This was just an ok romance book for me, it had some tropes that I really enjoy like fake dating and friends to lovers but I just didn't connect to the main characters. I liked the exploration of grief for both of them and I enjoyed that more serious aspect to this story. I for some reason just did not feel the chemistry with them and also just towards the end started to get a bit bored. It was overall a solid read, with good writing but I just did not connect with it.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed all of Emma Lord's YA novels so I was thrilled to see she was coming out with an adult romance.

I thought the premise behind this novel was clever and original. This wasn't just a mushy, gushy romance - - it had heart and true heartbreak. June and Levi had experienced a huge loss when June's sister had died. She was not only June's sister but one of Levi's best friends. It was a loss for them both. What it takes most of the novel to find out is what happened to drive them apart years ago. It seems June was heartbroken when Levi left town and seemed to never look back. So, she never asked about him. She knew he was still in touch with her sister yet she wouldn't lower herself to see how he was. She couldn't open her heart to care. Then Annie died and her world went sideways and everything changed.

When June's boyfriend dumps her publicly and she's humiliated by a crying meme made from her crying face, she thinks things can't get worse. Then Levi shows up back in her home town and things are just as awkward between them as she expected they'd be. But when she discovers he was also recently publicly humiliated by his girlfriend/fiancee, she finds a soft spot for him. And things gradually evolve from there. Before you know it, they are the "Revenge Exes." It's only supposed to be temporary. And it's only supposed to be fake. But feelings happen and then they get in the way. Then life happens and things change and misunderstandings come along and things are complicated.....well you know how this plays out. There's a misunderstanding....or is it that something isn't explained clearly enough? Whatever it is, they end up jilted and unsure if they can proceed. They both truly have a lot to figure out.

I really enjoyed this foray into adult romance and dealing with real-life problems. Ms. Lord did a fabulous job of crossing over and giving these characters solid backstories we could care about and pull for. I look forward to more books like this one in the future.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration was spot on and really was in sync with the book. I enjoyed it even more because of the way the story flowed in the audio form. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

Fake romance, friends to lovers, small town and some reality tv as background tossed in for good measure. June and Levi haven’t spoken in the 10 years since her beloved sister and his best friend suddenly died of a brain aneurysm. She stayed in town to continue running her sister's tea shop. It was her dream and June feels obligated to keep it going. It has been a struggle that is not helped with her landlord, who is more like a comic book Overlord of some far away galaxy and her truly awful ex who humiliated her in front of the world via reality TV. Turns out he hooked up with Levis ex in the most public way. Levi returns to town to wait it out and hope his ex comes to her senses and takes him back. June always had a major crush on Levi, but 10 years is a long time. In moments June goes from wanting to kick him off the tea shop patio to together hatching a plan to fake date and change the narrative and get their lives back on track. Can this work to save her business, her sense of self rehab her public image, get the keyboard thugs of social media off her back and maybe, just maybe find her a real romantic partner? You’ve got to read or listen to find out! Okay, kidding Of course it winds up with a lovely HEA as that is what we came for and fully expected. I had to let some things go while listening. The overall level of immaturity for the main characters, June’s almost simpering crush for Levi, Levi’s “waiting for his ex to come to her senses thinking they’re just on a break”, her landlord and her BFF who seemingly both helped her, but also used her to further her career. I am somewhere in the middle hence the 3 star rating.


I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A cute, summer romance built on 2 childhood best friends trying to reconnect.
June and Levi were friends when they were kids, and until Levi went away to college. June felt like he deserted her, Levi did it for other reasons. In the 10 years since they've become estranged, they've had other relationships, June's sister and Levi's best friend Annie died, and they are being publicly ridiculed on social media about their break-ups. So what are 2 old friends to do? Team up and fake date to get back at their exes of course. Plus, June's business Tea Tide is crumbling, and she discovers the boost on social media will help sales.

There was a lot of miscommunication throughout this story. Neither June or Levi knew the full picture of their past 'trauma', so it was hard for the 2 friends to resolve anything. There were a lot of things throughout the book that seemed unnecessary and slowed down the story. Then there were the scones that June created at Tea Tide - so disgusting it was hard to read and it was hard to believe anyone would actually like them. Ugh.

While I enjoyed the story, I didn't like June very much. There was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. I thought Levi was really trying with her and she just couldn't get past the fact that he left her behind when he went to college. Overall - A heart-warming romance with some serious subjects set in a very cute small town.

Emma Lord’s The Breakup Pact is like a Hallmark movie that got a TikTok makeover, blending fake dating with second chances, all set against the breezy backdrop of a beachside café. June Hart, who’s gone from internet meme to café owner, teams up with her childhood friend Levi to fake a relationship for the sake of her business and his love life. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently, a lot especially when their staged romance is full of fun dates that would make your heart flutter, if not for the miscommunication that feels more middle school than mature. The friends-to-lovers trope is there, but it’s drawn out and tangled in unnecessary drama, making you want to shake them and say, “Just kiss already!” While June’s journey to find herself is satisfying, the story sometimes feels like it’s taking the scenic route with a few too many detours. And the subplot with the sister? Let’s just say it’s the narrative equivalent of a filler episode.

In the end, The Breakup Pact is a light, entertaining read, but it doesn’t quite live up to the potential of its premise. If you’re in the mood for a rom-com with some modern flair, this one’s worth a shot in my opinion not too much emotional depth.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I think this book started so cute. Fake dating isn't always my favorite but The idea odd why they were fake dating was odd but I was here for it. The first 40-50% of the book I was vibing but once we got to the miscommunication part of the story and the fake became real but not really I was in a are you kidding me. After the night they handled things horribly and honest just grazed over any conversion. I felt like I need more resolved from them. So I didn't care one way or another if they ended up together

Thank you NetGalley for this E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Emma Lord book and so I was excited to get an ARC of her book. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this read and it was true to the fake dating and best friends to lovers tropes. These two best friends took the long way around with their friendship falling by the wayside and after years of separation they reunite in their hometown. The timing of their reunion coincides with an internet meme that goes viral that forces them to play into that hand and pretend to date. But once they become close again its hard for them to deny their feelings for each other. While reconciling their past and getting through their bumpy present their romance forces them to grow and embrace the new changes that lie ahead for both of them.

DNF at 40%

I was excited to get a copy of this book because the premise sounded like the perfect summer romance and I’ve read previous Emma Lord books which I adored! Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me at 40%. I found myself unable to connect with the characters and the struggles they were going through. The story was very slow and I wasn’t engaged. I find myself not caring what was going to happen nor did I like the romance between Levi and June. I do enjoy the writing style, so will likely pick up another book, this one just didn’t work for me personally.

I couldn't decide if the story was supposed to be focusing on the grief or the love more?? I usually love fake dating plots but this one didn't work for me.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I was super eager for Emma Lord’s transition into adult contemporary and am so, so happy with the result! This book takes some of my favorite romance tropes - fake dating, second chance, childhood friends to lovers and spins them in a very realistic and adult way. I was expecting more of a rom-com vibe, but was pleasantly surprised with how serious the tone was.

Overall I loved this!

I am generally a pretty big fan of Emma Lord. I’ve always rated her books four stars or higher, but I just couldn’t bring myself to get there with this one. Though the premise was cool (I love a fake dating trope!), I feel like I didn’t get a great sense of the characters and I didn’t really understand why they were drawn to each other other than they used to be friends. There was a hint of spice, which I wasn’t expecting and wasn’t mad about, but there was no chemistry between them. The conflict didn’t seem like it should have been that big of a deal and overall it was just kind of meh. I really did like Sana though…I hope she comes back in another book.

I do still really enjoy Lord’s writing and will read her next book for sure, but maybe this didn’t come to me at the right time. It could be as simple as that. Or maybe I would just prefer she continued to write YA.

3 STARS

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I usually like books written by Emma Lord, but I could not get into this title.

Fake dating, second chances, and friends to lovers fill the pages of this cute rom-com.

