Great Big Beautiful Life

By: Emily Henry

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ∙ 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 novel from Emily Henry.

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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 twentieth 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.

©2025 Emily Henry (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Her best-selling romances have made her a new standard-bearer of the genre."—The New York Times

“Readers can count on Em-Hen to transport them to a kinder, sunnier, and funnier galaxy where happy endings can be counted on . . . Henry’s magic elixir, it seems, is to return again and again to a simple boy-meets-girl formula while writing textured novels populated with vivid characters that never feel formulaic: she takes us back to a time when we believed, with all our being, that love conquers all.”—The Boston Globe

“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, New York Times bestselling author of First Time Caller

I love Alice, the main character.

Alice reminds me of my best friend. Always perky, optimistic, and generally kind in every way. Then she meets Hayden who is the complete OPPOSITE of perky. And Margaret. The former daily tabloid victim, and burned by society throughout her earlier life, a recluse about to tell her story to the winner of the privilege of getting the story. She keeps them both at arms length. Refuses to allow them to compare notes. And also gives both just enough information to leave them to constantly unsure which of the two WILL get the story. That’s just one layer. The surface layer. The life story is deeper if she’ll only allow someone in to finally hear her truth. It’s a good read.

Great, great book!!!

I loved it all! From the minor to the major characters and the story within the story…..it was just phenomenal! The narration by Julia Whelan was amazing as always!

Yet another home run by Emily Henry

Loved it all! The characters are deep and lovable. The story had twists I didn’t expect. Had me in tears a few times.

Cute story

The book hooked me and the plot was not what I expected but it was so cute

Different but good different

The story is not as deep and engaging but the love story makes it ohhh so so so good

Emily & Julia knock it Out of the Park!

I was smiling the entire time I listened to this beautiful, funny, emotional journey. Wow! I know I can’t just love on to another story so I will listen to it again. Emily, thank you sooooo much for this beautiful story and Julia, your narration is unparalleled. ❤️

Great characters

Loved the story. This is the second book by this author that I’ve read and enjoyed both of them. Will definitely be looking for more.

Soooooooo good!

Emily Henry’s finest work! Her writing is next level in this heartfelt story that keeps you guessing with a big twist at the end. I love Hayden and Alice!!!

So so good

Couldn’t put it down. One of her best yet! And Julia is one of my favorites. Exceptional writing and narration.

Best yet!

This is now my favorite from Emily Henry! I feel like you can see her development and progression as a writer. Great storyline, great characters and a bit more spice and emotion than her other books. Same great banter. I really enjoyed this book. Julia Whelan also does a great job narrating.
(Not five stars because I have to be absolutely knocked off my feet to give any book 5 ;) )