A wonderful tale of finding love right under your nose! I relate so much to this story - I feel in love with my now husband, nearly 33 years ago but he went back to his first wife. In the intervening, 11 years we both married (his second wife, my first hubby). We found each other again on a night out and have been together for nearly 23 years, married for 20. We all have back stories; of happiness and sorrow and these are shown beautifully in the Beach Read. I was glued to it.

Never quite figured out why this novel was called ‘Beach Read’, because for me, it wasn’t a beach read, and it seemed to have to have nothing to do with beaches..
That said, I enjoyed reading it.
The heroine was called January. She thought it had a meaning for her parents, just as they told her about ‘her’ song – the one that was number one in the hit parade when she was born did. Only not so much.
And then here was her father – and his lake house and his mistress.
A complicated story with high emotions at times and good writing style and believable characters.

Following her dad’s death, January discovers some truths about him that she never knew, including the fact he owned a beachside home on a lake.⁣
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It is here that January goes to take some time out and to contemplate the plot for her latest book and where she meets her new neighbour Augustus (Gus). ⁣
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This isn't the first time January and Gus have met.... they were acquainted in college but lost touch and its the first time they have seen each other in years.⁣
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Despite both being writers they couldn’t be more different, Gus writes Literary fiction and January Romance. ⁣
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They do have one thing in common though, they both have writers block, which is a big problem when you have a deadline for a new book release looming! ⁣
Following some alcohol and a catch up session they both come up with the ingenious idea to ‘swap writing styles’ and write each other’s books.⁣
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Whilst both writing their new novels, their newly rekindled friendship continually threatens to develop into a more romantic relationship. But can January who has been hurt in the past trust Gus, who seems to be a bit of a commitment phobe? And what are Gus’s feelings for January, does he just want a friend with benefits? ⁣
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I loved reading Gus and Januarys story and watching their rekindled friendship develop as they helped each other write their ‘different books’. ⁣
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An unusual twist on what you might initially assume is a typical friends to lovers trope. For me this was a truly lovely story that encompasses a myriad of emotions from love and friendship through to angst and heartbreak! ⁣
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The perfect summer read that I would definitely recommend. My only regret is that I didn’t get to read this on the beach this summer. ⁣
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A big thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for an advance copy of this book.

I'm sure I'm just adding my voice to a chorus of people who love this book, but it absolutely blew me away. As a romance reader and fan, the premise of a romance writer and a literary fiction writer switching genres and trying to learn about the other was delicious, and I loved the way that was handled - Henry poked fun at both genres but it was in a loving and affectionate way, so neither came off as the better or worse of the two.

The characters were beautifully drawn and incredibly complex, revealing more of themselves as the pages went on so you felt as though you were falling in love with them as they were falling in love with each other. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics: grief; betrayal; childhood trauma; divorce, and feels like it does so sensitively and realistically, interspersing moments of true joy and humour. The banter between the characters is brilliant, as are the cast of wider characters and the eccentricities of the small town where they are residing. I want a story about Pete and Maggie!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened this book, but I am so glad that I did - it was captivating and romantic and angsty and brilliant. I can't wait to read more from the author!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Agustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes best selling romance. She pens a happy ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They're polar opposites. The only thing they have in common is that for the next three months they're living in neighbouring beach houses, broke and bogged down with writers block.

January is still grieving the death of her father. She's also suffering from writers block and the break up from her long term boyfriend. She goes to the beach house hoping to clear her head and get some inspiration. Agustus is in the beach house next door. He's also got writers block. He had been an old college crush. They wager a bet to write in each other's genre.

This is a well written story with likable characters, but it bit of a slow burn. January and Augustus both struggle with how they were brought up and influenced by their parents. The story will make you laugh and cry. I did enjoy this story.

This is not your typical rom com fiction. It has a depth to it that slowly reels you in so that you are intertwined with protagonists January and Gus. I felt totally committed to the pair. To January, reeling from her father's death and all the implications for her childhood that being given the keys to a beach house on Lake Michigan mean. She is questioning the validity and truth of her years growing up as an only child to parents she thought were totally in love with one another. It isn't easy when what you believe is so forcefully questioned. And for Augustus Everett, I felt a protective yearning to heal him and keep him safe, to lighten his dark and bathe in his intelligent creativity. He has not had the easiest of lives but nothing with Gus is obvious. He hides and deflects and holds you at arm's length. Every tiny piece of information about him that reveals his character is like gold dust and throughout the book I wanted to be the fairy godmother sprinkling magic dust over the couple, to heal, to bring happiness and to combine happily ever afters with realism so that neither character lost their identity but did find contentment.
I loved the way in which two very different perspectives on life, leading to two very different styles of writing (both are authors) are brought together by the challenge they set themselves- each to write their next book in the style of the other. Can January produce a cynical literary fiction and can Gus produce a Happily Ever After?
The journey along the way is full of understanding, sexual tension, bizarre meetings with Maggie and Pete and lots of misunderstandings. There is definitely a will they- won't they thread and I loved the houses as the setting for the plot, the descriptions of the layout, where they sat to write, the decor, and the fact that they could see one another from their houses situated side by side. The setting fulfills all the romantic reader's wishes for cosiness, the beach, the contemporary beauty of a place you just want to be able to visit yourself. But there is no neat and tidy in this book like so many ten a penny romantic 'meet-cutes' which is what makes this book so much better.
I particularly liked the use of three songs in the book AND the ending, which for me was so in keeping with the theme of the book that it made me happy. It made me smile and feel hopeful but also made me wonder about how smooth or rocky the path ahead would be.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this wonderful book. Books like this that make you think about your own life, your relationships, the way in which you love or don't love, are the best kind!

