I had the pleasure of reading this book before receiving the audiobook version. I’ll first post my review of the audiobook aspects of The Break-Up Pact, with my original, full review added below.

I adored this book and I found that Natalie Naudus’s narration only added to my enjoyment. There’s a thing that female narrators in this genre do - their voices are soft, breathy, overly wistful. It’s fine when the emotions of the passage call for it, but the rest of the time it’s distracting and emotionally dissonant.. So when I find a narrator that doesn’t do that, I take note. Loved this performance. Loved this book.

Original Review, for the e-book version:

My first 4.5-5 star read of 2024.

I’ve read two of Emma Lord’s YA novels, both of which I enjoyed, but I was still a bit skeptical of her move into adult romance. I should have known better than to doubt her. Everything about this book feels like a shift into a more adult world - the writing is mature (and, quite frankly, beautiful), there is spice(!!), and the plot has more depth. There are so many lovely sentences and amazing ways of phrasing things - I wish I could stick them in my pocket, just to take out and enjoy later.

Emma has proven, in her earlier YA novels, that she has a good handle on pop culture, media, and social media, all of which come into play in this book. She’s also good about handling heavy emotions without coming across as exploitative. (No trauma for the sake of drama.)

In reading other reviews, I see several low ones. I guess I’m still surprised when I see so many people whose opinions differ from my own, and I’m starting to parse out why - there are two camps of Rom-Com novels, regardless of genre or trope: those that purely fantasy fulfillment vs. those that are more grounded in reality. So many of these reviews aren’t faulting these characters for being poorly written but for being *flawed*. Honestly, I’d find myself reading and enjoying both, but it’s always the latter kind of book that sticks with me. Both June and Levi have issues - they’ve got baggage to sort out. If you want to read a book that’s purely fantasy fulfillment, with a swoony MMC that already has his shit together, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this reads much more like a Beth O’Leary or Mhairi McFarlane novel - two flawed people, trying to make it work.

Anyhow, the plot description is fairly spot-on for this one, so I don’t feel the need to rehash it.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced reader copy of this novel.

I couldn’t really get into this book, it wasn’t bad but the main characters were both dating influencers until they broke up. It did have the second chance friends thing going for it and also all the yummy food (she owns a tea shop bakery), but it felt almost emotionless to me. Otherwise, it was a quick predictable romance—nothing wrong with predictable btw. Also, it seemed odd that their parents never showed up but are talked about and they all live in the same town with all the other family members making appearances. The narrator was good, the book was only from the FMC PoV, so the singular voice worked.

*Provided an ALC (advance listening copy) audiobook from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

This was so fun on audio and made for a delightful listening experience! It was engaging and made me laugh out loud. I felt the plot had some holes and the characters could have been expanded on a bit more. Overall, this was a quick and easy summer read! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @ 21%. Couldn't get into this. Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & MacMillan Audio for advance copies.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced readers copy of this audiobook.

This was a nice fluffy, summer read. Quick and perfect as a vacation book. The story is cute, but predictable, and not spicy. Might be a perfect read for some, but I prefer more spice.

[SPOILERS]
TL;DR: Long time friends who have lost touch are both scorned by their current loves. Life brings them back together. He's grumpy and stuck in a life he doesn't want, she's the sunshine that's trying to keep her (dead) sister's dream alive and keep the struggling tea shop from failing. They fall back into step as friends, the attraction is tense. Fake dating turns to real love... with a 3rd act break up. [bum bum] In typical form, true feelings surface, and fate brings them back together.

📚Trope(s): Friends to Lovers, Second chance romance, Fake dating
What you get: 🫖🧁💒🏖️
⭐️Plot: 4/5
🔥Chemistry: 4/5
🌶️Spice: 1/5

As one of my favorite tropes, I definitely enjoyed this “fake dating” read! The main characters were both absolutely lovable! The chemistry was great! I absolutely loved the setting and it made for a perfect summer read!

Thank you NetGalley for the early audiobook copy!

This was my first time reading this author; it seems like most of their work is YA, with this book venturing into more “adult” type themes.

A few aspects of the book didn’t work for me, such as the overall pacing (MCs see each other after years of no contact and suddenly decide to fake date? And the reasoning behind the fake dating? Nah, not it). I also thought much of the writing was expository and -told- me about their past or what was happening, instead of dialogue or actions to drive the story/characters.

I just don’t think the author is for me, sadly!
2/5 stars.

THE BREAK UP PACT

June and Levi were bffs but haven’t spoken in 10 years. They both recently went through their own respective humiliating breakups that went viral and when a photo of June and Levi goes viral and everyone assumes they’re dating so they decide to go with it and pretend they’re dating.

Pick this one up if you’re looking for:
🤫fake dating
🌶️some spice!
⛱️small beach town setting

This was a cute summer rom com! I liked it and alternated between audio and physical but I can’t say it was a fav for me since I just didn’t feel very connected to the characters and don’t know if it will be super memorable in the long term. If you’re looking for a quick and easy romcom this one may be for you!

Thank you NetGalley for an ALC of The Break-Up Pact in exchange of my honest review.

I really like Emma Lord's books and that's why I picked The Break-up Pact. I went caustiously because I am weary of miscommunication with second chance romance books but this one was very well done that made me enjoy the story.

June is in a tough situation. She is struggling to keep open the bakeshop that she and her sister that suddenly passed away, dreamed on having, while dealing with her break up turned her as an internet meme.
To make matters worse, the guy that broke her heart as a young teenager is back in town, also recently out of a relationship. The deal was simple: they would fake date. She would get some publicity to have "moved on" to her bakeshop while he would try to get the attention of his ex back.
But of course, those old buried feelings are threatening to come back.

The story had adorable moments of light banter and fun situations with deep and vulnerable talks. I really appreciate that the author took her time to make the earlier miscommunication from their childhood not overpower their current relationship. I was so glad that they properly talked through it as adults.
There are other interesting themes as grief and toxic relationships that permeate the story that gave depth to the character's relationship with the world around them.

Overall a solid romance book that I really enjoyed!

This book contains many of my favorite tropes, small town romance, second chance romance and fake dating. June and Levi were best friends in high school, until there was a falling out and went their separate ways. Ten years later, they both have suffered humiliating break-ups that have gone viral, and have returned home to regroup. When a picture of them together hits the internet, social media is abuzz with the two wronged exes becoming a couple. So they forma pact, to fake date to improve their images.
This was a really sweet book, with two characters June and Levi, that I absolutely cheered for. The book starts off a little slow, but it's really worth staying with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy. This was a wonderful audiobook, and Natalie Naudus was an amazing narrator. I highly recommend this charming book.

I received an audiobook arc of this book through NetGalley and its publishers.

I gave this book 4 stars..

This was a very sweet summer romance with write a few tropes: friends to lovers, fake dating, serving chances.

June and Levi were close childhood friends who had been estranged for awhile. They both experience humiliating viral breakups, and Levi ends up back in his hometown where June still lives.

When Levi first returns there is some tension due to Levi’s leaving, but they soon reconnect and find the friendship they once had. They also come up with a plan to get back at their exes.

Levi and June have a very sweet, deep relationship and they are also trying to figure themselves out after such big life changes. While they help eachothers, there is a lot they need to figure out for the future.

The Breakup Pact is a fantastic romance that is both funny and heartfelt. This story is told from the single POV of the female MC, following her through her growth and her friends to lovers romance. I was drawn in from the beginning, intrigued by the plot and the dynamics between the MC and her once close friend.

This is a must read (or listen) for romance lovers.

I listened to the audiobook which is extremely well done. I listened at 1.75x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed is 1.75-2x speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook copy.

The Break Up Pact is fast paced, though could be a bit shorter. I liked that it was new adult, not young adult. Its about post-college characters so they were a little more mature than younger kids. I do think the miscommunication here was a bit annoying, but I think of myself in my early 20s and I probably didn't communicate very well then either. To this point, it was well written!

This was perfectly fine and perfectly bland. There is nothing really that stands outs about the story or the characters. Very middle of the road. Not a bad time, just meh.

