January Andrews is in a writing slump. Broke and broken, she reluctantly decides to move into a beach house for free for the summer, hoping it will spark something in her to finally write. Instead, she discovers that her archnemesis, Augustus Everett, lives right next door. After a few grumpy conversations and chance meetings, they both realize they are in the same position. They strike up a deal: January will write the next Great American Novel while Gus writes a romcom, with the help of each other in the research department, because they are both experts in their respective genres. And so begins their summer of meet-cute settings and interviews with former members of a death cult. The only guarantee? They won't fall in love.

I had read so many early reviews saying that this book is so much more than just a beach read, and all of those reviews are right. The characters in this book have depth and real issues and are messed up. It made the story seem real and relatable. January and Gus early on establish a witty banter that I thought, at times, was a bit forced, but that's just me trying to find something to pick on. The swoon-worthy scenes were just that. I felt myself smiling much of the way through this book. And, if you don't fall in love with Gus while reading this, well then I'm inclined to think there's something wrong with you. If you are looking for a fluffy romcom, this isn't for you. If you are looking for a story with layers, with ups and downs, with characters that'll stick with you, then this one is for you.

Thank you to Berkley & Netgalley for my eARC.

I have loved all of Emily’s YA books, so I was basically beside myself when I found out she was writing a romance novel and coupled with that cover, I expected loads of fluff.

Two things: there is little to no fluff and I wouldn’t categorize this as a rom-com. That illustrated cover and sweet sounding synopsis are so very misleading.

I liked January and Gus. They’re both struggling in different ways and each was sort of a beacon to the other. They do have an instant connection and I loved the bit of backstory they had. That history helped me see the jump in their relationship. There are a few secondary characters, but this is mostly January’s story.

Plot wise, it was slow going. There are a lot of moving pieces here and it wasn’t always coherent for me. Yes things actively happened, but at the same time, it felt like nothing was happening. The small bits of banter sparked me into reading further and I could have easily read a million more scenes of Gus and January talking about Maggie and her rocks.

Overall, it was a good story, but after seeing everyone gush about it being a “super cute book” and “a perfect summer read” has me wondering how I missed whatever they clearly saw.

**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**

Woo hoo loved it! Bravo Emily Henry! Captivating storyline, delightful setting, fantastic characters, fun banter, beautiful emotion, tender romance. This is the summer romance I’ve been waiting for! January is at a low point in her life. She is grieving the death of her father, but now she’s not so sure that she really knew him. She is also suffering from writers block and trying to pick up the pieces after her longtime boyfriend broke up with her. Her father left her a beach house on Lake Michigan and she’s hoping the change of scenery will help her clear her head and figure some things out. In a crazy turn of fate her next-door neighbor at the beach house is her old college crush/rival Gus. When the two start to talk they realize that they both are struggling from writers Blok so decide to wager a little bet and each will try to write in the others genre. So what happens when the grumpy literary author tries to write a romcom? What happens when the romcom author attempts to write a bleak book? What happens when too lonely hearts find each other? Will there be a happily ever after or will everything fall apart?

I seriously loved absolutely everything about this book! January and Gus were such great characters and they were so multi dimensional. Loved all their banter, their back-and-forth, their give-and-take. The story was so much more than a romance, touched on so many different issues and gave me all the feels. If you enjoy good storytelling, fabulous characters, and witty dialogue then this is a can’t miss!

This book in emojis 📚 ☕️ 👩🏻‍💻 ⛈ 🎠 🎪

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

5 Loving This Book Stars
This had it all and then some.
You want a cute hook for why two people happen to start talking and developing a friendship- you got it.
You want interesting backstories for the reasons why these two are who they are-you got it.
You want a push/pull type of opposites that really have some much in common-you got it.

This has all of that as well as Heart, Angsty Stuff, Steamy Stuff, Humor and anything else you could want.
This is a huge Winner and NOT what you may think it is...It Is More.

BEACH READ by Emily Henry is a story filled with angst, secrets, family, friends, and more. January, a romance writer with writer’s block and deadlines looming, is given a letter written by her father upon his death, along with a key to a house he owns in the little beach town in Michigan where he grew up. Her mom is not too thrilled with the whole scenario but doesn’t want to talk about any of it. When January finally travels from Ohio to Michigan to clean out the house so she can sell it, she doesn’t expect to meet someone she knows living next door or to be able to write again.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments as January and her neighbor, Gus, meet and get to know each other again. She and Gus went to college together and were always rivals in writing class. He is a successful literary fiction writer and doesn’t like her successful happily-ever-after books. They currently both seem to be struggling to get words on paper.

When they make a bet about writing in a different genre than they usually do, the story really takes off. I loved their research on Fridays and Saturdays as well as how they slowly get to know each other better. The characters have a depth to them, both vulnerable when it comes to letting others in. Their chemistry is real, but their lack of communication causes problems a lot of the time.

The descriptions of the small town and beach are vibrant; the small town feels real. The romance is nicely woven through the plot, which has a nice pace, in addition to an unexpected twist at the end. The last chapter takes place nine months later and gave me the closure I look for. The cover is playful and fits the book, and the titles for each chapter are spot-on. I enjoyed the author’s Behind the Book section and Discussion Questions at the end.

I read Beach Read over a weekend and it was just the most delightful read. It had all the sweet & steamy moments my little heart desired! What really got me was how relatable it was, the family stuff specially. I found myself both crying and swooning over this book. It’s easily one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. I would recommend it to everyone because it’s just THAT good.

✨ ALL THE STARS! ✨

"The sun was low on the horizon, the thin blankets of clouds streaked a pale tangerine. They looked like melted Dreamsicles floating in a sea of denim blue."

Don't be fooled by the cover or the blurb of this book. Beach Read by Emily Henry was so much more than a romance. It's such a deep rooted story about love, loss, life, and everything in between.

The tale begins with the heroine contemplating her perfect life and what went wrong. She's broke, she no longer has the boyfriend, nor the loving parents, and she's lost her writing inspiration. January finds herself at a gorgeous lake house that once belonged to her deceased father.

"For years, I had a purpose, something good to focus on. But when Dad died, suddenly writing—the one thing that had always put me at ease, a verb that felt more like a place only for me, the thing that had freed me from my darkest moments and brought hope into my chest in my heart’s heaviest— had seemed impossible."

January discovers that her neighbor is non other than Augustus Everett, her nemesis from college who also happens to be a writer. Once again, they're butting heads. Gus proposes a bet of sorts to swap writing genres and see who can finish a book first.

“You try writing bleak literary fiction, see if that’s who you are now, if you’re capable of being that person”— I rolled my eyes and snatched the last bite of donut from his hand . He went on, unbothered—“ and I’ll write a happily ever after.”

January and Gus embark on these research road trips, where they slowly open up to each other. Soon, conversation between the two becomes an easy going thing as they get to know the other on a deeper level.

Two slightly broken people who have loved and lost, learn to care for the other. January being at her most vulnerable brings her closer to Gus.

"As different as I’d thought we were, it felt a little bit like Gus and I were two aliens who’d stumbled into each other on Earth only to discover we shared a native language."

Beach Read was such a swoonworthy story that will open your mind and your heart to endless possibilities. Emily Henry has warmed my heart with her writing and these wonderful characters. Sign me up for her next book please! Must read 🏖


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This is the perfect title for this book as you can take it with you as you relax on a beach while social distancing or by your own pool. In reality, it doesn’t matter where you read this book just as long as you do. If you are looking for a book that just takes your mind off of whatever it is on, this is it. It is a novel about writer’s block. It is a novel about finding your true self and forgiveness. It is a novel about friendships and exes; disappointments and enjoyments.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the few steamy plot points too. The characters were so real. It wasn’t a stereotypical contemporary story, these characters had real background stories that hit hard.

This was my first book from Emily Henry but I will be looking into her back catalog. I highly recommend that you pick this one up now.

I loved this love story! Complex characters who are navigating loss and hard times, all while re-finding each other. I also really enjoyed how writers block was one of the main themes of this book. An interesting look into what it’s like being a young writer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book.

