Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Beach Read by Emily Henry

77 reviews

booksawyer's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Since Beach Read came out in 2020, I’ve heard nothing but good things about Emily Henry’s first adult romance novel. Years later, Henry has released three more novels in this genre and I still have yet read any of them - until now!

Beach Read follows the story of January Andrews, a published romance writer who recently lost her father. His death opened up numerous wounds when January discovered secrets he has been keeping from her, the aftermath of which sent her into an extreme writers block. Since she hasn’t sold a book and recently spilt with her long-time boyfriend, January moves into a lake house left to her by her dad, hoping write her next novel by the end of the summer. 

Upon moving into the house, January “meets” her neighbor, who turns out to be her college rival Augustus Everett, a successful literary fiction writer. The two decide to make a bet, deciding they will each try to write a book in the other’s genre. The terms of their agreement cause them to spend a lot of time together, and sparks may fly… 

Saying I enjoyed this book is an understatement. From the moment I started reading, January and Augustus’s story captivated me. I was swept up in the romance, rooting for them the whole way.

What pushes Beach Read into the category of an all-time favorite is the inclusion of difficult themes. I always enjoy books that cover difficult topics, so the discussion of grief and the impact that January’s fathers actions had on her was an element of the book I really enjoyed. 

This book also finds our characters researching a cult, something I never expected to see in a romance novel. However, I think it was handled well. The scenes in which this topic was discussed were moving and I found myself getting goosebumps once or twice. 

Despite the heavy themes, this book makes for an excellent cute romance. January and Augustus have undeniable chemistry, and the development of their romance was enough to make me giddy.

Emily Henry is an excellent writer who masterfully crafted this novel. I truly can not wait to immediately pick up one of her other books!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

Minor: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide

This book also deals with cults, particularly the fallout of being in the cult on survivors, as well as the family of cult members who died.

fanboyriot's review

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

Read For:
Quick Read

Hurt/Comfort

Summer Read

Author x Author

Beach Read (much like the title says)

Honestly, I wasn't feeling this one as much.  The characters were okay but at times really annoying.  The relationship felt rushed and a bit too forced.  After they admit their feelings it’s revealed they always felt that way since they were in college… it just kinda comes out of nowhere.  Then there was the ending.  I love romance books as much as the next person but that was way too cliché and just really annoying.  I will say I did like some of the banter was pretty good and I did like the cozy summer vibes it had.

(First Person POV)

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Rep: Idk

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death, Alcohol, Cancer, and Cursing

Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Vomit

ellacat11's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.75

Great book, good characters and development. Ending was slightly sudden and could have used a bit more detail. Overall, I liked it but not as much as Henry’s other two books. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Death of parent

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, Alcohol, and Cursing

Minor: Sexism, Vomit, and Suicide

Description of cult, disturbing stories/descriptions of cult-related violence

jaydub0221's review

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Grief

Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Car accident, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

masona's review against another edition

emotional fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Cancer

Minor: Vomit

moack_5's review

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

ewalkergrace's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity, Cancer, Alcohol, Grief, and Child abuse

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Suicide

lawsonmfreeman's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

This was so fun to read! The romance was set up really nicely and the plot was mostly believable/relatable (up until the very last few pages haha). I thought the discussion of the main character’s parents was a little bit much for me, but I surprisingly liked how the story of January’s dad wrapped up. Regardless, this was an ideal romance novel for me, grumpy male love interest included.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Suicide

deborahjaraja's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse

Minor: Suicide

cult trauma

kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, and Cancer

Moderate: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit