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A review by lou_loo
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is so nice. I think this is what romance books should be like.
This is not a story where he is dark and handsome, she is small and frail and they "fall in love" without having anything that makes them attracted to each other (why him and not another dark and broody man you know) or at least, nothing written on paper, nothing that we are told about.
This is the opposite. They start as neighbours (it's not their first encounter though), create a bet, a challenge, and hang out for the entire summer. The tension is built, and we can see why they're attracted to each other and get closer and happier around each other.
And I loved how the themes of grief, illness and pain were incorporated in the story, making it feel real, with actual fleshed-out characters, anchored in reality, while keeping the lightheartedness of it all. Emily Henry was able to address those themes without making the story dark or sad, she kept it real and very enjoyable.
This is not a story where he is dark and handsome, she is small and frail and they "fall in love" without having anything that makes them attracted to each other (why him and not another dark and broody man you know) or at least, nothing written on paper, nothing that we are told about.
This is the opposite. They start as neighbours (it's not their first encounter though), create a bet, a challenge, and hang out for the entire summer. The tension is built, and we can see why they're attracted to each other and get closer and happier around each other.
And I loved how the themes of grief, illness and pain were incorporated in the story, making it feel real, with actual fleshed-out characters, anchored in reality, while keeping the lightheartedness of it all. Emily Henry was able to address those themes without making the story dark or sad, she kept it real and very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief