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“And they lived happily ever after…”
Children films, romcoms and even the odd action have a happy ending. Why? They give an optimistic outlook for the viewer. You may completely be repulsed but even for a split second, in the cinematic world at least for a moment they’ll be happy – until a meteor comes and destroys the world. Life can bring so many challenges and it’s up to yourself how you tackle each hurdle. Heartbreak, grievance and emotions provide a new chapter to your personal story.
In Beach Read, we find a grieving January arriving a new town to unfold the secrets of her late father. How could the man that raised her keep a lie? Why did her mother standby and stay with him? Everything would come to light but first she needs to enter the beach house. With high emotions, her surroundings provide more evidence that during her 28-year life existence – her father was a complete stranger, as she continues into a spiralling black-hole, she is brought back to reality to blaring music from her ever so close neighbour. As life couldn’t get any worse for January, she finds herself living next door to her college writing rival, Augustus Everett. Awkward and determined not for her to be the old fairy princess they embark on a writing bet, who can publish a book first in each other’s’ genres. Research trips in each other’s genres turns out to be unofficial dates, they open up to one another to the point that the desire for one another builds so high, they can no longer resist. But can January keep her promise to Gus that she wont fall in love with him? Can she find love again, when her father ruined everything she knew?
This book was initially a struggle to get into but after a few chapters in, this book was hard to put down. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, the characters and storyline were easy to follow. Throughout the book I was routing for the happy ending the main characters deserved but throughout the book it made me wonder if they could get it. Would Gus’ character really be falling for January? Was this another of his research projects for writing a book? Could January be capable of opening her heart again? Would January be broken furthermore? A simple love story with unexpected turns along the way.
As cliché as it sounds, I really do believe in happy endings. I am a bright light, hoping to see the positive aspects of life. Though, when I am tested, I do find myself sinking into a blackhole. I guess we all do, the mind is a complex thing – no one is perfect. We all must to be hopeful and see the small wins that life gives us…a constant reminder to look for a happily ever now.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and Netgalley.co.uk.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.