I love Jill Shalvis’s books, but for some reason this one seemed to have a slightly different vibe. Not good, not bad, just different. Tae’s mom was a teenage mother, and she was always told her father died on the service, while he was overseas. At a party where Tae finds her mom on a date with a man she had gone on a date with just 2 days earlier, she also runs into someone who makes her believe that her father might not be dead. She tops off the night with unexpectedly ends up in the car of someone from her past as she is trying to make a hasty exit. This book is about Tae reconnecting with Riggs, navigating her relationship with her mother, and connecting with her father, but by far, The story started out strong, but I feel like it sort of fizzled at the end.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another great novel by Jill Shavis, that didn't disappoint. Its no wonder she has many followers, reviews and novels.

The relationship between parents and child were like I've never read about, so I was very intrigued and kept my attention throughout the book.
I'm also a huge fan of second chance romances. Everyone deserves a second chance both in life and love.

I hope you pick up a copy today to read and feel good inside.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review...I requested this one because I have read several books by this author and they all have gotten four or five stars...they all make me laugh out loud and some of them have even made me cry...the point is, they make me FEEL something and the older I get, the more important that is to me when I read a book. If I am being honest, there was nothing that I didn't love. So if you like contemporary romance and you like to be happy, give it a shot :)

Really Really liked this book. More than the typical Jill Shalvis books. Strong storyline. Good characters. Recommend. Lots of decisions for all the characters.

This was an interesting, unique story; I'm really drawn to stories that feature unconventional parent/child relationships, and this one does that really well. The romance between Tae and Riggs is well-crafted, and I was for sure rooting for them the whole time.

Four solid stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Second-chance and grumpy-sunshine romance with the female being the grumpy, guarded one. 2nd book in the Sunrise Cove series set in gorgeous Lake Tahoe.

Tae and Riggs met in high school where he was the popular football jock and she was the emo goth chick who was bullied and beaten. They had one night’s passion and then never spoke to each other again although he’d considered her his only real friend. Right after graduation, he joined the military and spent the next 12 years in service. When he gets out, his older brother asks him to spend the summer in Lake Tahoe, helping to run their jointly-owned adventure camp which caters to the disabled and wounded warriors. On his first night home, he reconnects with Tae, but she has her walls up. His solution? A friendship pact which protects them both but keeps her in his life. But will the intense chemistry between them ignite and, if it does, will they be able to keep it casual?

Both main characters have heavy baggage. Tae was raised by a loving single mother who had her at age 15, but there was incredible deprivation. She was told her father died in battle, but certain things don’t add up. Riggs’ mother died when he was young, and his father was an abusive alcoholic who beat on both sons, making them feel worthless. So both Tae and Riggs are understandably distrustful and afraid of love. The relationship between Riggs and Jake is definitely strained, mostly because Jake, paralyzed after an IED explosion, doesn’t want his brother’s pity and lashes out cruelly both to protect himself and to knock some sense into Riggs who has hardened his heart. Tae and her mother April’s relationship is loving, but very co-dependent. Shalvis has done a good job of portraying the hurt loved ones can unintentionally cause, often due to generational trauma. Fortunately, there isn’t an intense amount of angst; just enough to move the story along. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Friendship Pact (Sunrise Cove #2). By Jill Shalvis. 2022. William Morrow. (ARC eBook).

The Friendship Pact’s characters took some time for me to get behind, however I do always enjoy Jill Shalvis’s writing. So this story of second chance romance, family and friendship is a recommend.

Jill Shalvis is one of my fave authors and this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters. You have a wonderful story about a mother and daughter’s relationship, as well as, a second chance at love. Jill’s storytelling always make me smile or laugh. Great job Jill!

Not my favorite Jill Shalvis book, but there is nothing wrong with it other than it didnt get to me the way the others have. It was indeed a solid book with great characters and story line.

I loved this book! The author has a way of making the characters feel like old friends you are visiting! The story was captivating and intriguing and I didn't' want to put it down! The story pulled you in and I loved the ending! I can't wait to read more in this series! Thanks #Netgalley for the ARC.

I loved this book! Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint. The book is well written. I love the characters, their personalities, and their connections with other characters. Lake Tahoe is a beautiful setting for this story too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest review.

