People We Meet on Vacation: A Parent's Guide to the Emily Henry Netflix Hit
Everything parents need to know about the mature themes, 'steamy' moments, and friendship focus in this popular book-to-screen romance.
TL;DR: If your teen is on TikTok or hangs out in the "Young Adult" section of the library, they already know about this. People We Meet on Vacation is the highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Emily Henry’s massive bestseller. It’s a "friends-to-lovers" story that is charming and emotional, but parents should be aware that while it looks like a breezy travelogue, the source material contains "open-door" romance (meaning explicit scenes). Think of it as a more mature cousin to The Summer I Turned Pretty.
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If you haven't been keeping up with "BookTok" (the book-loving corner of TikTok), Emily Henry is essentially the reigning queen of modern romance. Her book People We Meet on Vacation spent a massive amount of time on the New York Times bestseller list, and now Netflix is turning it into a feature film.
The story follows Poppy and Alex. They are polar opposites who became best friends in college and, for a decade, took a week-long summer vacation together every year. Then, two years ago, something happened that ruined everything, and they stopped speaking. The movie (and book) picks up as Poppy convinces Alex to take one more trip together to try and fix their friendship.
It’s a "slow burn" romance, which in teen-speak means they spend a lot of time pining for each other while the audience screams at the screen for them to just kiss already.
You might be wondering why your 14-year-old is suddenly obsessed with a movie about two people in their late 20s.
- The "BookTok" Pipeline: Emily Henry’s books are ubiquitous. Even if your kid hasn't read the book, they've seen the aesthetic "flat lays" of the cover on their feed.
- The Cast: The movie stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. Tom Blyth recently gained a massive following after starring in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, so the teen interest is already baked in.
- The Trope: "Friends-to-lovers" is one of the most popular storytelling tropes for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. It feels safe, nostalgic, and deeply relatable to anyone navigating the murky waters of middle or high school friendships.
Check out our guide to why "BookTok" influences what your teen watches
Let’s get into the "no-BS" part. Emily Henry writes what is often called "Adult Romance," not "Young Adult (YA)." While her books are often shelved near YA because of their bright, illustrated covers, the content inside is more mature.
In the book version of People We Meet on Vacation, there is a significant, descriptive sexual encounter. It’s not "erotica," but it’s definitely not a "fade-to-black" Disney moment either.
What to expect on screen: Netflix has a history of leaning into the steaminess of their romance adaptations (think Bridgerton or Virgin River). While we expect the movie to target a TV-14 or M rating, parents should be prepared for:
- Sexual Content: Expect at least one or two "steamy" scenes. If you aren't comfortable with your teen seeing semi-graphic intimacy, you might want to watch this one first.
- Language: Typical "New Adult" language—some F-bombs and plenty of suggestive banter.
- Emotional Weight: The story deals with grief, career burnout, and the fear of loneliness. It’s actually quite heavy at times, which might go over the heads of younger viewers but will resonate deeply with older teens.
Learn more about the difference between YA and New Adult content
Every kid is different, but here is the general Screenwise consensus based on the community data we see for similar romance adaptations.
Ages 0-12: Not Recommended
Honestly, they’ll be bored. This is a movie about people talking about their feelings in various vacation rentals. There are no explosions, no Minecraft references, and definitely no "Skibidi" anything. Plus, the mature themes aren't really meant for this age group.
Ages 13-15: Use Caution / Watch Together
This is the "gray area" age. Many 14-year-olds have already read the book. If they have, they know what’s coming. If they haven't, this is a great opportunity for a "co-watch." You can handle the awkwardness of a sex scene together (or just use that time to go get more popcorn) and then talk about the relationship dynamics afterward.
Ages 16+: Generally Okay
For older teens, this is standard fare. It’s significantly less "toxic" than shows like Euphoria and deals with much healthier relationship concepts than many other popular rom-coms.
If your teen is watching People We Meet on Vacation, use it as a bridge to talk about real-life stuff. Here are a few non-cringe conversation starters:
- On Friendship: "Poppy and Alex were friends for a decade before things got complicated. Do you think it’s possible for guys and girls to just be friends, or does it always get 'weird' like it did in the movie?"
- On Communication: "A lot of their problems came from not saying what they actually felt for two whole years. Why do you think it’s so hard to be honest with people we care about?"
- On Travel/Life Goals: "Poppy’s job is travel writing. If you could take a 'friend trip' anywhere in the world, where would you go?"
Check out our guide on how to talk to teens about healthy relationships
If your teen finishes the movie and wants more of that "cozy romance" vibe, here are some Screenwise-approved next steps:
Very similar vibes—beach settings, long-term friendships turning into romance, and a heavy focus on emotional growth.
If you want something a bit "cleaner" and more focused on the sweetness of first love, this is the gold standard. It’s incredibly inclusive and generally much more age-appropriate for the 12-14 crowd.
If they want to keep reading, this is her other massive hit. It’s about two rival authors living in neighboring beach houses. Similar "spice" level to Vacation.
The movie that basically started the modern Netflix rom-com era. It’s charming, safe for most tweens/teens, and very well-acted.
People We Meet on Vacation isn't "brain rot." It’s a well-written, emotionally resonant story that happens to have some adult content. It’s not going to ruin your kid’s perspective on the world, but it might lead to some awkward questions if you aren't prepared for the "steamy" parts.
If your teen is an avid reader, this is a "win" for literacy—even if the book is a beach read. It’s better than them scrolling TikTok for three hours, right? Just be ready for the "slow burn" to be the main topic of conversation at dinner for a week.
Next Steps:
- Check the official rating on Netflix when it drops.
- If your kid is under 15, consider reading a plot summary of the "spice" scenes so you aren't blindsided.
- Ask your teen if they've heard of "The Poppy and Alex" dynamic—it’s a great way to show you’re "in the know" without being annoying.
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