Emily Henry Instagram – Ok I decided to edit for an earnest caption instead of a brush off. There has been a lot of “rom com films are dead” talk over the last few years even though absolutely everyone I know is desperate for them. The industry, even more than publishing, wants a sure thing, and as we all know, that is the absolute worst constraint for making art. I’m so grateful Tango wants to make this. I’m so glad they understand why this kind of movie is important. It’s not about a formula, any more than any other genre, though that’s how romances often get oversimplified in discussion. Some people scoff at the concept of a genre with a guaranteed “happy ending,” but the truth is, we all know the characters’ lives go on after the book ends. They’ll suffer other hurts. They’ll struggle. We’re with them for just a moment. But in that moment, there is so much hope. That’s why this kind of story is so important to me. Sometimes our world is shitty. It’s unpredictable and terrifying and cruel and we constantly have to find ways to hold joy in our hearts even when we’re tired, grieving, or angry. We hang onto and believe in that hope: that no matter how bad things get, there is a force on earth that makes life brilliant, beautiful, and worth living. Love is what holds us together when everything falls apart. It’s not about one singular happy ending we’re aiming for. It’s about weighing all those moments of sheer joy throughout our lives as heavily as they deserve. I’m so happy to have partners for this project who get that, who value the essential role this kind of art plays in our lives. They understand why THIS story, about two broken people trying to open themselves up enough to be truly known, matters to me and us. This movie is going to funny, cozy, moving, and messy. I can’t wait. Thank you for being the best audience. I hope in this brutal week, you find pockets of almost unbearable happiness. Those matter.