I've read a lot of Jill Shalvis' books and this fell right in the middle ground for me. It has a lot of her signature touches — a beautiful setting, lots of chemistry between the leads, fun side characters — but the plot was only so-so. If you're a fan of Shalvis and want a comfort read, you'll probably enjoy it.

I’ve only read a couple book by Jill Shalvis and she consistently delivers good contemporary romances. This is a second in a series but the books are written as a stand alone. This is a second chance romance. Tae Holmes and Riggs Copeland shared a night together in high school. They were each others firsts. Now Tae is living and working at Lake Tahoe with her own event planning business. She meets up with Riggs again fresh from his time in the Marines when he arrives at an event she planned for his brothers company. Riggs actually owns half the business, but only plans to be there for the summer to help expand the adventure company. It provides activities for people with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Tae’s contract to provide activities and events for the company allows that time to explore their new friendship and allow it to go beyond. The story is told from both characters POVs and oddly there are chapters that are from her mother April’s POV. April had Tae as a single mom at 15 and they are admittedly co-dependent. I didn’t find it off putting, just different. It lets the author show the complexity of the mother/daughter relationship. Shalvis has good main and side characters and balances them well in the storyline.

I liked the story and enjoyed the couple of love scenes before they shifted to closed door. I like finding authors whose writing style I enjoy that have back log of books I haven’t read. It lets me look forward to future books and past ones. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow, Avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read. Like all Jill Shalvis books they hook me in and I read them in a day or two. The Friendship Pact wasn't any different!
The main characters Tae and Riggs had a history and I loved watching their story unfold. Shalvis's characters are always great and really pull me into the story. Overall, I loved the plot line and the main characters and enjoyed the book.
Now for the bad. I had a few problems with this book that I don't normally have with this authors books. First, the beginning of the story felt a little strange, there was a few things that happened that just felt unbelievable and it pulled me out of the story. I honestly felt more confused as to what was happening than pulled in.
The second thing was the mom. April was a good character on her own and I liked her having a big personality in the book, but the timing of her chapters felt so off to me. Like one minute things are getting hot and heavy and then I'm pulled into the mothers POV. At one point, she is even watching them kiss? I just couldn't. It might be a personal preference, but I don't need the more romantic scenes suddenly changing to a family members POV. It made me hesitant when romantic/hot scenes did come up because I was worried about a sudden jolt into the mothers POV.
Overall, I liked the main characters and the relationship they have, but the other things made this one not my absolute favorite of this authors.

Jill Shalvis never disappoints. Every story is so full of humor and heart that it’s really easy to get lost inside of them. Riggs and Tae are getting a second chance and not even they can derail it, no matter how hard they work at being “just friends”. Take a trip to beautiful Tahoe and settle in to see the show!
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I loved this story about Tae and her mother April. This is about family, friends and falling love. To start telling the story would be giving away spoilers. As with all of Jill Shalvis' books they tend to connect together. This is book is A VERY GOOD READ.

The Friendship Pact, by Jill Shalvis, is number 2 in the Sunrise Cove series. As with Shalvis's other books, there's plenty of love...both lost and found, a myriad of interesting characters, a beautiful setting and a story that's easy to follow and enjoy. Our heroine, Tae, is one tough-cookie who has lots of baggage-definitely a recipe for a broken heart. What ensues throughout the course of the book, though, helps Tae grow, find herself, find others to love and find a life that she sarcastically refers to as HEA (happily ever after).

Jill Shalvis is a go-to comfort author for me. I love that her stories have drama, romance and a beautiful lake setting.

The Friendship Pact brings you Tae and Riggs, both stubborn and closed off emotionally, but maybe just perfect for each other. Tae's mom, April, is also a main character as it goes back and forth between the three of them. April and Tae had a hard time when Tae was growing up but things are looking better now. Riggs is back from being overseas and only in Sunrise Cove temporarily so when he reunites with Tae it's supposed to be as only friends. Of course their chemistry leads to more and I actually really liked them as a couple.

This wasn't my favorite Shalvis story though just because April, the mom, really bothered me. There is some drama with Tae and it just felt like April was too codependent on her adult daughter. That being said it still has all the characteristics I've grown to enjoy from her novels and I can't wait for the next story in Sunrise Cove.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone knows a pact to be just friends is pretty much doomed from the very outset. However it does provide some wonderfully engaging moments in a story. Jill Shalvis decided to give this a try – being just friends in THE FRIENDSHIP PACT which proves to be one of her best – and that is saying a lot. You can’t help falling in love with THE FRIENDSHIP PACT.

