Take a photo of a barcode or cover
This is still “my perfectly favorite” book. Even after all these years. I was scared that it might not hit the way it had in the past but I’m happy to report, I’m still as emotional, giggly and happy as I was the first go around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Vomit, Car accident
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
A cute romance! Probably my least favorite Emily Henry book that I’ve read so far, but I still enjoyed it. I loved the main characters and the buildup of their romance, but I wish the side characters were a bit more developed. Her “best friend” was barely in it, and there could have been more explored with Pete and Maggie’s story. I also felt like the plot line with Sonya and her dad wasn’t fully resolved. Overall a fun, relaxing read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
IT'S SO GOOD
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"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’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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, Death of parent
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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit