Book Review: The Summer Pact by Emily Griffin
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis:
*The Summer Pact* is about a group of friends who come together for one summer to fulfill a promise they made years ago. As they deal with personal issues, old secrets come to light, testing their friendships and forcing each character to face their past. The story is told from multiple perspectives, giving readers a look into each character's life.

Review:
I'd give *The Summer Pact* 3 stars at best. The premise seemed really promising, and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

The book deals with some heavy themes, but despite that, I felt like there wasn't much character development. The characters didn’t seem to grow or change in any meaningful way, which made it hard to really care about them.

I did like that the story was told from different perspectives. It added some variety, but it also made the chapters feel repetitive at times since we kept revisiting the same events without getting much new information.

Overall, *The Summer Pact* just wasn’t my favorite. It had potential, but it ended up being more boring than engaging.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Giffin has been one of my favorite "chick lit" authors since her series, "Something Borrowed". She has a way of writing that makes the reader feel like she's part of the story, on the sidelines just watching everything unfold. And this was no different. "The Summer Pact" was a perfect summer read! It was much heavier than some of her other books, dealing with difficult topics like suicide and alcohol abuse. Watching the characters evolve after a life altering tragedy was not only thought provoking, but I found myself rooting for them as they found their way in life.

Emily Giffin does it again. I could not put this book down!! I had such love for all the characters and it was so so relatable for so many issues in this day and age. The character stories were all told so well. I loved it!!

After a tragedy among their friend group, Lainey, Hannah, and Tyson make a pact to reach out to one another if they feel as though they may not make it through their lowest moments. So a decade later, when Hannah catches her cheating fiancé, her best friends are on the next flight to be by her side. What follows is a tale of love, friendship, heartbreak and finding yourself.

I try very hard to avoid spoilers especially when reviewing ARCs but there may be some that will be difficult to avoid. First, even though it’s mentioned in the author’s note, the suicide really managed to hit me super hard. And I did not expect to be in tears so early into the book. It was so jarring that my stomach was literally hurting. This is not a criticism but a comment on how realistic it felt when discovering the death of a close loved one.

Summer, Hannah, Tyson and Lainey met their first year of college. Summer is the midwestern track star who is pursuing pre med. Hannah is the southern sweetheart who, while undecided on her major, is interested in interior design. Tyson is a DC local with varied interests but is considering law school. And Lainey is the California girl pursuing acting. Though they may seem like an unlikely group, they become best friends. As they are approaching graduation, it seems the pressure might well be too much for Summer and she takes her own life. Understandably this has a devastating impact on the group and, a year later, they promise - in Summer’s name - to not only reach out before ever taking such drastic measures, but also to be there for one another no matter what.

My second heartbreaking moment of the book was the moment Hannah caught her fiancé with another woman. While I never physically caught them, I had a cheating ex too who tried to gaslight me when I confronted him so this part of the story got me fired up. I was so glad for Lainey’s ballsy attitude in handling that situation since I think Hannah was a little too nice to go that far. And I’m glad Hannah was smart enough and brave enough to leave.

Lainey is slightly too volatile for me. I know she’s got a heart of gold and I love that about her, but she also overreacts to the point where she won’t even let her friends try to explain the situation before she’s already formed her opinions. She somehow manages to be a loyal friend but also sometimes a shitty one too.

Tyson is the type who knows a little about a lot of things which I like about him. I also appreciate how loyal and protective he is of his friends. He’s maybe occasionally a little too up on his high horse.

I enjoy reading stories about the power of great friends, especially knowing how much more important they become when you go through your darkest moments. Suicide is tough and I can’t say that I have anyone in my direct circle who has done it but I imagine I would always hold on to those questions of why? Especially as it often seems to happen with people who seem so happy on the outside or have so much success. So I admittedly found myself wanting that closure but knowing that sometimes in life it just never comes.

While it’s been a while since I last read anything by her, I have loved Emily Giffin for a while so I was looking forward to this book and just like her other books I’ve read, this filled me with so much emotion. I think maybe my main struggle is that I have mixed feelings about what progreses with Tyson and Lainey, especially after what happened with Summer. In a way, it does make it feel like he’s just making his way through the friend group. But more than that he and Summer made the most sense together while he and Lainey made the least sense together. Not that I expected him to end up with either one but at least ending up with Hannah might’ve been easier for me to understand, especially since it would’ve made sense as a rebound to end up with someone you’re familiar with and have a history with.

Lastly and I didn’t let my rating be affected but…I know it’s an uncorrected proof but there is a moment when we’re in Hannah’s perspective and she’s talking with Tyson and then the perspective suddenly changes to Tyson’s and that was a bit hard for me to get past initially.

Thank you for the opportunity to review - another great offering from Ms Giffin, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Great summer vibes option!

Lainey, Tyler and Hannah have been friends since college when their other friend committed suicide. In their early thirties, everything comes to a crises and they get back together to fulfill their pact. ARC from NetGalley.

A heartwarming story of best friends whose relationships span decades, tragedies, heartbreak, and joys.

This was a beautiful story about a group of friends, a shared tragedy and lifelong loyalty to one another. Emily Giffin does not disappoint in her writing.

**The Summer Pact deals with real life situations that can be difficult to read for some. Trigger Warnings for issues surrounding suicide, infidelity and alcoholism. **

Hannah, Summer, Lainey and Tyson met in college one night while they were all hanging out in the study lounge of their dorm. Hannah is the Southern girl who is tame and quiet. Summer is the perfectionist and athlete who is planning to go to medical school. Lainey is the dramatic, crazy, fun friend with no filter and Tyson, from Washington D.C.is our laid-back man of the group, planning to go to law school. They each come from completely different backgrounds but the night they meet, they form a bond that will last and leave them inseparable throughout their college years. As exams are ending, right before graduation, the group endures a terrible tragedy that will leave them in shock and with questions that cannot be answered. It will also lead to their pact declaring that no matter the time, distance or situation, they will all be there for one another in times of need.

As Hannah is preparing to get married ten years later, her world is flipped upside down. She knows she is not in a good place, and she calls Lainey. Without hesitation, Lainey drops everything and goes to Hannah and Tyson is not far behind. As the three of them are back together, it is obvious that each person in the group is fighting their own battles and their reunion, though not under the best circumstances, may be what they all need.

Buckle up for all of the emotions and enjoy every minute of this story. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Emily Giffin and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this advanced digital reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Summer Pact 💗☀️🌊

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I was so surprised by this book! I went into it blind and did not expect it to be a heavier topic book. @emilygiffinauthor did an amazing job bringing me tap health awareness into her writing and made a heavy topic more manageable
I love the focus of friendship and how it’s so important in our lives, especially with dealing with inevitable life struggles. It reminds me to be so grateful for all the amazing people in my own life. This book is published on July 9, 2024 and is definitely worth the read!





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This book was a sweet romance read! As a long-time fan of the author, I was thrilled with this story. A must-read for all romance enthusiasts!

The Summer Pact is about a group of friends that met in college and lost the fourth member of their group. They then make a pact to always be there for each other. When one of them find their fiancé cheating on them, they make the call and the story follows the group through their travel, healing and finding themselves. I wish that there was a little more development with the romantic subplots as they seemed rushed. I would recommend reading The Summer Pact when it comes out on July 9, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Emily Giffin was the author that welcomed me into the world of reading. Once I discovered her books, I DEVOURED them. She told such wonderful stories and I was absolutely enthralled with her characters, storylines and plot twists. I have read every one of her books, and this one did not disappoint!

This book tells the stories of a group of friends who met in college and are bonded for life. Sadly tragedy sets in shortly after their friendship begins, but that only bonds the remaining 3 even more securely. They promise to be for their each other whenever they need them. Holding true to their word, their bond is tested when one calls the group asking for help. I loved how real and transparent the characters are, struggling with real-life problems.

Review posted on Goodreads. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

What a beautiful story of friendship and love.

A decade before, three best friends, Lainey, Hannah and Tyson, lost their fourth member to suicide. After that tragic loss they decided to start “The Summer Pact” in honor of their passed friend Summer, meaning they would be there for each other in their most difficult moments no matter what.

That time comes when Hannah finds her fiancé had cheated on her. The story then develops into such a heart warming story of friendship and finding your true self.

I loved the writing style and individual POV from all three friends. I also really enjoyed the character development and ending the story showing how each character truly developed into who they were meant to be. Although, I do feel as if the romance and some key parts of the book were rushed and I found myself at 95% thinking “there’s got to be more”. I feel satisfied enough with the ending, but still wished for more elaboration.

All in all I would give 4 stars! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of this book!

When I requested this ARC from NetGalley, I was expecting a light, beachy read. I should have known better as “light” isn’t usually a word I’d use to describe Giffin’s writing. The Summer Pact is an agreement three friends make after the suicide of their friend, Summer. The trio gets back together after one of them has a life crisis (and then it turns out all three are in a crisis of some sort). I enjoyed the story’s exploration of what it means to be friends. Watching the three figure out their next steps (as well as the ending overall) was delightful.

I enjoyed the Summer Pact by Emily Giffin. It is about how four friends who found each other in college their freshman year and stayed together. Unfortunately a tragedy happens in their senior year and the remaining friends decide to always be there for each other - no matter what. A story that has tragedy, romance and strong friendships. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine and NetGalley for the E-ARC.
This is my own opinion.

I usually love Emily Giffin books. This one got a tad messy - and for such a quick read it tried to take on too many heavy topics.
"The summer pact" is the agreement made by three friends in college in the wake of a tragedy to be there for each other in the future, no matter what. Ten years later, the friends come together in the name of this pact and embark on a journey that winds up changing their lives.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.

Emily Giffin’s latest book did not disappoint. The story follows three college best friends as they navigate the impact the loss of their friend during their senior year, over a decade down the road leaves on their current lives.

This book was another fantastic Emily Giffin novel. I have read every book she has written, and this one was one of her best. She had an incredible ability to write characters in a way that makes you feel as if you know them.

I enjoyed the travel in this story, and the different places the three friends were able to visit. I definitely recommend this new book that will be coming out soon!

I was really excited about the premise of this book and feel it has great potential!! I love the idea of focusing on a friendship and one that stays connected over so many years. The biggest issue for me was that, while I appreciate books discussing real-world issues, I felt that this book tried to address too many issues in too short of a period. It left me feeling like some of the writing, story telling, and important and serious problems were shallow.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a little rough for me. I wanted to love it & the premise of doing anything for your friends resonated with me and felt special. Unfortunately, it all felt immature & childish. I would never act like some of these characters, especially towards my “best friends”. Lainey's character was particularly difficult to sympathize with and I found myself not even bothered by her accident at the end of the book. In addition, while I enjoy multiple POV's, there were times when I forgot which character I was reading because they were not differentiated enough for me.

The book felt really slow throughout the first 75%, but then extremely rushed at the end. More happened in the epilogue than in the entire book. 🙃 The love stories felt like an afterthought and I hate that more was touched on and gave insight to the tragedy of Summer's suicide.

However, some parts of the story were beautiful & I loved the focus on friendship & love. I wish that there had been more of that.

Emily is so talented and this book reconfirms why I must read every single book she writes. I love the character development of each person and how it all comes together the way it does. (no spoilers!) Thank you for the early opportunity to read this one.