Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Beach Read

I don’t understand the hype around this book… it was a cool premise, but I found the characters depressing and their relationship to be toxic. I also didn’t like how their relationship was hinged mainly around sarcastic conversation. Again, just not healthy and overall seemed more like a trauma bond. Not a fault with the author or the book necessarily, but maybe just not my cup of tea. Definitely not a rom com if that’s what you’re looking for/expecting when going into this book like I was. It’s more in the straight fiction genre with a romance subplot.

I did like the author’s note at the end. It made a little more sense of her headspace for the book.

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clinicallypathetic's review against another edition

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hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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page_not_found's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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cassidy_rain's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

"I don't need snowflakes." He kissed me. "As long as there's January."

I’m finally caught up in the Emily Henry universe with this one! I will admit, I came into this with really high expectations because I know this is a lot of people’s faves. It didn’t beat out Funny Story for me, but it was cute.

Beach Read follows FMC January. She’s a romance author and following a bit of a rough patch in her life, moves out to her late dad’s lake house to finish her next book and empty out the house to sell. It also follows MMC, Augustus, who is January’s neighbor. He’s also an author, incredibly grumpy and sexy, and has a complicated past with January…

This did capture my attention from the beginning! The banter between characters early on is really good! I did find myself a bit bored and dragging through the middle of the story. A bit insta-lovey and miscommunication for my taste. But I will say, the characters do a good job of working through their miscommunication. I appreciated the real life issues and emotions from the side plots. Overall a cute love story! Just didn’t completely grip my attention from start to finish.

“Just tell me what you want for once. That's all I'm asking you to do.”

"I want you," he said quietly.

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sestout's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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cielosiluminado's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

And that was the moment I realized: when the world felt dark and scary, love could whisk you off to go dancing; laughter could take some of the pain away; beauty could punch holes in your fear. I decided then that my life would be full of all three.

january and gus were actually really cute and endearing. i really like how this was written and how their relationship progressed naturally. some things other (minor) characters did had me feeling meh, especially when those characters were given a type of redemption arc which i wasn’t about. but the book was still entertaining overall.

~~don’t really understand why it’s titled “beach read” when the protagonists weren’t big fans of going there and they go there like max twice throughout the book?~~

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sxndaze's review

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

i understand the emily henry hype, especially if you’re not a frequent reader of romance. it’s quick and easy to read with tropes galore, and her characters have depth. there’s more to the plot than just character a falls for character b, and it’s lovely for an m/f romance.

i have a few gripes with the way gus thinks everyone was a waste of time except for january in school, but i guess it fits his angsty vibe? also january saying dumb bunny is weird. some typical romance tropes like the leaning and “dark eyes,” but it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book overall. it’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a good introduction to romance if you’re looking for one.

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_b0ok_l0v3r's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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