One of the first books I read in 2021 was Beach Read by Emily Henry. I picked it up on a friend’s recommendation. It also fit the She Reads Romance Books Reading Challenge for January since it was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee last year for romance.
The Rundown
January Andrews is a bestselling romance writer, who finds herself facing writer’s block for the first time after her personal life is turned upside down. Broke, she has no choice but to move to the beach house her father left her when he passed away.
After a late night encounter with her grumpy neighbor, she’s shocked the next day to discover he is Augustus Everett, somber literary fiction author and an old college rival. Eventually they strike up a bet to spend the summer writing a book in the other’s genre.
January will take Augustus on rom-com research trips and he will take her along on his emotionally heavy interviews. With looming deadlines, they’ll each be challenged to finish a book while resisting another chance at love.
Rating and Review
Rating : 
4 stars
Steam Level: 2
A contemporary friends to lovers romance
Beach Read is a contemporary enemies to lovers romance where the main characters share a history. This was my first Emily Henry book and I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by her. Since I tend to read more back list books, it was a nice change to read something recently published.
Offers a behind the scenes look at the life of a fictional author
It was really fun to get a peek into the writing process and career of an author through January. Similar to Beach Read itself, I loved how January’s work is classified as women’s fiction. Here is her response to that category:
More than a romance, Beach Read covers all types of love
This book was more than a love story full of witty banter. It takes the reader on an emotional journey. January must deal with the fallout of family secrets, her grief over the loss of her father, and her first time being blocked as a writer.
This book touches on all types of love. The love between children and parents, extended family, friends, spouses, and the moment of falling in love. It was full of beautiful insights into relationships, loss, and the creative process. It covered so many of the things that make us human.
As a romance, I adored January and Gus’s connection, their mutual love of stories, their clever exchanges, and constant ribbing of one another. I found it very satisfying how everything came full circle for January both in her journey of grief and her conflict with Gus.
What were your favorite romances published last year? Have you read Beach Read? Share your thoughts below.
