Beach Read

After many years, I decided to dive back into the romance genre with Beach Read by Emily Henry. Did it disappoint me? Not exactly—but my expectations for romance novels are admittedly low. Here's my take.

Beach Read is about two authors who find themselves neighbors for three months. Gus writes literary fiction, while January writes “happily ever after” books. Both struggling with writer's block, they strike an unusual deal: Gus will attempt to write a romance, and January will try her hand at literary fiction. But it's not as easy as it sounds. As they navigate their creative challenges, they also confront the tension simmering between them—along with their own personal baggage. Will they fall in love? And can they resolve their individual struggles?

While Emily Henry's writing is undeniably good, this book just wasn't for me. To be fair, the romance genre as a whole isn't my thing. The tensions, hesitations, and misunderstandings between the characters felt unrelatable to me—perhaps because I'm in a serious relationship where things have always been straightforward. I struggled to connect with the characters or the story's emotional beats, which made the experience feel somewhat pointless.

That said, I can see why others might love this book. It's light, entertaining, and perfect for fans of slow-burn romance with a touch of personal growth. But as for me, I'll stick to literary fiction. Apologies to Emily Henry fans—I'm just not the target audience for this one!