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.

I reached out of my comfort zone with this as my book pals kept urging me to read it as it was a Book Of The Month Club choice and I do keep my eye on what they read.
The cover makes it look rather 'chick lit' but the story was deeper than that.
Our main character January is escaping off to a secret beach house she never knew her Dad owned until he recently passed away. Her relationship with her boyfriend has finished, her relationship with her mother is fractured and she's hit a writers block so has little money.
She's frustrated with life, grieving, she's missing her Dad but cross with him too that she can't argue it out.
However next door is another writer, Gus one of her old college classmates who was her biggest writing competition and he is not in a good place either and struggling himself.
They decide upon a challenge to swap genres and spend the summer researching. When Gus is in charge of the field trips it's graveyards and on Januarys turn the beach and so here starts their story.
Whilst January has always been a positive, friendly open person who wrote happy ever endings Gus had a difficult upbringing and is distant, private and reserved, his books are dark such as about cults and suicide and lay out cold hard facts. Over time they become close...
- "The wall between him and and the rest of the world wasn't gone, but it was lower, at least between us anyway".
But frustratingly each time she feels like she's getting closer to him she finds something else out or his actions and words question everything and her anxiousness about the relationship rises...
"As soon as something concrete happened between us, that would be it, I was going to loose him. He'd be freaked out, afraid I was too in to him, wanted too much from him, that he was bound to destroy me. And meanwhile I'd be ...to in to him, bound to be destroyed".
So the aim is complete two books but even though these two are polar opposites they have a lot in common and the biggest question is will they both get their personal life story ending the way they want it?.
This was a book that had layers of rivalry between enemies but then friendship & love.
Throw in illness, betrayal and dysfunctional families and add in an amusing cast of supporting characters and it had a bit of everything.
The characterisation was brilliant I enjoyed the banter between Gus and January and probably mostly between January and her best friend Shadi, the secret codes, funny names, assumptions, humour and affection it made me smile may times thinking of my own with my best friend. I could also visualise the other characters. The setting was atmospheric too, I could see the balcony, bookshop, beach, cafe etc.
This book had a good balance of grounded story telling and heart-racing romance that gave a warming feel however for me the ending was a bit disappointing I think with the reveal of the letters I was expecting a twist but no, it all fell a bit flat and then tied up with a pretty bow.
However, put that aside I think fans of this genre would not disappointed and I would recommend it.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing a arc in return for honest review.

I think I wanted to love this book more than I did. It was the perfect premise for any book geek and I was so excited to delve in. I guess, I’m not sure...I think I just didn’t enjoy the characters that much and I didn’t warm to them as much as I’d hoped. I was still cheering for their relationship and hoping they would get together but I didn’t feel my heart burst with love for this book. Thank you for the chance to read it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook. This was such a lovely read. Not like anything else I've read. The story is of a girl January, a guy called Gus and a whole lot of angst. There is sadness, grief and lots of sex. It's by turns heart rending, comic and insightful. There are some beautifully written scenes and unusual characters. Relationships are explored, busted apart and built back up again.
I enjoyed this book so very much. It was a perfect read in these difficult times totally absorbing and January has all the best lines!

This was a light, charming read and a great way to pass the time. It was well written and the story had a great flow to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I was hooked on every page of this story - it was funny, charming, engaging and intelligent and reminded me a lot of Sally Thorne's writing. I loved every minute and will definitely be recommending this to friends and family alike!

Romance novels are a mixed bag these days - it looks and sounds amazing on the cover but the characters are often flat and then you finish the book without really caring about the people in it. This is NOT the case with Emily Henry's book! It was genuinely laugh out loud funny, sharp and emotional in equal parts. I was rooting for the main characters and also looked forward to seeing the well developed supporting characters. Also really loved the focus on writing their books and the way romance writing was considered, it was very original.

Beach Read is a breath of fresh air in a field of writing that is inundated with passable books. I cannot wait to read more of her writing and will undoubtedly re-read this book a few more times!

I enjoyed this book.
I felt that the author had a true understanding of heartbreak, but also love and lust. It was funny and cute but without being too cliched.

Wonderful level of cuteness for a day of escapism in romance. I wanted a bit more from the latter parts of the book but overall fun and centred around two authors which was perfect.

I can't remember the last time I read chick-lit or romance but if ever there's a time for cute and feel-good it's during virus lockdown - so I was hugely disappointed that the humour fell flat, that January is constantly irritating as she keeps repeating the same old angst (mum's cancer, dad's infidelity - didn't want this in what I thought would be a sunny piece of froth), the premise of the plot swap doesn't get going till nearly 25% through the book, and so much is just cheesy. It's probably me rather than the book as this is outside my usual reading comfort zone.

I read at two speeds. Either I’m so invested that I speed through a book or it drags, but Beach Read was different. I read slowly, relishing every single page, desperate for them to keep going and dreading the end. But what a perfect ending it was.

As a romance writer myself, the idea of a book about writers falling in love was seriously appealing to me. I expected light, on the surface, fluff. That is not what this book is, in the slightest. There is a lot of stigma, still, in the world of romance and ‘women’s fiction.’ Even the term women’s fiction is outdated and disliked by many. They are considered shallow and vapid; stories meant for stay home moms and unsatisfied wives. This book challenges that, not by trying to change itself to fit into a more ‘respected’ genre, but by embracing the stereotypes and reminding the reader that even books focussed on fluff and happy endings have merit. I’ve read books before that try to challenge this and I love seeing it. If you ever need any kind of validation that romance, as a genre, has merit, this book does that perfectly.

This book also is a great look into the realities of being a writer. It’s not just sitting down at a computer and typing. It’s looking into harsh realities, taking the darkest parts of yourself and putting them on paper, fighting tooth and nail when your brain can’t find the words and, perhaps most challenging, trying not to be distracted by every little thing. I think Emily Henry did an excellent job of portraying how a writer’s brain works and showing the process, in all of its frustrating glory.

I have never related to a character more than I related to January. She is described as a fairy princess; constantly optimistic, full of joy and happy endings, and then, as soon as that facade crumbles, the people around her take a step back and leave. This was painfully relatable, but incredibly well executed. January was so complex; she was full of emotions and terrified of them, desperate for a happy ending but unsure she believed in them. Emily Henry wrote such a realistic leading character, I felt like I was perfectly inside January’s head.

Gus was also wonderful. Considering we see the story from January’s point of view, I didn’t expect such an in-depth look into Gus but it was there. He, like January, had a facade and everything started to crumble and fall when the facade cracked. Emily Henry did such an incredible job of portraying the huge range of emotions both Gus and January were going through. They were messy and confusing, exactly how emotions are in real life.

This was one of the most believable romances I’ve read in a while. It was perfectly paced and very realistic. The emotional states of both January and Gus impacted their relationship the perfect amount and the ending was wonderful.

This book was perfectly atmospheric; I felt like I was at the lake house. Emily Henry took serious topics, serious emotions, and somehow made them readable while keeping them authentic. Though the feelings were all over the place, the writing was not. This book explored so many topics and ideas and gave each of them the perfect amount of space. Nothing was dragged out and nothing felt rushed.

This is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read this year and absolutely one of the best contemporaries I’ve ever read. I’ve never felt so seen.

The cover, the title and the synopsis of this book were so misleading because I thought I'd read a fun, hilarious enemies-to-lovers story. Instead, I didn't laugh once and the story itself was focused more on other aspects, some of which were even sad and intense. The premises were good but they didn't match the story. I'm so disappointed.

Usually optimistic January Andrews, born 13th January (yay, same as me, wish I’d got that cool name!) has retreated to a beach house left to her by her late father on North Bear Shores, Michigan. Her life has gone pear shaped, her love affair with Jacques is over and she feels her father has utterly betrayed her. She’s a writer of rom-coms and facing a deadline but is finding it a challenge to complete a manuscript. To her irritation she finds her close next door neighbour is Augustus Everett who she knew from college. January and best friend Shadi christened him SEG - Sexy Evil Gus. To make matters worse he is a successful author. The developing friendship between them is way more than a rom-com as it has a number of different elements to it. They both have experienced betrayal so there’s reticence and sadness, and their rivalry to friendship and more, is a very bumpy road.

