This one was good. A classic friends to lovers and fake dating combo. This one had tons of drama involving both June and Levi. I enjoyed how not only died they rekindle their relationship, but they helped each other get over the things they were struggling with personally.

* I received a free copy of this via NetGalley in return for a review. *

I truly loved this book. I loved both of their growth. June was the sweetest and I totally related to her. I think we all have a version of ourselves and our lives that lean just a little bit towards what others want. And I love that she found a way to redirect that and to build her own dream and work for that. Plus, we all love RomCom stories. They’re just feel good.

June and Levi have been friends for a long time but they never thought that they would have to pretend to date. I found this to be a fun date. I really felt for June and liked her. She was very relatable. Levi is fine too and I thought the use of the fake dating trope was done well.

Cute quick read! I’m a sucker for fake dating trope and characters with anything mental health related layers - in this case grief and gaslighting recovery. Loved the small sea side beach town !!

🌶️ Spice level 1 (more so .5)

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions wrapped in a witty and engaging story. June and Levi's journey from estranged friends to a fake couple is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. The author weaves together friendship, romance, and self-discovery themes, creating authentic and relatable characters.

The chemistry between June and Levi leaps off the page, making swoon-worthy moments and laugh-out-loud exchanges. As they navigate the hidden truth of pretending to be in love while struggling with their pasts and insecurities, I found myself rooting for them.

Overall, The Break-Up Pact is a charming rom-com with laughs and heart. It did feel a bit rushed at times and a bit disjointed, but it's still a good read. I recommend it to fans of a fun and sweet romantic comedy.

This book should definitely be on your summer TBR. Emma Lord had me laughing and feeling all the feels throughout this book. I immediately recommended this book to my girl friends. Pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

Overall, I found this to be a pretty enjoyable read. I found both June and Levi to be compelling characters. I found myself angry on June’s behalf that her ex-boyfriend in the novel made her a national laughingstock and kept trying to embarrass her for his own gain. Likewise, I felt the same frustration June felt with Levi over the situation with his ex (which I won’t explain in great detail, you will have to read the book yourself to find that out). I also thought the side characters were really interesting. I appreciate it in novels where the characters feel like people you would know in real life and every character in this novel felt realistic to me. Some people might be turned off by the mentions of social media, especially TikTok, in the novel but this personally doesn’t bother me. The book is meant to be set in our current time and to deny the global impact of TikTok would be silly. I only docked this book half a star because it felt a bit rushed at times. I think Lord could have gone a bit further in-depth into the characters’ backstories, especially in regards to June’s sister. Otherwise, I think this is a great summer read! Thank you to St Martin’s Griffin for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy.

I took me a bit to complete this book, just because life has gotten too busy, but it was a good read. A bit cheeky, some heartache, a good end. I liked the story of Levi and June, the fact that they both loved Annie so much but at the end they didn't let the ghost of Annie or the media, or the self doubts take away the love that they had for each others for years and years. Staying true to yourself is important, and opening a new Tea Tide that was still Annie's dream but reflected who June is and who she is becoming is a good example of fighting for your dreams.

This one sounded so cute but ended up falling pretty flat for me. The characters were immature and unlikeable which made it really hard to care how the story ended. There were some funny moments but just not enough to redeem the story for me.

It was okay. It was worth the time to read it, but predictable. It was a nice change of pace and was an easy read.

Another fun book from Emma Lord. I was a little disappointed in a few unrealistic set-ups, such as never talking to your best friend for ten years over a misunderstanding, but putting that aside along with the silliness of the premise of the “crying girl”, it was a very satisfying read. Lord manages to write a really sweet romance without falling into the overly graphic hook-ups found in many adult romances. I have been reading her YA books for years, so I found this a good transition. June and Levi are basically nice people who spent many years almost inseparable, so waiting to see how the fake dating exposes their feelings is a pleasant ride. June’s friend Dana is a hoot, and really adds a great dimension to the story, along with June’s brother Dylan and his partner Mateo. You definitely wanted to kick June more than once, but she is trying so hard to make a go of her cafe without letting go of her sister’s dream that you have to pull for her. Levi was not the most exciting lead, but he was a good counterpoint to June. A great book for the beach or anywhere else!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Let me start by saying that I love the cover of this book. It’s summery and bright and eye catching, all things you want from a beach read.

I really enjoyed the setting, and I felt like I was right there in Benson Beach with them. As someone who loves to bake and is marrying an Englishman, I was fully on board with Tea Tide and I wish one would open up in my neighborhood.

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, but I couldn’t decide if this was a friends to lovers or an enemies to lovers. Overall, I found Levi and June both kind of annoying and uncommunicative. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. I had to skip over the entire chapter of their sex scene because it was just so awkward. And the chapters were LONG.

I loved all of the supporting characters. I would like a whole book on Dylan and Mateo.

This was a mostly enjoyable read for me. While I wouldn’t rank it among my top romances, it definitely hits the spot for a summer read.

I adored how the story progresses, uncovering the history between June and Levi, while also dealing with heavier topics such as family dynamics after losing a sibling, losing your job due to downsizing, hosting a gay wedding in a small town, and the tough work it is to run a small business. What I truly appreciated was that none of this was over indexed or over preached. The book truly reads like real in that people don’t stop agonizing about the small stuff even when they have big things going on in life. Those major events aren’t the only thing going on and lives keep moving on.

