Boundless Press | Great Big Beautiful Life

Great Big Beautiful Life

Emily Henry

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Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the-core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

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Posts about this title from Boundless Press

Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Apr 9 2025

04.09.2025 journal entry #22

open for a little chatty journal entry where I tell you about the highlights and the lowlights of my week 💖

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Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Jan 9 2025

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Posts about this book from across Bindery

Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 22 2025

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The 2025 Book Club Art Print

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Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 16 2025

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I drew a matchbook for every book we read together in 2025 book club!

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Written Reveries\ \ Krystal\ \ • Aug 29 2025

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\ \ Hi everyone,\ \ It's been a while since I mentioned what I've been reading and August has been one hell of a reading month. I'm currently in the middle of a few books; When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley, which is our bookclub pick for this month. THIS IS SO GOOD. I've been taking my time reading it over the last week or so because I don't want it to end. This takes place in the early 1900s in NYC and is The Greatest Showman meets The Shape of Water. \ \ \ \ I'm also reading a an advanced reading copy of The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow that comes out later this year. Last year she came out with a short story called The Six Deaths of the Saints and it was so good I read it TWICE IN ONE WEEK. The Everlasting is a novel inspired by that story and it is giving me the same energy that had me obsessed. \ \ \ \ During a trip to NYC, I stopped in The Strand Bookstore and finally got my hands on The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. (my local bookstores need to do a better job of diversifying their shelves but thats a post for another day) I really appreciated this one! While some things seemed a bit predictable the overall story and writing was great and I'm looking forward to catching up on her backlist and what she's got in store for us next.\ \ \ \ This month I also reread The Will of the Many by James Islington to prepare for The Strength of the Few. I started TSOTF shortly after and could not put it down, I can't wait until November so we can properly chat about it but it was absolutely insane. Look out for my spoiler free thoughts coming soon.\ \ \ \ And I've also been in my romance bag that last month or so. I caught up on all of Emily Henry's books and started by Ali Hazelwood journey and they both had me squealing and kicking my feet, their books are so fun. I was super surprised by the depth in Henry's books as well, and am looking forward to exploring more of Hazelwood's.\ \ \ \ \ \ But I think the standout book for me this month has to be James by Percival Everett, I finished this book in ONE SITTING and understand why he deserved the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. This Hucklberry Finn retelling is STELLAR and flips Twain's tale on its head to provide a raw depiction of what slaves like James had to endure, and what they held back. I read it in tandem with audio and it really brought the story to life, highly recommend. \ \ \ \ I'm hoping to finish a few more books in this last week of the month, and I'll be sure to keep you all posted. Look out for updates on the September bookclub pick in the discord, and an article about Fall Releases written by me coming next month in Readin' Magazine.](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/3OaBgE956dZvAn6xF3uY/)

Overdue Reading Update!!!

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Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Aug 8 2025

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EARLY ACCESS | What I Read in April, May & June

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Madisoncanread\ \ Madison\ \ • Jul 2 2025

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Going over the 14 books I read in June!

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The Bibliothecary\ \ Samantha\ \ • Jun 24 2025

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more in-depth review coming soon !!

Q: What’s your favorite book from April? Let me know in the comments!

#aprilreads #emilyhenry #veschwab #fantasybooks #romancebooks #bookish

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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Apr 28 2025

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It’s a top 3 EmHen book for me EASY!!!

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Fantasy & Frens\ \ Zoranne\ \ • Apr 28 2025

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April 28, 2025: Weekly Reading Update

april has been the best reading month!! what are you currently reading? thank you for the @Macmillan Audio audiobook! 🥰 books mentioned: - first-time caller by b.k. borison - anji kills a king by evan leikam (out may 13) - throne in the dark by a. k. caggiano - great big beautiful life by emily henry #weeklyreadingupdate #greatbigbeautifullife #zorannereads #fantasybookseries

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Moonlit Fables\ \ Rupali\ \ • Apr 28 2025

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Hi hi!! Welcome to what I'm calling my weekly update on what is going on in my life!\ \ \ \ 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ Just finished GreatBBL & continuing with Vengeful! I have thoughts about the newest Emily Henry. I'm not sure I liked her latest book. I know people say she's trying something new & that she's branching out. But my issue is that this book was not marketed correctly. First, its NOT a rivals to \ \ \ \ lovers. The two main characters are not rivals at all. Hayden is a somewhat famous journalist who doesn't really know Alice. I was expecting some enemies to lovers situation, but alas they were SO insta love-y, hate was no where to be found. I hated how fast they fell for each other, it felt out of the blue! And then Margaret's story. This was a bad rip off of that Evelyn Hugo book by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Margaret's story was boring and not juicy at all? It was nothing special, in fact if I compare Margaret's story to every other old celebrity from Hollywood, I would find no difference. I've heard it before & seen it before. Nothing exciting. \ \ All this to say, I was not impressed and sadly. I gave this 2 stars :( I'll still be a EmHen fan, but this one definitely made me crashout lol.\ \ 𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ ok my curls are coming!!! like every other Indian, I have been conditioned to think I don’t have curly hair? But I DO have a curl pattern and I’m slowly learning how to take care of them 💓 I'm hoping over time that less heat + more natural will create more defined curl shapes! \ \ \ \ 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ Recently started Wanderstop & its so interesting. Set at a cozy teashop in the forest, the game \ \ \ \ focuses on slowing down and observing the world around you. I saw CozyK on youtube playing this & the premise was so enticing. The story follows Alta who is a sword fighter. She is used to pushing her body to the limit every single day. But now, her body is not fighting the way it used to, and Alta is confused and lost. She wants to train up and try harder, but now she can't even pick up her sword. She stays and helps at a tea shop, where things are not always straightforward, and patience is rewarded!\ \ 𝕠𝕓𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ my new camera 🤩 this is the DJI Osmo pocket 3 and she really can do it all. Recording is so freaking easy, especially in public. I don't feel overwhelmed or embarrassed about having a camera in my hand. I can freely record my vlogs or media for social media without any stress!\ \ \ \ 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ \ \ Scrapbooking the back of your phone! Its so fun & creative & I can change it up anytime! I have the Canon Ivy printer & I use it to create collages that I can then attach the the back of my phone. Getting a clear case is a real game changer. \ \ 𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘\ \ To more outdoor time (as long as my allergies allow lol). I really enjoy living in such a walkable area because it makes sitting outside and people watching so much fun. My fiance and I have been trying new Happy Hour spots in our area. Its been exciting trying new drinks & food, almost feels like we're traveling in our home town.\ \ \ \ I hope y’all are having a wonderful Monday & great rest of your week 🫶🏽\ \ Q 💭: what’s your comfort hobby?\ \ Join for free or login

Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. - New Emily Henry Book Review!

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Moonlit Fables\ \ Rupali\ \ • Apr 23 2025

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Hi!\ \ To preface - I don’t think I’m a great writer. Nor do I feel that I am particularly eloquent when it comes to describing exactly what I’m trying to say. But I wanted to use my Bindery as a way to share my random thoughts from my weeks. I hope you enjoy :)\ \ \ \ So, I went to a release party yesterday for Emily Henry’s newest book, Great Big Beautiful Life. It was so freaking fun! I didn’t know anyone there & I was so nervous going (hellooooo social anxiety!!) But I ended up meeting a new friend, and we really connected on how much we LOVE Emily Henry. We tier ranked her books, made friendship bracelets, and lost spectacularly at trivia (how do I not know so much about my favorite books??)\ \ \ \ There has been so much discourse leading up to release on how this is most definitely not a romance book. Which I think is really funny discourse.\ \ To me, Emily Henry has been more of a fiction/lit fic author than a romance. Is there romance in her books? Yes, absolutely. But her stories also explore other topics like grief, loss, and finding a better version of yourself (which is my personal favorite). Emily Henry does a wonderful job of writing female characters that are weak, afraid, gentle, funny, courageous, bold, witty, too loud, ambitious, stubborn, a little naive. She writes the female characters in a way that most romance authors do not. They have goals that have nothing to do with the “romance” or the man that they are supposed to fall in love with. They are well rounded with feelings that are relatable & stories that resonate with a wide variety of women.\ \ Now this is not me saying that I hate all other romance books where the main plot is the FMC pining after the MMC (or vice versa). To simply categorize Henry’s books as “romance” feels one-dimensional. And to expect her new release to be just a romance is misleading for sure. But historically, her books have never been just a romance. And I think her stories should be categorized as fiction because she writes them keeping different themes in mind.\ \ Whenever I read an Emily Henry novel, I am crying laughing giggling kicking my feet. I feel such a wide range of emotions that I feel seen in a way no other book has seen me. Whether or not I like Great BBL, I will be an emily henry fan, always & forever. Ok bye I'm going to read now weeee!\ \ Join for free or login

Emily Henry's Great BBL!!!!

thoughts & comments on EmHen's newest release!

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Enchanted Echoes\ \ Deirdre\ \ • Apr 22 2025

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Reading Vlog

If I dedicate a whole weekend to reading how many books can I feasibly get through? Lets find out!!!

- - Personal Links ✨Bindery: https://enchantedechoes.binderybooks.com/ ✨IG: @deirdrerosemorgan https://www.instagram.com/deirdrerosemorgan/ ✨Tik Tok: @deirdrerosemorgan https://www.tiktok.com/@deirdrerosemorgan?lang=en ✨ All Links: https://beacons.ai/deirdrerosemorgan

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Boundless Press\ \ Jananie\ \ • Apr 9 2025

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04.09.2025 journal entry #22

open for a little chatty journal entry where I tell you about the highlights and the lowlights of my week 💖

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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Apr 1 2025

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Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Apr 1 2025

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Enchanted Echoes\ \ Deirdre\ \ • Feb 28 2025

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New year new book releases!!!!

New year new book releases!!!! I actually had such a hard time narrowing this down because there are some pretty amazing sounding books coming out this year. Let me know in the comments if you have any of these books on your radar! #2025bookreleases #anticipatedbooks2025 #bookstoread2025 #fantasybooks #romancebooks

9 books

Moonlit Fables\ \ Rupali\ \ • Feb 27 2025

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most anticipated books of 2025

i wish I had alll of these books NOW. Especially Great Big Beautiful Life (@berkleypub 👀) & Oathbound (@Simon & Schuster 👀👀)!! Nothing gets me more excited for reading knowing that there are some banger books coming out soon! Also can you guess what my favorite genre is from this list LOL Q: What’s your most anticipated release in 2025? Books mentioned: ✨Audre & Bash Are Just Friends ✨Great Big Beautiful Life ✨Deep End ✨ Oathbound ✨A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping ✨Out of the Woods ✨First-Time Caller ✨ Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan (released Jan 7!) #bookish #readingrec #2025bookrelease

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chronicallybookish\ \ Kaley\ \ • Jan 2 2025

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