Who Would Like This Book:
If you love layered, witty romances that do more than just offer a meet-cute, "Beach Read" is for you! Fans of enemies-to-lovers, writers writing about writers, and sparkling banter will especially enjoy this. Emily Henry blends clever commentary on genre, genuine chemistry, and characters with real baggage, making the story both fun and emotionally resonant. It's perfect for those who crave a beach read with depth, character growth, and some playful pokes at writing itself.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers looking for pure escapist fluff or a nonstop rom-com might be surprised - this book digs into grief, family secrets, and self-discovery, sometimes taking a more serious or introspective tone than its sunny title and cover suggest. Some romance purists may not love the meta conversations about genre or the focus on character growth outside the relationship, and others found the pacing a bit slow or the sex scenes lacking heat or realism. If emotionally messy protagonists or the odd meta moment aren't your jam, it might not be a fit for you.
About:
'Beach Read' by Emily Henry follows the story of romance writer January Andrews who finds herself in a neighboring lake house to Gus Everett, a serious literary author and her college nemesis. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they challenge each other to write a book in the style of the other person, leading to a slow burn romance. delves into themes of grief, pain, and complicated relationships, presenting a blend of romance, literary fiction, and insightful storytelling. The characters, their dynamics, and the emotional depth of the plot make this book a compelling read that goes beyond the typical romance genre.
The writing style of 'Beach Read' is engaging and captivating, seamlessly blending humor, emotional moments, and character development. The author, Emily Henry, skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, creating a narrative that keeps readers invested from start to finish. offers a mix of light-hearted moments and deeper themes, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable read for those looking for a beach read with substance.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include grief, parental infidelity, and themes related to childhood trauma and difficult familial relationships.
Has Romance?
Romance plays a central role in Beach Read, featuring a significant and evolving relationship between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION!
"Original, sparkling bright, and layered with feeling."-Sally Thorne, author of The Hating Game
A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.
Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.
They're polar opposites.
In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.
Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She'll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he'll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.
Ratings (691)
Incredible (106) | |
Loved It (280) | |
Liked It (195) | |
It Was OK (77) | |
Did Not Like (25) | |
Hated It (8) |
Reader Stats (1170):
Read It (726) | |
Currently Reading (7) | |
Want To Read (311) | |
Did Not Finish (15) | |
Not Interested (111) |
17 comment(s)
it was really cute :) a little freaky near the end but it was adorable nonetheless the less
4.6
I liked Emily Henry’s story of writing this book, how it evolved out of her writer’s block and became the story she needed to tell. As a writer I can’t help but find that inspirational, and it shows that the best ideas come from the most unexpected and personal places.
Characters and humor very well written
5 stars!!! finished this book with tears in my eyes. am i sucker for enemies to lovers? absolutely. emily henry does such a mesmerizing job writing dialogue and emotion and relationships, and i am once again in awe of her talent. she truly doesn’t miss :)
Damn havent cried reading a book an a while
just wicked rushed, couldn’t stay focused
Dumb
It was good
I haven’t had a book hit me like this in a long time. I want to give this book a hug.
What can you read after
Beach Read?
About the Author:
Emily Henry is the New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. She writes stories about love and family for both teens and adults. She studied creative writing at Hope College and the New York…
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
