documentno_is 's review for:

Beach Read by Emily Henry

3.0

hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I read this book at the beach with low expectations, and it kind of met those expectations. I applauded the book for tackling serious and complicated subject matter and appreciated the central coming of age plot but the romance left much to be desired. I think most of my issues with the novel lie in cringy descriptions of character and canned “desire” lines peppered throughout to remind us that the Mc finds Augustus soo attractive. I had trouble buying into the damaged ml trope I was being fed. I also felt like more could have been done with the dads storyline and it felt a bit dropped by the end.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

in the end I wanted a greater focus on the character growth and change in writing style but I got a proposal -.-