This was an easy-enough beach read but I just wasn't that in love with the characters. I think some short chapters sprinkled in with actual, developed flashbacks of the MC's childhood/adulescents together would have helped.

The Break Up Pact is my first book by Emma Lord and it was a cute fake dating, forced proximity, second-chance romance with a lighthearted modern take to it that kept me intrigued and reading.

June and Levi are childhood best friends that are reunited after going through public gross breakups with their respective long term partners and decide to fake date as a revenge on their exs. They also help one another heal through some trauma and work through finding themself and connecting with what they want out of life again and I found this aspect particularly relatable.

As an avid tea lover I really loved all the plots around the tea and scone shop! I had a bit of trouble getting a read on Levi through Junes POV and wish it had been two POVs. Overall cute romance I’d recommend and I’d definitely pick up another book by Emma!

Thanks NetGalley, st Martin’s press and Emma for the arc! All thoughts are mine.

I want to take a moment to thank NetGalley as well as the publishing company for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Let me start off by saying that the tension in this book is delicious! If you are looking for a really fun, summer read that has childhood friends and romance, followed by a little bit of pretend dating then I would definitely suggest picking my book up it was beyond delightful!

I’ll start by saying I genuinely loved Levi and June together. I loved their childhood friends to lovers story. The beginning started out strong and I thought this could easily be a 5 star read. Somewhere in the middle it fell flat. There was a lot going on which I felt like took away from the story itself- it all seemed to be very surface level. The social media/Griffin and Kelly drama just didn’t do it for me. The end came back around and I loved it.

Overall I do love Emma’s writing style and will continue to read her books. This just wasn’t a favorite of mine.

this is my first read by this author, and what i think is her first adult fiction romance.

unfortunately this one didn't grab me -- i've had a string of really good romance reads for me and this one under delivered.

i love a friends-to-lovers / second chance romance trope (sprinkled w fake dating in this case), but i feel like we didn't get much of an exploration of their history. rather it felt like it was told to us in present day without really exploring their history, which i think would've been more impactful.

the chemistry between the characters also just wasn't there for me and i think a big part of that is bc we don't get much of their story before.

so unfortunately a miss for but but might be a yes for others. thanks to the publisher and net galley for the e-arc!

Sadly, this was just okay. I have read wvery book by the author now, and I've not once given this author more than 4 stars. I really wanted to try her first adult romance, but it felt short. And I couldn't get into the story. I think this is where i stop reading from this author.

Can Emma Lord write anything not well? The answer is no. I will literally read anything she writes. and love it.

I will recommend this book to many students but being it is not YA category is the ONLY reason it won’t be on my HS library shelves.

Okay but June and Levi?! I love them. I hate that miscommunication got in their way. Many times. But I think it got them where they needed to be. When they needed to be there.

The things they had to deal with in life are so real and relatable. It definitely had you feeling. Your own griefs. June’s grief. Levi’s grief. But also overcoming the feelings. There is light and a fresh start. The healing can look different and you have to let go of things. It’s hard.

I loved this book. I hope we see many adult (I adore the YA don’t get me wrong) stories from Emma in the future. So good.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Step into the cozy world of The Breakup Pact, where friendships evolve into romances against the backdrop of a charming small town. This delightful novel by [Author's Name] captures the essence of beloved tropes like friends-to-lovers and slow-burn romance with effortless charm.

From the start, the author's engaging writing style pulls you into the lives of the main characters as they navigate the ups and downs of their evolving relationship. While the story held my attention with its heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and small-town life, I found myself on the fence about the main characters' relationship. Their journey from friends to lovers, though sweetly depicted, didn't quite resonate with me personally.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its poignant portrayal of the late sister, whose memory is woven throughout the narrative, adding a layer of depth and emotional richness. Additionally, the spotlight on the family business underscores the importance of roots and tradition in a small community, making the setting feel vivid and authentic.

In conclusion, The Breakup Pact is a charming read that fans of friends-to-lovers stories will likely enjoy. While the romantic relationship didn't fully capture my heart, the author's skillful storytelling and the book's warm atmosphere make it a worthwhile addition to your reading list, especially if you appreciate heartfelt narratives set in picturesque small towns.

The Break-Up Pact was my first Emma Lord's book and it was pretty entertaining.
There were a lot of laugh-out-loud and heartfelt moments and I really enjoyed and connected with Emma Lord's writing.
This was also pretty fast paced if a little rushed. I wish we'd gotten a dual POV because I think it'd have helped with fleshing the characters out and would have been better to have Levi's side of the story especially after we find out what happened between him and June in the past.

I liked both MCs but they did drive me crazy at one point so much so I was questioning, not unlike June at one point, whether or not they should be together at all given who they are as people and what kept them apart all those years. Ultimately I really liked the romance. At one point the whole thing definitely gave me Hallmark vibes as someone else pointed out lmao but this was still better.
The fake dating aspect was barely a thing and not really what you'd expect but I didn't mind. I liked that everything between them was real and actually helped them reconnect. It was more of a fake-dating-for-the-sake-of-forced-proximity rather than any faking.

There were a few things that really annoyed me and that's why the rating is not higher but since they are spoilers for the plot I'll mark them as such.

********** SPOILERRRRT ***********
One of things that really annoyed me and I wasn't sure it made much sense was the fact that June and Levi didn't speak for 10 years over a massive misunderstanding. And the problem was not the misunderstanding part, that can happen, the problem was what the misunderstanding was. June states early on in the book that Levi cut her out of his life because she had a crush on him and he didn't return her feelings, this is stated as a fact. I was so sure they had had a fight where she had admitted how she felt and it'd blown up in her face that imagine my surprise when later on they talk about that whole situation and we find out she never had that talk with him. Long story short she hears him tell someone else that he doesn't like her and when she confronts them she's super hurt so she says she also doesn't have feelings for Levi. After this Levi kind of keeps his distance and eventually they stop talking altogether meanwhile June just gets angrier and angrier with him over time. What I don't understand is this — how on earth was June able to jump to the conclusion that Levi cut her off because she had feelings for him and he didn't when as far as they both knew neither had feelings for the other??? This situation was pretty ridiculous and nonsensical and even the characters acknowledge that to a point. I can understand anything but June claiming that Levi cut her out because he didn't return her feelings when she never told him she had any and in fact had said to his face she didn't like him was absurd.
The other things that annoyed me were June agreeing to do the second interview and Levi telling Kelly about the whole Revenge Ex thing. These things didn't bother me as much cause I get it there had to be some conflict and they also made sense given who the characters are as people but I was still annoyed especially about Kelly.
******* END OF SPOILERRR *******

Despite the things that irked me I liked the resolution. Loved that Griffin got what he deserved and the way Levi found his voice.
All in all the ending was fantastic and this was still a great summer read. I'm looking forward to reading more by EL.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Life-long friends reunite in their summer beach hometown. I found the premise for fake dating to be a little weak and some of the middle chapter changes were very abrupt. I almost gave up on it, but was curious enough about the MCs to continue and I ended up enjoying it. Both MCs were going through some personal challenges and while the characters weren’t always the most mature, they treated each other with love and respect. Their cast of side characters were well-placed to move the story along and ask the appropriate questions to prompt self-reflection.
3.5 stars overall. It’s a good, light summer read.

When I first read the synopsis for The Break-Up Pact, I had high expectations. Childhood friends to lovers that have grown apart over the years only to be brought back together by fate (or rather devastating online embarrassment) is a premise that is right up my alley. On top of that you have nosey internet sleuths stalking out our leads as they fake-date in a picturesque tea shop in a beachside town. In theory all of these ideas seem so fun, but unfortunately it reads as the book trying to fit in as many tropes as possible without ever really fully fleshing out its characters. While the book had a fun plot that kept me thoroughly entertained, I never felt that I was actually rooting for the main characters to succeed because I felt as if I never really knew them or related to them in any way. I will say the romantic tension did have me getting emotional for a few scenes (because like I said I am a sucker for childhood friends to lovers) but apart for those few scenes it was hard to imagine our leads and the supporting cast as children who shared a deep history, especially between the siblings. I feel like the book would have benefitted from having more flashbacks and less focus on saving the tea shop and coming up with scone names. Overall The Break-Up Pact is a fun quick beach read of a romance book, but unfortunately I feel like it was quite forgettable in its execution.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Romance that features two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years as they agree to fake date after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups that go viral.

5/5 stars: This is a stand-alone by Lord's which is a Steamy Romance that follows a struggling beachside tea shop and bakery owner and a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist who agree to a fake dating arraignment after their respective break-ups spread like wildfire and a photo of them together convinces the internet they're a couple, despite the fact they've barely spoken in years. Lord's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain likable. June and Levi are great and while the two have a lot to figure out about themselves it's great to see them get their hard won HEA. I love a good friends-to-lovers read and this one hits the spot plus getting a big dollop of fake dating doesn't hurt anything. I also really appreciate how Lord writes about “going viral” and how it isn't always the best thing for all participants. Seeing June and Levi use it for their own means is great. Lord's humor shines and the banter and flirting are on high and will have you swooning. Oh and the OPS scenes are incredibly steamy. While there are plenty of heartfelt and humorous moments, Lord does takes on some sensitive subjects; so take care and check the CWs. Overall an excellent read!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel.

June and Levi have a complex history, especially with June's sister who has passed away. They are also at turning points in both of their lives. June is running a tea shop that was her sister's dream and trying to keep it in her sister's honor. Unfortunately, she is having a hard time keeping it afloat and while she goes viral it brings in more business it isn't a tactic that she can keep alive forever and her landlord is threatening to not renew her lease because of it. Levi is trying his hand at writing but is having a hard time staying on course with what he pitched to his agent and comes home in hopes of finding the spark from the writing of his past. While I enjoyed the love story between June and Levi, I enjoyed the take-down plot of June's ex-boyfriend the most. Both of their exes are terrible people and to see their downfall was enjoyable. While I enjoyed the story, I found myself skimming a lot and just wanting to get it finished.

Read if you like fake dating, friends to lovers romances. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 8/13

Emma Lord strikes again! I think it's safe to say she is officially an auto-buy author for me.

The Break-Up Pact was Lord's debut adult romance, and I think it has dethroned You Have a Match as my new favorite of hers! It had all the elements that she excels in--adorable romance, amazing friendships, humor that had me laughing out loud, and a bit of sadness to tug at your heartstrings.

After June and Levi are publicly dumped and humiliated by their former partners, who are both famous, June's best friend Sana hatches a plan--June and Levi will start a fake relationship, dubbed The Revenge Exes, and use the publicity to save June's struggling business, Tea Tide. While June and Levi were friends in high school, they had an argument after graduation and haven't spoken in years, not even since June's sister Annie, who was also Levi's friend, unexpectedly passed away a few years prior.

I thought June and Levi were a great pair; they had a ton of chemistry, but they were also very realistic as their relationship developed. Both Levi and June struggle with their careers and what they want from their lives, moving on from their previous relationships, mourning the loss of Annie... it all felt very real, which I appreciated.

I thought the pacing was great; even the ending, which often can seem rushed to wrap up in romance novels, I thought was paced nicely.

On top of it all, this book featured all my favorite things:
🩷 Fake dating
🩷 Childhood friends to lovers
🩷 Paparazzi/fame element (I'm such a sucker for a Hollywood story in any capacity, even though neither June nor Levi were celebrities themselves)
🩷 A main character who's a writer
🩷 Witty best friend

I absolutely adored it! I really look forward to whatever adult book Lord writes next; I think it suits her writing style really well. It reminds me of Ashley Poston's transition from YA to adult, and I think Lord is excelling in the same way. (Of course, I will still read Lord's upcoming young adult novel, The Rivals, either when it comes out or when I get an ARC--whichever comes first!)

Due to the very real, adult themes in this book, if you're looking for a purely lighthearted, everything-is-happy romance, this is probably not the book for you. It does have a more serious tone to it, but that just made me love it more! I absolutely think The Break-Up Pact is worth reading and would definitely recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

💋 F L I R T Y F R I D A Y review 💋 featuring “The Break-Up Pact” by Emma Lord!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤/5

As teenagers, June and Levi were the best of friends … until they had a falling out and lost touch with one another. Now in present days, June has taken over her sister’s beachside tea shop and is struggling to keep sales alive and the rent paid on time. Meanwhile, Levi has escaped New York where he is unhappily a hedge fund manager and a failed novelist.

The two former friends reunite in Benson Beach after 10 years of not speaking to find out that they have something recent in common: very humiliating public breakups that have gone viral and are ruining their lives 💔!

When a photo of them surfaces in the media that makes them look like a couple, they decide to fake date with hopes that it will make their exes jealous! They make a pact to put their history aside and give the public what they want 📸!!!

Read this if you enjoy:
💗 small town romance
💗 fake dating
💗 friends to lovers
💗 second chance romance
💗 beach reads

Thank you kindly to @dilemmalord @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on August 13, 2024!

This book wasn’t for me but it as still a fun read! I will definitely still recommend it to other book lovers. It was a cute romance although the character development fell flat for me.

I’m a bit unsure of how I feel about this book.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I had fun with the characters and the overall plot. But I did struggle with aspects of the story.
I really enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope, which this book includes. The limited communication between our main characters over the several years prior to the start of the story adds higher stakes to their currently situation, which is interesting. There seems to be an underlying animosity with our characters towards the beginning of the story, which I don’t think serves the overall romance.
There are times throughout the book where our male main character seems absolutely oblivious to the wants/needs of our female character, which is pretty concerning for a romance and doesn’t invest the reader in the connection between the main characters.
At times the story felt a bit chaotic, attempting to do too much all at once, and not necessarily landing the execution. This depletes the power of the messaging through this story and the overall enjoyment of the romance.
Do I recommend this book? I do if you’re looking for a quick fun read. The audiobook was an enjoyable listen and I suspect it’s a big part of this book’s star rating (in a good way).

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

This was a delightful romance. It was probably the sweetest friends to lovers I’ve ever read.
I loved June’s backstory and hearing all about the bakery and I loved Levi’s love for June.
The side characters added humour and complexity to the story that I really enjoyed.

If you’re an Emily Henry fan, you should definitely read The Break-Up Pact ASAP.

3.5⭐️ rounding up.

The Break-Up Pact was a cute, easy summer read. Childhood friends June and Levi are unexpectedly brought back together when they both experience embarrassing, and viral, break-ups. I love fake dating, but there was something here that would bring me out of the story. I didn't totally buy into their connection, and the communication felt off sometimes, but it could have been due to fact they used to know each other so well but then had this time apart (coupled with the hurt over this) and then were navigating the fake dating situation. Overall, this was okay for me and enjoyable while I was reading it.
Thanks St. Martin's Griffin for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for this ARC!

Since reading Tweet Cute, I've appreciated Emma Lord's writing. This was a story that followed June and Levi rekindling their friendship under embarrassing circumstances while navigating what it means to grow up and find out what you want to do with your life. I found June and Levi both relatable and I felt for both of them as they grieved the life and relationships they wanted to have vs what they had to allow themselves to make peace with.

I thought the fake dating was cute and of course, we all knew it wouldn't remain fake for long! You see the moments and spark between them grow, you feel the realistic hesitation. I do wish they communicated a little better once we dived deeper but overall, I appreciated the very real way they navigated their old friends to new friends to lovers.

I loved their little town and the side characters. I loved watching them both reconnect with their dreams. Overall, very sweet and easy read!