June and Levi were best friends....until they lost touch. Ten years later and after a fake dating adventure - they'll be friends again, at least.

I will keep saying it as it is so true - fake dating is such a fun trope to read! The shenanigans between June and Levi were so cute that I couldn't help but cheer them on as I read. Fake dating someone you already know takes the process to a whole new level and I love how both our characters already knew the other inside out. I have been a fan of Emma Lord's work since Tweet Cute (such an amazing book!) so I'm pleased to see her branch out into adult fiction. I think she's knocked it out of the park with The Break Up Pact. I was fortunate enough to listen to this one on audio while I read along and highly recommend the audiobook as the narration was extremely well done.

It seems like "The Breakup Pact" had some interesting elements, but perhaps fell short in fully engaging the reader with its characters. The lack of connection to Levi and June might have hindered the emotional impact of the story, making it difficult to become invested in their journey.

The ambiguity surrounding Levi's intentions and June's sudden notoriety from a meme may have left some unanswered questions for readers, making it challenging to fully understand the characters' motivations and actions.

However, it's commendable that the book delved into deeper themes such as grief and the struggle to maintain one's own dreams in the face of loss. The exploration of these complex emotions added a layer of depth to the story, offering a more meaningful reading experience than a typical romance novel.

While "The Breakup Pact" may not have resonated as strongly as hoped, it's clear that the attempt to infuse the narrative with substance and emotional complexity was appreciated. Perhaps future works by the author will further refine the storytelling and character development to create a more impactful and engaging read.

It might be that Emma Lord just isn't for me. So far I haven't connected with her stories however I know many people love her books. This may be a new favorite for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced listener copy. My review is voluntarily My own.

4.5⭐️’s this was such a great book, I loved it! It had such a great mixture of witty banter, humor, heart wrenching moments and self discovery. There were times my heart physically ached for Levi and June (mostly June) for all they’d been through in previous relationships as well as together (past and present). Sana was such a good side character, she helped make the story.

For anyone wanting a sweet romance without the spice, this one is for you. The main character, June, is coming off of a rather public dumping via reality TV, and she is trying to get her feet back under her so to speak. The man she grew up with and had a huge crush on in high school shows back up in town at her tea and scone shop, and while he has also been through some rough patches with his fiance, the reader instantly can see where this is headed. The two become an internet sensation when they are branded “The Revenge Exes” as they are seen out together on various dates, in the attempt to get revenge on their exes by creating jealousy. The story arc is nothing new, and almost the whole thing was predictable, so much so that I felt that it was dragged out longer than it needed to be. However, it was a clean, easy read, perfect for my vacation book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I don't read a lot of romance, but when I do Emma Lord never disappoints. There are some tropes that i always adore and fake dating is one. This was so entertaining and real and raw. A perfect book for anytime, but definitely for beach reading (I mean it takes place in a beach town - summer all the way!).

This was an enjoyable read overall - 3.5 stars from me.

Two notes:

- I'm not sure why it's called "The Break-Up Pact," since the characters did not in fact make a pact about breaking up. Why wouldn't it be called "The Revenge Exes" or something like that?
- After the two got together, there was no real question about whether they would ultimately stay together, which meant it might be more realistic than many romances, but also lacked tension.

That said, Emma Lord is a talented writer, and it's always a pleasure to dive into one of her worlds. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC in advance of publication.

Normally I love Emma Lord, but this one took me a while to get through. I just wasn't drawn in the way I have been in the past.

Cute summer read with fake dating as a trope. The pacing was a little fast but overall great easy summer romance.

Cute summer read. June and Levi agree to fake date after years of not seeing each other, and their own respective breakups. This pacing was a little on the fast side, but I liked the overall story and characters.

I’ve enjoyed Emma’ Lords other books so I’ve been excited to read her debut adult romance. It was long but it didn’t feel too long.

What I thought was a cute pool side read that follows June and Levi turned out to have heavier topics which led me to remember not to judge a book by its covwr.
Usually I’m a fan of second chance love but this was not a cute little RomCom. It was deeply heartfelt and deals with real life issues. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what else she writes.

This was a super fun summer second chance romance. Some of the elements were a little overly manufactured- for example, both main characters were broken up with by some d-list celebrity in a very public way- but what kept me interested was the bond between June and Levi. While their situation was weirdly fake-seeming, the connection between the two characters was very real. June was a complex main character and her journey to find what she was really looking for resonated with me. I also really liked the dynamics surrounding both Levi and June’s relationship with her late sister. While a lot of the plot structure was pretty contrived, the characterization and growth throughout the novel were enjoyable and authentic.

I love emma lords other works but this one didn’t really do it for me. I ended up DNF. The premise was great but it didn’t follow through well for me!

Let me start by saying that I’ve loved all of Emma Lord’s YA books that I’ve read. They’ve always been super cute, full of banter, and acted as a nice escape for me. I am also a fan of adult romances with spice, so I definitely thought this was going to be the best of both worlds! Due to this, this review is going to hurt me physically to give ☹

The book felt like it had too much going on to be able to focus on anything specifically. The revenge ex storyline (two separates sets of histories touched on throughout the book), the childhood friends to lovers, the wedding planning for the FMC’s brother, saving the tea shop, issues with his writer’s block, and the death of the sibling (off page and before the story starts) just felt like A LOT to try to keep up with. I was expecting a lot more focus on the couple itself and because this wasn’t delivered I found the book a bit daunting. There were still bits of humor and I liked everyone overall, I just felt this was a very surface-level story with no depth yet an overwhelming amount of plot.

I am still giving the book 3 stars because I do love the banter, the side characters, and the overall heart to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emma Lord for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel.

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. 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, and they've barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they're a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they're in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?


This comes out August 2024!
This was a great book for being her first adult contemporary romance!
I love the fake-dating trope, it's one of my favorites! She executed it so well too!
There were also some serious moments which shows Lord successfully moving to the adult space!
The characters were all just so likable. I loved getting to know the main characters and the side characters.
Overall this was a great heart warming book and I loved it!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC! June and Levi used to be great frends but a misunderstanding drove them apart. Now years later, June and Levi are thrown back together after both are suffering from recent and viral break ups, they decide to make the best of things and form a pact to fake date to gain the reputation points as the revenge exes. But as Levi and June fall back into their easy rhythm with one another could their feelings rekindle more than just friendship? Woven troughout the background of the story is the loss that both June and Levi experienced with the passing of June's older sister and Levi's friend and writing partner, Annie. June has been running her tea shop, but things have not been going well financially and June is hoping this boost will help the business. They are also surrounded by an extended friend group including June's brother Dylan and his fiancee Matteo and June's friend Sana who's overseeing their social media stories. Fun and sweet with a touch sorrow, The Break-Up Pact is a great summer read.

This book was super cute! I felt like I was watching a rom com movie. Both characters have very valid and real feelings when it comes to heartbreak and breakups, which was very relatable. If you are looking for a fast, fun read I highly recommend! I really enjoyed this book.

I liked this one! I thought the premise was super unique — two childhood friends fake date to get back at their exes and it ends up going viral. I really liked the addition of the small town setting and small business aspect.

Where it fell short for me was the middle of the book and the addition of the deceased sister, Annie. The middle of the book seriously dragged. I wish it would’ve kept the same pacing as the beginning and end of the book. I think it was an editing issue but that could be fixed in the final draft. The other part was Annie. I felt like that was just an extra part thrown in that was trying to add depth to the story and characters but it ended up being a hindrance. That whole plot point just felt misplaced.

Overall this was a summery read with a fun premise that I think many will enjoy!

Read this if you:
🫖 like fun flavored baked goods
🫖 have ever cringed while watching an emotional train wreck on reality TV
🫖 enjoy visiting small towns with lots of nostalgia

Emma Lord's "The Break-Up Pact" is a charming and heartfelt novel that skillfully blends romance, friendship, and self-discovery into an engaging and relatable narrative.

At the heart of the story are best friends Liza and Lake, who devise a plan to navigate their respective heartbreaks by enacting a "break-up pact" — a set of rules and challenges aimed at helping them move on from their exes. What begins as a lighthearted pact soon evolves into a journey of personal growth and unexpected revelations as Liza and Lake navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and their own insecurities.

Lord's writing is fresh and witty, filled with authentic teenage voices and poignant insights into the trials and triumphs of adolescence. The characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with their own vulnerabilities and aspirations. Liza's determination to stick to the pact while grappling with her feelings for Lake adds depth to their evolving relationship, making their friendship both endearing and emotionally resonant.

The novel's pacing is well-balanced, moving seamlessly between humorous escapades and poignant moments of reflection. Lord expertly explores themes of identity, resilience, and the courage to confront one's emotions, creating a narrative that feels both genuine and uplifting.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of modern teenage dynamics, including the influence of social media and the pressures of navigating relationships in a digital age. The interactions between Liza, Lake, and their peers are refreshingly authentic, capturing the complexities of teenage friendships and the importance of communication and empathy.

While "The Break-Up Pact" delivers on its promise of a romantic comedy with heart, it also delves deeper into themes of self-discovery and the transformative power of friendship. Emma Lord's ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion makes this novel a compelling read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction.

In conclusion, "The Break-Up Pact" is a delightful and poignant coming-of-age story that will resonate with readers of all ages. Emma Lord's skillful storytelling, coupled with memorable characters and genuine emotional depth, ensures that this novel stands out as a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

No one could ever make me hate Emma Lord, but I think I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't read all her young adult books. Her voice or writing style didn't change at all. Her adult book is the exact same as her YAs except where the things these characters do is cute and fun in high school, it came across as kind of ... cringe as adults. And I just didn't get it. I still don't even know what the Break-Up Pact was.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

What a great little beach read. I’ve not read Emma Lord’s work before but I was thoroughly entertained and this book had all the things going for it that I seek out in a rom com (tropes, lovable characters, and a fun setting). The beachside tea shop was so cute loved it. And I also loved these characters and their journey. I’ll pick up more from this author.