I've always been a sucker for a second chance romance, but this one simply made my heart happy! Tae and Riggs, you could tell both were both really good humans right from the start. That alone, made me feel invested in this story, wanting to see if they could get past their own stubbornness to truly open up to one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

The Friendship Pact is the latest release by Jill Shalvis. This is the second book in the Sunrise Cove series. I absolutely loved how the two main characters meet again after many years apart. It was quite entertaining. The two of them are just hilarious in their interactions between one another in the beginning of the story. I also loved how they did everything they could for the young teenage boy, it was very sweet and courageous. I loved that they were able to find the teenager again, so that they were able to help him and his family even more. I do wish that the mom had just a little bit more of a romance in the story, and I also wish that the ending of the story was a little bit stronger.

Overall The Friendship Pact was a sweet and easy to read romance. The Friendship Pact wasn’t as good as the first book in the series, but it was still an enjoyable and fast read. Even though I was a little bit disappointed with this story, I can’t wait to read the next one in the Sunrise Cove series. Jill Shalvis is still one of my go to romance authors.

I was super lucky to get to read an advanced copy of the book "The Friendship Pact" by Jill Shavlis, one of my favorite authors.
The Friendship Pact follows mother and daughter pair April and Tae as they transverse through life, struggles and eventually love.
Tae and her mother April are close, all that each other has ever had in their lives. But past relationships and secrets start to surface, it throws the women into turmoil, forcing them each to come to grip with their greatest desires and fears before they can find their happily ever after.
Along with the mother and daughter pair, other characters and their struggles with life surface, including Riggs and his brother Jake, who works with miliary veterans with disabilities and show how anyone can find their own happily ever after, no matter what life throws at them.
The Friendship Pact is the second book in her Sunrise Cove series set in Tahoe, though can easily be read on its own. Trust me – anything written by Jill Shalvis is a MUST read and Friendship Pact is no exception.

4.5 stars

At one point, I may have to stop my inner doubt about Jill Shalvis' writing as she moves to the "less traditional romance" to more of Women Fiction in my opinion (you know, less heat, more secondary/tertiary characters highlight as well). Because The Friendship Pact, the second book set in Sunrise Cove, totally grips my heart, makes it hurt (in a good way), and manages to make me shed tears (not tears of sadness, believe me). I get weepy easily if the moment is so touching, and that moment in this book when I start crying IS SO TOUCHING!

The main characters of this book are Tae Holmes, the only daughter of teenage Mom (Tae's mother had her when she was only fifteen years old!), now 28 years of herself - and Riggs Copeland, once Tae's somewhat high school friend slash secret boyfriend, who has left town to join the Marine, and now back in town.

Riggs' return runs rather havoc to Tae's mind and heart balance, as she also discovers that her mother, April, has been keeping the biggest secret, ever (Tae's father may still be alive!). As for Riggs' part, seeing Tae again, all grown up, may also be ruining his plan of leaving town again.

I LOVED these two characters. Yes, the whole push and pull from both sides may be a little tiring at times (I want to knock Riggs' stubborn head!), but I couldn't help feeling all gooey whenever Riggs told Tae that he cared, or whenever Tae realized that (Tae didn't have a lot of supporter in her life, growing up, aside from her own mother).

I LOVED their conversations. I loved the tenderness they shared. Individually, I think I loved Tae a bit more than I loved Riggs though... since Riggs is the one running away from feelings, while Tae is willing to face her life's obstacle head on.

The secondary plot involves Tae's mother -- and I adored April too. I know that she made the decision she thought was best for herself and her daughter, and I was happy that she found her own happiness. Not in a man... but in a thing that made April realized her own self worth: a recognition for her talent.

This book has a lot - heartbreak, secrets, sibling's emotional conversation, forgiveness, acceptance... but in the core of it all, LOVE. Yes, LOVE. The love of a mother, the love of a daughter, the love of a father, the love of siblings, and the love between a man and a woman. It's as good if not better than the first book, The Family You Make, in my humble opinion.

This book is the absolute perfect beach read. I loved the setting of Lake Tahoe, the small town feel, and all of the characters.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.

The Friendship Pact is a must read. Book 2 in the Sunshine Cove Series bring us on the journey of standoffish Rae who acquires the help of tough guy Riggs to find her father. Their chemistry is undeniable to maybe everyone but them and he ends up being the person she has always been searching for, her sense of trust and family. I loved it!

Tae was raised by her teenage mother and the two of them barely scraped by growing up. They’re so close in age they’re each other’s best friend and rely heavily on each other. A little too heavily, at first. Tae is finally getting some financial stability running her event planning business, and her biggest client’s partner, Riggs Copeland is a fling from high school, one she’s never forgotten.

Working together unearths buried feelings, instant sexual tension brewing between them. They had a playful relationship with Tae throwing barbs, and Riggs catching them flirtatiously. They want to keep things as friends only, thus their “friendship pact” but as this is a romance I knew their resolve wouldn’t last. They get along so well, which is how they ended up together in the past, so when Tae and Riggs face some tough choices and ghosts from the past they’re there for each other for support and a listening ear. Soon, the attraction simmering between them is too much to pass up! They’re passionate together, their romance full of chemistry even before they got physical, however they have to sort out what exactly this means for their future.

I was a little miffed at Tae’s mom, April, for her secrets and for meddling in Tae’s romantic life, but it did come from a place of love, so it was easy to forgive. Especially since April saw the error of her ways.

The secondary characters were quirky and fun, full of heart. I love how Jill Shalvis brought the beautiful mountain setting of Lake Tahoe to life, making me feel like I was visiting right along with the characters!

The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis takes place in the gorgeous city of Lake Tahoe, California. Tae and her mother April are more like sisters than mother and daughter. Tae was born when April was only 15. Riggs is back and town and he has a past with Tae. This is a story of family and second chances. I really loved the characters and was rooting for this second chance at love throughout the book! This is the second book in the Sunrise Cove series but can be read as a standalone. I didn't know that going in so now I have to go back and read the first book! Highly recommend!

I enjoyed reading this book. This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up and read. I have loved reading her books from the first one I picked up. This is a well written story that is written with alot of heart, soul and emotion. I enjoyed how the author used her writing skills to pull me into the story. Her attention to details gave the story a realistic feeling. I enjoyed how the characters were able to pull me into their lives from the start. They are connectable, strong, and supprotive. They have a great growth which just added to the story. This is a story where the characters will have to choose love or happiness but what fate has instore for them you dont want to miss for sure. I found this book to be fast paced and hard to put down. It is an amazing story that will pull at your heart strings in parts. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Another great story from Jill Shalvis! Riggs returns home from the military for the summer to help his brother with their business. Tae has her own business event planning and works with Jake, his brother, and she and Riggs knew each other back in high school.

Tae and Riggs have their pasts to overcome and work on that over the summer while falling for each other again. Overall, good story with a nice blend of angst and humor. A great summer read and I look forward to more in this series.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gosh I loved the first book in this series so much! I had very high expectations for this offering from Shalvis. I was so pleased that my hopes and dreams for a good follow-up came true! This series, the characters, and the setting is so great.

3 1/2

Tae was once a rebel, goth hair, sullen expression, apt for trouble, but now she’s an adult and her rebel-streak is far, far gone–unfortunately. Strangely one of her best friends, if not only friend, in high school was straight arrow Riggs Copeland, who always saw more in her than anyone else. But after a fling, Tae’s panic forced Riggs at arm length and the two went their separate ways.

Fresh out of the Marines, Riggs is back to help his older brother but finds himself once again attracted to Tae. Despite the fact that their attraction has never subsided, they agree to be just friends.

Jill Shalvis has created a story that should be a success because it has all of the elements in it that she does so well and yet her sparkle wasn’t there. I didn’t laugh a single time (never before happened with a Shalvis novel) and I may not have even grinned! Frankly, for the most part, I was–gasp–bored.

Riggs was a standard Shalvis MCC, alpha, almost stoic, and I wished he hadn’t been. I wish he’d been more fun. Tae’s transformation from rebel goth to event planner was, well, a boring one, and her reaction near the end of the novel (the big betrayal) just seemed like a bit of a tantrum.

However, you know, Shalvis writes so well that even one of her lesser stories is better than most other romances being published, which leaves me in a quandary regarding rating. (By this point in my book blogging life, I’ll just be honest and say: I hate giving ratings.) Suffice to say, a Shalvis 3 butterfly story would be a 5 butterfly story for so many other writers. Just don’t let The Friendship Pact be the first Jill Shalvis novel you read because it will so totally give you the wrong impression.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tae Holmes and Riggs Copeland each suffered a rough childhood. Those years left scars that are hard to overcome. To Tae, Riggs was a mistake, one night she’d like to forget. To Riggs, Tae is the one he can’t forget.
As the daughter of a teen age mom, things were rough, food was often scarce. Watching her mother’s struggles, Tae learned early the only person she could count on was herself. Now, as secrets from her past are exposed she feels the truth of that more than ever.
Riggs left Sunrise Cove right after high school for the Marines and has done all he can to stay away. His hometown brings memories of pain and hard times. Yet, he can’t turn down his brother’s request to come back for a summer to help with the adventure company they own together. He never considered one of the first people he’d run into would be Tae. More surprising, it’s him that she turns to for help searching for the answers about her past.
I had a bit of a hard time warming up to Tae, but it didn’t take long to see her crusty exterior was nothing but a defense against her past. It’s Riggs who starts to break through to scared, hurt little girl who still lives inside Tae. Riggs efforts to help Tae lead him to question his own choices. At times humorous, sometimes sarcastic, in the end this is an emotional story of two people searching for a way to move on while finding their way to each other.

The Friendship Pact is just like Gilmore Girls, but if it took place in a coastal town instead of New England. This is my first Jill Shalvis book and the second in The Sunrise Cove series (which can be read as standalones). Tae and April have always been there for each other no matter what, because often they’ve only had each other to rely on. With Tae taking on more clients and April exploring photography, maybe they’ve reached a point where they can finally relax. Enter Riggs, a tightly wound soldier who is shocked to rediscover Tae when she mistakes his car for an Uber. Riggs and Tae initially met as teens, when they briefly crossed paths. Now, is there a chance for more? But April has been hiding one very big secret that is about to come to light.

The Friendship Pact is a delightful beach-read romance! Tae and Riggs both showed a lot of character growth and I enjoyed the flashbacks to their experiences in high school. This is a romance but Shalvis creates a compelling secondary plot that feels realistic. Tae and Riggs have a lot of familiar tropes such as the good guy/bad girl trope, second-chance romance, and a dash of ill-timing. I enjoyed how Tae and Riggs had built such a solid friendship as a foundation. Overall, this was a lighthearted and sweet romance.

The Friendship Pact is available now. Thank you to Jill Shalvis, William Morrow, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, Wordpress blog, and Barnes & Noble etc

Loved the story. Reggs and Tae grew up in the same city in the Tahoe region. Tae masked her pain by being a Goth girl in High school. Riggs couldn't wait to escape the abuse from his dad at home. Each found that they had commonalties with each other and became close in High school. A one time sexual encounter with Reggs changed Tae forever (she thought she might be pregnant - turned out she was just late). The one encounter brought up her own mother's history with men. April (Tae's mom) became pregnant with Tae while she was a Freshmen / Sophomore in High School and was kicked out of the house by her parents as a result.

Tae remembers all the trouble she and her mom had while she was growing up. Tae does not want the same thing to happen to herself - she has always been protective of her mom. April has been looking for the prefect man to support TAE and herself (nuclear family environment) - but has only found frogs instead.

April has kept a secret about Tae's father. Hoping that Tae never finds out that he never died when she was little.

Tae begins to question if her mom told her the truth about her dad. She meets an older man at a fund raiser asks if she has seen her father since he returned from the service (Marines). Tae is confused - and begins to have questions about the stories her mom told her about her father - but is afraid of up-setting her mom.

Riggs just returned from his own stint in the military - but he has never forgot Tae.

The Friendship Pact is the second book in Jill Shalvis’ Sunset Cove series. Tae Holmes has not had an easy life. In fact, it is questionable as to whether her mother April, only 15 when Tae was born, or Tae was the adult in their situation. It took years for Tae to pull herself up, gain her degree, and begin her event planning business. April seemed to be more ruled by the man in her life, and not necessarily for the better.

As Tae’s event business grows with many events associated with Adrenaline HQ, a company set up to bring outdoor sporting events to wounded warriors and athletes. The company is run by Jake Copeland with semi silent partner Riggs Copeland. As Tae progresses toward self reliance, which has always been a goal, April is also much better situated with a receptionist position with Adrenaline HQ and more stable than ever before while also pursuing her interest in photography.

While Riggs isn’t wounded from his service experiences the way Jake is, the wounds he carries inside prevent him becoming close to his brother. But with Tae’s suggestion of opening their events to both summer and winter sports and adding a segment for troubled and disabled youth, there is much for Riggs to jump in and do during the summer he is spending with Jake until he reports for a new position in Washington.

In a story where the main characters are seeking, more than anything else, a sense of themselves Ms. Shalvis has created a perfect blend of setting and plot. These characters are well defined and the reader will pull for them every step of the way. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

pretty much all of my jill shalvis reviews are the same: "i adore jill shalvis, like millions of other people. most of the time, i expect a certain thing and she delivers. they rarely go above that - i don't mean that in a mean way, her books are almost always solid, pleasant, enjoyable reads." seriously, if you read my 35+ reviews of her books, they are all worded something like that lol

i've had a couple duds though. and i was really worried this was going to be one of them. i was super excited to get the arc and even started it a week before it was supposed to publish! the first 15% took me almost 2 weeks to get through! i just was not clicking with it, i was not interested at all, and even thought i might have to dnf. which... gasp. who am i, if i am dnf-ing jill shalvis?!

but then i got the audio from the library and listened to about halfway and it finally settled into my jill shalvis loving heart and i was able to get back in the groove with the ebook.

i will say, the whole tough girl/tough guy both have walls up can get a liiiiiiiiittle frustrating at times. don't get me wrong, i love it 99% of the time, but when it's both characters, you kind of think how the hell are they gonna knock down the others walls when they are so busy holding their own up? but - spoiler ;) - they do. i really loved Tae, Riggs took a bit longer for me to connect with, but overall i really liked them both and loved watching them deal with their shit and end up together. i really liked tae and her mom, i know the relationship was a bit coodependent and tae had a lot of issues because of it, but what can i say. the last 20% or so made me really really emotional. i definitely teared up and felt all the feelings.

even though we had a rocky start, this book had all the things i love about jill shalvis books. i laughed, i felt emotions, it felt like a warm hug. i'm so glad i didn't quit :) loved it!

Tae has learned over the years to avoid relationships for fear of getting burned after watching her mom April's heartbreaks while growing up. After a scare of her own in high school, she walked away before getting hurt. Now Riggs is back in her life, if only temporarily, part owner of the adventure company she works for and helping out his brother for the summer. Then he'll be gone to Washington. The spark of attraction is still there after all these years, but he's determined to just stay friends. But when Tae discovers that the father that she thought had died overseas was still alive and her mother refuses to talk about it, she turns to Riggs for help. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to just stay friends.
This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Ladies, if your greatest fantasy isn't of being stripped out of your unicorn onesie like it's the finest lingerie and having the best sex of your life in the middle of the school library, it will be now! This book is hilarious and steamy hot. I loved emotionally damaged Riggs, afraid to talk about his feelings, but not afraid to show them. I think my favorite character though was his brother Jake. Can he have a spin off book of his own? I love Jill Shalvis' writing and this book was no exception. I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

April had Tae when she was just 15 years old. It has been just these two for a long time. Things are now starting to change for both of them. Tae has opened her own business and April is pursuing her photography work. However, things come crashing down around them when Tae discovers a life long lie!

Tae meets an old flame at her first big fundraiser which she is in charge of. Riggs throws her off balance like no one else. They had a brief fling in high school and neither one can forget it! However, Tae would like too…but the chemistry is just too strong.

Riggs and Tae are two of the best characters. Riggs is a former marine and he is HOT! Tae is tough in her own right. But, she is a softee at heart. I fell for both of these characters right off the bat! But, you will have to read this to find out if they can overcome what Tae thinks is a betrayal.

Jill Shalvis never disappoints! She has become my go to author for a lighthearted read with fantastic characters. And she has done it once again with this wonderful tale! And no one does snarky like this author. So, be careful reading this in public. I promise you…you will laugh out loud!

Need a fabulous book which will make you laugh out loud and

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This was a fun read. We had just gotten a new puppy when I started reading this and I was highly distracted. But this book was the only thing that could pull me away from puppy duty. I liked Riggs and Tae and thought the whole cast of characters contributed nicely to enrich their story. As always, Jill Shalvis did a fantastic job and she will always be a favorite author of mine.