By Book Club Team Beach Read by Emily Henry is a smart and swoon-worthy romance about two struggling writers—January, a hopeless romantic who writes happy endings, and Gus, a brooding literary fiction author—who are both facing creative block. When they end up as neighbors for the summer, they make a deal: swap genres and teach each other how to write outside their comfort zones. As they spend time together, trading banter and unraveling their own emotional baggage, they realize their differences might be the very thing pulling them closer. It’s a heartfelt story about love, loss, and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
| Author | Emily Henry |
| Publication date | May 19, 2020 |
| Goodreads Rating | 4.00 |
| Page count | 361 pages |
| Topics | Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Adult Fiction, New Adult |
Beach Read Summary
Beach Read by Emily Henry is a romantic comedy with depth and heart. It follows January Andrews, a bestselling romance author who has lost her belief in happy endings after her father’s death and the discovery of his infidelity. Struggling with writer’s block, she retreats to his beach house in Michigan to regroup, only to find her new neighbor is Gus Everett, her college rival and a brooding literary fiction author.
Both stuck in creative ruts, they make a pact: January will write a serious, somber novel like Gus, and Gus will attempt a swoony romance like January. To help each other, they spend their summer together—Gus taking January on research trips for his darker stories, and January showing Gus the charm of her romantic world.
As they challenge each other’s perceptions of writing, life, and love, they unravel their personal struggles and start falling for each other. Witty, heartfelt, and full of emotional depth, Beach Read explores grief, forgiveness, and the messy, beautiful journey of rediscovering hope and inspiration.
Beach Read Characters
Here’s a quick rundown of the key characters in Beach Read by Emily Henry:
- January Andrews: The main protagonist, a romance novelist who’s lost her faith in love after her father’s death and revelations about his secret life. She’s witty, relatable, and trying to rediscover her creative spark while navigating her grief and skepticism.
- Gus Everett: January’s neighbor and college rival, a successful literary fiction author known for his dark, serious stories. He’s brooding, guarded, and dealing with his own emotional baggage, making him the perfect foil to January.
- Pete: Gus’s quirky, supportive aunt who runs the local bookshop and serves as a bit of a cheerleader for Gus and January’s budding relationship.
- Shadi: January’s vibrant and loyal best friend who offers her advice, perspective, and emotional support from afar.
- Sonya: The mysterious woman connected to January’s father, whose existence forces January to confront the complexities of her parents’ relationship and her own beliefs about love.
The dynamics between these characters are layered, adding depth and charm to the story while making it so much more than a standard romance.
Beach Read Review
Emily Henry’s Beach Read is an absolute gem—a romance that’s equal parts heartwarming and thought-provoking. At its core, it’s a story about two writers rediscovering themselves, each other, and the joy of storytelling, but it also delves into heavier topics like grief, betrayal, and self-doubt with surprising nuance.
The chemistry between January and Gus is electric, with their witty banter and slow-burn connection keeping the pages turning. Their “rivals-to-lovers” dynamic feels fresh and authentic, and their emotional growth is just as satisfying as their romantic journey. The book also offers a fun glimpse into the world of writing and creative struggles, making it relatable for anyone who’s ever wrestled with self-doubt.
What really sets Beach Read apart is its emotional depth. While it’s funny and charming, it also doesn’t shy away from exploring life’s messier moments. January’s journey through grief and Gus’s grappling with his past make them feel so real, and you can’t help but root for them both.
It’s the perfect blend of romance, humor, and emotional weight—a total must-read for anyone who loves contemporary romance with substance.
Beach Read: Age Rating
Beach Read by Emily Henry is generally recommended for ages 16 and up, though it could vary depending on the reader’s maturity level.
The book includes:
- Mildly explicit romantic scenes (spicy, but not overly graphic).
- Themes of grief, infidelity, and emotional struggles that might resonate more with older teens and adults.
- Some strong language and mature humor.
While it’s ultimately heartwarming and uplifting, the heavier emotional topics and adult romantic content make it better suited for older teens and adult readers
Beach Read: Genre
Beach Read by Emily Henry is primarily classified as Contemporary Romance, but it also blends elements of other genres, making it a standout:
- Romance: The central focus is the slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers relationship between January and Gus, with plenty of swoony moments.
- Women’s Fiction: It delves into deeper themes like grief, self-discovery, and healing, offering more emotional weight than a typical rom-com.
- Literary Fiction: Since both characters are writers, the book weaves in discussions about storytelling, genre, and the creative process, giving it a literary flair.
It’s a perfect mix of heartfelt romance and meaningful character development, appealing to fans of love stories with a bit more depth.