Beach Read Shares First Look at Patrick Schwarzenegger, Phoebe Dynevor

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This is not the day to bury your head in the sand. 

The first look at Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger as January Andrews and Augustus “Gus” Everett in the movie Beach Read is finally here, almost two months after they were announced for the roles.

A first look at the movie adaptation of an Emily Henry novel shows a sweet moment between the two lead characters. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, Gus, is gazing lovingly at Phoebe Dynevor’s January, but she’s looking forward, seemingly unaware of his feelings.

Screenwriter and director Yulin Kuang shared a first look at the movie, which is based on the book and scheduled to be released in theaters on May 7, 2027.

Author Emily Kuang shared a sneak peek from the set of the Beach Read adaptation on June 8th, calling it a ‘crumb’ of footage. Kuang, who also worked on People We Meet on Vacation, expressed her excitement to finally reveal what the team has been working on.

In “Beach Read,” two authors struggling with writer’s block decide to spend the summer renting houses near each other, hoping to overcome their creative slumps. What they don’t realize is that their houses are right next door, setting the stage for a summer filled with rivalry and potential inspiration.

With their rivalry heating up, Gus and January make a bet: Gus will attempt to write a romance novel, the kind January usually writes, and she’ll try her hand at the literary fiction Gus prefers.

The intense dislike between them creates a classic setup for a love story, and it’s captivated readers ever since the book came out in 2020.

Fans of Henry have long hoped for a movie version of the popular book, but the initial casting choices and first images released have been met with some doubt and criticism online.

One user expressed continued disapproval, reflecting the general feeling in the comments, but others were more hopeful.

One person said, “Just a moment, I’m getting a strong feeling about this!” Another fan expressed their excitement, saying, “I can’t wait to watch!”

The reaction online to the casting news, especially regarding Arnold Schwarzenegger as Gus, was so strong that the book’s author felt compelled to respond.

Speaking on Today in May, Henry explained he’s taking a hands-off approach to the adaptation. He described the story as something created by both the readers, himself, and now the filmmakers and studio, and said everyone involved just needs to have faith in the creative team’s direction. He feels like he’s along for the ride with the audience.

She praised Kuang, saying she’s incredibly talented and will do a fantastic job, and mentioned that more casting announcements are still coming.

I’m receiving emails with updates on who else is joining, even though that information hasn’t been released to the public yet,” she said. “I can’t reveal any details, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger previously promised to give the project his all.

He shared his excitement on Instagram Stories on April 14th after it was announced he’d been cast. He thanked Emily Henry for the opportunity, promising to do his best to make fans happy and do justice to her writing.

Although you’ll have to wait until 2027 for Beach Read, there are lots of great books available now to enjoy this summer. Keep reading to discover some recommendations!

Release: May 19

Raeve and Kaan’s story continues in the second installment of Sarah J. Parker’s Moonfall series.

In the follow-up to When The Moon Hatched, Raeve has access to more of her memories, but it’s up to her whether she uses them. As both old and new ghosts from her and Kaan’s pasts start to endanger their future, she must confront her most difficult memories to finally achieve the life she wants.

And on top of everything, a massive moonfall—the largest and most destructive event Raeve’s world has ever faced—is about to happen.

Release: May 26

Averick, known for her honest opinions on pop culture and passion for romance on TikTok, is now entering the world of BookTok with a touching new love story. The novel follows Phoebe Berman, who is approaching her 30th birthday with a single goal: to lose her virginity. But this meticulously organized teacher must first overcome the anxiety that’s held her back from dating and sort out complicated relationships with three different men.

Release: June 2

It might be obvious, but Schmit really nailed his first book! Austin Hardy is already feeling the pressure of making his US Open debut. And being the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam adds even more weight to the situation. Things get even more complicated by his budding relationship with Diego Cruz, the world’s number two player. This charming queer love story, set against the backdrop of professional tennis, is a welcome addition to the sports romance genre.

Release: June 2

Ann Patchett is known for writing beautiful, compelling stories, and her novel The Whistler is no exception. The book centers around Daphne, who unexpectedly runs into her former stepdad, Eddie, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their reunion leads them to reflect on their shared past, including how their relationship impacted Eddie’s divorce from Daphne’s mother and the years that followed.

Release: June 9

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m already completely obsessed with this story! It’s set in this adorable New Jersey beach town, and it’s about Noelle, who just loves books and is determined to become a librarian. She’s working so hard to save up money to go back to school and get her Master’s degree – seriously, she’s a hustler! Then there’s Jeremiah, who needs a fake girlfriend to impress his family at his grandfather’s beach house. So, they make this deal – she pretends to be his girlfriend for a weekend, and he helps pay for her tuition! I mean, a fake dating trope in a cute beach town? It’s perfect! I’m already bracing myself for all the feels and wondering what hilarious (and probably swoony) chaos is going to unfold. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?!

Release: June 9

Get ready for a romantic adventure! Sasha Cruz meets the man of her dreams on a flight to Paris, but forgets to get his name. Determined to find him, she embarks on a quest, enlisting the help of both her marketing team and a private detective from her past, Wes. However, as she searches for her Parisian mystery man, she finds herself falling for Wes instead.

Release: June 16

Sophie takes a job as the head gardener at Lilymoor House, a beautiful but neglected estate on the coast of Maine. She quickly discovers a strange secret: a door that leads to a hidden garden, but it keeps moving and seems to hold a man captive. With Lilymoor’s future uncertain, Sophie must work with the trapped man and the owner’s nephew to restore the estate to its former glory.

Release: June 23

Ophir, a world-class thief, hides her true identity while hosting a podcast about her adventures. She shares thrilling stories of stealing valuable objects from around the globe, but also reveals the personal struggles and emotional toll of constantly being on the run.

Release: July 7

Abby Lee’s popular romance novel, The Idea of You, which is being adapted into a film with Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, has captivated readers. Now, Lee is releasing a new story about Cecelia Chen, a wife and mother facing a turning point in her life. When Cecelia reconnects with someone from her past, she’s forced to confront long-held feelings about her career, family, and identity as a middle-aged Jamaican Chinese-American woman.

Release: July 7

Mason became well-known thanks to his novel North Woods, which was even considered for the Pulitzer Prize. Now, he’s returned with Country People, a story about Miles and his wife Kate, who move to Vermont when Kate gets a visiting professor position. Miles hopes to find his own place in this new environment and quickly becomes involved with a quirky group of locals who feel like characters from the folktales he loves. As he learns more about the area’s history and legends, Miles begins to suspect that real life is even more bizarre than the stories he knows.

Release: July 7

When actress and producer Faye Heron returns to her college town for the funeral of a mentor, she unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend, Henry Spalding. He was the one who broke her heart and also the inspiration for a famous TV episode she created. Their polite reunion quickly takes a dark turn when she’s drugged and kidnapped, taken to Henry’s family cabin where they’re forced to confront their shared history and long-held secrets.

Release: July 14

The author of Mexican Gothic returns with a captivating story set in 1940s Mexico. A con man who preys on wealthy women finds his plans disrupted when he encounters his target’s niece. Eager to escape her aunt’s controlling home, the niece suggests they work together. But as they begin to fall for each other, their scheme becomes more complicated and dangerously unpredictable.

Release: August 4

No summer reading list is complete without a bit of a thrill! Actress Marin Keene has finally gotten her big break, but there’s a catch: she has to film on a secluded island where a group of women disappeared 100 years ago. She’s starring in a movie based on what happened, told through the diary of one of those women. Marin is already uneasy, and things get worse when people start disappearing again, just like they did a century before.

Release: August 11

Get ready to be enchanted by Cabot’s newest romance, Witches of West Harbor! Frankie, a therapist, is frustrated by the growing number of tourists drawn to her town’s witchy reputation. Ash, on the other hand, is a witch whose powers don’t always go as planned. When witches start vanishing from town, Frankie and Ash must work together to solve the mystery – and maybe discover a little magic along the way.

Release: August 25

Liane Moriarty is back with a sequel to her hit novel, Big Little Lies, revisiting the same group of mothers—Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie—ten years later. Now facing the challenges of teenage children, their lives are complicated further when someone starts digging into their past secrets. The book explores whether those secrets can stay buried. And for fans of the TV series, this novel serves as the basis for the third season of Big Little Lies, so expect more drama!

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2026-06-08 22:24