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A review by amyvl93
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked this up a couple of years ago and a first holiday since 2019 where I was near a beach felt like the perfect time to read this cute and fun Beach Read. The novel follows January, who has recently broken up with her boyfriend, lost her father and discovered an unsettling family secret all of which is severely damaging her ability to write the new romance novel her publisher is expecting. Living in her father's beach house for the summer, she bumps into Gus, an old college rival who is a Serious Fiction Writer also suffering from writer's block. They challenge each other to borrow each other's genres, and hilarity (and love) ensues.
Yes it was blindingly obvious how the story was going to end from the beginning, but I really warmed to this novel. January was a compelling lead who didn't overreact (too) much to the key plot devices, and her experience of grief felt real. Gus was a suitably grumpy male love interest, but never felt rude or like you didn't want him and January to work out. Henry also peppers in a cast of fun supporting characters, from January's best friend to her Mum to Pete who runs the bookstore in town. I enjoyed this much more than I expected, and will be keen to read You & Me on Vacation soon.
Yes it was blindingly obvious how the story was going to end from the beginning, but I really warmed to this novel. January was a compelling lead who didn't overreact (too) much to the key plot devices, and her experience of grief felt real. Gus was a suitably grumpy male love interest, but never felt rude or like you didn't want him and January to work out. Henry also peppers in a cast of fun supporting characters, from January's best friend to her Mum to Pete who runs the bookstore in town. I enjoyed this much more than I expected, and will be keen to read You & Me on Vacation soon.