Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. This novel was so much more than the 'beach read' that I was expecting. I have to admit that I was a little put off by the title, but boy was I wrong. Perfect escapism during lockdown.

*3.5

This was a much deeper and more emotional experience than I was expecting. I love that it was more than a light and fluffy romance It was a unique story and the ending was great. Both characters were given well fleshed out and unique backstories that gave the narrative a lot more depth than you usually get from romances.

However, at times it was a little cringe in terms of the dialogue though I did enjoy the majority of the banter between the two characters. I just wasn’t as invested in the relationship enough to give it four stars. Still an enjoyable read that tugs at the heart strings.

Review to be posted on my blog in the coming week.

Don't let that cover and title fool you, this is way more than a fun summer read. This is a realistic romance between January and Gus who are dealing with significant emotional troubles such as death, cancer, adultery, dysfunctional families, and abuse.

Despite all this, the author managed to to deliver writing that was easily devourable and a story that was truly witty, entertaining and fun. The connection between Gus and January is so clever with sarcastic, witty banter and the surrounding characters were a delight.

The author really did a fantastic job of interweaving laugh out loud moments, and heavy topics with tenderness and ease.

This book is so much more than a beach read. If I had taken it on holiday I would have just spent two days doing nothing but reading (not that that’s a bad thing). I loved this book and the ending left me wanting to know more about January and Everett but also satisfied.

The book is set in North Bear Shores in Michigan. January Andrews, a romance writer, has came to the lakehouse to try and break her writers block. After her father’s death her whole idea of romance has been rocked and she is lost. Augustus Everett, a serious writer, is in the neighbouring lakehouse he too has writers block and lots of demons in his past. They strike up a friendship and make a bet to write a book in each others genre.

It’s got the perfect amount of romance, humour, friendship, heartbreak, passion and realism.

I just loved the book it satisfied both the romantic and realist in me.

Fantasy Film Cast: Phoebe Tonkin as January and Nathan Parsons as Everett. (I think having just bingewatched The Originals might have something to do with this decision)

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC

I’m giving this book 4 stars because it is well written and a great example of its genre.

For me, it was too frothy. Cinnamon kisses and a repetitive dialogue (how many times can we use the phrase meet-cute without it being overdone? Less than this, I assure you) meant the story was just a bit bland. I was way more interested in the side story with Sonya, but that turned out to be nothing worthwhile. Basically, I’d have enjoyed this story much more if Gus had written it rather than January.

All this said, I did enjoy the writing and the characters and I’m sure this book will do well, hence 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

*4 Stars*

ARC kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really different kind of romance novel, if you can really call it that. It explores so many different themes - grief, romance, truth and lies, moving forward, finding yourself - just so many things.

I liked both our main characters, and I liked that this was so different from the norm in terms of chick-lit or romance novels.

It's kind of hard for me to review this without going to into depth about the storyline, and I think it's really a book that just needs to be read to be experienced. Two authors that have their views challenged and not necessarily, changed, but expanded. Definitely a really interesting experience.

I enjoyed all aspects of this and would definitely recommend.

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. It was so much more than I expected.

First of all the story and the characters aren’t cliched, they’re relatable and likeable and don’t make those annoying decisions that make you want to shake them!

The story itself is emotional and relatable again, it’s complex - like life and family is - and genuinely interesting. It has realistic outcomes and it’s a novel concept in itself.

I really enjoyed Emily’s writing style and loved the plot.

The setting was beautiful but with a back story and I just loved the dynamics between family members and friendships.

This is a brilliant contemporary fiction novel and I’ll 100% be going through the authors back catalogue! Thank you Penguin & NetGalley!

I really enjoyed this book; with the tension and frisson between the two main characters. A fabulous plot with intrigue and secrets, as well as two very likeable characters not only getting together but becoming better people for it.
It is great fun and an excellent read for the summer. I highly recommend.

I was really excited to pick up Beach Read, which has been hyped as one of the biggest rom-coms this summer. And it didn't disappoint!

I loved the premise: January Andrews is a rom-com writer who believes that readers always deserve a happy ending, and Augustus Everett is a literary fiction writer with a stellar reputation but a gloomy outlook on life. I don't understand the names either, it feels very John Green, but we'll just go with it. They were rivals at college and now they end up living next to each other for the summer, both struggling with writer's block. In an attempt to loosen themselves up, they make a bet: they will each try and write in the style of the other, and whoever sells their book first wins.

Obviously this is just a mechanism for them to spend time together and fall in love, but it works really well! There were some things I didn't like about this book: some of the similes and metaphors were just awful, and it occasionally has the style of writing where everything's just a bit too melodramatic like 'my heart shattered into a million pieces', which always really irritates me. And at times I felt like conflict was created just for the sake of conflict, rather than because it felt natural. But Emily Henry has a brilliant ear for dialogue, her descriptions about writing are spot-on (although the book January ends up writing sounds like the worst book I can think of), and the characters were very believable and real. I loved how much time they spent together from the start, and how this definitely was not an instant romance - but something that was built up very gradually over time! It's also, needless to say, very bingeable. I absolutely raced through it. And it used one of my very fave rom-com tropes: people secretly fancying each other and then meeting up years later. It's just the best. 3.5 stars

Firstly lets say, do not pay any attention to the tag line 'The ONLY laugh-out-loud love story you’ll want to escape with this summer'. I was really looking forward to a lighthearted funny read but didn't laugh once, and as much as I tried to like the book I really struggled with this one. I didn't care for the characters and the romance was unrealistic and seemed forced.

