Beach Read by Emily Henry: Book Review

Beach Read is a debut novel by Emily Henry and one I will be recommending to everyone.  After all, which avid reader doesn’t like books where the protagonist is an author?

January Andrews is an author of romance novels. She’s had a lot of success in her first novels, but is now battling writer’s block. She’s also faced a lot of change in her life recently, including the death of her father and the breakup of a long-term relationship.  Furthermore, she learns of her father’s secret life with another woman in another town – North Bear Shores. In fact, he leaves his cottage in North Bear Shores to January in his estate. Confused, broke, grieving and with a looming literary deadline, January leaves her home for the summer in hopes of writing her next novel, and cleaning out the cottage so that she can sell it.

On her first evening at the cottage she is re-introduced to her next door neighbour, Augustus “Gus” Everett, whom she recognizes from her college days. Gus is an author of literary fiction and is in the process of getting a divorce. Like January, he is also broke and battling writer’s block. The two agree to try something new – January will write a book within the literary fiction genre and Gus will attempt to write romance.

While one can surmise that a romance between the two will develop, this book is about so much more. Through a series of field trips intended to guide the other in their writing, the couple learn more about each other and about themselves in the process. Each carries some significant “baggage” that needs to be addressed in order for the couple to begin healing individually, and to come together.

The book kept me engaged throughout. I felt connected to the characters and sensitive to their pain and insecurities. It reinforces my belief that it’s important not to judge others until you have heard, and understand, their story. I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy either contemporary romance or general fiction.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.  Beach Read publishes on May 19.

My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️?/5.