BEACH READ by Emily Henry is an absolute treasure! January's whole life (family, career as romance author, and relationship!) implodes when she learns a secret at her father's funeral. Way behind on her newest novel's deadline, January has no choice but to move rent-free to her father's old beach house where's she's horrified to learn that the next door neighbor rocking R.E.M. well past midnight is her college nemesis: literary wunkind Augustus Everett..

Oh how I adored BEACH READ! I loved it's snarky banter, slow-build swoon, twists on tropes, and wise observations on life, grief and happiness. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. <3

I thought Beach Read was going to be a typical light-hearted rom com, so I was surprised when there was some (alot) of gloom and angst in this story. There were many comedic moments in this book and I think this is where it shone. The idea of January slinking behind shelves of books and the scene at the book club with the "purse wine" was hilarious. With some editing this book could make a great movie--the idea of them writing signs back and forth between the houses would be very cinematic. But, there is a lot of time spent in wallowing in sadness got to be a little tedious. I wanted to tell both January and Gus to MOVE ON There was some reference to the writing process for authors--I wish there could have been more. The book was an easy quick read and I think for the summer it would be fine..

This personally failed to touch me on any emotional level. I did not connect with the characters, the plot was slow-moving, and I didn't even find the town very charming. I was hoping for snappy dialogue between two witty characters but what I got instead was a lot of January's annoying inner-monologue.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everything we could ever wantEd in a perfect “beach read.” January is such a distinct, open and honest character. This is a MUST read this summer.

Utterly delightful. Fun, witty, and insightful. Beach Read is a must-buy for all general fiction collections.

4/5 stars

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an advanced e-arc in exchange for a review!

Beach Read is the perfect book for an escape! From the first chapter until the end I was so invested in this book. I finished this book in one sitting and never once got bored it was so addictive! I’ll be honest going into this I was very nervous, I adore Emily Henry’s YA books but I’m very picky when it comes to romance so this was a bit of a gamble. However Beach Read was the perfect amount of romance, intriguing plot, and characters that you become so invested in.

Beach Reads follows two very different authors who are both stuck in a rut. When they unexpectedly become neighbours they decide to switch manuscripts and write the others stories. The romance author will write “The Next Great American Novel” and Gus who doesn’t believe in love will write a new romance novel.

I love books following writers, as a lover of literature it just instantly makes you feel connected to the characters. Every scene we got to see of them writing their books, or celebrating their word count for the day made me just fall even more in love with them. January and Gus were both so perfectly imperfect. I was worried that Gus was going to be this closed off character that was hard to connect with, but wow I adored him. I wanted to just wrap Gus up in my arms, he pulled at my heart strings and was such an amazing love interest. Gus was such a breath of fresh air, he didn’t fall under the typical closed off love interest. Yes when we meet him he is closed off but reading about him you can tell how desperate he is for someone to love him. I also really adored the build up to January’s and Gus romance. Their friendship was so precious and just made their romance even more worth it.

Honestly at this point I think I’ll read anything Emily Henry puts out. Any genre and any age range I always end up adoring her work.

Thank you again to Penguin and NetGalley for proviso nag me with an advanced e arc of this book!

This wasn't what I was expecting, but that's a good thing!

From the title, I was anticipating a light frothy sort of romance; I wasn't disappointed that the story was deeper and a bit darker, but the title did throw me a bit.

I loved the story and seeing the relationship develop, and each character confront and overcome their demons through their competitive writing exercise and their relationship with each other.

This book also made me laugh out loud numerous times; it's so well-written - I'm definitely going to read more by Emily Henry going forward!

I'm having a hard time rating this one...

First off, the title and cover art are *very* misleading. This is not a fluffy, light enemies-to-lovers romcom. It's a contemporary romance (there's an HEA), but the characters are broken, flawed people who randomly reconnect and struggle to understand the other while dealing with their own issues of self-worth and needing to forgive those who’ve hurt them. Oh, and they go to the beach maybe twice the entire story!?

Despite the heavier subject matter, the writing is very strong. Maybe if I'd come into this read with different expectations, I would've been more receptive to the angsty, darker tone of this story. In many ways, it reads like women's fiction—this is definitely the heroine's story—and normally, that wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me. I did enjoy the first half more than the back half, but overall, it just didn't deliver on the promise of the premise for me.

