This is one of those books whose cover makes you think that it will be a fun little summer read full of cringe romance scenes and fluff but it’s everything but that. I read Book Lovers and Happy Place and thought that Beach Read would be similar but I was completely wrong. I heard a lot of people giving this book 5 stars and now that I’ve read it I can see why. Here is my spoiler-free review for those who want to know a little bit about this viral book before they dive into it.
*This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
The Plot
Beach Read has only one point of view and that’s the thoughts and experiences the main character January Andrews is experiencing. She is an author who always wrote romance books and is very good at what she does. On another hand, we have Augustus Everett, author of literary fiction books. They met in university and January looked at him as her rival.
That slowly began to change once she saw him again years after they both parted ways in a beach house next to one she moved to for the summer. Both experiencing writer’s block, decided to make a deal. August needs to spend the summer writing a romance book with a happy ending and January needs to write a novel completely opposite to what she usually writes.
Characters and Their Development
Of all the Emily Henry books I’ve read, this one has the most depth and layers in characters. Both January and August open up as the plot is moving forward. While they are completely opposite in personality, family dynamic, and outlook on life, they still manage to be there for each other and learn about themselves and each other.
They feel like people you could easily meet one day in your neighborhood and only once you start talking with them you would notice the complexity and challenges they are going through. I think that the characters would feel even more relatable if there was Augustus’ point of view as well. You can only know what he thinks through January’s observations and when he actually tells her what he is thinking.
Themes and Exploration
Since the first page, there were twists that I did not expect as I thought that this was going to be yet another fluffy and easy-to-read romance book. This book deals with some heavy topics that would usually not find a place in a romance book but Emily Henry did such an amazing job offering a different outlook on grief, expectations, failed relationships, and family affairs. The more you find out about January and Augustus’ background, the more you can empathize and connect with who they are in the present moment.
Writing Style and Tone
I love the chemistry and banter between the two main characters. Some of their sarcastic remarks made me laugh out loud. Emily Henry wrote this book in a very engaging and thought-provoking way. After finishing each chapter I wanted to know what will happen next.
I didn’t feel like at any point in the book she tried to drag the story and make it unnecessarily long. It was the perfect length which is always a plus in my book. The only remark I have was the way it ended. The second to last chapter felt a little bit rushed and I wouldn’t mind a few more pages that would go more into detail about what happened.
Why You Should Read It
If you need a break from fluffy and cringy romance books and want a little bit more depth and serious topics, then I recommend picking up Beach Read. I went blind into it which made it even more entertaining but I’m sure that you loved previous Emily Henry’s books that you will enjoy and appreciate the complexity of this one. Bear in mind that there are a lot of miscommunications happening in this book which I know is not the most favorite plot development for some book lovers.
Did you read Beach Read? What are your thoughts?
Post a Comment