What happens when two old childhood friends both go through viral breakups? A pact to turn that negative spotlight into a success. When old feelings start to arise, drama ensues.

"The Break-Up Pact" is cutesy. I found myself rooting for the characters, especially June. The side characters were great too and I kind of hope we get another book someday!

I wasn't a fan of the amount of miscommunication that was between the characters and the drama in sparked regarding the exes, but I still enjoyed the overall story.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me this ARC.

✔️ Childhood Friends
✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Small Town

I do love a book where estranged childhood friends come back together and confront old hurts and feelings before they can figure out their current relationship status.

I loved June and her bff Sana best - their friendship was my favorite part about this book - their banter and all the scenes were in were fun!

As for Levi. I was rooting for him for the majority of the book up until the third act breakup. I don't think he suffered enough/groveled enough for me to want them back together. The swoon was slightly womp womp for me.

I'd still give this a 4⭐️ - there were some terrific fake dating scenes and I enjoyed the backstory of their friendship.

Steam 🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕

I have read all of Emma Lord's books but this is the first adult fiction book of hers! I was very excited to read the book because of this. I thought Levi and June were so sweet. I love a couple with history and I'm a sucker for friends to lovers. The first 3/4 of the book flew by! However, I really struggled with the last section. I felt like the conflict was dragged out. After the emotional roller coaster I had been through so far I just wanted resolution! I thought that it would wrap up after Dylan's wedding, but then the wedding did not even take place in the book! Great writing, I just think It should have been shorter.

The Break Up Pact was such a cute novel. I enjoyed reading about June & Levi’s story. It was too similar to other books i’ve already read so it didn’t wow me but I did enjoy it. This is good read for any romance lover.

Thank you to St Martins Press for an advanced reader’s copy of this title via NetGalley.

The break up pact was exactly what I was expecting. Two ex besties who fake date to get back at/with their exes and of course get their own HEA.
This book does deal a lot with the FMC and the loss of her sister Annie, who was also Levi’s (the MMC’s) best friend.
I did love the character of Sana. She honestly made the book for me.
You’ll love this book if you like:
*fake dating
*friends to lovers
*cozy shop owners
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy. Unfortunately I did not finish The Breakup Pact. June and Levi were childhood best friends, but they haven’t spoken in ten years. They both have gone through tough breakups, which lead to them being viral. In response, they decide to fake date so that June can keep her tea shop open, and Levi can get back together with his ex. I found myself uninterested in the plot and I did not care for the characters.

After childhood friends June and Levi both experience very public, humiliating break-ups, the two decide to pretend to date, forming the “break-up pact”. However, as they get closer, feelings begin to grow as the line between fake and real begins to blur.

While Emma Lord is known for her young adult books, this is her adult debut! The novel still delivers those YA vibes I’ve loved in her other books, but through adult characters, making it an easy read. The book encompasses a couple different romance tropes, including fake dating, friends-to-lovers, and second chance romance, so it’s a good choice for romance lovers. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally, and while certain moments of the story pulled me in a bit more, overall I felt like the story was just “fine”. While I didn’t love this one as much as Emma Lord’s previous two most recent YA books, it was still an okay read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted e-galley copy of the book!

This book was not for me.

It was cheesy and not even all that romantic. June and Levi went from not speaking in 10 years to basically being in love in 2 weeks. I felt like the author was trying to overload June with issues from not being able to orgasm with a partner, to never telling Griffin they loved each other to having a dead sister. There were so many things going on and none of them seemed to go together. How do you go from getting dumped on TV, running a failing tea shop and planning your brother's wedding so quickly.

Half the time Annie was written like she was supposed to be the villain keeping June and Levi apparent to the controlling sister who wouldn't even entertain June's ideas for the tea shop. Or was Nancy supposed to be the villain who told June she needed to raise 3 months worth of rent and then when that happened decided no that wasn't actually good enough and evicted her. Is that even legal?

Griffin was supposed to be the villain in theory but other than breaking up with June on TV I really don't even know what he did that was so terrible?

This the second book by this author I have read and haven't really enjoyed which leads me to believe that maybe we just don't belong together.