A review by icarusandthesun
Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

"And sometimes people are brighter and braver than they know."

i went into Beach Read expecting just another cute little lighthearted rom-com. but it's absolutely not that.

with conversations about death, cancer, grief and the dark fates of former members of a deadly cult, depression, trauma and abuse, this book was not the funny escapist novel i had imagined (and hoped for).
now it would be a lie to say that it was all dark and sad. there definitely was some funny banter and a few cutesy scenes, but also, so so so SO much conflict. 

the characters had lots of depth, there's no denying that, but just depth doesn't make a character loveable, for which january is the living proof. she was angsty and clingy and so self-absorbed that she thought everything was about her.
when gus disappeared for a day or two, she immediately thought it was because he hated her and didn't want anything to do with her anymore, which makes no sense, because well, HE LIVES THERE. he's not gonna abandon his own HOUSE just to not cross paths with her.
also, she was not at all supportive of him and his problems and trauma. when he needed some time alone she just automatically assumed that their relationship was over. it was so annoying and i felt so bad for gus.

the other characters were quite solid, not an "i'd die for them", but an "i hope they get a happy ending as well".

i don't know, i just expected something different from this book. emily henry's writing style is really good and i will read her other books for sure, but this just wasn't it.
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