Scan barcode
A review by meeklovestoread
Beach Read by Emily Henry
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
I'm gonna be honest for like the first 50-60 pages I was struggling to get through this book. I was deeply afraid I wasn't gonna like it especially considering I had a pre-conceived notion about Emily Henry's books. I didn't think they were my cup of tea. But boy am I glad I kept reading cuz after like the first 60 pages it picked up and I LOVED IT! I loved every character (minus S. but she was complicated). Gus and January's banter was elite. And I also admired how multi-faceted these characters were. The book felt long but in a good way. Just alot happened.
And speaking of that this book deals with some heavy subjects that I wasn't expecting. Whenever this book was recommended to me no one seemed to mention how heavy this book could get so I'm personally warning whoever reads this review that there are some heavy details in this book.
I'd also like to add to the reason why I love this book so much. The characters honestly felt like real people especially Gus. He was probably the closest depiction of unemotional available men that I've ever seen. And Emily Henry captured this element of unemotional available guys perfectly. And she also did so without making the main character seem stupid everytime she wanted to pursue something with them (Gus). I'm not sure if this is a spoiler but Emily does a great job of making you see that Gus isn't purposefully hurting January and that he's aware of how he is. And that his intent was never to pursue her into false promises. Honestly this book felt too real at times if you catch my drift. I felt attacked sometimes.😅 It was obvious that both parties were smitten over one another and I admired how Emily dealt with the idea that you can strongly like/want something yet self-sabotage yourself into feeling like you don't deserve it. I likes how Gus isn't content on remaining stagnant with how he is. And I'm glad he learns how to love again. Gus and January worked so well together (romantically and platonically). And I also loved the father-daughter love in this book as well. This book really surprised me and it would've been a 10/10 read if I wasn't so iffy about how I started it, but I'm so happy I ended up enjoying it and would gladly read it again.
And speaking of that this book deals with some heavy subjects that I wasn't expecting. Whenever this book was recommended to me no one seemed to mention how heavy this book could get so I'm personally warning whoever reads this review that there are some heavy details in this book.
I'd also like to add to the reason why I love this book so much. The characters honestly felt like real people especially Gus. He was probably the closest depiction of unemotional available men that I've ever seen. And Emily Henry captured this element of unemotional available guys perfectly. And she also did so without making the main character seem stupid everytime she wanted to pursue something with them (Gus). I'm not sure if this is a spoiler but Emily does a great job of making you see that Gus isn't purposefully hurting January and that he's aware of how he is. And that his intent was never to pursue her into false promises. Honestly this book felt too real at times if you catch my drift. I felt attacked sometimes.😅 It was obvious that both parties were smitten over one another and I admired how Emily dealt with the idea that you can strongly like/want something yet self-sabotage yourself into feeling like you don't deserve it. I likes how Gus isn't content on remaining stagnant with how he is. And I'm glad he learns how to love again. Gus and January worked so well together (romantically and platonically). And I also loved the father-daughter love in this book as well. This book really surprised me and it would've been a 10/10 read if I wasn't so iffy about how I started it, but I'm so happy I ended up enjoying it and would gladly read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, and Child abuse
Minor: Vomit and Cursing