Reviews with content warning for Death - Beach Read

I was really surprised with how much I ended up liking this book! I love reading romance books, but I always feel like they don't live up to what I wanted from each story I read. This book was not like that! I definitely needed the escape into January's world and life, and at times it felt a little too relevant, but I was hooked.

Like always, my one (initial) gripe was that the negative to positive feelings for the male lead happened way too fast, but it worked really well with the story the Emily Henry was trying to tell. Don't get me wrong, I always wish romance books were longer and had a slower development (not a slow burn) because I want deeper development, but I did not miss it as much in this book. I was even thrown for a surprise at the very end of the book--

I did not see the proposal coming!

Although, I felt the way Sonya was resolved was kind of very sudden. It makes sense in the grand scheme of things, she is just a random person and it is not about her, but she was really built up as this person in January's life that she has to face and facing her was not this dramatic thing that happened. It was just a conversation and January was still standing...as I write this I get the point of Sonya now. People just come and go, there is nothing really dramatic or fateful about it.

I do love a good romance that starts with a rivalry/bet, it's just the best way to build some tension and lay the foundation for antics later in the book. I wish we got more of those weekend getaways/aspects of the bet in general. I know that the story wasn't really built around this concept, but it's my favorite trope so I was a little disappointed. This is where the story felt rushed because I was using the Friday/Saturday agreement to measure how long their romance took of the summer and it was kind of hard to gauge.

Ultimately, I am satisfied and would recommend the book because of the escapism and the great way Emily Henry handled all of January's problems. I never felt like they detracted from the plot or the characters or made it tedious to get through the book.

Content Warnings

vas_17's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

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

3.25

Content Warnings

caitlinjadams's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow wow wow this book is meaty and a delight and made me cry and smile and think and I wish I could read it for the first time again.

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kendrav's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

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andiehales's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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witcheslovingwitches's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

5.0

it’s always books with the silly little cartoon character covers that end up shattering your heart. what a feat of the genre.

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prairieraven's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

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

3.25

Content Warnings

savvyrosereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Rating: 5/5 stars

January is reeling from the implosion of her personal life when she arrives in a lake house for the summer only to find her college rival Gus living next door. They agree to swap genres in an attempt to combat their mutual writer’s block, but they’re not prepared for the feelings developing between them.

I’m finally in my Emily Henry era and I could not be happier. This book was everything everyone promised it would be, and I’ll keep this review short and sweet because we all know the internet really doesn’t need my opinions added to the ten million reviews of this book already out there.  That said, I LOVED this and I have to scream it from the rafters at least once, so consider this that scream. I cried SO HARD (from literally 3 pages in and then again all the way through the last 50 pages). The characters are SO good, and so many lines will live rent free in my mind forever (why say ILY when Gus Everett said WIWYSIFOTYE). I am so glad I finally read this and truly can’t wait to continue my EmHen journey!

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: rivals to lovers; small town vibes; crying

CW: Loss of parent; grief; mentions of child abuse/domestic violence; infidelity

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