Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slow-burn summer romance is charming and introspective.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In BEACH READ, romance writer January Andrews' world has been turned upside down by the death of her father and the subsequent revelation of his secret double life. She arrives in North Bear Shores, Michigan, to clean out her father's secret love nest while trying to overcome the writer's block that's plagued her since his death—only to discover that the next-door neighbor is none other than her college nemesis, and best-selling author, Augustus Everett. As the two main characters challenge one another to write outside their respective genres, and the tension between them grows, January is forced to consider if love can truly exist in a less than perfect world.
Is It Any Good?
This charming, slow-burn romance delves into heady questions such as the nature of love and self-worth. A romance novel about a romance novelist, Beach Read by bestselling author Emily Henry, is deeply ironic at times as the protagonist, January Andrews, contemplates the nature of love stories while mired in writer's block. The idea for this book came to Henry during a bout of her own writer's block, and aspiring writers will appreciate the scenes where January and Gus, also an author, embark on research missions and epic writing sessions. But as fun as the romance is, January's propensity to jump to conclusions and her desire for honesty from Gus while providing little of her own may leave the reader frustrated; one honest conversation could resolve their conflict.
The plot structure is classic romance, with the meet-cutes, witty banter, and sexual tension readers expect from the genre, and it could all feel derivative. But the book is more than just a light summer love story. As January struggles with how to write a romance novel when her own notion of love has been overshadowed by tragedy, she's free to take a hard look at what love really is—and what it's not. A witty, original romance that fans of the genre, and even some who are not, will enjoy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the secrets kept by January's parents. Should they have come to light before her father's death?
How does January persevere despite her writer's block? How does her commitment to writing her novel reflect on her character?
The story is told from January's point of view. How do you think it would change if told through Gus' eyes?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Berkley
- Publication date : May 19, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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