Riggs has bad track record keeping the people he loved in his life. So it was safer to avoid the love part.
And then there is Tae who never lets her guard down enough to find the affection she so dearly yearns for. Bad choice for a couple but Jill Shalvis is up to the challenge.

April spent her life finding ways to support her daughter Tae which has made them, much to her regret, rather co-dependent. Having a child when you aren’t much older than one is a life altering event. April was doing it on her own. No support group – no easy solutions.

Everyone has scars. Mostly those that aren’t apparent or well hidden, either by deflection or indifference. Riggs and his brother Jake spent years avoiding being the physical target of their father’s drunken violence. They lived in a war zone and then each joined the military. Which provided a family of sorts but didn’t remove them from the dangers of violence.

April is starting to feel like her life is settling now that Tae is an adult with a lovely career. April loves to lose herself in her photography. It is something that displays her emotions and talents in a way that she never could do on her own. Behind the lens of her camera she is growing. April has never met a spider she didn’t like. You get the picture.

Being reunited with her childhood friend, Riggs, Tae is tempted to see if this relationship could now mature into something more. But Riggs is determined to keep those boundaries alive and well. He isn’t willing to trust losing another person he loves. So friendship is all he is willing to give. Tae would like more but acknowledges that friendship is probably better than nothing. This would of course fit her history with people, men in particular.

So Tae and Riggs agree to a friend’s pact for the next three months he will be around helping his brother Jake with organized event at Adrenaline HQ, a place for those with limitations to gain some measure of independence and hopefully joy. The deal is sealed with a pinkie promise. Remember those.

See that’s the thing with Jill Shalvis, she surprises you at every word, dialog, sigh, and scene. She’s real, her folks are real, and the situations jump straight out of life. Rather than bog you down with harsh realities, Jill Shalvis sets out to prove there is a rainbow of sorts at the end of every storm. You just have to look for it. For Tae that is still an issue as she is a WIP. Oh BTW catch-up on your alphabetic shortcuts.

Jake has found a place where he is happy and is doing well within his own physical limitations. He has found love. Bringing Riggs home and working together at Adrenaline HQ, he hopes to reconnect with the brother he adores. When Jakes says I love you, Riggs replies - back at you. Jake is holding out for more and we can only root for them both.

Jill Shalvis has amassed an interesting diverse cast of characters in THE FRIENDSHIP PACT, who will in short order be on your best ever list. Haven’t met a book by this talented author that hasn’t touched deep inside. Jill Shalvis loves people and dogs. That’s why I seek out everything she writes. Enjoy.

I liked the relationship between the two characters. I never really understood them as friends though. They pretty much just slow burned up to a relationship with both of them wanting it. I thought the conflict was pretty big to resolve in just one chapter but overall it was a nice book that focused on many different type of relationships.

The Friendship Pact is about second chances with humor and heat. The characters will win your heart.

I loved this book! The chemistry between Tae and Riggs was intense and the cast of supporting characters enriched the story and left me wanting more. Another winner from Jill Shalvis!

A winning novel enticing you to fully engage in the story of mother and daughter, Alice and Tae, and of Tae’s growing feelings for a long ago friend, Riggs. Alice has kept a secret from Tae all of her life. It’s a secret that could blow Tae’s life apart. Riggs wants to help Tae with this but fears his involvement will destroy all they are building even though they are both wary of love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book gave and just kept giving! The relationship was perfection, like only Jill Shalvis can write.

Can we talk about how much of a marshmallow Riggs became? I did not expect to like him nearly as much as I did and it left me pleasantly surprised. His love and willingness to protect Tae from anyone and anything was chef's kiss.

Honestly a great all around read, the family dynamics on both halfs are perfect and the epilogue will make you need tissues!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love this author. Such a great story. Standalone from the first novel in the series. Can’t help but love Riggs and Tae. Love the setting with helping wounded veterans

Jill Shalvis has done it again with this fabulous book!! You will be hooked from the first page to the end & feel like you’re experiencing everything with them. Tae Holmes & Riggs Copeland are getting a second chance & what an emotional, crazy journey it is to their HEA. Tae is working as an event planner & Riggs is home for the summer working with his brother Jake. They are a great couple & you will be rooting for them but there’s also other relationships being put to the test between Riggs & his brother Jake and between Tae & her mom April. We also can’t forget the adorable Grubb🐾🐶. This book has all the feels, it’s funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking, entertaining, emotional, healing, learning to grow, move on, forgive & be happy.
All I can say is everyone needs to read it!! I received an arc from the author & net galley for an honest review.

I really liked this book. And it's good to be back in Sunrise Cove. Tae and April's love for one another is very prevalent throughout the book, so it's a little strange that April won't help Tae to find her father. Tae's determination and Riggs' help, pay off in the end and she's finally able to meet her father.

Along the way, she meets and rekindles a romance with Riggs. I love his compassion and his ability to be open about how he feels.

Overall this is a feel good family story, with a lot of romance thrown into the mix.

Tae and her mother, April, are more than best friends but when questions come up about Tae’s father, Tae needs to find answers on her own. When Riggs returns to town to help his brother with their company, Adrenaline HQ, he and Tae have their issues, but the chemistry is out of this world. I really enjoyed the relationships and the slight mystery throughout the story.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Friendship Pact

Jill Shalvis

Publication Date: June 14, 2022

This was a sweet romance between two people who have trust issues. Tae who was raised by a teenage mother and Riggs who lived with an abusive father. This is also a second chance romance (the two had a friendship/teen love affair) which simply ended. Both characters are stubborn and have a fortress built around their hearts, but secretly crave/need love even as they fight it.

There is great family dynamics (Riggs with his brother Jake and Tae and her mother April) I especially loved the brotherly banter and overall relationship between the two. Tae and April were just a little too co-dependent but it was understandable why. By the end of the book there was strong character growth for all and forgiveness found. I like that there was no "bad guy" and you could see the reasoning behind the secrets and all the angst.

This is book two in this series, but you do not need to read the first one before hand...

3.5-4 Stars

Another amazing story from this author! Two people with a broken past find that helping others can bring them back together. It’s a kismet story!

What did I like? You just can’t go wrong picking up a book by this author. This is a three dimensional story with All The Feels! I couldn’t help but get sucked into this story. The friendship pact was a fun and flirty book with very little angst but tons of fun.

Would I recommend or buy? This would make a great beach read. I will definitely be buying a copy for my shelf when this comes out. Five huge entertainment stars. I just love second chances!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily offered up my opinion about this great read in this review! Fabulous read!

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT is a smart, sexy story that's simply divine. It is the second book in the Sunrise Cove series and stars a gorgeous gal, Tae Holmes, and her mother April, who have a special bond. Her mother raised her on her own, so it's just the two of them. Tae is curious about her dad and her mom refuses to talk. Then, Tae is nearly out of money, but fortunately is awarded a job with an adventure company for disabled warriors, children and athletes. However, she meets her high school crush, Riggs Copeland, and her feelings for him come rushing back. Where can she hide?

Riggs, a devastatingly handsome man with scars inside and out, is a retired marine. He is in town to help his brother with their business for the disabled. It's a fantastic place designed to deliver adventure in the traditional sense. Riggs isn't that interested in helping to be truthful, but duty calls. Then, his heart stops when he spies lovely Tae Holmes. Tae is smart, sassy and sexy, a heady combination in Riggs' mind. Since they have history, Riggs reconsiders staying for the summer and hopes they can rekindle that elusive spark.

Only fate throws a curve ball, revealing startling surprises that would be best if left buried. Tae and Riggs both had tough childhoods and grew up fast. Tae discovers her real heritage along with other unpleasant news. Riggs helps her out and their attraction sizzles even hotter, while spending time together. Tae isn't happy, but Riggs is determined to change her mind. Will their friendship deal, flame into full-fledged love?

Family problems, commitment issues, and a provocative plot smartly combine in Ms. Shalvis' sensational new novel, THE FRIENDSHIP PACT. The author delivers a compelling story of a lady, Tae Holmes, who is determined to uncover her real father, who is friends with a rugged marine, Riggs Copeland. They just might take a chance on real love along the way too. The story is filled with many real, likeable characters, that captured my heart. I shed some tears along the way too. Tae and Riggs are meant to be together. However, the plot is so complex, that I wondered if they would overcome all the obstacles that came their way. This is an intense, feel good, romantic story filled with a lot of heart. THE FRIENDSHIP PACT is romance writing gold!

Thanks to NetGalley for access to an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.