I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read and kept me entertained. The cover is super cute also - bookshelf material!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for feedback. I really like fun beachy literature. I feel like I haven't been reading enough fun books lately. It was my first time reading from the author Emma Lord. I didn't really know what her writing style was like.

The book was pretty easy to read. Fairy short chapters. It goes back in time to earlier days sometimes. A fairly easy book to follow. The characters are easy to remember and follow.

The book was a little too predictable for me. There were no shockers. Not enough character development or character growth. The story was sweet. The characters were likeable.

If you are looking for a light enjoyable book this is it. If you want a book to change you or make you think a little differently this isn't it. It is a sweet fun book.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book. I would be interested in what her other novels are like.

Ahh, the fake dating trope. Classic.

June and Levi are childhood friends who come to each other's aid when both of their very public breakups become meme-worthy. June wants the attention that consistent buzz will bring to her struggling business, and Levi wants his ex to realize the error of her ways. Old crushes never ruin good plans like this, right?

While this is definitely a romance (and a very cute one at that), one of the big underlying themes of this book is dealing with grief. We see both of our main characters who have lost a mutual close friend/sibling struggling with guilt and grief throughout the story. You can sense the pain that they feel when they talk about the time lost, how they still are trying to make them proud even when they're gone, and the guilt they feel when they have a flicker of desire to think of themselves and move on. This was a very beautifully written story. Bravo, Emma Lord!

P.S. I will never be able to go to a museum again without playing what is by far the best game ever created.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

June and Levi are two extremely charming characters, and you can’t imagine why they didn’t get together years ago. That is quickly explained, and then we’re off! With a fully realized, can’t look away plot, and a truly likeable cast of supporting characters, this novel was a perfect summer read for me, even as I was deep in the throes of a midwestern winter.

What I thought was going to be a very typical theme ended up have some very deep moments that caused me to really think. I think we all knew how it would end but it’s the middle that really provides the depth to the story. I loved the growth that each of the characters experienced throughout the book (well all but Grifiin lol). Quick, easy read that was enjoyed.

"The Break Up Pact" by Emma Lord is a fun, quick read about June and Levi, who break up with their exes in very public realms and decide to make them jealous by fake dating each other. It's a friends-to-lovers story that's full of humor and romance. The book moves fast, and Emma Lord's writing keeps you hooked. By the end, you'll be craving scones .

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emma Lord for the opportunity to read this rom com!

I've been a longtime fan of Emma Lord's YA books (I've read *all* of them and passed them to my teen daughters immediately) so I was absolutely delighted when I heard she was writing an adult romcom, I might have done a happy dance. I stalked it on NetGalley and and read it as soon as I was approved. Y'all. I was not disappointed! This second chance romance (LOVE) between friends who crushed on each other while they ran cross country together was funny, sappy, sad, and heartwarming with the best banter. As with her other books, Lord weaves more difficult subjects into her books that seem lighthearted on the surface. In The Break-up Pact, she weaves in themes of grief, dealing with problems in a healthy and unhealthy way, and what internet fame (or infamy) does to a person. Highly recommend. But a warning -- because it is a not YA, it is spicy.

I really liked this book! the ending felt predictable, but I hate a rom com that doesn’t have a happy ending!! That said, the way the story got there was so unique. I loved the conflict and it felt so real. I also really enjoyed the writing style - it felt so descriptive and like I was truly in their world.

Emma Lord knows how to write a rom com that is funny, relatable, and tender all at the same time.

Levi and June were best friends in high school -- but ten years later they are barely speaking. He's a big time hedge fund manager in New York City and she's returned to their hometown after spending years doing daredevil adventure trips with her now-ex Garrett. She is now running the scone shop that was the dream of her older sister, who passed away suddenly two years earlier.

But the shop is barely hanging on and Levi's job is as soul-sucking as it sounds. Oh, and both of them coincidentally happened to be the dumpees on the receiving end of viral, totally embarrassing public break ups. When a picture of them looking cozy goes viral, they decide to use this newfound fame for their own gain -- to get their revenge, to save June's shop, and to possibly save Levi's relationship with the ex he isn't sure he's ready to let go.

Two former best friends with simmering feelings for one another entering into a very public fake relationship -- what could possibly go wrong?! Despite this recipe for disaster, I absolutely adored June, Levi and the entire cast of characters in Benson Beach. This was a true second chance romance and it was beautiful to see these two reconnect for real and reclaim their lives on their own terms, despite their public staged appearances.

A really fun beach read, definitely check it out when it releases Summer 2024!

I've been reading Emma Lord's novels since her first came out in 2020 (Tweet Cute). This is her first Adult book. To me, it still felt YA, as an adult, I'm not as wrapped up in social media and would hope to God that I'd never have my public life on display as the characters in this book did, but who knows, maybe it does happen. June and Levi were best friends as teenagers, both went their separate ways, and both ended up being the laughing stock on social media when their breakups go viral. They come back together and start fake dating to get back. The book was lacking something I can't put my finger on, the characters were too nice and forgiving maybe? It had a good plot but just fell a little flat compared to Lord's other works.

I really enjoyed Emma Lords' YA books and was excited to see her delve into the adult genre. Fake dating? Enemies to lovers and old friends to lovers? Count me in. I liked June, I liked that she was quirky and had character and the seaside scone business was cute enough to draw you in. I honestly didn't really feel the chemistry between these two, but June was a compelling enough character that it was ok. Her brother, the shadow of her sister, her aspirations, her hang ups were all super engaging, and the romance sweet enough to keep it all together.

Silly for sure with the viral social media craze, but that is the world we live in now. Will definitely keep Emma Lord on the auto-read list.

