Write what you know. That’s the golden rule. And I loved that that’s what Emily Henry did for Beach Read.

One of my favorite parts about reading is when you finish that last sentence, and immediately can dive into the Author Notes, getting a glimpse into how the story came together. And soon realizing that it all came from real, messy moments in that author’s life.

For Emily, she explained it was a matter of writer’s block. And that’s what we see here with Gus and January, two writers, stuck in their writing processes, due to the trials and tribulations of life spiraling around them. And the only way these two characters could find a way to re-inspire themselves was to switch genres — and to prove to themselves that they shouldn’t be pigeonholed to a certain type of book, simply because it’s what they’ve done before and were successful at.

This is my third Emily Henry book I’ve read this summer, and it ranks high. I think I binged it in about 48 hours, give or take, and I know I’m obsessed with a book if somehow I can finish it in under three days. But alas, my greatest downfall: when I read too fast, blink, and the story ends too soon. I’m constantly telling myself to slow down, enjoy each sentence, for it’ll be over before I even have a chance to pause and take a breather.