RATING: B- (3½ stars)

For me, Beach Read was one of those books that was immediately added to my TBR as soon as I heard about it. A romcom about rival writers? Yes please. I also love the idea of opposites, at least in some ways, interacting and being drawn to one another. Plus, the cover is adorable.

When I was about 34% into the book, I was actually really surprised by it. A lot of people say it’s light and fluffy, and while it does have those moments, it’s almost more emotional than fluffy. But I appreciate that it deals with some real stuff too. January and Augustus are both going through their own difficult things, and it’s this journey – mainly January’s – that really moves the plot forward and brings them together while also creating conflict. I liked that, but it was completely unexpected. I think that the book handles its heavy topics pretty well for the most part.

January is a fantastic character. Flawed and real, she’s in pain and learning how to cope with it. I really felt for her, and it made me so invested in the story. Her and I share a loss in common, and it made me feel connected to her. It had me thinking, ‘Yes, that’s exactly what that feels like.’ Aside from that, she’s also great with comebacks and banter that had me laughing. She may be struggling, but she has such a big heart.

Augustus – Gus – is her opposite in some ways, and their interactions are always riveting. It’s so easy to ship them and root for them. Gus can be such a sweetie with January, and I love to see him support her when she has low moments. Their banter, their sweetness, their steam – and even the moments when they’re in conflict – are honestly wonderful to read. I’m a little unsure how I feel about the ending, though. It was simultaneously cheesy and yet not completely hopeful. And oddly enough, the only thing that sometimes took me out of the story were their trips to research each other’s genres. But mostly they added depth and insight.

The minor characters are compelling in their own ways, including Gus’ Aunts, January’s friend, and even her mom. They were each important to the story and made the relationships at the core of the book feel more realistic.

If you’re going in expecting a completely light and fluffy book, you’ll be surprised by the turn Beach Read takes. But I think the heavier moments add value and strength to the story, and make the characters and romance all the more real. The journey is worth it. Like a flower soaking up the sun, as I turned each page I absorbed the words, basking in the glow but appreciating the nearby shadows. Knowing that both the light and dark are true, appreciating that the story doesn’t shy away from either.

To some, Beach Read may have the appearance of a light rom-com, perfect for easy summer reading. I was pleased to discover that underneath the humor that it delivered, each main character had a wonderfully complex emotional conflict to work through. The emotionally deeper plots are the kinds of romances that I'm attracted to the most. You really get a chance to dig into the characters' minds and hearts so that even if you don't necessarily agree with everything they do, you understand what influences them. There were some common, recognizable tropes found in your typical contemporary romance, but Emily Henry managed to infuse new life into them and make the story feel fresh and real.

This is an enemies-to-lovers romance of sorts. January and Gus have known each other since college when they attended writing classes together. He was the grumpy unapproachable hero, and she was the optimistic romantic who was ready to conquer the world. Their life experiences and world views were so completely different that a barrier was erected between them. And so began a competitive streak that carried into the present time. January still grits her teeth at the mention of his name and success story. He was that guy that always rubbed her the wrong way and got her hackles up without even trying. When her life is falling apart at the seams, she discovers that her new neighbor is none other than her nemesis, Augustus Everett.

January's entire outlook on life and love has been shattered by a secret unearthed about her father after his death. One year later, she's still trying to come to grips with her disillusionment and heartbreak over his betrayal. Unfortunately this upheaval has translated into a hardcore case of writer's block. How could she possibly write a love story that her readers have come to expect with hearts and flowers and a happily-ever-after when she's not sure she believes in them anymore? She's twenty-nine, flat broke, and living in the house that brings all of her hurt and pain right back up to the surface.

When she realizes Gus is next door, she goes on the defensive and they immediately start throwing snark back and forth. What she doesn't know is that they currently have more in common than she thinks. Writer's block has struck him as well, and he's just as desperate to get the words flowing. An idea is proposed: what if they both stepped in the other's shoes and tried to write from the other person's perspective? She would write a dreary, tragic literary novel, and he would write a romance with a happy ending. It starts out as a game to prove their versatility and talent to each other, and becomes so much more.

January never bothered to truly get to know what was underneath Gus' gruff exterior, and made snap judgements on surface appearances. Now she was discovering his soft underbelly, his vulnerable side that not many are allowed to see, and she realized that they actually make a surprisingly strong team. They were having fun again, and learning that when people weren't what they seem, it isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it's a gift. In finding each other, they found their way back to themselves again, but stronger than ever.

I really enjoyed the bantering between these two characters, and the gradual path to them discovering love when they least expected it. I can't put my finger on what held me back from giving a full five stars. While I enjoyed the concept of the plot, and the excellent characterization of both main characters, for some reason I didn't feel butterflies in my stomach, heart-pounding excitement for the romance. Regardless of that, I thought the writing was fantastic and this is most definitely worthy of a read for those who are looking for a romance with some really relatable, weighty themes. Without a doubt I'll be reading more from this author in the future.

I've just finished this book and I need to talk about it because it's AMAZING.
I was intrigued by the plot: two authors with writers block that set this funny challenge to write a novel of the usual other's genre of novels.
But this, as always happens with the synopsis, didn't prepare me to how much heartfelt this books goes.
You're into January story. You can feel everything. The loss of her father, the anger against him and her mother, the feeling of being lost when even Jacques had left her and writing doesn't come as natural and free as it was before. Then her fears, her hopes and feelings, so strong they hit me deep and crawled under my skin.
And then there's Gus. I'm in love with this character so much. The way he looks at people, his silences, his way of seeing life (due to his personal story) and how he interacts with January.
It's not been simple, sometimes it was a little bit irritating because you wan to tell January or Gus to not give up, to not close their walls all around them but they can't listen. How could they? But you still root for them SO much.
They're two wounded people that hadn't have the shot they deserved the first time and here can have a proper second chance.
I was so afraid I'll stumble in some obvious clichés, but the fact is this book gave me more.
It talks about the imperfections of life, of families and people and the fact we have to accept them at the same time but do not think we're destroyed or ruined at the point we can't have our own happyness.
No one is perfect or, as January says, "I thought you understood that there's no such thing as a normal person." Everyone, every story has its ups and downs. Nothing is entirely bright as we might think, but there isn't just a dark hole either.
This book remembers us that even when our life have been shaked by something unespected, being happy again can really happen, and that most of the time things are not as we see them at first sight or impression. Sometimes second glances, second chances are worth.

As I've said, we see the story only through January point of view, but we follow (from a little distance) Gus' path too, and one of the things that I've loved the most is the fact that yes, they're adorable together and they helped each other not to drop faith in open themself again with other people, BUT they manage to handle their problems by themselves. Both have a personal evolution during the entire book and that makes them two beautiful characters BEFORE being a beautiful couple.
I've laughed with them, I was so THRILLED in more than one moment (Emily, I had in suspance so many times, but it was worth the waiting) and they moved me so much I'm writing with still tears in my eyes.
Maybe not being an English mother tongue made me loose some jokes or references, but I've loved this story so much. It's not a fairytale, either an all-laugh story; Beach Read is a bittersweet novel, maybe more realistic than most of others.

I have also to mention that this story is about writing too. From a person who loves writing as much as reading (for me they're like air to breath) this book is an hymn to writing. For me it's obvious how Emily loves her job but also understands well what it comes with it: there's not always a flow full of words and scenes and ideas, but there are also blank moments in which you ask yourself what you could do to find inspiration.
It was so interesting to discover January and Gus' different points of view and having glimps about how January creates her new novel (I have to admit I would have loved seeing Gus' too), and you can't find this in lots of books, so I think it's an added value to be considered.

So, this looooooooooong review to say: READ THIS BOOK, it's a song of love, mistakes, hopes and new beginnings - and, answering one of the questions I've found at the end of Beach Reads: Yes, I would love a second book, and to see how Gus and January will manage to create their own path of happiness together and their own family <3
Thank you so much for this book Emily and thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read it in advance!