The Break-Up Pact is the story of Levi and June. I was hesitant about this book because I was worried it would be too Tik-Tokky for me, but I loved the balance of a plot that involved social media with a story that really had depth and guts. June and Levi have both been broken up with in rather extreme ways, leading them both back to their hometown. They were childhood friends, but something has created a chasm between them and this is the story of their way back to one another. Sweet friends-to-lovers story with a strong and interesting backstory and a little beachy/food truck vibe on the side. Definitely recommend!

I have read every Emma Lord book that I could get my hands on. The Break-Up Pact is a fun and light read that is great for anyone that wants a little love and humor in their lives.

I have loved Emma Lord's books for the last couple years, and this is the fourth I've read! I wish it had lived up to all my expectations, but there was a part around the 2/3 mark that started to fall flat for me. The beginning is everything you want in a romcom book, there is fake dating, banter, cute dates. I will be sending photos of random art to my friends to see if they would bang or pass if it was hanging above a date's bed. The depth of their friendship was also lovely and very heartening to see. And of course, Emma Lord continues to mix in sweet confections in her classic style.

The parts that didn't fit for me was the wishy-washyness that happens after they realize they like each other. While both June and Levi are dealing with grief over the loss of June's sister, I felt a lack of connection to it since we never met the sister on page, and the memories of her painted her as quite selfish. It made me like June and Levi less for how much they had let her rule their lives, but at the same time, the grief/loneliness was so prevalent in who they were for most of the book, that it wasn't surprising in other ways? I am confused on my own emotions for this, but again, is why this didn't feel like it fit a romcom as much.

The ending picked up with another set of cute chapters, but that little bit at the 2/3 mark felt like a slog to get through and keeps this from being a five star book in my opinion.

This book was such a giddy kicking my feet book! While it was a fake dating trope it didn’t feel like the normal go around. Both of the MCs really grew throughout the book and that was refreshing. Now I am craving scones!

This was a great read! There were times when I felt there was a lull in the storyline, but not enough to make me stop reading. I was definitely rooting for the main character! I might have wanted a bit more detail in the description of their dates, but overall this was a great read!

This is what I'm talking about! Yes! This romance delivered on all fronts: witty dialogue, great characters, perfect pacing, excellent writing. The list goes on. Everything I'm looking for in a romance is right here. Silver platter meet "The Break-Up Pact".

It's unusual that I want to root for both characters equally, but that's what we have here. I really loved both of them, and I liked them together, too. I love that they're bonded by this past growing up together and by their mutual love and grief over her sister. It's a little loose why they never got together before and why she hated him so much at first, but I prefer that over a storyline that is so awful, you wonder the entire time how the person could ever forgive them.

And, I love the use of social media, reality TV, and viral journalism to add that extra layer of modern-day life. This is the world we live in, why not use that to your advantage. Overall, this was fantastic. I read it cover to cover as quickly as possible - trying to force myself to slow down long enough to appreciate some serious A+ writing. This is my first Emma Lord book, but I can promise you it will not be my last!

The chemistry Emma Lord creates between Levi and June is swoon worthy! I love the author’s style of writing. She is able to use well-known tropes and make them her own with her character development and original plots. I would definitely recommend!

In the midst of winter, "The Break-Up Pact" by Emma Lord, an ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, offers a cozy diversion from the chilly weather outside. Set in a picturesque beach town, this novel weaves a tale of rekindled friendship, love, and the complexities of a life that never quite goes as planned.

The story centers around June and Levi, former best friends whose lives have taken wildly different paths since their teenage years. Reunited by their respective, and unexpectedly viral, break-ups, they engage in a faux romance that's as charming as it is complicated. Emma Lord, transitioning from YA fiction to adult fiction, brings her characteristic humor and emotional depth to this new venture.

June, struggling to keep her dream tea shop afloat, and Levi, a disillusioned hedge fund manager, are characters with depth, but their journey sometimes feels uneven. Their progression from estranged friends to pretend lovers is filled with moments both touching and awkward, offering glimpses of what could be a deeper exploration of their relationship.

However, the novel does encounter some turbulence. The premise of viral break-ups among non-celebrities stretches the imagination, and at times, the narrative can feel burdened by extraneous details. Additionally, the book's foray into internet culture and memes might not resonate with all readers, occasionally feeling out of sync with the story's more heartfelt moments.

Despite these drawbacks, "The Break-Up Pact" shows promise in its exploration of friendship, the complexities of past mistakes, and the bittersweet nature of returning to one’s roots. The avoidance of typical miscommunication tropes is a refreshing aspect, allowing for some genuine, if not entirely explored, growth between the characters.

Overall, "The Break-Up Pact" is a pleasant read, suitable for those looking for a light romance with a sprinkle of nostalgia and the complexities of modern relationships. It earns a solid three-star rating, serving as a reminder that life, much like love, is seldom straightforward and often takes us on unexpected detours.

3/5 stars

This one started off really strong for me but unfortunately around 1/3 of the way into the book I started losing interest and couldn’t get back into it.

The “revenge exes” thing was a little weird to me, it felt like fake dating but worse and it happened suddenly but I was willing to let it slide because I initially liked the characters. As the book went on, however, I started to get annoyed with them and the plot didn’t have enough substance to make up for it. I wanted to shake the mc’s throughout this book, it felt like they were going in circles of not communicating clearly and constantly misunderstanding each other. The whole third act “conflict” felt pointless and too low stakes to be interesting.

Finally, the references go internet memes and trends felt kind of cringy to me (just my personal opinion, I almost always dislike it in books) but fortunately that didn’t really come up again in the second half of this book

Overall, I thought this book had potential it just let me down

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for the ARC