by Brett Haley and produced by Sony’s 3000 Pictures, the film is set for release on Netflix on January 9th.

Yulin Kuang, the initial scriptwriter, expressed that upon reading [the story], it seemed as if there were more diverse locations than what one would typically find in a James Bond film. Meanwhile, during production, Henry shared that a recurring joke was that we were essentially making a James Bond movie on a romantic comedy’s budget.

In the year 2024, Kuang published her first book titled “How to Conclude a Love Saga.” This romantic tale centers around an author and a screenwriter who find themselves working side by side in a Hollywood script-writing studio.

Kuang developed a fondness for Henry’s work, yet unlike many other fans, her introduction was orchestrated rather than organic. It seemed as though the movie and publishing industries played matchmaker, presenting them as a pair with similar appeal. Upon their meeting, Kuang sensed a connection she could relate to. Moreover, Kuang is set to adapt and direct the film adaptation of “Beach Read” for 20th Century Studios, expressing her intention to create something intelligent, amusing, and romantic, reflecting the essence of the book.

Books

In simpler terms, what links romance, fantasy, and trendy females is that they are often found as key themes in popular online discussions about books. Moreover, the proprietor of Reparations Club shares insights on her preferred reading locations.

* The movie “Book Lovers,” produced by Tango Entertainment, will be penned by Sarah Heyward, who’s previously worked on shows like “Girls.”
* Jennifer Lopez’s production company, Nuyorican Productions, is transforming the book “Happy Place” into a Netflix TV series. Leila Cohan, co-executive producer of “Bridgerton,” will co-write and serve as showrunner for this series.
* Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Co. are collaborating to bring “Funny Story” to the big screen. The script is being written by Henry herself.

Experiencing the joy of reworking my own book feels remarkable since I’m so familiar with it. It’s like relishing in cherished moments all over again. Plus, I’ve found myself inserting fresh humor that didn’t cross my mind initially; sometimes, I even encounter script issues and realize I’d tackled them previously. This process has sparked a bit of an obsession in me – I can’t get enough!” (Henry said)

Henry expressed an interest in penning the screenplay for her latest novel, titled “Great Big Beautiful Life,” which was published in April. The story revolves around two journalists vying for a coveted position, and despite its success as a bestseller, there hasn’t been much effort to convert it into a film. Henry hopes that the release of “People We Meet on Vacation” will give her an advantage when adapting her most recent book for the big screen.

She noted that the adaptation wasn’t merely about it occurring; rather, her aim was for it to happen and be excellent. Fortunately, she feels that ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ turns out to be quite good.

Henry’s primary function during the film development process involves providing consultancy on what her readers might find appealing or off-putting in the movie, considering their preferences and deal-breakers. Given the passionate fanbase of her readers, many of whom discuss book rankings and casting choices online, Henry finds that they often have a strong recollection of her work, even surpassing her own memory at times. Henry’s friends are captivated by her readers as well – “My friends can’t get enough of my readers,” she said, adding that this sentiment is mutual. In Henry’s own words, “I feel the same way.

Indeed, Henry and his audience both cherish the emotion of love and the joy of reading books. As he put it, “I understand my readers as we have certain similarities between us.

It’s not a mere chance that Henry often features “book lovers” as his female leads and romantic interests, considering he writes extensively about novelists, literary agents, and librarians. In her words, “My readers are avid readers themselves. They recognize the characters who share their passion for books because they too love books.

Seeing her books turned into movies, similar to those she enjoyed as a child, is an accomplishment that feels like a cherished dream come true.

Henry expressed her desire for “Happy Place” to evoke the feel of a Nancy Meyers film, while “Book Lovers” should resemble “You’ve Got Mail.” She also shares with Kuang that “Beach Read” ought to portray a sense reminiscent of “Notting Hill.” Ultimately, she aims to encapsulate both the comedic charm and surreal essence typical of a Nora Ephron film.

As a true cinephile, I understand that fellow literature enthusiasts often hold high standards when it comes to movies based on books. However, I find solace in the knowledge that fans who appreciate the film adaptation can now enjoy both the movie and the original novel. For those who aren’t captivated by the movie, they still have the comfort of the book.

The EmHen universe, originally from Cincinnati, continues to expand its reach, captivating audiences not just locally but globally, and more recently, even in Hollywood.

Kuang remarked, “Emily is incredibly intelligent and excels at her work,” he added. “This town is buzzing with enthusiasm for the romance genre right now.

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2025-08-27 13:33