Beach Read

rating: 3.5/5

I didn't know what to expect going into this story, except for the fact that it'd be following writers who have this bet of sorts to write their next manuscript in each other's genre. In a lot of ways, this story is fun, cheeky, and relatable at its core. Emily Henry continues to construct characters and relationships that feel as real as they can be, despite following some trends of romance plots that can seem overdone or cheesy for the sake of it. Even with those cliches, there's enough nuance to care for the leading couple and a desire to see their endgame.

There were tinges of enemies-to-lovers in the beginning, though I'd say it felt more like acquaintances-to-lovers, which was interesting. January and Gus's pasts spill out throughout their interactions, from their early days in college to their early adulthood, and each glimpse into said past informs how they approach each other and the world around them. Their interactions in real-time feel angsty, but there's enough charm in their dialogue to make it plausible. There are even cute moments in here that have you rooting for them, and by the end, I can't say I wasn't satisfied.

I do wish the subplots got more time to develop, since they were genuinely interesting. Gus's failing marriage with his wife, Naomi, and January reeling from her late father's affair would've been interesting plot points to explore throughout the book. Instead, most of the story is centered around January and Gus's writing bet. For the first few sections of the book, it was fun seeing things unfold and the two of them growing closer, but towards the last third of the story, I did feel that a change-up was needed to keep the story going.

At the end of the day, though, I do think the story accomplished its initial goal, and even ended with the general idea of living in the moment and not fantasizing (or worrying) about what tomorrow could bring, which I think fully encompasses what the book is all about. No one is ever perfect, no story is ever tightly written, and time isn't promised to us, and I believe January and Gus effectively get that idea across.