Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Great Big Beautiful Life

Extended Synopsis

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize-winning human thundercloud. They are both on the 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 Margaret Ives. Margaret is a tragic heiress, a former tabloid princess, and the daughter of one of the most storied and scandalous families of the twentieth century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she will choose the person who will tell her story, the competition begins. However, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story—pieces they cannot swap due to an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they are in the same room. As the month progresses, it becomes abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret is spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad, depending on who is telling it.

Target Audience & Reader Targeting

This sweeping novel is perfectly targeted toward fans of contemporary romance, historical fiction, and character-driven storytelling. It will deeply resonate with readers who enjoy the "grumpy-meets-sunshine" trope, compelling literary mysteries, and dual-perspective narratives set against the atmospheric backdrop of a coastal seaside town.

Author Biography

Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Great Big Beautiful Life, Funny Story, Happy Place, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read. Known for her deeply emotional and fiercely witty contemporary romances, she studied creative writing at Hope College. She now spends most of her time writing and living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it.

Accolades & Awards

• Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller.
• Official Reese’s Book Club Pick.
• Featured extensively in major publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, People, NPR, Vogue, USA Today, and Good Morning America.

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