This felt like a very quintessentially Emily Giffin book. Definitely pay attention to the warnings at the start, it has heavy parts but delves beautifully into relationships and the impact of loss during formative years. I loved how friendship was a recurring theme and really was the glue that held the story and the character’s lives together. It had some funny moments and many many relatable ones! I loved the Italian portion of the book - transported me back! Any book set in Italy is a win for me! Now I need to get to Capri. Def recommend this book if you’re looking for something more profound than a surface-level rom com. But still summery vibes.

Wow! What an amazing story of friends, family and heartbreak. Heather, Lainey, Summer and Tyson are best friends from college. Their lives implode when Summer takes her life. Secrets they kept and feelings they hid. This is an amazing story that I would highly recommend. Tears, cheers for the group. I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion. Don't wait to read this touching story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Griffin, and Random House Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows a group of college friends (Tyson, Hannah, and Lainey) that are navigating a shared trauma over the course of a decade.

It’s marked as general adult fiction but in my opinion, reads more/is written more like YA. It’s told from the vantage point of each MC and feels like there is a lot of jumping around happening. There are a lot of pop culture references but it often feels like they’re being thrown in just to be thrown in (I’m not sure Noah Kahan would ever “set the mood” for me). It made the book feel very two-dimensional at times.

That being said, there were parts of the book that I enjoyed. The pact this group of friends make to always be there for one another (albeit a bit unrealistic as a working adult) does make me very nostalgic for my friend group from when I was a teenager. The banter between MCs, at times, really shows how close the characters were/are and it does add a layer of depth I think this book would otherwise be missing.

I think if you like books with found family, you’ll probably really enjoy this one.

There was something about this book that just hit my soul and I devoured it in one sitting. The writing was so easy to follow, the heavier themes were talked about so well, and it just felt like I was really able to connect with these characters. We get three POVs and I think that was the perfect way to tell this story. We are able to learn about everyone's story and it helps to connect with all of them. I loved the traveling in this story, the found family, and the sad story that kept them all connected.

This book releases on July 9th and I think this is a perfect summer story to add to your TBR. Please keep in mind that there is a trigger warning for suicide.

I do think that as much as I adored this story there were some parts of the story that were longer than necessary which made future storylines feel rushed. We didn't get to develop a lot of the romance that was later brought in and I would've loved to get more from that plotline.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to enjoy this book. A journey of friendship is usually my favorite. I just had trouble connecting to Lainey. I did love their loyalty to one another, but just not my favorite.

I devoured Emily Giffin's new novel, The Summer Pact. Much to my surprise, it was so much more than a beach read. It's the story of 3 college friends who face a tragedy together and then stay close after after graduation. Tyson, Lainey and Hannah continue to show up for each other over the years and when Hannah experiences a life altering event, Tyson and Lainey show up once again. A story of heartbreak, a little adventure, and most of all friendship. Check this one out!

It has been a while since I have really enjoyed an Emily griffin book . I am really hoping this one makes up for the last ones
I just reviewed The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin. #TheSummerPact #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley I will update my review once read

Can I say I love the title of this book? The meaning behind it is beautful. I loved all 3 of the main characters in this book. I will say though about 60% in I was getting just a little bored with the story. With that being said I did like this book overall.

3.25 ⭐️

Four friends met in their freshman year of college and formed a tight-knit friendship, until a tragedy happens in their senior year. So before Hannah, Lainey and Tyson part ways after graduation, they formed a pact to always come together in each other's time of need, naming it The Summer Pact. Fast forward, 10 years later, as Hannah's life is being turned upside down, Lainey and Tyson rushed to her side; together, they decided it's the perfect time to forget all their troubles and travel the world together.

The Summer Pact was an easy and fun read that touches on life lessons in finding oneself and the power of friendship.

Overall, the story flows very easily even though it has multiple POVs. However, I felt that some areas were a bit unrealistic and the ending felt super rushed. I would have liked a bit more romance and more character developments at the end, rather than rushing what felt like a laundry list of the characters' life events in the epilogue.

I enjoyed it, but didn't love it as much as I thought I would, it started out so strong! I'd still recommend it if you love a story about loyal friendships!

3.75
I really enjoyed this book! It was a really easy-to-read, intriguing, super engaging literary fiction novel about 3 friends who were bonded by a tragic event in college. One of them goes through something difficult, so they band together to help her feel better--while facing their own issues.

I loved how much we learned about Hannah and Lainey as they worked through their personal struggles with their friends. Their characters felt pretty fleshed out and they were distinct enough that I could tell the difference between without looking at the names above the chapters. But, I had a hard time with Tyson--I kept mixing him and Hannah's POVs up and I have no reason why. Also, I thought Tyson would work through his struggles too, like about his identity and relationships.

Overall this was a fun, light summer-y read that dealt with some more complex topics but didn't feel too emotional/sad while doing so. It was very fun to read as summer starts and really makes me want to travel!

I'm normally a big fan of all things Emily Giffin but almost put this one down. Wish I there had been more time establishing the initial stages friendship between all 4 main characters before it transitioned to the road trips.

As usual, Giffin delivers an elevated beach read, with some deeper themes and solid writing to separate it from some of the more mindless drivel in the space. It's neither a textbook romance nor an entirely breezy story of friendship, but it checks enough boxes that those looking for either will be satisfied. For me, this wasn't as successful as some of her previous books, which I've loved. In <i>Meant To Be</i>, I felt transported to a different era and very invested in the relationship between the leads. Whereas here, while there were moments where I experienced a bit of wanderlust as the characters explored Capri, I wasn't as engaged with the characters. Tyson felt very underdeveloped and I never got a strong sense that he even cared about his relationship with the girls. I also felt like the LGBTQ storyline felt forced, although I will say Olivia was the only character I really liked.

I really liked the premise of this book. It was original and took on a heavy topic right from the very beginning. That said, I felt like the author tried to address too many big topics within this book. TW: There was heavy discussion and storylines involving suicide, race, LGBTQ+ discovery, adultery and secret families, alcoholism, and sexual assault. It was way too much for a relatively short book and left too many loose ends for my liking. There are some people who will enjoy this book but it wasn’t the right fit for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Emily Giffin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors so I was super excited to receive an eARC of her new book, The Summer Pact.

After tragedy strikes, three college friends make a pact to come together when one of them is in need. A decade later, Hannah’s world falls apart and the friends find themselves on a trip together.

The Summer Pact was a great story of friendship and how friends literally become your family. I loved the alternating POV. It moved the story along quickly and helped you to understand each character's personality.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Summer Pact. It drew me in straight from the prologue and held my attention the entire book. I rate it 4 stars and would definitely recommend it.

The writing was great, and the heavy topics weaved into the story were done well. The heaviness didn't make you feel heavy, but it definitely was not joked about. I enjoyed ready this and read it pretty quickly!

**Spoiler**
My only dislike is the Hannah/Olivia felt a little forced.

The Summer Pact….took me by surprise

Based on the cover i was expecting a very light hearted read but instead it was very compelling and heartfelt. The story follows a group of friends that have made a pact to be there for each other following a tragedy that involved their friend. The story is told in multiple POVs which was done beautifully.
The characters are written well and the author did a great job at making them human and the audience able to relate to them in certain aspects.

It was a great read but left me wanting more! The end felt almost rushed, it ended very abruptly

Please make sure to read triggers as there are some major ones !

I loved this book! Loved the characters and their stories and the way they were woven together in a beautiful way! Emily Griffin will be added to my favorite authors now!

Such a great summer read! Loved the characters and the vacation vibes! Now I want Togo to Capri. Well thought out character development and storyline.

First of all, thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I've heard very good things about Emily Griffin's books, so I was very interested in reading this one. I'm glad I did! Her writing really pulled me in and made me want to keep reading.
I can't say I loved any of the characters, but I loved their friendship. I loved how they were so supportive of each other, and got past disagreements so quickly without holding grudges.
Very good read!

What a joy to come back to an Emily Giffin book!

"The Summer Pact" is a captivating exploration of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. We follow four college friends, forever bound by a tragic event that reshapes their futures. United by grief and a solemn pact, these characters' journey takes an unexpected turn a decade later when one of their lives unravels, prompting a reunion.

Giffin is a master at navigating the complexities of human relationships and alternating between perspectives. From the idyllic college campus to the picturesque landscapes of Texas, Capri, and Paris, the novel's vivid settings serve as a lively backdrop. But what I loved most was how authentic "The Summer Pact" felt; Giffin portrays the highs and lows of friendship with unflinching honesty, capturing the intricacies of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Emily Giffin once again proves herself as a master storyteller, delivering a poignant and unforgettable tale that lingers long after the final page is turned.