People We Meet On Vacation Ending Explained

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Even though the ending of People We Meet On Vacation feels perfectly suited for a traditional romantic comedy, the Netflix adaptation isn’t predictable. With several of Emily Henry’s novels being adapted, it’s clear why she’s so popular – the author is incredibly well-loved by readers.

Henry’s writing translates incredibly well to the screen, as demonstrated by the popularity of Netflix’s People We Meet On Vacation. The adaptation quickly became the number one movie on Netflix and received mostly excellent reviews, marking the start of several of Henry’s books being made into films.

Okay, so I just finished reading People We Meet On Vacation, and it’s a really charming story about Alex and Poppy. They’re total opposites – Poppy is desperate to escape her small town, while Alex secretly wants to build a life right there. The story jumps around in time, showing us how their relationship developed over the years, and it’s honestly a sweet, engaging ride. It’s a classic ‘opposites attract’ tale, but told in a really fresh way.

Poppy and Alex End Up Together In People We Meet On Vacation

Alex and Poppy first meet on a road trip home from college to Linfield, and despite being very different, they quickly become close during the drive. The story then jumps back to show their yearly vacations together, revealing a deepening connection – even though they both claim they’re just friends.

Things really hit a turning point when we got to Tuscany. Poppy thought she might be pregnant and, surprisingly, she opened up to me, Alex, instead of her boyfriend at the time. Then, the very next morning, I proposed to Sarah, my high school sweetheart – we’d been on and off for years. I had to tell Poppy that this would be the last of our annual trips together; it was a tough conversation, to say the least.

Poppy is surprised to hear from Alex’s brother that Alex and Sarah have split up. He’s getting married in Barcelona and wants Poppy to come, even though she and Alex aren’t speaking. On a whim, Poppy books a trip to Spain. While there, she and Alex start to reconnect, but they still have to deal with the painful memories and consequences of a big argument they had in Tuscany.

In a significant departure from the original story, Alex tells Poppy how he feels the night before his brother’s wedding. They end up together, but their relationship isn’t instantly perfect. When Poppy questions where things are going, Alex suggests she’s still hesitant about making a long-term commitment.

Why Poppy and Alex Both Changed Their Future Plans

After everyone left the wedding, Poppy and Alex were on their own. But once Poppy got back to her New York apartment, she realized she’d made a mistake. She decided to leave her job as a travel writer and rushed back to Linfield to tell Alex she was ready to stop traveling and settle down.

Poppy tells Alex she’s now happy to stay in their hometown, Linfield – a place she used to dislike – if that’s what he wants. Surprisingly, Alex has changed his mind and no longer wants to stay. Instead, he decides to step outside his comfort zone and move to New York with Poppy, where he’ll be teaching at Sarah Lawrence.

The high ratings for People We Meet On Vacation are likely due to its surprisingly thoughtful ending. Unlike many romantic comedies, the story doesn’t follow the typical path of the couple moving to a quiet, small town – instead, they choose to stay in the exciting environment of the city.

How People We Meet On Vacation’s Ending Changes The Book

To emphasize the unique approach to the typical romantic comedy, People We Meet On Vacation significantly alters the character of Alex’s girlfriend, Sarah. Both the book and film establish that Alex and Sarah date throughout high school, with their relationship constantly going through cycles of breaking up and getting back together before he meets Poppy.

In the movie, Sarah’s life has changed. She’s no longer a teacher in her hometown. At first, she tries helping her father with his real estate business, but after they split up, she becomes a flight attendant. She meets Poppy at the airport after a wedding, and realizes she hadn’t been following her own passions during her relationship with Alex either.

What People We Meet On Vacation’s Ending Really Means

Realizing what she truly wants gives Poppy a renewed sense of direction and allows her to finally pursue a relationship with Alex. Throughout the novel People We Meet On Vacation, Poppy feels like her trips have lost their spark. After talking to Sarah, she understands this is because she’s been avoiding the possibility of a future with Alex.

The movie shows us that successful relationships require give-and-take, and that meeting the right person can completely change who you are and what you want out of life. Characters like Poppy and Alex demonstrate this by realizing they’re willing to adjust their long-held plans to build a different future with someone new.

Does This Ending Set Up People We Meet On Vacation 2?

Although the ending of People We Meet On Vacation is happily resolved, it feels complete on its own. Similar to When Harry Met Sally, it’s a standalone romantic comedy, meaning a sequel is unlikely even with other Emily Henry books being adapted for the screen.

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2026-01-12 19:10