I might be in the minority but I hadn’t heard of or read Emily Henry before so had nothing to compare it with. It was a 💋 KISS for me this time. Just found it a nice and easy read but a very slow burn, I was very much like Anthea about all the detail about all the generations just waded through it but it didn’t have me rushing back to read more. Once it became clear that there was more to the story of who else was hidden on the small island with Margaret and where Hayden fitted in with it all I was a lot more invested in getting to the end but I reckon that all happened in the final 50 pages or so (on the iPad). I definitely enjoyed this story within a story a lot more than “The Blind Assassin.” could follow this one a lot easier.
Great discussion. I like Emily Henry's books and have read them all, but she is one of those authors whose stories I completely forget not long after reading (so could be good for a re-read perhaps?!), even though I know enjoyed them at the time, I couldn't tell you the plot or characters of any, except for Funny Story but I only just read that last month so the short term memory must still be alright!
There are a handful of authors who fall into this category for me, even though they are not memorable, I will still continue to buy their new books because I know they are enjoyable and fun reads.
I have this book on my TBR pile and think it will be a quick peck on the cheek (and immediately forget)! 🤭
I loved this take on the book and agree with so much of it. I think an interesting question to ask is why is EmHen playing with structure and genre this way and what does it say about her larger creative arc as an artist?
I’m exploring those questions (and more) as I look at her entire body of work critically (and lovingly, I’m a fan!) on Tuesday in my first column for Smart Romance. You may enjoy it based on this discussion!
Thanks for entertaining me on my morning walk today! ❤️
I'm guessing she wanted to challenge and expand herself as a writer, which I respect. It's up to her to decide what she writes and plenty of people still loved it! Ooh can't wait to read your column!
Thanks for the enthusiasm!! I’m excited to hear what you think!
And I think you are totally right about her expanding as a writer. I think the question is - is it *really* up to Emily to decide what to write? When you read her total body of work in quick succession … you get a surprising answer to that question.
Which is wild because she’s THE Emily Henry … and yet, she still has to write to market!
I'm not sure she does! SHe'll sell anyway - maybe not quite as much as she has before if she keeps experimenting in ways that don't please most of her readers, but she's sold SO much, that even if only her core readers buy her, she'll sell more than most! x
I think I’ll give this one a miss! I’ve not had much luck yet with EH. (I might wait for the go-ahead from Anthea a future EmHen book, too!) Fabulous chat, as always xx
I might be in the minority but I hadn’t heard of or read Emily Henry before so had nothing to compare it with. It was a 💋 KISS for me this time. Just found it a nice and easy read but a very slow burn, I was very much like Anthea about all the detail about all the generations just waded through it but it didn’t have me rushing back to read more. Once it became clear that there was more to the story of who else was hidden on the small island with Margaret and where Hayden fitted in with it all I was a lot more invested in getting to the end but I reckon that all happened in the final 50 pages or so (on the iPad). I definitely enjoyed this story within a story a lot more than “The Blind Assassin.” could follow this one a lot easier.
Thanks again so much for reading along! You MUST read Beach Read by Emily Henry - it's SO good! x
Great discussion. I like Emily Henry's books and have read them all, but she is one of those authors whose stories I completely forget not long after reading (so could be good for a re-read perhaps?!), even though I know enjoyed them at the time, I couldn't tell you the plot or characters of any, except for Funny Story but I only just read that last month so the short term memory must still be alright!
There are a handful of authors who fall into this category for me, even though they are not memorable, I will still continue to buy their new books because I know they are enjoyable and fun reads.
I have this book on my TBR pile and think it will be a quick peck on the cheek (and immediately forget)! 🤭
That's probably a really good description of how I feel about her books too. I LOVE LOVE LOVED the first two though!
I loved this take on the book and agree with so much of it. I think an interesting question to ask is why is EmHen playing with structure and genre this way and what does it say about her larger creative arc as an artist?
I’m exploring those questions (and more) as I look at her entire body of work critically (and lovingly, I’m a fan!) on Tuesday in my first column for Smart Romance. You may enjoy it based on this discussion!
Thanks for entertaining me on my morning walk today! ❤️
I'm guessing she wanted to challenge and expand herself as a writer, which I respect. It's up to her to decide what she writes and plenty of people still loved it! Ooh can't wait to read your column!
Thanks for the enthusiasm!! I’m excited to hear what you think!
And I think you are totally right about her expanding as a writer. I think the question is - is it *really* up to Emily to decide what to write? When you read her total body of work in quick succession … you get a surprising answer to that question.
Which is wild because she’s THE Emily Henry … and yet, she still has to write to market!
But now I’m giving my conclusions away 😂
I'm not sure she does! SHe'll sell anyway - maybe not quite as much as she has before if she keeps experimenting in ways that don't please most of her readers, but she's sold SO much, that even if only her core readers buy her, she'll sell more than most! x
I think I’ll give this one a miss! I’ve not had much luck yet with EH. (I might wait for the go-ahead from Anthea a future EmHen book, too!) Fabulous chat, as always xx
I definitely wouldn't rush if you've got a big TBR pile! x
Can’t listen yet, haven’t read it, it’s on my pile!
Will be interested to hear what you think! x