Great Big Beautiful Life

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Brought to you by Penguin.

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR & GLOBAL TIK TOK SENSATION, EMILY HENRY


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

When Margaret Ives, the famously reclusive heiress, invites eternal optimist Alice Scott to the balmy Little Crescent Island, Alice knows this is it: her big break. And even more rare: a chance to impress her family with a Serious Publication.

The catch? Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud, Hayden Anderson, is sure of the same thing.

The proposal? A one-month trial period to unearth the truth behind one of the most scandalous families of the 20th Century, after which she’ll choose who’ll tell her story.

The problem? Margaret is only giving each of them tantalising pieces. Pieces they can’t 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.

'Emily Knows how to craft a love story like the all time greats' - Taylor Jenkins Reid

'I've loved every single one of her books more than the previous' - Ali Hazelwood

'Great Big Beautiful Life has everything you love in a classic Emily Henry novel, plus so much more. Nobody writes chemistry like Emily Henry, and you're guaranteed to fall head over heels for Alice and Hayden.' - Beth O'Leary

© Emily Henry 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Critics Review

Emily knows how to craft a love story like the all time greats
Taylor Jenkins Reid
One of my favourite authors
Colleen Hoover
I've loved every single one of her books more than the previous
Ali Hazelwood
My happy place is an Emily Henry book
Carley Fortune
An expansive, sweeping love story that also feels so intimately tender...it enveloped me from start to finish. Beautiful.
Bolu Babalola
Great Big Beautiful Life has everything you love in a classic Emily Henry novel, plus so much more. Nobody writes chemistry like Emily Henry, and you're guaranteed to fall head over heels for Alice and Hayden.
Beth O'Leary
With a delicious slow-burn romance, a perfectly grumpy hero, and a setting that comes to life, this one checked all my boxes. Two compelling stories to move the plot forward meant I couldn't put it down! Emily Henry does it again!
Laurie Gilmore
A sweeping love story about the choices we make and the threads that knit us together. Thoughtful, moving, and deliciously tender. Emily Henry is as captivating as ever. I love everything she does.
B.K. Borison
A true joy. Playful, fun, and virtuosically plotted, Great Big Beautiful Life is a novel about life's winding paths and dangerous dead-ends—and the way that love can lead us out of the labyrinth.
Kaliane Bradley
Great Big Beautiful Life simmers with longing and glitters with secrets and scandal, all set against a hot summer in Georgia. A joy of a book!
Evie Woods

User Reviews

Book 4.8
Narration 5.0
5.0
5.0
Lolajane28 12/09/2025
5.0
5.0
Incredible
jasminehope 27/05/2025
4.0
5.0
Laurie 🐱 25/05/2025
5.0
5.0
Molly 24/05/2025
5.0
5.0
Another excellent story from Emily Henry! A cross between a family saga and a contemporary enemies(ish) to lovers romance. Lots of engaging characters, a few twists, and a happy ever after. What’s not to like?

Narration-wise, Julia Whelan is excellent! Clear, warm, friendly voice. Very easy to listen to.
lottiefb 19/05/2025
5.0
5.0
Becca 25/04/2025

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