Step into the sandy shoes of “Beach Read” by Emily Henry, a mesmerizing contemporary romance that beautifully intertwines humor, heartache, and hope. In this enchanting novel, Henry crafts a story that will make you die of laughter, cry, and reflect on the complexities of love and the paths we take to find it. So, grab a beach towel, find a cozy spot in the sand, and prepare to lose yourself in the captivating world of “Beach Read”.
The novel follows the lives of two authors, January Andrews and Augustus “Gus” Everett, who find themselves living in neighboring beach houses on the shores of Lake Michigan. Their encouter is not a mere coincidence but rather a twist of fate that brings them together in unexpected ways.
Both authors are struggling to overcome their respective creative blocks, but their differing approaches to writing make them unlikely companions. January, a bestselling romance writer, believes in the power of happily-ever-afters, while Gus, a fiction author, tends to explore darker components of life. Despite their literary differences, they decide to challenge each other’s writing styles and embark on a unique journey of self-discovery and healing.
Through their shared experiences, late-night conversations, and amusing pan-handling interactions, January and Gus begin to unravel their emotional baggage and reveal their vulnerabilities to each other. As their bond deepens, they discover hidden truths about themselves and learn to confront their fears, ultimately finding solace in each other.
“Maybe love, at its core, is about finding someone who sees you for who you are and wants to be there with you as you figure out who you’re going to become.”
Gus Everett
“Beach Read” is one of my personal favourite romance novels. I have never laughed as hard to a book in my entire life. I love the characters’ depths and the literary themes explored by Henry.
Now, as the internet’s favourite english teacher, I have to take some time to discuss the novel’s themes. Hopefully, it will shed some light on why it became such a staple in my personal library. Here we go!
Love and Relationships
It goes without saying that love is a main theme of the novel (it is afterall, a romance). However, Henry takes it a step further and delves into the complexities of love, emphasizing the depth of understanding what true love entails.
As Hannah Montana once said, everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days. We all know that nobody’s perfect. The essence of love is acknowledging that it goes beyond the best in a person. Instead, it encompasses the willingness to witness and accept the flaws of a person.
“Because that was love, wasn’t it? It was seeing the absolute worst in someone, and still yearning to stay by their side. It was loving someone who, in return for that love, might never change.”
January Andrews
The quote highlights the idea of unconditional love, where one embraces their partner for who they are, without expecting them to fundamentally change. It touches upon the profound acceptance that true love demands, where staying committed to someone means embracing them whole-heartedly, providing support, and companionship as they navigate their journey of growth and self-discovery.
Loss and Grief
Are you still with me? We are halfway through the literary themes so bear with me.
Another major theme of the novel explores the nuanced emotions of loss and grief, highlighting the distinction between grieving and mourning. Grieving is portrayed as a tangible action, something that can be actively pursued. On the other hand, mourning is depicted as a personal journey that goes beyond the act of grieving.
“Grief was something you did, something you could check off the list, but mourning was something you had no control over”
January Andrews
In “Beach Read”, the characters grapple with the different aspects of grieving and mourning. January initially focuses on grieving her father’s death by engaging in specific activities like sorting through his belongings (don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler). These actions represent the more tangible aspects of grief. However, she soon realizes that mourning, the internally healing journey, cannot be rushed. It is an ongoing process that requires time and introspection. This is where Gus truly helps her heal through their fake dates and writing.
I promise this is the last literary theme we will be discussing. Don’t fall asleep on me yet!
Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
Personal growth and self-discovery are themes that are intricately woven into the narrative of “Beach Read”. The novel explores the transformative journey that Gus and January undertake as they confront their past, navigate their present, and strive to shape their future selves.
Throughout the story, both characters experience growth in different ways. January’s embarkment on a path of self-discovery is hidden away in her father’s beach house. She decides to complete an unfinished novel and through this process, confronts her own fears, her preconceptions on happily-ever-afters, and learns to trust herself again.
“But the truth is, it’s a lot easier to be angry at someone than it is to tell them you’re hurt”
January Andrews
This quote is notable to the story and January’s personal growth. At the beginning, she tended to hold onto her anger and resentment towards Gus, blaming him as the cause of her pain. However, as the story progresses, she begins to recognize the importance of open communication; even if it is with her greatest enemy.
In Gus’ case, he is burdened by his own demons and a skepticism towards the idea of love, and happy endings. As he spends time with January through their writing challenges, he gradually opens himself up to be vulnerable.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You made it to the end. My english teacher hat is coming off now, so I promise there will not be any more literary theme discussions.
“Beach Read” is truly worth your while. I could not recommend it any more. As Anna Scott once said, I’m really just a girl, standing in front of you, asking you to please read “Beach Read.” Or maybe, it doesn’t go exactly like that…