Beach Read by Emily Henry (2020)
Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars
I didn’t have exceptionally high hopes for this book going in, but it really surprised me. Multiple people had recommended this book and I’m glad they did. I plan to read Emily Henry’s other books as well.
The Analysis:
Romance writer January Andrews has her romantic view of the world shattered following the death of her father. In a quest to push through her writer’s block and finish her next novel, January moves into a lakehouse in a small town, which just happens to be located next to the house of fellow author Augustus Everrett, her dark and mysterious former classmate famous for his gritty, moody novels. January challenges her rival to write a book with a happy ending for once, while she takes a crack at some serious literary fiction. Whoever finishes and sells their novel first, wins bragging rights.
Despite the name of the book implying a fluff read, there was just enough depth to the story to make it interesting. The characters were well developed and I genuinely cared about the outcome of their stories. January and Augustus both had realistic flaws and charms and were more fleshed out than the usual leads in a romance story, allowing the story to be serious at times and feel grounded in reality.
This book felt fresh and original, despite still employing some classic rom-com elements. I can’t speak highly enough about this book, especially because Beach Read was maybe the first romance novel I’ve ever actively enjoyed. Anyone looking for a fun summer read that’s a step above your typical romance novel should check out Beach Read.
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