Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Emily Henry Returns to Rom-Com Formula After Deliberate Yearlong Pause
Emily Henry is writing a new book called “Modern Classic.”
It comes after she went a year without publishing a new novel.
Her last novel, “Great Big Beautiful Life,” came out in April 2025.
Henry chose to take this break on purpose.
She said she was afraid to step away from her usual work routine.
When she started working again, she was surprised by how nervous she felt.
The new story is about someone who needs a break.
That idea is connected to Henry’s own year away from writing.
Emily Henry’s new book, “Modern Classic,” follows her first year since 2020 without a new novel.
The pause came after the release of “Great Big Beautiful Life” in April 2025.
Henry deliberately took time away from writing after describing herself as afraid to leave the publishing carousel.
She said returning to work made her unexpectedly nervous.
The book centers on a person who needs a break and gets one, reflecting Henry’s own experience.
- Who
- Author Emily Henry.
- What
- She is returning with “Modern Classic,” a romantic comedy that revisits a classic formula after a deliberate break.
- When
- After a yearlong pause following the April 2025 publication of “Great Big Beautiful Life”; the exact release date of “Modern Classic” is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Henry took time away from writing and is drawing on the experience of needing and taking a break.
- Author
- Emily Henry
- New book
- “Modern Classic”
- Previous novel
- “Great Big Beautiful Life”
- Previous publication
- April 2025
- Writing gap
- The first year since 2020 without a new Emily Henry novel
- Break rationale
- Henry deliberately took time off and described the experience as emotionally difficult
- Central premise
- A person needs a break and gets one