Review by leezavh - Beach Read

leezavh 's review for:

Beach Read by Emily Henry

2.75

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I am genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this. Even though the tragic backstories of the protagonists were cliched, I like how they actually affected the developing romance, the plot, and the general decision-making process of both characters. It wasn't just a cheap gimmick to give the characters faux-depth or elicit sympathy from the reader. I also like how the romance itself is developed, it feels pretty natural (if unrealistic) and the tension is built up really well. I also like the somewhat pragmatic resolution of the third-act conflict and the overall conclusion to the story. That being said, the side characters fell flat for me and didn't really add anything to the story. The fact that the protagonists already had a history together also didn't do it for me, especially the fact that

Gus had been lusting after January since college

, it actually undermined the development of their relationship for me and lessened the characters' agency. Also, it feels like every other word is italicized. Seriously. Kind of annoying to read.
Overall, I would recommend this book. It's a quick and easy read with a pretty immersive story and endearing characters.

Content Warnings