(Forgive me, for I'm incredibly behind on my reviews.... it's been a rough couple of months.)

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord has the *cutest* cover of all time - the colors, the beachy vibes... just full-on cutesy. And I think that was my biggest issue with this. It was cute, but there wasn't a lot of substance beyond that. Especially when something is friends to lovers, I expect there to be quite a bit more background and umph (so to speak) that propels the characters into the fake-dating scenarios and to actually fully fall in love. Alas, I didn't really get all of that with this.

And it could be a me problem. I've read at least one of Emma Lord's other books and it didn't really work for me for those same reasons, so it's likely just something personal on my end, and no fault of the book at all.

Actual Rating: 2.5: I’m sorry but this book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t care for either MC and couldn’t buy into their supposed connection. I’m still confused with why they lost touch in their youth and how it was basically all miscommunication. Also with June’s sister dying years ago, that’s kind of through me off why it was imprimatur to the story besides Levi mentioning that the sister didn’t want him and June together for some reason. June also didnt change anything about the business Tea Time she ran that was tied to her relationship with the passed sister, even when I think it’s what the sister would’ve wanted if their business was failing. Using the fake dating/Revenge Ex’s scheme for June to get more business and for Levi to get back with his cheating famous ex was enjoyable at time but I hated that Levi even contemplated going back at all. I also hated June’s ex and feel like we got no resolution or proper payback for all that he did to her. ALSO Levi going behind Junes back and telling his ex about the fake dating plot was really messed up and I don’t like how quick June was to forgive him. Why would he tell his ex (that he doesn’t plan on getting back together with) that at all?? Like what’s the point? I just didn’t understand any of their motives or why they liked each other, and how they behaved at times throughout the plot. I think there are people who would enjoy this book but it’s not one I’ll be recommending to my friends unfortunately.

I received a digital copy from NetGalley & the author of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was almost to cutesy for me. I liked the characters a lot at first and then by mid way through I almost couldn't stand them. The idea is cute, but I was not as big of a fan as I thought I would be.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord is everything you want in an easy and quick fun read. The drama, the characters, the jealousy and all of the emotions. This is for all the fake-dating trope lovers. While the story includes real life topics, it's always nice to get the happily ever after ending.

The Break-Up Pack is about two exes who decide they should pretend to date after both of their respective break ups go viral. June and Levi decide to take control of the situation by ‘getting together’ after a viral photo of them leads the internet to believing they’re a couple. Everyone is rooting for them, and they decide to take advantage of it. But then they really do start to fall for each other. Is this going to work out? Or will it all end in heartbreak again?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.

I'm not sure where to begin, because I have so many mixed feelings. There was a lot that I really liked and there was a lot that also made me cringe. Maybe I'll try something new and mix it up!

Yes: The men (with the exception of Griffin) were golden. So sweet, so cute, so realistic and guys I would love to have in my corner.
No: Sana - the token person of color. It seems like I'm seeing that more and more in books and I don't like it.
Yes: I loved the tea and scone shop. So cute! It added a cozy element that always makes me smile. Give me more scone brainstorming, recipes, and baking!
No: That sex scene was the absolute worst I've ever read. I would have rather this book be entirely closed door than go through the internal thoughts of June while she was getting it on. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
Yes: The beach town was great! But would have loved to see more townies other than Nancy and Cassie. Townies make for the best backdrop.
No: How did Levi and June both happen to have a celebrity-ish connection? Way too coincidental and unlikely for two people from a small beach town.
Yes: The asshole exes that added the perfect amount of tension.
No: We spent the entire book hearing about and planning this big wedding between two of the most endearing characters and it's skipped right over?! WHY? WHY? WHY?
Yes: The memory of Annie.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

Thankfully this was a really quick read because I struggled to find something I liked about this book. I thought June seemed pretty immature. She and Levi together were a bit of an uncomfortable surprise given that they hadn’t talked to eachother in like 10 years and they decide to fake date anyway? I get that they had crushes when they were younger but it’s like they both forgot that people change so their romance didn’t really develop since they relied on those old feelings. Which makes it feel like there is no chemistry to the reader.

