The perfect amount of hilarity, authenticity, madness & slow burn steam. Plus I love how part of the plot is a reminder that all genres are valid, so read what you like! I’m all about characters who are also in their late twenties & going through it. Books about being brave & leading with your heart. Give me two former college nemeses (our heartbroken yet hopeless romantic of a narrator January & the mysterious darkly handsome standoffish Gus) who accidentally reunite & seem to be pining over one another years later? And both have tragic backstories? And both are writing books within this book? And they strike a competitive deal? SOLD! Also a cult is involved. And the Midwest. Beach Read was enjoyable from start to finish. I laughed out loud. I cried (like ugly ugly cried). I curled my toes. I held my breath. I yelled. I sighed. And yes I started & finished it in less than 24 hours. This is the first Emily Henry novel I’ve read & now I can’t wait to read more of her stuff!