Beach Read – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Beach Read

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

68%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Two writers, opposite genres, one summer deal—romance meets literary fiction in a smart, sexy, surprisingly deep beach read that's actually for adults.

Beach Read

book

2020

68%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Two writers, opposite genres, one summer deal—romance meets literary fiction in a smart, sexy, surprisingly deep beach read that's actually for adults.

4.3

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Screenwise Verdict

Beach Read is one of those rare rom-coms that actually deserves the hype—it's funny, sexy, and surprisingly substantive. Emily Henry writes adults who feel like adults, working through real grief and creative paralysis while falling for each other in ways that feel earned.

But let's be clear: this is NOT a book for teens, despite what TikTok might suggest. The explicit sex scenes, discussions of suicide and abuse, and cult survivor interviews with graphic violence make this firmly 17+ territory. Common Sense Media, parent reviewers, and basic common sense all agree.

For adult readers or very mature older teens ready for adult fiction? It's excellent—smart, emotionally intelligent, genuinely romantic without being saccharine. The meta-narrative about storytelling and genre is clever without being pretentious. But parents need to know this is adult contemporary romance with real weight, not a light summer read for high schoolers.

Age Fit

This is adult contemporary romance best suited for readers 17+ or mature older teens ready for explicit sexual content, strong language, and heavy themes including suicide and abuse. Despite the breezy title, this is not YA—it's emotionally intelligent adult fiction that happens to be funny and romantic.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Emotionally mature romance that explores grief, family secrets, and healing. Models healthy communication between adults working through creative blocks and past trauma. However, includes adult themes like parental infidelity, childhood abuse memories, and a father's suicide that require emotional maturity. The central relationship is built on mutual respect and vulnerability, but the tone is decidedly adult.

Imaginative

Clever premise of two writers in opposite genres challenging each other to step outside their comfort zones—romance writer tackling literary fiction, literary author writing happy endings. The meta-narrative about storytelling and creativity is genuinely fresh. Field trips include interviewing cult survivors and rom-com montage activities, blending dark research with lighthearted exploration. Invites readers to think about genre conventions and creative risk-taking.

Safe

Multiple safety concerns for younger readers: two explicit sex scenes, discussions of child abuse, father's death by suicide, interviews with survivors of a neo-religious cult including people burned to death and physical punishments, strong profanity throughout (20+ instances), alcohol use. This is adult contemporary romance with mature content that would be inappropriate for teens to encounter unexpectedly. Common Sense Media and parent reviews consistently recommend 17+ due to sexual content and dark themes.

Enriching

Thoughtfully explores grief, processing betrayal, and rebuilding trust after family secrets. Examines writer's block and creative fear with genuine insight. The cult survivor interviews provide perspective on belief systems and trauma. Strong character growth as both protagonists confront their assumptions about love, happiness, and storytelling. Emotionally intelligent without being preachy. Highly entertaining with sharp dialogue and genuine chemistry.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Witty, self-aware romance that respects readers' intelligence while delivering genuine emotional depth
Explores grief, family betrayal, and creative fear with nuance—characters feel like real adults working through real problems
The writer-challenge premise is genuinely clever and offers meta-commentary on genre and storytelling
Sharp dialogue and chemistry that earns the romance without sacrificing the heavier themes
For older teens (17+) ready for adult fiction, models healthy communication and processing trauma

⚠

What to Watch For

Two explicit sex scenes and sexual content throughout—this is adult contemporary romance, not YA
Heavy themes: father's suicide, parental infidelity, childhood abuse memories, cult survivor interviews with descriptions of violence
Strong profanity (20+ instances) and alcohol use
Emotionally complex—requires maturity to process grief, betrayal, and relationship nuance
Despite 'beach read' branding, this tackles genuinely dark subject matter alongside the romance

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about how January processed finding out about her dad's secret? How would you want to handle a family betrayal like that?"
"The book explores how we tell ourselves stories about our lives. What stories do you think you tell yourself?"
"Gus writes sad endings and January writes happy ones—do you think stories need to be realistic or hopeful? Can they be both?"
"How did interviewing the cult survivors change January's perspective? What does it mean to really listen to someone's story?"
"Both characters are stuck creatively because they're afraid. What are you afraid to try?"

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