A review by tragedies
Beach Read, by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I went into this book wanting a fun and heartwarming summer romance, and while it definitely was, I also found it to be incredibly profound and intimate. Along with cute carnival dates and hot nights at the drive-in theater, there were conversations about grief, trauma, and the inexplicable resentment at people whom you loved with all your heart but ended up hurting you in ways that broke you and your faith in the world. There were moments of vulnerability and comfort, of seeing each other’s deep-seated hurts and fears and inspiring one another to face such with the same care and gentleness they treat those around them. Beach Reads was as much a story of two individuals growing into themselves as it was of two people falling head over heels for each other, and I love it.

There were many other things I love about this book. The grump and sunshine combined with my favorite rivals to friends to lovers dynamic. The cliché premise of absurdly ridiculous bets. The second chance romance trope. The funny yet clever banter. The effortless chemistry between the two main characters. And of course, some sneaky Taylor Swift references (My Swiftie heart is full). Beach Reads had all of this and more.

It's no wonder then that when I set out to read a couple of chapters before bed, I ended up binging the entire thing instead, crying and laughing and crying again until three in the goddamn morning. It was surely an emotional rollercoaster but one I would happily go through again.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings