A review by anniefizzell
Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

4.5

I adored this book. It may even have been a full five stars for me, but I’m trying to sit with books more before I give them that distinction hahaha. January and Gus were absolutely adorable and funny and relatable in the most gut-punching, tear-jerking ways. This one is a bit of an emotional sneak-attack! The way both Gus and January grow and learn to trust each other and learn to accept themselves is so beautiful and inspiring. I just loved them. Augustus Everett will forever be one of my favorite leading men. He was positively swoon-inducing at every turn, but also incredibly real and human in his struggles. And the BANTER between these two!! I audibly giggled several times throughout the book because of how FUN the dialogue was. So much to love about this book. I read it on the beach in Hawaii, and it really set the mood (even though it takes place on the shores of a lake and not the ocean, haha). Definitely recommend highly!!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Suicide, and Vomit

There is a side plot where characters are researching a su1cide cult for a novel. They go to the site of the tragedy, and to visit people who escaped, to get their stories. There’s nothing too graphically horrible described, as far as my memory serves. But if that’s something you’re sensitive to, just be wary! :)