5 Stars! Jill Shalvis knocked yet another fantastic book out of the park. Jill Shalvis is my go-to author, as she never disappoints. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Jill Shalvis, Avon, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Shalvis writes books that I consistently enjoy reading. As is often true in women’s fiction, the author creates interesting characters, settings and situations. This book does just that.

Tae and her mother have always formed a strong and supportive unit as they navigate the world. As the book opens, Tae has become a successful event planner while April is spending more time on her art.

One of Tae’s clients, Jake, runs a successful venture for those who have experienced physical trauma or other difficulties. His company offers interesting adventures and programs for those in need. Jake himself is in a wheelchair, having been injured while he was in the military.

Jake’s brother, Riggs, is back in town. He has a past history with Tae and, or course with Jake. His and Tae’s history leads to The Friendship Pact. Will this change to something else or more?

Another thread of the story is about Tae’s father. She knows very little about him and has believed what her mother told her. However, it appears that there may be more to the story. Will Tae find the answers that she seeks? Who will help her as she tries to find out more?

This book was a good read. It does not break new ground but that is not what I am looking for with this genre. I am looking for a story to sink into and I was able to do that with this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Normally a big fan of Shalvis' work, The Friendship Pact was not a favorite for me. I can't really tell you why, which is not helpful of course! I just didn't like the plot too much, and I also found the story line a little predictable. The secret April was hiding was not hard to figure out, and then when it is all out in the open, the revelation felt flat. I also didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters, Tae and Riggs; it seemed forced.
All that stated, I will continue to read this author's books, as I have enjoyed many of her other ones. And just because it didn't resonate with me, doesn't mean it won't for others, so I'd encourage folks to check it out.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and have written an objective review.

For fans of Virgin River and second chance romance this book would be perfect for you. This is just the kind of book I love. Tae was raised by a single mother, who is more like her sister. Tae is struggling.. She is in financial peril but things are looking up when she lands a job fundraising for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Her first fundraiser is not at all successful, but she does come in contact with former Marine, Riggs, who also happened to be a high school fling. Their attraction is intense and as the title suggests, they form a friendship pact. I loved the two of them and mix in a mystery of what happened to Tae's father I was all in.

Thank you #WilliamMorrow and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book by Jill, it’s the second book In the sunrise cove series, I can’t wait to read more books by Jill.

Highly entertaining and emotionally thrilling adventure. Really enjoyed this emotional, sweetly sexy, fun and action-packed journey filled with engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and undeniable passion, was a great read from beginning to end.

Wow is all I can say about Friendship Pact to begin with. This is an amazing novel about mothers and daughters and both of them finding love within each other and with others. Loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet, yet predictable, the story of Tae and Riggs tugged at my heart strings. Admittedly, I also liked the relationship between Tae and her mom. Jill Shalvis has yet another winner on her hands with The Friendship Pact.

Huge thanks to William Morrow for the arc.

Jill Shelves writes wonderful stories that explore relationships; relationships between family members, between friends and members of communities. Unlike many serials, the Sunrise Cove books do not have the same characters drifty through each book. The one common denominator is that they take place in Sunrise Cove. So easy to read as a stand alone.

Tae Holmes was raised by her teenage mother with lots of love, but lots of struggles as her mother, April was kicked out of her family home at 15 when she was pregnant. She and Tae, now 28, are very close, but April has a secret from Tae and is very afraid that it will come out, because she waited too long to share. Because of her upbringing and struggles, Tae, although very kind, does not trust anyone but her mother, and only dreams about security, safety and stability. She works very hard to achieve that dream, so is thrown for a loop when Riggs Copeland, a high school love interest, comes back into town and her life. Riggs and his brother lost their mother when they were young and were raised by their abusive alcoholic father. Both went into the military to escape him, but now both are back in Sunrise Cove. Jack had been in Special Forces, but was seriously injured. However, with the help of a good woman, Carolyn, has built a business, Adrenalin HQ, an adventure company for athletes with disabilities, wounded warriors and at risk children. All these people have "issues" but big hearts and love help them became whole.

I read an ARC this wonderful book, provided by NetGAlley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.