I liked the idea of this book far more than I liked it in practicality. I had a hard time liking either character and believing that fake dating would really be the panacea for all their ails which makes it difficult to get invested in the story. Maybe because it was so reliant on second chance plot-line which I generally don't prefer. It was just overall very angsty which to me felt repetitive and Griffin was impossible to see any reason she's have stayed with him for as long as she did in the first place.
It is well written, and I do love the concept, but I was hoping for a light fun read and this book was just so hard to get through I couldn't really enjoy it.

Charming, two former best friends, June and Levi, reunite under unexpected circumstances. After their public break-ups go viral, a photo of them together sparks rumors that they’re a couple. To boost June’s struggling tea shop and make Levi’s ex jealous, they decide to play along with the fake relationship. Emma Lord’s adult debut is as delightful as her previous works, full of heart and humor.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @stmartinspress for an early copy of The Break-Up Pact by @dilemmalord. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Release date: August 13th, 2024

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

The Break-Up Pact isn’t just a fake-dating, friends-to-lovers novel. It’s also about handling grief and the main characters’ Levi and June’s journey to self-discovery.

June and Levi were childhood close friends before they drifted apart because of miscommunication, which honestly they didn’t handle very well (until the very end that is) even as adults meeting each other again after years of being out of touch with each other. They form a fake-dating pact to handle a very viral fiasco regarding their breakups from their respective previous relationships. Their feelings, unbeknownst to each other, begin to resurface with full force, after spending a lot of time together pretending to date.

They initially avoid talking about their past and what really caused their falling out, which as a reader, made me really curious about what happened to them. They had so much chemistry together that I couldn’t really fathom what went on then. June and Levi were quite stubborn in avoiding the subject altogether until almost the very end of the novel, which as adults I find very immature. Why go through all the second-guessing and wondering when they could just straight up talk about it? But eventually, I was glad they got to talk it all out and resolve their underlying issues – mainly figuring out what they want to do in life.

Both of them have been letting others and their situations dictate major decisions for themselves, and losing themselves, and what they really want to do along the way. June seemed like a strong and resilient woman. In such a short time since her break-up with her ex-boyfriend Griffin and the public humiliation that came with it, she’s still managing the business that her sister Annie built before her death. However, she was still living under Annie’s shadow and trying to keep the business she isn’t really sure she wants to keep as is.

Meanwhile, Levi being the man of routine and such, is still set on going through the life plan he had with his ex-fiance Kelly while also trying to re-live his literary dreams and going back to writing a book. I guess there wasn’t really any room for them to figure out themselves with everything that had been happening with their lives. It was only with each other that triggered them to figure it out for themselves.

Though Levi and June’s character growth felt abrupt, I felt overjoyed with their feelings for each other resurfacing during the time they were pretending to date. They had so much chemistry that I couldn’t help but root for them to be together already for real! Emma Lord did amazing with this book, and I loved how she ended the novel – it was very June and Levi.

Romance

Friends to enemies to fake dating schemes - this novel covers it all.

June has returned to Benson Beach after the breakup of her relationship went public in the worst way possible. She is running Tea Tide, which is the storefront her sister Annie opened after conversations she and June had when they were younger. Levi, Annie's best friend and June's high school crush, has also returned home after his own public break up.

Levi and June used to be super close until June felt that he threw her crush back in her face and told her he didn't like her like that. They had barely been in contact in the last few years, but with them both back in Benson Beach their relationship is going to change. Will it be for better or worse? A plan gets hatched to get back at/overcome the publicity of their mutual breakups. Sparks fly, but can June trust it? Will Levi want her as she is now - the owner of an unsuccessful scone shop? And what is she going to do with the shop and the rest of her life?

This was very cute and enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.

I really wanted to like this one because the fake dating for revenge seemed like such a good plot but I couldn't read this book without falling asleep.

This narrative evokes shades of a Hallmark movie infused with a modern touch, incorporating elements like TikTok. Instantly captivating, I found myself deeply immersed in the storyline. The character development of both protagonists resonated with me, and witnessing the evolution of their relationship was truly heartwarming.

Exploring themes of fake dating and second chances, the plot felt engaging overall, although there was a slight sense of something missing, though elusive. The subplot involving the sister's disapproval of the characters' union, while intriguing, lacked substantial background or rationale. It seemed somewhat disconnected from the narrative, serving primarily to illustrate the protagonists' initial discord, albeit in a somewhat contrived manner.