This is so well written as it made me laugh with the whip-smart dialogue, it made me cry, it made me happy and it made me sigh! The characters are fantastic and so easy to picture and I love the tantalising something indefinable that is between them from the start. They are very different in many ways, in her writing she wants to make people happy while he writes to understand something horrible but in other ways they are very similar. I love the notes they write from their neighbouring windows! They are funny! The setting adds an extra dimension too, whatever the season.

Overall. I love it. I don’t often read this genre and when I read one as good as this I wonder why! Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the ARC.

I can not even find the words to tell you how happy, honoured I feel to have received an invitation to read and review Beach Read so early before it's publication.
I already know that this book will be on my "best of 2020" list.

It is a perfect, relaxing beach read even though it can be devoured in any time, in every possible corner of the world, not only on beach. (😜😎)(I mean, I read it during winter and still enjoyed it the most!)

The story is written in first person, following January (the name of our main character) who after loss of her father and revelation of his secret has hard time believing in happily ever afters, and suffers from the writing block, when she should finish her next romance novel.
Placing herself in the new house in a small town, she comes across her rival from Uni days, who is well respected, published author of literary fiction now.

They start spending more and more time together and January starts to develop feelings for him.

I enjoyed every page of this book.
Do you know that feeling when you read a good story and don't want it to end, so you start to read it at slower pace only to have more time with it?
That's what my experience was with Beach Read. I didn't want it to end.

My favourite part of the story was the chemistry between Gus and January, and her own self aware of her feelings for him, and the complication of their situation.
I loved watching their relationship growth.

Beside that, I loved reading about their writing process and journeys.

Since I read an ARC, I am not sure if my copy was messed up or if it had two different ends to the story, and that is why I can't give it full 5 stars. I guess I'll have to wait for the finished copies to see what the case is.
If it is the case of two different endings, then I think the one with only January and Gus is the better one.

Overall, Beach Read was an amazing story and I would recommend it to romance, general fiction and women's fiction lovers who are looking for a new, light hearted and relaxing read.

Two authors, they both have writers block, they decide to swap genres, and end up falling in love along the way. We were promised a light, summery, fluffy, rom com but instead we got a quite intense, not even set at the beach, cliche relationship. Someone needs to talk to the marketing team because this book is clickbait... and that's the reason I didn't fully enjoy this. It's that whole raisin instead of chocolate chip cookie metaphor.

Aside from that, let's look at the story we were given. I appreciate the conversations around grief and cancer, how this can be both devastating but an opportunity to grow. At times, I got a tad frustrated at January as she is very quick to judge (turns out her Dad was cheating on her Mum) and refuses to listen to anyone, whilst also berating her Mum for not opening up to her. Double standards much? The relationship in the book, between January and love interest Gus, has some backstory and credit to it. I enjoyed their University history angst and their journey of getting to know each other - even if it did feel a tad quick burn romance. Also, their R16 scenes are nicely steamy. Then there's the whole writing thing i.e. how we are constantly reminded, in repetitive scenes, that they are writing. But a redeeming feature for me is how they decided to do research for their genres together. Essentially pushing each other out of their comfort zone, I did enjoy watching Gus squirm.

Overall, my enjoyment factor of the book went down because I don't believe that it is the story which we are advertised. If we had known from the blurb or the cover that there was cancer, cheating, divorce, childhood abuse, or grief (ANY OF THAT JUST A HINT) I think I would've been able to enjoy this more. At most, it's an okay book with some highlights and some meh moments.

I was expecting a totally different book from the book description. I thought it would be a light easy chick lit. The reality for me was much darker. I did enjoy the story on one level and much preferred the character of Gus to January. To be honest she irritated me for most of the book because of the constant and repetitive descriptions of her dads betrayal and how her life had been ruined as a result. I just lost patience with her to be honest.
I did finish the story and enjoyed the ending but I was constantly looking how many pages were left. Her great novel just sounded weird and his just sounded absurd!