This book fascinated me, it's perfect for the summer already approaching.
It has everything, drama, romance and sometimes funny situations. Like the ones January and Gus made.
I loved the theme of writers, Gus seemed to me a cool character, that fiction literature is more important than other stories.
She emphasizes that female res stories are also important as male stories and it is a tale never ending, for the time being.
It is logical that these two characters fall in love and I felt that they complemented each other and that was what I liked most about the story, because this situation is not easy at all.
The situation about the death of her father from January was also a mystery about co or she had to take some events about her reader block, but well I will not say more, I do not want to give spoilers, it was spectacular this book, thank you very much for the ARC e-book.

WORTH THE HYPE! Believe it, love it, push it in the hands of everyone you know. This is exactly the distracting, heartfelt read we all needed

Without a doubt, this has become the book of the year for me. There is nothing light about this: it's beautifully written, complex, and absolutely stunning. The characters are developed in such a way that made me ache for both of them. Will definitely read more from this author and please, can there be a sequel?!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Emily Henry for the opportunity to read the perfect romance novel - but not your typical romance novel, which would not be my favorite genre. This is a multi-layered romance novel and a great escape read. 4.5 stars rounded up!

January is a romance novelist struck with writer's block after the sudden death of her father and learning a devastating family secret. She heads off to a summer cottage on the beach to try and write another book with a happily ever after ending. Then she learns that her college nemesis, Augustus, who ended up being a best-selling literary fiction writer, is in the cottage right next to her. They are polar opposites - she needs to believe in love and happily ever after; he writes deep, dark books where no one is happy or in love. So they make a bet to each write a book in the other's genre and see who can get published first.

As both come to face realities of their pasts, you will be glued to the pages to see how it all turns out. A perfect book to escape into right now!

This is my first novel by Emily Henry. I've kinda watched her progress through various social media channels from afar and when I had a chance to read one of her novels, I grabbed it.

The short version of this review is that ultimately I enjoyed it.

Longer version?

It took me a while to warm to it. I think my main problem was the cover and blurb made this seem like a really light fun read. There are aspects that are humorous but I'm not sure I'd call this a light romance. It seems more apt to say that this novel is light on comedy and heavy on delving into emotions and backstory and really looking at two writers' process when the words are flowing and there's a deadline. And there's nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't what I expected.

Once I settled into the novel, I enjoyed the back and forth between Gus and January. I enjoyed the intermingling of their writing research and their love story. Admittedly, sometimes I felt it went a little long in certain areas and Gus kinda seemed like the cliched emo guy in a romance, but I still felt satisfied by the end.

I think if I hadn't gone into this novel wanting a light read, I wouldn't have felt so disconnected from it from the start--I'm glad that I stuck with it because I definitely would like to check out more from Emily Henry.

January and Gus are both published authors experiencing writer's block. She writes happily-ever-after romances and he writes serious "literature" with unhappy endings. They agree to write the other's style of book in an effort to prove they can and to break their writer's block. Of course during the course of the book, January and Gus fall for each other. Will they get their happily-ever-after?

I loved this book. It was really hard to put down! The characters and their banter were realistic and very entertaining. I was definitely rooting for them. There is also enough meat to the story to keep it interesting; it is not strictly about getting January and Gus together. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. When I started this read i was unprepared for the emotional ride I was embarking upon. This book is deceptive in that it appears to be a light read but it has so many layers.
Forgiveness and brokenness are strong themes and I found myself feeling everything January felt. Her fear was so real that I found myself fearful. Her optimism was so strong, I was optimistic. Her love was so deep I felt like I was drowning. I loved the friendships, the character development and the opportunity to learn about the writing process
This book is a real winner
Those with adversity towards profanity may find it offensive. The f-word is peppered throughout and often does nothing to help the dialogue.

When I really fall for a book, I fall hard. This book was no exception. I felt all the feels and loved every moment. The characters were beautiful and lovable. Each had deep struggles, pain and growth. The only thing I didn't like, even really hate, is the name of the book. It seems to trivialize the story to a fluff piece at first glance, even though I see how it's fitting in a way. This story encompasses the love of people's stories, their heartbreak and the moments of happiness that break through all of the shit life can throw, even when it's really awful.

Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of BEACH READ.

What could be more perfect than a beach read called BEACH READ? And just in time for beach season. The best part is it's a delightful rom-com that readers will have readers quickly flipping through pages. It focuses on an author with writer's block and her best-selling frenemy.

"I did what any reasonable adult woman would do when confronted with her college rival turned next door neighbor. I dove behind the nearest bookshelf."

BEACH READ is cute, sweet and will make you smile.

This was a very fun summer read, with enough unique characters that I managed to make what could be a cliched storyline, parent hiding a secret, seem different. I loved the banter between the two characters and really enjoyed the book overall.

Opposite attract. I have heard this phrase often over the years and this book delves into that phrase with the main characters January and Augustus. As they are indeed as truly opposite in their way of thinking as they come. But the loss of January’s father and finding out upon his death that he had another life that she knew nothing about turns January’s life upside down. Enter Augustus (Gus) her old college nemesis and we are treated to their rivalry at first and then something way more as the book continues. Definitely a lighter romantic read at the heart of it. But worth the read.

Going into this book I thought it would be a light and cheesy romance novel, exactly what I needed at the time I picked it up. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that even though it had some amazingly cheesy scenes that had me swooning, it had a lot of depth to it nonetheless. I didn't expect to see the heavy topics that were talked about in there but what a good surprise it was. I had been seeing this book around with people raving about it so when PRH kindly offered me a free e-ARC, I don't think I've ever downloaded anything as fast.

I believe that I loved this book more than I thought I would because I really and truly was able to relate to elements the characters have gone/are going through during the narrative. I highlighted to many quotes that hit me right home, it was incredible to read even though I was left with many feelings afterward. If you pick it up expecting to be given "only" a romance, oh you're in for a very good ride because it is so much more than that. This book is full of sarcasm, of deeply-rooted emotions, of self discovery and actually finding yourself again. I was so invested in the characters that I was gutted when I finished it, but feeling oh so damn good.

I absolutely adored both the main characters and a very large majority of the others too. They were all so lovely and fleshed out, all of them bringing something new to the story. I was very frustrated at others nonetheless. They all just felt like real people, which was strongly enjoyable.

In conclusion, don't let the cute (and GORGEOUS) cover fool you. This book will give you many emotions you probably are not expecting, but it's for the best.

I loved this book so much! The characters were easy to love and I was really interested in both of their backstories. The romance was well-paced and the tension was so well done! I also really loved that they were both working through their personal issues in believable and relatable ways. Beach Read is definitely one I will recommend!

This book had a beautiful love story in it, but veered more into the chick lit category than in romance. January did as much healing in herself and coming to terms with her life as she did falling in love. The characters were well written and interesting, local was key. Overall, loved this book.

Beach Read was a thoroughly enjoyable easy-read romance novel with some substance, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, sexy love story to take their minds off the real world.

Particular highlights for me were the pining and tension (I love a good romance that starts with pining and tension and doesn't rush to the action), the witty banter between the two main characters, and the cute, cozy setting of a lakeside Michigan town (don't let the title and cover fool you, this actually doesn't have anything to do with a beach except for about three pages worth of narrative).

But all that aside, the most notable thing about this novel was the way the romance's trajectory smartly follows the main character's personal journey. As January deals with revelations about her dad and things she didn't know about his life, she also deals with revelations about Gus and things she didn't know about him. At various points there is discussion about the merits of ending a book by closing a cycle of inevitability versus giving them a happy ending, and as the novel unfolds you start to wonder if January's story is going to be a cycle or if she's going to get her happy ending. It's clever, and I really enjoyed it.

Also--the romance was HOT. I found myself getting physically flustered more than once, and I've read a LOT of sexy scenes.

The book was a nice length and well-paced. I picked it up for a lighthearted break from the fantasy epics I've been reading, and it delivered exactly what it promised in a way that never once dragged or overstayed its welcome.

Giving it 5 stars because I feel it accomplished exactly what it set out to achieve, and did so with personality and joy.

4.25/5 stars
“Happy for now. I could live with that. I could learn to live with that”.

The cover of this book is a lie. I went in expecting a cute, happy, Summer rom-com and it was not at all what I expected, but I’d be lying if I said I was disappointed. For the style of the book Emily Henry did a perfect job of pulling it off and I'm so happy that I read it.

January was a great character for me. Her mannerisms and ways and the things she said all seem so realistic and by the end of the book I felt like I knew her personally. She’s such a happy character that it kind of rubs off on you. Even though she’s been through so much and has had so many terrible things happen to her she still sees the good in everything and I honestly need to take notes.
“My father was gone. And I would always miss him. And that had to be okay.” (this scene was so SO good).
The way she talked to Gus and helped him get through his pain and she tried her best to understand him and give him the benefit of the doubt; I loved that. I loved watching her grow and begin to understand and accept the mistakes of her father. I loved that she went out of her comfort zone in writing and found a book that became something so important to her. I loved that she learnt how to manage her grief and allow herself to be sad. Watching her and Gus interact and slowly fall for each other while at the same time learning what it means to love someone despite their mistakes,,,it was wonderful.

