Beach Read by Emily Henry is a cozy happy-ending romance novel. It is an interesting read, and coming from me, that means a lot for the books in the romance genre.

It is a wholesome book. The plot involves making of two books from start to finish (including the conception of the idea, the writing process, the writing itself, the early copies, and the sale) and consequently making of the lives of two peoples who are writing those books, and the joint life that they end up making for themselves.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.

Verdict: Recommended.

Is Beach Read the best romance story of the year? Or the best anti-romance story of the year?

I have no idea, but either way I loved it!!! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this book!

The title of the book really doesn’t go with the story. I was expecting something totally different. Saying that I did enjoy the story and I thought the characters were both likeable.
I thought the author wrote the story very well and it took me less than 2 days to read as it flowed really well.
One down side was the last few pages of my copy something had gone wrong with the text and it was all a bit confusing as to which bit I was reading.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

This was exactly what it says on the tin, a feel good love story. But it's a whole lot more than a rom-com. Yes it does have funny moments, but a choc full of other moments too. Gus and January seem frenemies, their common ground, their writing and their journey gives this book a woman's fiction feel which in all honesty the cover doesn't portray. ie a romcom waiting to happen, it's bigger than a rom com and well worth the read. I loved it!

Easily the best romance I read in 2020. Funny, sweet, romantic, and best of all the main characters were ADULTS! Sure they had problems and flounced off in a sulk from time to time, but they didn't let things fester! I'm honestly ruined for all other romances now, USE YOUR MOUTH WORDS PEOPLE!

An interesting read that I'm glad to have discovered. I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author.

January goes to the lake house of her father who has recently passed away, to clear out everything and put it up for sale. She learns that the "perfect" marriage that she parents had was not all that it seemed and she now finds herself in the same town as her fathers mistress.

This is more than enough to be dealing with, but next door is Gus. Gus and January have never got on despite having an awful lot in common. Both are authors, you see and Gus has always scoffed at the romance novels that January writes.

Gus however is struggling with writers block and January and Gus decide to swap genres and write a book for the other. Gus obviously thinks that writing a romance novel is going to be a piece of cake.

Don't be mislaid though. This is much more than a "Beach Read" or a "Chick Flick" there are so many deep and difficult subjects covered

Sometimes I was frustrated with the pace of the book but I think that is my only criticism and a very minor one at that.

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review thank you to Netgalley.
Initially the title didn’t really excite me but I found I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and the characters and storyline is very engaging. It was a great read and not just a soppy romance novel many more layers to uncover and understand about the characters. Well recommended
#BeachRead #NetGalley

I don't read a lot of romance or women's fiction, but I'm trying to read more widely and I'd heard really good things about this – plus it's about writers, and I can't resist writer-characters or novels about the writing process. It was ultimately not really what I wanted, but that's definitely more a me-thing.

I was hoping for more rivalry between the two authors, and also a heavier focus on the actual writing process. I'd have loved it if the novel was told by both January and Gus, and if it contained extracts of the novels they were writing, and if it focused on the creative process as the primary way for them to heal and process their damage rather than primarily finding that in their romantic relationship.

But this isn't a novel written specifically for me, and it's unfair for me to be annoyed that it's not exactly what I want it to be. It's written for people who like romance novels and women's fiction (though as the book specifically says, that's kind of a bullshit term), so the narrative focuses mainly on the ups and downs of the burgeoning relationship, and there are also lots of scenes of witty banter and flirting which don't really go anywhere; the banter to me felt awkward and always went on a few lines too long – but, again, that's just a me-thing.

I did enjoy this, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes their romance to tackle some slightly more serious themes (but still, they don't have any actual, real problems; they're both incredibly privileged), and like lots of banter and cute date scenes.

I really enjoyed this book. January and Augustus are both published novelists. When January's father died, she inherited a lakeside house she didn't know he owned, which she finds out about when his mistress turns up at the funeral to give her the keys. So she's a little conflicted arriving there, and is planning to finish writing her latest novel in some peace & quiet while also clearing out the house to sell. The first night, she has an awkward encounter with the neighbour next door - Augustus. I won't spoil the details, but when they run into each other in daylight, it turns out she's met him before, and knows who he is, although he clearly doesn't remember her.

They don't get on, but gradually their antagonism leads to the bet described in the blurb: they're going to swap genres for their current writing projects, and they each try to show the other some 'research situations' to help them with the new genre. I read a lot of light contemporary romance of characters being away somewhere for the summer, meeting someone, and having some important realisations over the course of the book. I love that stuff, and Beach Read does it perfectly. But it's like it takes that typical light, quick, contemporary romance read and elevates the writing level a step. I don't know how to describe it better, just that it seemed... deeper, than some things I've read recently. The story itself wasn't so different, but the telling of it made it stand out. You also only get the story from January's point of view, so that adds some more tension to things in particular places, wondering what on earth Augustus is doing or thinking.

