The premise is intriguing and the characters are likable, yet the story felt somewhat predictable and lacked depth in certain areas. While there are moments of genuine humor and heartfelt emotion, the overall execution left me wanting more. It's a decent pick for a light, easy read, but it might not stand out among other contemporary romance novels.

Emma Lord has been writing some of my favorite YA romances for years now. I was wondering how her brand of banter and fun humor would translate to an adult audience but I shouldn't have been worried. The steamy scenes are pitch perfect for these characters and fit in perfectly to their love store. June and Levi are so wonderful as they feel their way back to each other. What I love most about her books is the fully realized cast of characters that surround them. Dylan, Mateo, Sana are all wonderful people. The villains of this story are also people trying their best (but falling far short of being the type of people June & Levi deserve) which makes them feel very real. Visiting Benson Beach was so much fun and I wish I could visit for real. I had the best time reading this book and I would recommend for anyone else who needs a bright burst of sunlight in their reading lives.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at 50%.

I am honestly disappointed to have to leave a negative review because I LOVE Lord's YA novels, but this foray into the adult genre fell flat for me. I felt like we jumped into the plot without building much character development. I felt like some of the side characters were there to fulfil a diversity checklist instead of contributing much to the story. I wonder if with a few edits this may be a different book by pub date, but unfortunately for now I'm going to have to bless and release it.

I have read Emma Lord’s YA novels, and I feel that that may be her wheelhouse over adult romance.

I think that TikTok (which is mentioned several times in this book) is really the biggest culprit in this flux of adult romance books coming out when they really have no business doing so. BookTok has really shifted the genre on its head, and while that is exciting, it also makes way for tropes and tropes and more tropes.

I found the writing of The Break-Up Pact to read as very juvenile. Like, this is an adult romance, but was absolutely written with the intent of YA readers being the ones to pick it up. I didn’t find myself rooting for these characters and the constant pop culture/topical references were exhausting.

I think that YA is a better avenue for Emma, but I will check out whatever she writes next.

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's not that I didn't enjoy the book; it was a decent read. However, considering Emma Lord is one of my favorite romance authors, I had higher expectations. I'm optimistic that I'll find more satisfaction in her next release.

I thought this book was fine. It isn’t something I will be thinking about now that I’ve finished. The characters are fine, but forgettable. The setting is too cutesy for me. It was fine to read, but nothing I’m raving about.

I loved getting to read Levi and June’s story! Coming back together after years apart and then going on the journey of their fake dating was a great introduction into Emma Lord’s adult romance books. Highly recommend!

In terms of rom coms, I found this book to be pretty average. Sometimes the fake dating trope works really well and other times not so much. This was somewhere in the middle. I just feel like the characters lacked the chemistry that really got me fully invested in this book. However, even though it wasn’t my favorite rom com I’ve read, I would still consider trying other books by this other because I think she has a good voice.

Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook.

While I enjoyed aspects of this book (love the friends to lovers trope), I ultimately found that it was trying too hard to be something that it wasn’t. This story is cute and the characters had potential to be fun and flirty, but it was weighed down by what felt like forced tension. Overall, a good summer read, but not a home run for me personally.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed 60% of this book. Then it kind of ground to a screeching halt and the rest was tough to get through The characters are well written, but when they stop talking to each other and the female protagonist is left to muse it is slow going. This could have done with a bit more editing. Also, why would she agree to do the show a second time? That's just annoying and painful to have to read through.

I have been a fan of Emma Lord and her YA books for the last several years. I was excited to receive this early eARC copy from St Martin’s Griffin.

The Break-Up Pact was a cute story line. After terrible public breakups, longtime friends June and Levi, are together again in their hometown and decide to ban together and revenge date to get back at their ex’s. The problem is, beneath the lie there are some real true feelings they both must wade through.

Although this book is listed as a romance, and definitely leans that way with the second chance, fake dating, and semi enemies to loves (since they were not speaking before) story lines. There is also a lot about grief, and loss and trying to move forward without the person you thought would be by your side. June’s sister was just as much a main character as June or Levi, even if it is just the memory of her.

Overall The Break-Up Pact still felt a little juvenile just with a little bit of added spice. The pacing felt a little slow, then rushed all at once. It was good, I wanted to know what would happened, but I think I was expecting more.

The first half of this book, I was super on-board and really loved it. I liked the characters and the hardships they brought into their relationship. However, the second half felt a bit drawn out and a bit lackluster compared to the beginning. I appreciated the realism of talking about the conversations about the future and fears and everything but the execution was just a bit dull and didn’t feel very meaningful at the end.

Loved this book! So fun! The story was very cute and lighthearted. I loved the characters. A fun beach read

Received as an arc from NetGalley.
What happens when you and your childhood friend both get publicly broken up with? You become the Revenge Exes.
June and Levi decide to fake date while utilizing the power of social media to get back at both of their long term partners. I found the build up a little slow and it took me longer than I expected to get into the story. But was glad I stuck with it to see the ending.
Would be interested to read stories about the side characters introduced in this book as their lives were more interesting to me than the main characters.

I'm sorry, this one just wasn't for me. The writing was fine but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. It didn't have the romance vibe I was looking for. Loved the cover and would probably mention it to others looking for recommendations.

Emma Lord delivers another charming and emotionally resonant story with The Break-Up Pact. This time, she takes on the popular "fake dating" trope with childhood best friends, June and Levi, who reunite under unusual circumstances. The premise is engaging, and the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. Lord's signature humor and witty banter shine through, making for an enjoyable read.

However, the plot feels somewhat predictable, and the characters lack depth. While the emotional moments hit their mark, the overall narrative falls short of being truly memorable. The story moves at a brisk pace, but this sometimes comes at the expense of character development and exploring the complexities of their relationship.

Overall, The Break-Up Pact is a sweet and entertaining read, perfect for those seeking a lighthearted romance. While it may not be groundbreaking, it offers a comforting escape with likable characters and a satisfying resolution. It's a solid 3-star read that fans of Emma Lord's previous works will likely enjoy.

This book was fine. It dragged out a little at some points, but then it picked back up. I enjoyed reading the grieving aspect of the book probably because I myself am grieving too. My favorite thing about the book was June trying to keep the shop open in honor of Annie. I think Levi and June were fine characters, but I didn’t connect with them as much as I wanted to.

Emma Lord… You continue to make me giggle and kick my legs with every book you write and The Breakup Pact is no different. June and Levi are dreamy chaotic messes and the most adorable couple. Emma Lord knows how to masterfully combine sweet treats, lovable characters and the cutest settings to create a romance scone worthy of Tea Tide.

Buckle up for a hilarious and heartfelt ride with Emma Lord's latest novel, "The Break-Up Pact." Estranged best friends June and Levi find themselves thrown back together after their very public break-ups go viral. June, struggling to keep her beachside tea shop afloat, and Levi, a disillusioned hedge fund manager yearning for a creative outlet, hatch a crazy plan. They'll pretend to date, using the internet's obsession to June's advantage and maybe even make Levi's ex jealous.

Lord excels at creating laugh-out-loud moments with witty dialogue and playful banter. But beneath the humor lies a deeper exploration of healing old wounds, rekindling lost friendships, and the courage to pursue your dreams. June and Levi's undeniable chemistry keeps you invested in their journey, and the exploration of their complicated past adds a layer of emotional depth.

While there's plenty of swoon-worthy moments to keep romance fans happy, "The Break-Up Pact" is more than just a fluffy fake-dating story. It's a celebration of second chances, self-discovery, and the enduring power of friendship. If you're looking for a feel-good read that will make you laugh and cry (sometimes in the same chapter!), this book is definitely worth adding to your TBR pile.

Just a heads up, there are some inner monologues from June that might feel a tad repetitive for some readers. However, Lord's engaging writing style keeps the story moving at a good pace.

Overall, "The Break-Up Pact" is a charming and witty novel that will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for sharing a digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Bring on the Revenge Exes! June and Levi both have public break-ups and, with the internet trolls trolling, they stumble into a fake relationship pact to turn the tides of public opinion and get the peace they crave. It doesn't hurt at all that June's failing bakery is getting a much needed boost and Levi's writer's block is maybe not so blocky anymore.
Emma's adult debut is everything I wanted it to be. I'm not typically a fan of friends-to-lovers or fake dating these days but I guess when they've gone their separate ways and come back together with some angst and hurt between them and it's Emma behind the words, I'm a sucker for it! June and Levi are so lovable, their shared grief combined with their chemistry gave me all the feels. I'm a big fan of Emma as a person and I'm excited to see what she publishes next.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.