Despite these minor qualms, my overall fondness for the book remains unwavering.

This book brought such a smile to my face. It was reminiscent of “Funny Story” but I found myself more invested in these characters and thought their story was more relatable.

I loved that it was a slow burn but you still felt their connection and love for eachoyher even throughout the fake dating. The subplot of dealing with grief I thought was a great additional and made the characters more relatable and 3 dimensional.

A great read not only for a beach read but any time of the year!

PS: I would love a prequel or something that focuses on Dylan & Matteo

The Break-Up Pact is a cute idea with your typical tropes of fake dating, second-chance, with some miscommunication mixed in there. June and Levi were childhood friends who drifted apart. After they both suffered very public break-ups with their respective significant others they end up fake-dating each other and become the "revenge-exs" on social media. Honestly, a really cute idea. And a special shout-out to Tea Tide, June's tea shop and scone bakery as basically another character in this book. Why does this bakery only bake scones? No idea. Why does every other contemporary romance have a character that runs a bakery? I also don't know. The rest of the cast of characters is diverse, with some lgbt+ and ethic characters. Sana is the best friend and probably my favourite character, but Dylan and Mateo are great too.

Unfortunately this book fell a bit flat for me. I didn't relate to the characters and found them to be pretty bland. June annoyed me for that first 60% or so with long-winded, repeating thoughts on how scared she is to be hurt and left by Levi again...every other chapter. I also found it dragged on a bit in-between the cute scenes. At least it has a HEA ending and is a stand-alone novel.

Griffin is the worst, and June should have left that d-bag wayyyy earlier. At least the author made him very very easy to hate.

If you like cute, mindless, contemporary romance with very little spice, then you may find this book right up your alley.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book. 3.5 stars!
This book had some really cute parts and overall I enjoyed it. But it just wasn't a fav for me. I really liked Levi, he seemed very mature and like a good guy. I did not like June as much. Some of her actions just seemed childish and selfish. Like getting angry over things that she definitely had no need to. I did like the scone shop aspect of this story and the cute little inside jokes and memories between the characters.

Emma Lord is a favorite YA author of mine, and I was so excited to read her adult romance debut!! Unsurprisingly it was FANTASTIC!! Two former high school friends who have both been recently and publicly dumped team up to fake date in this small-town summer love story.

Full of heart, emotional depth, and great chemistry. I loved this a lot and can't recommend it enough. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: death of a sibling (off page)

Steam level: open door

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I adored Tweet Cute, so naturally I wanted to check out Emma Lord's latest book, The Break-Up Pact. It had been sitting on my NetGalley shelf since December and finally got around to reading it around publication day.

The book was just okay. I read the first few chapters and just couldn't connect with the characters. The FMC and MMC have just gone through very public break-ups and hadn't seen each other in years, yet FMC immediately starts lusting after this guy that she grew up with like a brother and sister?

This book reminded me of Emily Henry-light (and quite frankly I didn't think Henry's latest book was all that great, either). I read this genre of book when I want a palate cleanser from the denser history and biography I usually read. But getting through this book was a slog; I don't know if it's just me or the book itself, so I'll rate it average.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5⭐️
.5🌶

☕️Second chance romance
☕️Fake dating
☕️Friend to lovers
☕️Emotional scars
☕️Small town

I want to start by saying that if you come into this book expecting a gut busting rom-com, you will be disappointed. Emma Lord writes a sweeping story of two best friends, two almost lovers who meet back in the place where it all started- their home town of Benson Beach - after being publicly humiliated by their exes, and it going viral to boot.

This book is a telling of two people who are facing the trauma of losing a close friend, a sister, and a pillar in the community while trying to navigate the broken remains of a once unshakeable friendship.

When they are mistakenly perceived as dating by one of the members of the community after the drama they have both faced, June and Levi decide to lean into it and use it to their advantage. Levi to get the attention of his ex and June to save her late sister's failing seaside tea shop. But as they try to parse their way through the awkward remains of their broken friendship from a decade ago while trying to appear infatuated with one another for the social media vultures circling the community, June and Levi begin to repair the frayed bonds of their friendship while delving into something much deeper and more concrete, something like love.

While the story can be poignant at times and really focuses on the healing from the grief they feel and the ghost of Annie that haunts the streets and forests of Benson Beach, there are plenty of times where the banter and wittiness of June and Levi made me laugh. Not to mention, everyone needs a best friend like Sana and a brother like Dylan.

I loved this book. It really held my attention, and I am definitely looking forward to more from Emma Lord.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord was a cute best friends to lovers trope. June Hart is mourning the loss of her sister Annie and trying to keep her business afloat all while being the face on a viral meme. Not to mention, she is just got cheated on. Now Levi Shaw is back in town and wants to rekindle their friendship. Both end up fake dating and confronting the feelings that never truly went away.

.⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Emma Lord and NetGalley for the ARC.

"The Break-Up Pact" is a delightful read that blends humor, romance, and genuine emotion seamlessly. I found myself rooting for the main characters, whose chemistry is palpable, making their journey from friends to lovers a heartwarming experience. The witty dialogue and clever plot twists kept me eagerly turning the pages from start to finish. The author's ability to capture the complexities of relationships with such authenticity resonated deeply with me. I especially loved how the story balanced light-hearted moments with deeper emotional growth, reminding me of the importance of both in real-life relationships. Overall, it's a perfect pick for anyone looking for a light, feel-good romance.

I had extremely high hopes for this one but it just fell really flat. I think maybe it was because I wasn’t connecting with the writing style. Levi felt super one dimensional and I almost kept forgetting he was even a character in the book. For at least the first 30% it felt more about the grief of losing her sister than fake dating. I also just felt bored, nothing interesting was happening and I felt like I couldn’t never get to the end. The town is super cute and I love the tea shop idea.

Overall, this story was just an okay read for me. The first 40% was great but as I progressed through the story I found it to drag a little bit. I’m always a fan of fake dating and I think I could’ve used a just a little bit more in this case. There was just a lot of different storylines happening and I kinda wished more time was focused on our main couple.

Things I enjoyed from the story:
- High school friends to lovers 💗
- Fake dating 👩‍❤️‍👨
- Small beach town setting 🌊
- Amazing friendship 🤜🏻🤛🏻


Overall, I would recommend this book to friends and it’s a great one to pick up for the summertime.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A cute summer read about a fake romance turned real feelings, with a theme of loss and hope. Enjoyable and sweet!
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book!

I loved this! The communication between June and Levi was some of the best I've ever read. The slow-pace of them finding their way back together was beautiful and well-written. I'll be recommending this to everyone I know!

June and Levi were childhood best friends who have been estranged for 10 years, despite Levi's friendship with June's siblings. When Levi returns home after a public break up, where June is also dealing with the aftermath of a public break up, they are photographed together and dubbed the Revenge Exes. They decide to use this to their own benefit, to bring Levi's girlfriend back to him and to bring customers to June's tea shop. Then they develop feelings.

To be honest, I didn't like June for the first 30% of the story. Maybe it was her depression over losing her sister or not knowing enough about her to feel sympathetic or to relate, but I wasn't a huge fan. Levi was really sweet but also a door mat, as June tells him during their big fight. I wish we had seen a little bit more about Levi's life in New York. And a little bit more about Annie in the beginning of the story. She comes off as a bit unlikeable until June is reflecting on how she ended up at the stagnant tea shop.

The fake dating is adorable and the banter got better as the story got less depressing regarding Annie's loss and the break ups. Overall, I liked the story when the plot picked up momentum about 30% into it. Emma Lord creates good characters and I'll continue to be a reader.

This was an interesting read for me. I resonated so much with the characters and their grief. I felt I knew these characters in real life or I've grown up with people that are similar to them. June and Levi felt like people I knew and characters I was rooting to get together. I would also say I felt I've been in similar situations with a toxic ex or not communicating what I feel because I don't want to get hurt. I felt these characters were just very genuine. I think sometimes we look to romance books to escape. This author explores a lot of feelings and what it is to reconnect with someone from your childhood. I'm not sure it provides the escape you see most romance books provide so not everyone may connect. I really enjoyed the portrayal of complex characters. The spicy scene actually felt like one of the most realistic ones I've ever read in a romance book which I appreciate. I really enjoyed this read and it was a nice change in pace. I also feel I'd see this movie on a streaming channel and absolutely love it.

Synopsis: June and Levi have gone viral and not in the good way. June runs a scone shop that needs a little bit of help to survive. Levi returns to his hometown, Benson Beach to escape all the publicity. A picture of them together immediately turns into a fake dating scheme to help June's shop and Levi possibly get his ex back. But feelings from their childhood may change things, will they keep the pact or not?