If you are looking for a woman's fiction/chick lit romance rather than a rom com then this book might tick a few boxes for you but disappointingly it just didn't do it for me.

I really enjoyed this book.

The setting made it interesting and the characters were well written.

The fact it is based around two writers is a nice touch and some of the story is told through the books the are writing and researching which makes for a slightly different angle.

It’s a well written, believable love story that is aptly named.

Thank you for NetGalley and Penguin Books for the free copy of this book.

Loved it from the moment I picked it to the moment I finished it (2 days later). Written in a way you feel as if you are the main character, not just someone reading their point of view.. There were moments to make you laugh out loud and feel incredibly sad, It ended as I thought it would but I was still pleased it did.

*3.75 stars*
This is not your typical Chick lit. Both main characters, January and Gus, have really relatable personalities! Also, their backstory is more realistic than most characters.
What I liked was, that problems didn't disappear but they worked both through it and were mostly communicating. Especially January showed that showing emotions is totally okay and not a sign of weakness!
So what is keeping me from giving this book 5 Stars?
First of all...not a big fan of the names January and Augustus. Secondly, I found myself skipping text passages sometimes because it could not keep my attention

This was cute and fun and would definitely make a good beach read.
I was really sucked into the first 30% of the novel. I found it so funny and so easy to read and January was so relatable! The middle half of the novel was a bit harder to get through as I found the romance wasn’t fully as heavy as I wanted it to be - there were definitely a lot of important, serious topics woven into this, so I found myself dwindling in and out of the story a little bit. Also, I like my sex scenes explicit and this was pretty tame 😂. However, it was really cute and fluffy and the romance did have me smiling in parts. Would definitely recommend!

Loved it. Congratulations Emily Henry. I will be looking out for your books. A really easy beach read and you won’t want to put it down. I need to read more of these types of books. Loved Gus and you could feel his pain.

I love books about books, especially when they include the writing process. I feel like I delve into the authors mind and get a glimpse at what works for them. The deal made between January and Augustus gives the story a different edge and shows the level of research they both go through to write their particular genre. Some of my favourite research dates were the ones early on when they were still getting to know each other and making up random stories about strangers. 

This is a classic romance tale with all the cliches (and surprises) thrown in which was just what I needed to escape to. Forget about the beautiful scenery and the hubbub of the small town I was busy escaping into January and Augustus's love lives. Emily Henry has mastered the art of romance, the scenes between our two leads were written perfectly. Never mind making Augustus believe in happy endings I think any reader could be a true believer by the end. There was just the right amount of drama, humour, romance and tears to make me swiftly read through this book and feel like I never wanted it to end. 

Whilst our two main characters were messy, lovable and memorable I really liked some of the secondary characters. Even though we never officially met him I grew to like January's dad and the letters he left her were beautiful. Augustus' family were very sweet and wacky, they often gave me the giggles (especially where the coffee was concerned). By far my favourite secondary character was Shandi, she was the ultimate friend and everyone needs someone like her in their life. 

I can honestly say I loved every minute of this book! Thank you to Emily Henry and Penguin Books (UK) for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Beach Read, The name doesn't do enough justice to the story, in a good way though. With only a couple of chapters in I wasn't sure of the story however it soon picked up pace and there was no stopping then. I enjoyed the chemistry between January and Augustus.

The intimacy they had going on between them hot, cold, hotter definitely kept me hooked. The emotions, kisses, conversations created a great atmosphere between the two characters which is what ensures the readers interest. A must read if you are looking for something fun with a side of swoon, kisses and smart conversations.

I picked up a copy of Beach Read after seeing some recommendations and knowing I wanted a book I could totally lose myself in. This book delivered exactly that as I was transported on a journey with January as she battles with grief whilst trying to find her normal happy outlook so she can write her next bestseller.

January & Gus were characters that made me laugh, cringe and sometimes want to cry with frustration. They drum up an unlikely friendship and I loved reading about them and their adventures as they tried to inspire the other to complete writing their books.

This book that left me smiling and with that nice light hearted feeling you get when you've really enjoyed the book and the ending is fitting to the characters who have become your best friends as you read.

Beach Read - Emily Henry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

One of my top reads this year, I was charmed and engrossed. A book with wit, banter, romance and loss 💕

January a published author, is a romantic and wants nothing more than her own happily ever after. Gus, also an author is a serious strictly no fairytales kind of guy. Both in need of writing a new book, a bet is placed. Who can write the book first? One summer changes their lives.

January and Gus are both such beautiful charcaters, as a reader I felt I really knew them as friends. Thad me fully invested in their story. I absolutely adored following there journey.

I loved every moment of this book. A book that I didn't realise I needed to read. This book is going to cause a storm this summer.

It was not the book, it was me.
I went into this one thinking it was going to be a cute romcom, the cover hinted at it and I guess I had the wrong impression. The happy romance was the 40% of the book while the dealing with grief, pain and abuse was the majority of it. It includes triggers for me hard to deal with and I didn't enjoy the feeling I was having. I totally recognize this isn't the book's problem but my own so my opinions aren't going to work for everyone. I liked the writing and I'm sure a lot of people will have the best time with this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me.