I knew it. I knew I would love this book.
I was on a trip to Malta and I had not bought a single thing to remind me of my journey there. No magnet or cup or postcard (how early 2000’s of me). So I had spotted a bookstore, and on my way back to the hotel to check out, I placed my umbrella on their counter and went straight for Beach Read because
a) I had just finished Happy Place by her (out soon, I believe?),
b) the night before I attended an event and saw a young woman collecting our coats reading People We meet On Vacation (which I subsequently acquired as well, because I felt like it was a "sign") and
c) the juxtaposition of buying Beach Read on a rainy day? It’s a no-brainer.
When it comes to books, every now and again I get those premonitions (a word I unabashedly borrowed/ stole from Gus- our male protagonist and love interest- and a word that I had not heard since Alyssa Milano’s Charmed, which took me a trip down memory lane. Anyway, back to the review…). That feeling that I am going to adore abl book, even before I read it. I don’t know what it is. It’s usually books or authors I’ve somehow (bookstagram) or other (booktube) heard of before. And it’s almost always authors I’ve never read before, because most of the time, I’d rather read from 100 different authors that 100 books by my favourite author (which, conveniently, seems like a tall task to ask of my favourite writer, but you get what I mean…).
So, is it the hype?
Is it the cover artistry capturing the essence of the books so perfectly?
Or the fact that my recreational reading accelerates and abounds when my "mandatory/academic/work” reading should be the priority?
Ok, confession, this is probably the main reason. I mean, I keep loving every book I’ve read during finals/exams/papers. Coincidence? (And it WAS rhetorical, there’s no chance the book gods would be so cruel to bless me with fave books only when I technically shouldn’t be reading them. Also, there is a second Emily Henry reference right here…Well, you probably don’t know. That’s why I told you. But NOW you KNOW Emily Henry has made an impact on me).
This is my third and favourite Emily Henry book. It is a Beach Read that is most definitely NOT a beach read.
-But what does that mean?
I don’t think I want to tell you. I’d rather you find out for yourselves. What I HAD known going into it was that Henry’s books may look like fluffy harmless warm fuzzy romances, but they pack a punch. I could kind of see it in Book Lovers (my first book by her) and Happy Place (her upcoming book which I was fortunate to read recently), but in Beach Read, these words were truer and more prevalent than ever.
So consider yourselves warned.
When you like an author and read more of their work, it’s a bit like decoding their writing recipe. To me Henry’s books seem like variations of the same recipe. Ingredients resembling one another, with an aftertaste of bittersweet inevitability. A protagonist dealing with family, friends and love. Isn’t that the capsule of our lives to be lived? That is, if we’re lucky enough.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
-But if it’s your favourite book by her, why 4 stars? Book Lovers got 5 from you. (I’m aware you had no idea how I rated Book Lovers btw).
It’s my favourite because I loved how it was constructed. I loved the issues and the undulation of January and Gus’s relationship. Objectively, I can see myself picking up Beach Read again, lending/gifting it more often (just did that, actually) and overall recommending it more than Book Lovers, which I tried revisiting and while liking it, I didn’t feel the same magic about the whole story the second time round- though admittedly, I may have loved that couple more so than Jan and Gus.Sl
Sidenote: I feel like I’ve shunned Happy Place, but second- chance romances are just not really my thing. If you like the trope, jump right in. If you like Emily Henry’s books, definitely give it a try.
Meanwhile and due to building an immunity towards Henry’s charming writing, I can say a bit more objectively that January felt a bit repetitive sometimes. That I would have liked a bit more Gus and explanations when it came to him- even though I get that the glimpses we got of him arein tune with his character. I also see a pattern of the reader not meeting the best friends/ side characters enough. Like they can only be interesting for a few pages throughout the novel, but we have to trust their awesomeness. And I think my trust is not so easily earned by quirky dialogue, friendly bickering and a couple of inside jokes to past references of their shared past.
Anyway, Beach Read. Loved. There’s quite a lot more I would like to say about January’s relationship with her parents and her previous romantic relationship, but referring to anything that kinda spoils the books is just not my style. I read knowing next to nothing about the books. Which might not be the best tactic for avoiding not-so-great-for-me books, but at least it’s always a surprise. And I like surprises. Granted, mostly good ones. But medium ones aren’t bad. Probably more constructive.
So, read it. (In case you skipped the entire review).