Emma Lord’s The Break-Up Pact is a lighthearted rom-com that explores themes of second chances, viral fame, and the complexities of friendship turned romance. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of her previous works, it offers enough charm and humor to keep readers entertained. Fake-dating trope is a middle-of-the-road trope for me. If I ever meet even one person who has fake dated IRL, then I could be interested in re-committing to the trope :D

June Hart is struggling to keep her late sister’s dream alive—a beachside tea shop called Tea Tide—while navigating the fallout of a humiliating breakup that’s gone viral. Enter Levi Shaw, her estranged childhood best friend, who’s also reeling from his own public breakup. When a candid photo of them together sparks rumors of a romance, they decide to lean into the speculation for mutual benefit: June hopes to save her shop, and Levi wants to win back his ex. But as their fake relationship unfolds, real feelings begin to surface, complicating their carefully laid plans.

Lord’s ability to craft quirky, endearing characters is evident in June and Levi’s dynamic. The novel’s humor, particularly the absurdity of their viral fame, adds levity to the story. The setting—a charming beachside town—provides a cozy backdrop that readers will enjoy.

While the premise is engaging, the execution feels uneven at times. To begin with -the overuse of the tea shop’s name, Tea Tide, and its endless parade of scones borders on comical. I've never heard a small business order complain SO much about being busy. Also how big is this town that they are busy all day every day. Also - you already know my feelings on miscommunication trope and this book is no exception. An entire book of miscommunication will absolutely never be for me. While this one didn't fully hit for me, I do look forward to what else the author has coming in the future!

This was a fun book! There are old friends and families. Throughout the story, there are endings and breakups. There are also many new beginnings. Old friends June and Levi end up in a complicated fake dating situation.

I frickin LOVE this book!
The story, the characters, EVERYTHING!!
This was such a good idea for a plot line!
Full review from Goodreads below:
This book was super cute!
Even with the miscommunication trope being pretty present throughout the plot of this story, I really enjoyed every part of it! The main character had a true depth: with a heartbreaking backstory , with dialogue and inner monologue moments that made sense and just made me feel for her.
There were tearjerking scenes and cute "awww" moments. Definitely was on the light end of spice, probably 1 spicy pepper! But a cute read nonetheless!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
(Finished late, shhhhh)

It was pretty boring, not going to lie. It was a promising concept, but it felt like something was missing for me to really enjoy it. Nothing horrible but nothing great either.

The Break-Up Pact is a charming, feel-good rom-com with all the emotional depth and witty banter you’d expect from Emma Lord. It’s a friends-to-lovers story done right—equal parts sweet, swoony, and sincerely heartfelt.

The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, and I adored watching them navigate the blurred lines between friendship and something more. Emma Lord has a gift for writing dialogue that feels real and warm, and the pop culture references and quirky moments gave the story its signature spark. Plus, the emotional undercurrent—dealing with past heartbreak, fears of vulnerability, and the idea of timing—made this more than just a light read.

It’s a solid 4 stars from me simply because some moments felt a little predictable, and I found myself wishing for a slightly deeper dive into the supporting cast. Still, it was a delightful, comforting read that left me smiling. If you’re a fan of second chances, unspoken feelings, and happy endings, this one’s for you!

i do fear that this was a me problem and not the book problem. i just couldn't get into fully and it was taking a minute to hold my attention to where i even wanted to read. however, there are some people out there that will love this book!

Ever since I first read Lord’s “Tweet Cute”, I knew no book from her would let me down and none have yet. The Break-Up Pact was no exception. I absolutely adored this book and could not put it down.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

June is trying to keep her business afloat. Right now, being the "Crying Girl" from a reality show is helping some sales, but it is not enough.

Levi is trying to keep a low profile also after his girlfriend dumped him for a TV Star. He is hiding out in his hometown trying not to be found.

However, June finds Levi and their friendship from when they are teens restarts, kind of. June's best friend suggests that they start "dating" to get back at their exes. The issue - Levi does want back with his ex and June never got over her feelings for Levi or the hurt he caused her when they were teenagers. However, each give it a go to try to help June get more foot traffic into her store before her landlord cancels her lease. The two of them are adorable together and then they get labeled "Revenge Exes" and the world loves the story. Can they fake date without catching feelings?