Beach Read caught me by surprise and is in the running to be one of the best romance books I've read all year. And in the midst of 2020's up and downs I've been reading A LOT of romance to keep myself happy and sane. It is the best comfort and feel-good genre after all. But I digress... back to the enthralling experience that is reading this book.

What surprised me the most about this story was how it managed to have the perfect balance between fun, witty banter and deeper themes. This wasn't the chick-lit book I had been expecting. Rather, it explored the journey of two people in desperate need for another soul to lean on. January was a breath of fresh air in regards to the usual romance heroines. She had a strength of character that drew me in and kept me interested throughout the book. I'm not going to give anything away (spoilers and all that...) but January's journey was one of the best parts of this story - along with the development of January and Gus' friendship to more. Gus was likewise a fun character to read about although I connected with him less. He was just a bit too cynical for my tastes and yet... he paired so well with January. Together they were a cute yet realistic duo. Their 'dates' had me emotional at times while their window chats while writing provided a delightful levity to their romance.

The pace of this story was well done and it wasn't an easy book to put down and walk away from. If you're in the mood for an emotionally satisfying and impactful romantic story (without an ending that will leave you hugging your Kleenex box) then this is the happy-medium book for you. It's the perfect balance between drama and romance and covers some deep themes in an open, unapologetic way for a romance book. I truly adored this story and will be eagerly reading more of Henry's books in the future!

January Andrews is in a mess. When her father dies suddenly, she discovers that he’d had a mistress for years and a beach house in Michigan. She’s broke, her boyfriend’s left her and the publishers are waiting for her next book. She heads out to the house to clear it and hopefully write another novel, but instead meets college antagonist Gus Everett, who is also nursing troubles of his own.

I loved the Beach Read - it’s a perfect summer story. The fact that the two characters are writers, January of romantic fiction, Gus of more darker material, makes it even more enjoyable. The background characters of Pete and Maggie, trying a little matchmaking alongside their Russian Whites and spy novel book club, would make interesting subjects for a follow up story.

A good storyline, good characters and a beach setting, albeit of Lake Michigan rather than the sea, all add up to a cracking read.

An entertaining read with some hilarious moments and great banter between our two novelists. I loved the concept and thought it was fresh and funny. A perfect beach read, in fact.

This is just a perfect, fun read from start to finish. The humour in this one is also really good, there are some amazing zingers in here.

This was a very cool concept of a book and I enjoyed reading it. However, I feel like some parts of the book could have been cut out because they were a little boring or uninteresting.

A different type of story as not only was it a nice summer read about two authors who are a bit stuck in their writing but also how they each tackle the job of writing in each others genre. Very entertaining with a nice happy ending.

The Beach Read is a book that I’ve been hearing buzz about from the Americans, so was excited to see this book on Netgalley. I don’t love a lot of romance books because the relationships are never strong enough for me. A lot of the ones I’ve ended up reading are “He so hot and he has a motorbike”. Motorbikers are the worst drivers and they all 50-year-old men. The good romances keep coming back and what I heard about this book made me think it would be one I would like. I do like this one but it wasn’t perfect.

The main characters do a lot of drink-driving. They drink alcohol and know they have to drive back. They getting properly drunk too and then waiting to “Sober Up” but that would actually take hours with the amount they drinking. It's not they have a 1 unit drink when they first get there, they’re drinking whiskey shots. It just makes these characters really unlikable. Why not just an unrealistic taxi driver?

Besides their dangerous drinking habits, the characters are fun and we have quickly side characters. Of course, I become more interested in the best friend relationship. It was nice having a focus on friendship connection. This is hate-to-love which I love, I think because it usually involves the characters actually getting to know each other before something happens.

They are dealing with some dark stuff, like January not feeling like she knew her father after a secret comes out at his funeral. This book’s focus is on character development and their relationships with each other.

This is told in the first person by January. From having hearing people talk about it, I had got the idea in my head it was a duo narrative but it’s not. This makes sense and works. Would I have liked it this book if was duo narrative, yes, but that would be a different book. I don’t know where I got the idea it was two points of view.

This book involves the writing of two novels. Both main characters are established writers and struggling to write their projects. January is down on her luck and is running out of money so she needs to get this book done. I did enjoy the digs at each other. I do think its worth reading if fiction books around writing appear to you.

With the research, Augustus is doing (and tragic backstories), this book does have some dark stuff in it, so it might worth checking out the trigger warnings if that’s something you don’t want in your books.

Overall, I give this 4/5 stars for Bag Wine. This is a really great summer reading. I’m disappointed by the main characters lack of concern for proper road safety but otherwise really great.

TW: Vomit; Grief; Death of a Parent; Cheating (past); Alcohol; Drinking and Driving; Cancer (Past, in remission); Cult (past); Fire (Past); death of Children (implied); Car Accident (briefly described); Domestic Abuse(Past); Child Abuse(Past); Abuse (Past);

This was a delightful book and nothing like i had read before. I love reading books involving books or authors and this was the ultimate in both, getting to peek into the process of two authors writing books, with a romance woven in, bliss!
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read a ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Whilst reading this book, I regularly flipped between loving it and finding it quite irritating. By the end, I was firmly in the 'loved it' camp.

A classic rom-com, with very funny and laugh out loud bits, but also a stereotypical trope of a predatory, mysterious man and a woman who seemingly has no self control. Not great for the feminist movement but fine if you like this stuff. I often find these kinds of stories difficult to digest and this may be because I have met so many of these men throughout my life but have never failed to find the key to unlocking them from their apparent commitment-phobia, something which the heroines of these types of novels achieve so easily.

I loved the writing and found the banter between January and Gus completely believable and hilarious, I could imagine myself and my friends and husband having similar conversations (I may even use a few of them at our next get-together...)

The things I didn't love so much were the drawn out, anticipatory sex scenes and the almost cavalier approach to drink-driving. This isn't done explicitly, but there are occasions where characters went to an event in their cars, knowing they would be drinking alcohol, with the plan to get home as fickle as 'sobering up a bit'.

*SPOILER/TRIGGER*
From the perspective of a childless woman, I also found this book refreshing in that it didn't end with a baby, or even the hint of babies. There was mention of January as a newborn/child and the relationship between her and her father which could be difficult for some, and also predictions of January's future offspring, but the fact that this isn't neatly tied up at the end was welcome, as well as following the theme of January's own book about the Macroni family (which I initially read as Macaroni!)

I loved parts of this book and was not so keen on other parts hence my 3 star review. I managed to get through it because I was curious by all the 5 star reviews and I admittedly feel guilty giving the book a paltry 3 stars but it just didn't grip me enough. Perhaps I thought parts of it were too contrived right down to the names of the main characters, January and Augustus.

The storyline about the January's upset with her father was very interesting and well developed but the love interest seemed repetitive at times.

I do love the concept of a beach read though. A long book that you can read and relax to and the timing is brilliant even though I won't be going near a beach for a couple of months yet. Although I don't like to give spoilers I don't think it would be a spoiler to say that I loved that the Author, Emily Henry shared her list of beach reads after the book had finished along with a list of great questions which would make this book ideal for a book club. I might actually re-read in 2021 to be able to answer the questions. One of the books that the author recommended was Little Fires Everywhere which is also on my reading list. I want to put a Beach Read list together now!

I find the characters average so far. There are none who I find particularly endearing, which may be the reason why I'm struggling with this book. That said it is humourous, especially the thought of the lead character trying to get out of a lift by using the Uber excuse in a place where there aren't really any Uber cars

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

It does very much what it says on the tin - a romp of a book that you can devour in no time. Great for pretending you are on a beach, not stuck at home during COVID!

January and Gus are arch enemies and authors. January loves romance while Gus thinks love is dangerous and that there's no such thing as a happy ending. They end up living next door to each other and become entangled in each others lives.

This was quite a nice, easy read for the summer but also had depth as it explored death, the mourning process and cancer. Gus and January are likeable characters so you are rooting for them throughout the book. The only issue for me is that the revelation about Sonya towards the end seemed slightly rushed, and my copy of the book was messed up for the last few pages so I'm not 100% sure what the ending was about.

This is a story about love. About the many forms of love and how it is a complex, difficult thing.

January thought her parents had the perfect marriage, only marred by her mother’s bouts of cancer. However when her father unexpectedly dies, her life as she knew it is pulled apart.

She moves to her father’s beach house, which is full of mixed emotions. Added to this her college rival appears to live next door. Gus is also an author and January believes he has always thought himself above her and her romance novels.

The story of January and Gus is a rollercoaster of emotion, a tale of understanding love is not perfect but that it is still worth it. It is a story of acceptance and seeing love as an adult. I love the parallel of January and Gus with her father and Sonya. It shows how situations that seem black and white becomes all manner of grey when emotions come into play.

This is a delightful read about two writers as they stumble through their personal problems and come together to try and work on projects that challenges what they usually write about. They both have plenty of stuff to work out, January is trying to sort out her feelings for her father, who has recently died and she found out that he was having an affair. Gus has his own demons including a wife who deserted him for his best friend.

Definitely one of my favourite reads this year.