Review by withlivjones - Beach Read

withlivjones 's review for:

Beach Read by Emily Henry

4.0

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A well-written book that on the surface seems like your standard grumpy x sunshine rivals to lovers romance, but in fact goes way deeper than that. Yes, there is comedy and some of the best banter I’ve ever read, but this book also dives into issues like infidelity, grief, childhood abuse, and weirdly, cults. The two romantic leads are really well-written and fleshed-out with issues outside of their romance, while still having excellent chemistry with each other. I loved January’s journey throughout the book with her grief and writer’s block.

I do think that the divorce storyline should’ve been handled differently - the reveal that Gus is technically still married should’ve been so much bigger, and I also think both Gus and January should’ve been more hesitant to start anything before the divorce was finalised because of how infidelity has played a huge part in their lives. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have got together in the end, but that revelation should’ve been a significant plot twist when it just felt kind of brushed over. I also thought that the sex scene at the cult site was… questionable.

Content Warnings