All in all this is not for me and I would not recommend.

This was such a fun story. I love the evolution of June and Levi's relationship. The story line did drag at times, but overall I really enjoyed it.

This sweet little rom-com was just what I needed!

June and Levi used to be best friends, until they drifted apart. They come back together after both their significant others, who happen to be social media influencers, dump them very publicly. What better way to get back at them than to fake date?!

This was a really good intro to adult contemporary romance for Emma Lord! The spicy chapter was SPICIN’ and I need more of that please!! There were definitely times I could tell that Emma typically writes YA, it may have been slightly over-written. Loved the characters and plot!

Really liked this sweet book. 3/5 stars!

This was a fun, enjoyable romcom but wasn’t something I loved. I did enjoy the setting and wished the tea shop on the beach was real. I loved the scones and was craving one the entire book. I never connected with the characters though and didn’t feel like their story was anything special or unique. I’ll still recommend it though.

This was not my favorite, but some of that could be personal preference vs. writing. Some of it felt very repetitive, and I felt I could've done without the references to TikTok. I just also didn't love the characters. I will still give this author another try in the future though because the premise was interesting.

The Break-UP Pact

The Break-Up Pact is the story, June and Levi told from June’s point of view. June is the 27 year old owner of Tea Tide, scone and tea shop nestled on Benson Beach. Levi is a local, former friend who has come back after a viral break up almost as bad as June’s own break up.

June and Levi are likable and we can believe sexy. They are extremely fit, active and competitive which we need to believe for all of the “cute” outdoor meet ups and the fact they don’t gain weight cake testing and eating lots of food at the local bar.

I appreciated the MCs emotional growth and connection. They owned their flaws and were there for each other and friends.

I would recommend you read their story. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin, NY and Netgalley for my reader’s copy.

Two former best friends, two viral breakups and one fake dating relationship is a recipe for disaster or is it? This was a sweet one that proves sometimes the one you’re meant to be with was there all along!

Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I was excited to read this when i found out it was a fake dating/second chance romance. It started off strong but kind of fell flat. Not a bad book just okay. It was a quick light read.

Honestly, I think this book thrived because I'm currently in a bit of a reality TV show spiral, I just keep watching them and then I get more content about them on TikTok after the fact. I have read a few Emma Lord books in the past and I've always been a fan and that continued with this one. Childhood friends to lovers is maybe not one of my top three tropes, but it still hits the spot when it needs to.

I did also appreciate how the book touched on grief, as someone who is dealing with recent grief!

I adore fake dating and anything Emma Lord writes and this was so fun! This is a heartwarming read where the character development is superb. Such a good book for any YA romance reader.

This one was just okay to me. I didn't really feel the romantic spark between the main characters. It seemed fun but the chemistry was lacking. I also rarely enjoy the miscommunication trope, so it made it hard to get through this one and the 'third act break up'.

Meh. Coming from a very popular author I was expecting to enjoy this book alot more than I did. I found myself just skimming the pages, so I could mark this one off as finished and move on to my next read. Based on other reviews, I see I am not in the minority, so I don't feel too bad for doing that.

I hate miscommunication and this book focuses on that. Also, I love a good fake dating trope, and this one was promising, but, unfortunately, missed the mark. I hated how Levi was hung up on his cheating ex. Huge ick for me. Also, I enjoyed June's best friend, Sana, more than I did June, which is another issue for me. If I am not in love with the main characters, there is no way the book is going to be enjoyable for me.

It's the author's first Adult Romance debut, but I am hoping she is more successful with the next one as she has alot of fans who generally enjoy her writing. However, I wouldn't recommend this one sadly.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

This book follows June and Levi, who were best friends as teenagers, until they weren't. After 10 years of not speaking, breakups with their exes go viral and they decide to pretend to date. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist. If they pretend to date it will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake.