Beach Read by Emily Henry is a true delight of a book, effervescing with charm on every page. Here, we review Beach Read and give our thoughts on the 2020 release. Pick up a copy of the novel here.
This one struck us at just the perfect point of summer, a light and fun romping romance, with enough depth and emotion to make it deeply compelling and propulsive. The story centres around January and Gus – two published authors who are both separately experiencing writers block, whilst living at their neighbouring beach homes. There’s a darker underbelly to the story, for both protagonists are battling with their own demons – Gus with his childhood and January with the complicated loss of her father and the discovery that he had a mistress. The premise of the book is that they both decide to switch genres as a bet to see who can write and sell a book first, conducting ‘research’ whilst spending time together.
Slowly, the duo develop a friendship that deepens, both unravelling their own layers and breaking down walls to each other. They both begin to be open and honest with each other, and it is this honesty that is the pivotal hook upon which the book hangs. Emily Henry writes with an easy, charming writing style that doesn’t feel fluffy or cheesy. More than anything, Beach Read is a swooning and fun romantic comedy book – a perfect Meg Ryan of a book – and, as the title suggests, the perfect beach read.
