A Great Big Beautiful Life

A Great Big Beautiful Life (Spanish title Una vida maravillosa) is a sparkling contemporary romance novel by Emily Henry, one of the most beloved voices in modern romantic fiction. Set on the serene Little Crescent Island, the story brings together two very different writers — optimistic Alice Scott and Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson — who are both vying for the opportunity to write the biography of the reclusive and legendary Margaret Ives.

Alice arrives with dreams of finally proving herself as a serious author and earning her family’s respect, while Hayden brings experience, accolades, and a gruff temperament that masks his own vulnerabilities. When Margaret challenges them to spend a month on the island competing for the privilege of telling her unique life story, they must navigate creative rivalry, guarded truths, and unexpected emotional currents.

The compelling narrative explores perspectives and storytelling itself, suggesting that a life can be a mystery, a tragedy, or a love ballad depending on who tells it. As Alice and Hayden uncover fragments of Margaret’s past — each piece of memory shaped by the storyteller — their competing journeys collide, tension grows, and unexpected romance begins to emerge.

Emily Henry’s trademark blend of wit, emotional insight, and richly drawn characters makes this book ideal for readers who enjoy heartfelt adult romances with depth, nuance, and a touch of literary flair. With approximately 384 pages, A Great Big Beautiful Life invites you into a story about ambition, rivalry, love, and the power of narrative to shape our understanding of life itself.