Emma Lord has always been one of my go to authors for summer rom-coms. I believe she used to write mostly YA and this is an adult novel. It did not disappoint.

Emma Lord once again delivers a delightful romantic comedy that’s brimming with heart, humor, and just the right amount of chaos in *The Break-Up Pact*. The fake-dating trope is given a fresh and modern spin with the addition of viral TikTok break-ups, public scandals, and a second-chance friendship teetering on the edge of something more.

June and Levi are charmingly flawed protagonists who leap off the page with their witty banter and undeniable chemistry. June’s struggle to keep her tea shop afloat and Levi’s disillusionment with his New York lifestyle are deeply relatable, grounding the story amidst the hilarity of staged photo ops and viral gossip. Their shared history as best friends-turned-strangers adds a layer of emotional depth to their fake relationship, making every spark between them feel all the more real.

The novel’s exploration of social media’s impact on relationships and reputations is sharp and timely, but it’s the personal stakes that truly captivate. Lord crafts a story that’s as much about rediscovering oneself as it is about finding love. Watching June and Levi rebuild their connection, navigate their insecurities, and ultimately confront their true feelings is as satisfying as sipping a perfect cup of tea on a rainy day.

With its laugh-out-loud moments, heart-fluttering romance, and a dash of small-town charm, The Break-Up Pact is a feel-good gem. Fans of fake-dating stories and second-chance romance will adore this book—and will no doubt root for June and Levi as much as the internet does.

This was so fun! I’m a sucker for fake-dating stories, and the banter here totally delivered. It was light, cute, and made me smile the whole way through.

"The Break-Up Pact" by by Emma Lord is a fun fake-dating romance. It's everything you expect, but that's okay because it's done well with likable characters. Enjoy!

such a hard time getting into this book and staying engaged honestly couldn’t remember what was happening

This book was such a fun and heartwarming read. Loved the chemistry between the main characters. Emma Lord's wriging is always charming and this story had the perfect mix of humor, emotion and romance.

I hated the classic miscommunication in this book. Honestly, it was difficult for me to be invested in June and Levi's relationship and I didn't really like either of the characters. I wasn't convinced about their romance and even the fake dating was pretty boring. Their relationship seemed so surface level.

This was my first book by Emma Lord, and it did not disappoint! This is a perfect read for summer or whenever you need an extra dose of sunshine in your life. It's a fun premise and an enjoyable ride to read. There were times when I wanted a bit more from the characters, a bit more depth and connection, but overall I'd recommend this one for fans of Jasmine Guillory's The Proposal or Emily Henry's The Happy Place.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord was a cute, light read with a fun premise, but it didn’t totally hit the mark for me. I liked the fake dating setup and the second chance angle between June and Levi, and the beachside setting gave it a nice summer vibe. There were definitely sweet and funny moments, and I liked the friendships and small business side plots. But the romance felt a little flat at times, and the miscommunication got a bit tiring. Still, it was easy to get through and had some heart.

This book was a super cute read, and exactly what I needed. Beaches, tea shops, scones, and a second chance. What's not to love. This book had me absolutely swooning over Levi, and really wanting to take a vacation. It's perfect for a light read, and has just the right amount of spice.

The Break-Up Pact is a cute fake-dating book that features June and Levi, old friends who haven't seen each other in a decade. Levi is now back in their hometown; he and June are each fresh off a viral break-up and accidentally get photographed together looking cozy. Thanks to social media, their story takes off, and they decide to go with it and pretend to date; they are going viral again, this time as the Revenge Exes. June is using this fake relationship and its viral following to try to keep her tea and scone shop afloat; Levi is trying to win back the fiancée who cheated on him. It sounds a bit cringy, but there are some cute moments. I enjoyed the use of social media, and I liked the scone descriptions, although I wish they had been throughout the story, not just at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Any books written by Emma Lord are automatic reads for me, and I have yet to be disappointed. This book had me hooked from the start, and I simply could not stop reading. I loved how mature the characters were, and I appreciated the heck out of the fact that they communicated like healthy adults throughout the turbulence of their fake relationship- and beyond. Plus, like the locals of their hometown, I shipped June and Levi so hard. This book made me cry and had me cackling, and it was a delight to read. "Because wanting something isn't the same as committing to it. To understanding the reality of it." -June