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Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Car accident
"And sometimes people are brighter and braver than they know."
i went into Beach Read expecting just another cute little lighthearted rom-com. but it's absolutely not that.
with conversations about death, cancer, grief and the dark fates of former members of a deadly cult, depression, trauma and abuse, this book was not the funny escapist novel i had imagined (and hoped for).
now it would be a lie to say that it was all dark and sad. there definitely was some funny banter and a few cutesy scenes, but also, so so so SO much conflict.
the characters had lots of depth, there's no denying that, but just depth doesn't make a character loveable, for which january is the living proof. she was angsty and clingy and so self-absorbed that she thought everything was about her.
when gus disappeared for a day or two, she immediately thought it was because he hated her and didn't want anything to do with her anymore, which makes no sense, because well, HE LIVES THERE. he's not gonna abandon his own HOUSE just to not cross paths with her.
also, she was not at all supportive of him and his problems and trauma. when he needed some time alone she just automatically assumed that their relationship was over. it was so annoying and i felt so bad for gus.
the other characters were quite solid, not an "i'd die for them", but an "i hope they get a happy ending as well".
i don't know, i just expected something different from this book. emily henry's writing style is really good and i will read her other books for sure, but this just wasn't it.
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Abandonment
no thoughts just vibes you know
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Beach Read follows January as she moves into the house of her recently deceased father, trying to earn money by writing another book. The only problem: massive writing block. Now enter Gus, her college rival and new neighbor. Will they make a challenge to write a better book in each other’s genre? Definitely . Will they fall in love? You’ll have to read and find out:)
Emily Henry writes such an amazing character exploration, where even the side characters feel entirely fleshed out. That being said, the two protagonists are still where she shines, and the emotional depth built off of their connection is the dream for a real life relationship. I also loved how Henry incorporates a variety of emotions into her works. I laughed, I cried, and I appreciated how even the more darker topics were handled with care.
All in all, I would recommend this for anyone who loves a strong romance with an even stronger protagonist.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence