Reasons People We Meet on Vacation couple ‘wouldn’t work in real life’ | Films | Entertainment

*Warning: This article contains spoilers for People We Meet on Vacation.*

People We Meet on Vacation duo Alex and Poppy might be destined for heartbreak.

The Emily Henry characters take centre stage in Netflix‘s newest rom-com, which is now available to stream. Readers were already smitten with the couple when the original novel was published in 2021, and director Brett Haley has tried to maintain the book’s charm.

The film follows unlikely best mates Alex and Poppy, who reunite every summer for a holiday. After ten years of globetrotting together, they start to wonder if they’re a perfect romantic match. 

Whilst they ultimately decide to pursue their romantic connection, it takes a while for the couple to reveal their true feelings, reports the Mirror.

Portrayed by Emily Bader (as Poppy) and Tom Blyth (as Alex), we’re confident viewers will be charmed by the duo – but experts aren’t convinced they’d succeed in real life. 

In an exclusive chat with The Express, Claire Rénier, a relationship specialist at dating app happn, offered her assessment of the couple.

Rénier explained: “Poppy and Alex’s relationship in People We Meet on Vacation is compelling due to their chemistry, but in real life it could potentially face challenges due to a lack of alignment in their lifestyle choices.”

The specialist continued by noting that the pair’s contrasting aspirations and social circles might create friction in their union. As depicted in the film, Alex doesn’t immediately warm up to Poppy when they first meet at university.

However, he develops affection for her quite rapidly. Despite their reciprocal feelings, it’s difficult to overlook that they lead wildly different lives.

Rénier continued: “Whilst Poppy is spontaneous, adventurous and constantly searching for excitement, Alex is thoughtful, risk-averse and values stability.

“While their dynamic works so well because each offers the other something they’re missing, in real life, this could cause problems without honest conversations and compromise.”

Another challenge that might emerge in their partnership is poor communication. Whilst the ‘slow-burn’ trope proves popular in romantic fiction, it doesn’t necessarily signify a healthy relationship.

Rénier added: “Another potential issue is how long they avoid communication about their romantic feelings, harbouring this for years in fear of ruining their friendship.

“In reality, years of emotional avoidance can create habits that are difficult to unlearn once a relationship begins.”

Naturally, the duo make things work in Emily Henry’s fictional world, but audiences might not wish to model their own romances on this couple.

People We Meet on Vacation is streaming now on Netflix