Books like Beach Read

By Emily Henry

For romance built through creative work, an experiment or rivalry, these books each take a different part of Beach Read further.

For romance and writer's block

Elena Armas

Both give a blocked romance writer a practical experiment involving dates, making the process of writing part of the developing relationship.

The difference: A shared New York apartment, rather than neighboring beach houses.

Helen Hoang

Both begin with a practical arrangement that gives two people reasons to spend time together, then makes their feelings harder to keep separate.

The difference: An autistic woman and an escort, with more explicit sexual practice.

Sally Thorne

Both make attraction emerge through competing temperaments and pointed exchanges, as a woman revises what she thinks of the man opposite her.

The difference: An office promotion contest, with less creative work and family grief.

Sources and book details

Collected’s editorial comparisons, informed by the descriptions and reading profiles.