As an aspiring writer myself, and working in publishing, I particularly loved that Augustus and January were writers. It prompted me to do a bit of writing on my own stuff, reading January's struggles! And I love the small town setting, especially being by the water, as that's very similar to the way I grew up.

Overall, I highly recommend Beach Read. It was one of my favourite books I read last year, and I'd like to get a physical copy at some point so I can reread it and keep it on my shelves. Contemporary romance at its best.

I finally read this! And I am kicking myself a little bit for not reading it earlier - though this does seem to have been the perfect time for me to read it.
This is fantastic - it was interesting, it felt relatable, the characters were believable, and it explored some topics that I wasn't expecting at all (speaking of, there are trigger warnings for a lot of things in this - I recommend looking up a comprehensive list, but a few would be: cancer, suicide, cults, depression, loss of a loved one), and it seemed to do it well.
I will admit that I wasn't sure this book was going to be for me, as January kind of annoyed me for the first few chapters? But after that I absolutely got sucked in and just swept away.

Oh, also the sex scenes were quite spicy - loved it!

This is indeed a fabulous beach read. An author, under pressure to produce a new book, goes to her father's lake house, where she must confront her past - her family and its secrets, as well as long forgotten crush.

I thoroughly enjoyed this at times laugh out loud rom com that still manages to tackle difficult issues. It's a page turner, and transports you to north American lake shores.

This didn’t live up to my expectations of a rom com....in a good way.
I enjoyed the writing style, the characters and the plot.
Exactly what you need in the middle of a pandemic

Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguine Books (UK) and Emily Henry for my copy. This was a lovely read - funny, moving and well written. Romance is not my usual genre but this was so much more than that. An intelligent and entertaining read.

Honestly, who wouldn't love this book!! It's a tad predictable but easy and uplifting, what's not to love. The characters were all very likeable, some unique and some not. In all the right ways it feels like a book you've read before, one of those comfort books you just want to keep on going back to!!

I think there is a misconception that Romcom can't be dark and broody in places. One of my favourite authors killed the love of her life off in the first third of one of her stories and that changed up for me how I viewed them. Anyway, back to this book and matter in hand.

I do feel Beach Read is packaged up wrongly. The covers (I've now seen two) are as misleading at the title (although the title does link into the story.) The straplines I've seen do no favours in leading the reader in the right direction 'Two writers, one holiday - a romcom waiting to happen.' This isn't set over a holiday. He's been there for years and she's tidying up family loose ends. 'The New York Times best selling laugh out loud love story you'll want to escape' - This is not a laugh a minute book - to market it as such does a disservice to both a reader who is looking for that and this piece of work that is lovingly crafted through the highs and lows of life. Yes there are funny moments, but there are also many particularly raw and emotive moments and I feel the publishing house are doing the author a disservice marketing this as such.

I thoroughly enjoyed following the ups and downs of January's life and watching her unpick Gus' layers. I was looking for a light hearted read and whilst I'm might not have all quite been that, I wasn't unhappy at all with the lovely story I ended up with.

Absolutely magnificent. I’ve now read two books by this author and both have absolutely blown me away.

Beautiful prose, great characters, a story I couldn’t put down. Can’t ask for more.

As far as romcoms go though, this is pretty much a dream formula! Two writers with very different styles, a small town, a challenge to write each other’s genre, all the family drama and heaps of sexual tension. Tick, tick, TICK! It was everything I love about the genre in how funny and moving it was and how real the romance felt.

This book has it all. Sexual tension so strong you could cut it with a knife. Witty and charming characters that pull you into their world and make you want to stay. Love, secrets, an intriguing and original plot - Beach Read brings it all to the table in a beautifully concocted masterpiece. A real gem that fills you with butterflies, flutters and warm tingles all over!

If you want a good book for lockdown reading, then this is definitely one to pick up. Penguin UK Books very kindly gifted me this ebook!

January Andrews is a romance writer stuck in a rut, no longer believing in the love stories she writes. Augustus Everett is also a writer lacking inspiration, but takes himself very seriously and has a habit of looking down on January’s chosen genre.

They’re stuck as neighbours for the time being, whilst both of them struggle to write their next books with deadlines looming.

Cue the bet. Augustus agrees to spend his summer writing something with a happy ending, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on montage-worthy trips and he’ll educate her on the slightly less favourable parts of life.

Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved January as a protagonist. I can’t really pin down exactly what it was about her that I liked so much, but she just felt so real and honest. She looks for the best in everything and that really spoke to me.

Rivalry to romance is a trope I really enjoy reading. Who doesn’t love it when two characters go from hating each other to not hating each other so much anymore? It gives me all the good feels.

Beach Read gets 5/5 from me. Loved it!