Two old friends have recently been publicly dumped, and they decide to give the internet what they're asking for - a little revenge.

June and Levi were both SO SWEET in this one. I love "it's always been you" especially when they're loathe to realize/admit it. June owns a tea shop and Levi's a writer, but they were friends in high school who might have become more. They've got shared grief, and ten years of space between them where they haven't been in touch, but the way they slowly and authentically come back to each other was so great.

I loved the small beach town, the locals, the silly scone names, and the side plot of celebrity/paparazzi/reality tv vibes. There is so much amazing chemistry and an EXCELLENT scene of them finally making love after so many years of denied mutual pining. Well done, Emma Lord!!

I thought it was a perfectly lovely story. If not somewhat frustrating, unbelievable, and juvenile. Sorry…not trying to be mean! I remember being a 20-something, but it has been 11 years since I could call myself such. The narrator made me add a full star, she was so good.! I did enjoy the audiobook immensely. Overall, my favorite of what I’ve read from Emma Lord!

I really loved the author’s writing style. It reminded me of Emily Henry...flowery but concrete. Conversational but poetic.

Unfortunately the plot and main characters did not land for me.

The plot felt very unfocused. Going viral (I think I may be too old for meme-based storylines, but that’s a me problem), fake dating, teenage crush, save the business, write the book, plan a wedding, loss of a loved one…it’s too many bases to cover to do any of them well.

The FMC was just fine, not exceptionally good or bad. The MMC stayed stuck on his ex for WAY too long for me to fully get on board with him.

The moment it’s revealed that the MMC did in fact return the FMC’s high school feelings was extremely unsatisfying. The bright, joyful feelings that usually come with the declaration moment were completely skipped over in favor of the grief-related ones. Of course those exist, but at such a pivotal romantic moment in a ROMANCE novel you can’t be stingy with the swoon.

The audiobook narrator was wonderful.

June and Levi were best friends when they were younger but had since grown apart. Recently they had both gone through some very public breakups.

June owns a tea shop by the beach and is struggling to make ends meet. Levi is a hedge fund manager in New York City and a failed author. He comes back into town to try and make amends as well as try and get back into writing.

June and Levi start talking again and end up having pictures of them posted on the internet which go viral. Due to that June's tea shop business starts taking off with lines out the door to get in. They decide to make a break-up pact to help benefit both of them, Levi with his ex and June with her tea shop.

I thought this fake dating trope was done very well in this story. I enjoyed both stories of June and Levi, it did have some serious moments but it was well handled.

This is an adorable friends-to-lovers romance book! June and Levi were friends in high school, but drifted apart. Years later they both go viral over breakups and make a pact to fake-date to stop strangers from harassing them. I love this plot because the characters have a history and are not just random strangers. It gives so much more depth to the story!

I love the story line and how the characters developed and grew throughout the book. The exes were very much portrayed as the obvious "bad guys," which wasn't super realistic, but helped the story along none the less. I highly recommend this book for modern romance fans!

🎧The Break-Up Pact🎧
By: Emma Lord
Narrated By:Natalie Naudus
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•I love June and Levi, and how their lives are interconnected in so many ways.

•This is fake dating at its finest!

•While a story with a lot of fun, there is also a lot of emotion (Lord honestly writes the best characters).

•June really has to go through so many phases to get where she needs to go, and I think we can all relate to that.

————————————————————————————————————————————

🎧 Audiobook Review! 🎧

The Break-Up Pact was kindly provided as an ALC by MacMillan Audio. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: 8/13/24

The Break-Up pact follows June and Levi, two people who were both broken up with by their significant others in a way that goes viral. These two actually have history, and so they start fake dating (a favorite trope of mine). Obviously, old history is brought up and feelings are shared.

While this book has all of that, it has heart too. No spoilers, but June and Levi have both lost someone very close to them, and those feelings shape who they are. I really resonated with that throughout the story.

I absolutely loved the narration on this book. I think this is the first book I’ve listened to by Natalie Naudus (I could be wrong), and I definitely want to listen to more books she has read!