On the other hand: Gus. I admit that I was really skeptical about his character. For most of the book I was at least 64% sure that he was a serial killer and this was going to be another You situation and it was just giving me stress. But he wasn’t. Even though he might be. I honestly still don’t know what to think. The man obviously knows way too much about cults and killing people and I understand where his fascination comes from but I do think he is still a very grey character. There were scenes where he was soft and charming and those were the moments when he was with the people he loves. Which is perfect for someone like him, I think. He’s definitely got the whole brooding, world weary, mysterious thing going on and it was the perfect Yang to January’s sparkly Ying. His borderline serial killerness aside I really enjoyed watching his growth through the story. As a reader you can see the way he opens up and begins to trust January: by the end it’s like his perception of the world is changed.

“It’s June in January because i’m in love.”
This quote. In the book. Was perfect. There was just so much meaning to it that when it was used by January’s dad in his letters I wanted to cryy. I did cry. It was so perfect.
The whole concept of the letters was not a new one, but the way they were written was heartbreaking. “Who am I today, January?” everytime he said that my heart just broke a tiny bit for her. The way the author allowed the book to build up to this moment slowly, allowing us to feel January’s anger and heartbreak in the beginning and then give us these letters: it was perfect because we could understand her pain so well that my heart was hurting for her.

My favorite part of this whole book was the way both characters grew and changed and became more whole. They both learnt so much from their writing and the trips and it was such a gratifying experience to watch them grow. I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for an in-depth romance!

Thank you to Berkeley for the ARC
(All quotations are from the ARC)

This was a romcom with heart. The relationship has a good build, with a friendship forming first. I LOVED the writing aspect of the story, and how each character challenges each other to write a book outside their comfort zone. The only part I didn't enjoy as much was the ending, which I think could have been more succinct and without some unnecessary drama.

Started off very strong. I liked the premise, thought January was an interesting multi-dimensional character, and absolutely loved the dialogue and witty banter. Unfortunately, the middle/end sort of lost me. It ended up veering towards an annoying trope, that of the dark, mysterious man who is so damaged no one can understand him EXCEPT this one woman who is so accepting and understanding and can change him and she's perfect (he literally calls her perfect multiple times which, in itself, annoys me because no one is perfect and there's another trope I hate which is woman on the pedestal built up in some imperfect, troubled man's head because in reality, a woman on a pedestal has nowhere to go but down) and then HEA.

First half 4 stars, second half 2. Ymmv on the (to me) annoying tropes.

“The only promise you ever had in life was the one moment you were living.”

As I’m sure everyone else has said, this is not your typical beach read. I actually don’t know if I’d call it a beach read at all. But I sure wouldn’t mind reading this on a beach somewhere. There’s romance, there’s character development, there’s tough topics. This book really has it all.

I knew I loved reading books about books but I didn’t know how much I would love reading about writing books. It was fun to watch their process (especially the romantic montages) while they taught each other their own methods.

January and Gus both come with their fair share of trauma. They go into their deal with money and publication on their minds but as they work together and they start to unravel who they really are as they grow and heal together.

I did find this book slow at times but it’s hard to say if that was the fault of the book itself or just me right now. Either way, I think this is a book everyone should pick up this summer.

Review : Beach Read by Emily Henry⁣
Pub Date : 5/18/20⁣
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Thank you @berkleyromance for gifting me an arc of this wonderful novel. #partner⁣
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If you love ⁣
💕 emotional romcoms⁣
💕 enemies to friends to lovers ⁣
💕 witty banter ⁣
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Then I think you’d really enjoy Beach Read. ⁣
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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. ⁣
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They're polar opposites. ⁣
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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. ⁣
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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.⁣
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Beach Read was probably one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a while. I saw many mixed reviews, but still wanted to find out for myself what the hype is about! ⁣
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It made me laugh a lot, and it made my heart flutter, but what I loved most was the deeper conversations between Augustus “Gus” & January. Two very broken people, have become each other’s everything. What I really loved about the dynamic was that they became best friends first, and it felt very authentic. They fought, they broke down walls, and they trusted each other. While dealing with two very complicated pasts, they helped each other grow. Their entire relationship wasn’t perfect, and I loved it! ⁣
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5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Steam : 🔥🔥🔥⁣
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