If you’re looking for your next fix after the recent Emily Henry book, or just looking for a quality romance book that also makes you think a bit (and want to immediately go buy some scopes or cookies) go pick this up on release day!

“The Break-Up Pact” by Emma Lord is a delightful concoction of friendship, romance, and the sweet scent of freshly baked scones. Set against the backdrop of a charming seaside town, this novel invites readers to dive into a world where love blooms unexpectedly, and old wounds find healing.

June and Levi were inseparable best friends during their teenage years, until life pulled them apart. Now, June struggles to keep her beachside tea shop afloat, while Levi navigates the disillusionment of New York's financial world. Their paths haven't crossed in a decade, but fate has other plans.

When both June and Levi suffer very public, humiliating break-ups that go viral on social media, they accidentally become the subject of their own gossip. A single photo of them together sparks rumours that they're a couple. Fuelling the fire seems like the perfect solution: pretend to date, create swoon-worthy photo ops, and watch their lives transform.

Lord crafts characters that leap off the page. June, with her determination and quirky tea blends, is instantly endearing. Levi, the disillusioned hedge fund manager with a hidden poet's soul, complements her perfectly. Their chemistry simmers beneath every interaction, leaving readers rooting for their reunion.

The quaint seaside town provides a cozy backdrop. June's tea shop, with its mismatched chairs and ocean view, feels like a warm hug. And those specialty scones? They're practically characters themselves, tempting us with their crumbly goodness.

Lord's writing dances between humour and poignancy. The banter between June and Levi is sharp, their vulnerability palpable. As they navigate their fake relationship, we witness the delicate balance between laughter and longing. Prepare to chuckle, sigh, and maybe even crave a scone or two.

The heart of “The Break-Up Pact” lies in second chances. Can old friendships be rekindled? Can hearts scarred by past mistakes find healing? June and Levi's journey answers these questions with grace. Their pact becomes a bridge to forgiveness, redemption, and the possibility of love.

Just when you think you've figured it out, Lord throws in a twist that leaves you breathless. The emotional rollercoaster is worth every page turned. No spoilers here, but prepare for a few gasps and a lot of "I didn't see that coming!"

A warm hug on a chilly day, “The Break-Up Pact” is a reminder that sometimes love hides in plain sight. Emma Lord's debut adult romance is a triumph. It’s a blend of humour, heart, and hope. This is a must-read for anyone who believes in second chances and the magic of unexpected love. So, dear reader, dive into this read, savour the scones, and let your heart flutter. You won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another winner by Emma Lord! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this charming and heartwarming romance!
The book centers on previous best friends who both had viral and humiliating break-ups and decide to fake a relationship, which is my favorite romance troupe! Of course as they go on dates and take photo ops, the pretend sparks start to turn real.
The book had a Hallmark vibe but more modernized. June and Eli's chemistry was fun and entertaining. I also loved how this was a book about second chances. My only complaint was the ending felt a little rushed but otherwise it was a light and enjoyable romance to read!

I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection

Coming from recently finishing Emily Henry’s Funny Story, this gave the same vibes. 2 character recently broken up with in very public manners, decide to fake date, one to get their ex back and the other to hep their flailing business.

First things first, this book is funny. Lots of zingy one liners from the couple and the best, best friend. I loved all the inside jokes between the main characters.

With that being said. This wasn’t as light and fluffy as I was expecting. There is a big underlying theme of grief of losing a loved one and finding yourself after a difficult break up. It’s a mature romance and although quick paced, it dealt with these topics realistically for the most part.

I would recommend for reader who love an emotional romance with small town vibes, lots of comedy with a touch of dramatics.

Thank you to NetGalley, SMP Griffin & Emma Lord for the digital galley of The Break-Up Pact in exchange for an honest review.

I love the bright & fun cover art for this one & normally enjoy Emma Lord. And maybe my issue with this book is not a fair one because of the fact that I read Funny Story by the amazing Emily Henry first.

The plots are SUPER similar. This seemed like a much more juvenile version of Funny Story.

The story moved at the speed of light. MUCH faster than was realistically possible. I don’t mean the speed as in it was a fun & quick read. I mean the length of time one thing happening to the next was ridiculously teeny tiny & made zero sense.

I wasn’t a fan of either of the MCs, specifically June. She was so F#$@!* annoying. This was a short book, but seemed to drag because it just was not enjoyable to me. The writing was very subpar.

June and Levi used to be the best of friends as both children and teens. But then misunderstood and misplaced feelings caused everything to fall apart. Now, it has been years since they last spoke as they both struggle to attack new challenges in their lives. After both experience very public and humiliating breakups, they both wind up in their hometown and are forced to face each other again. When someone mistakes them for a couple, they make a pact to pretend to date in order to salvage their reputations and careers. However, old feelings soon make way between the two of them. Lord's first adult novel is light, fun, and a perfect book to bring in your beach bag this summer.

For me, this book hits around 3 stars. Regarding the characters, I found several of them to be fun and entertaining and I also loved the beachy town setting. I had very clear vibes and visuals with the setting of the story. However, this book wasn't a win. I immediately found this book to have a juvenile feeling. I've only read one of Lord's YA novels, so I'm not totally entrenched in the idea of her being a YA writer, but the general vibes of this book felt very YA. When considering the why, I think it could be because they mention high school and the past so much. It makes it feel like they just graduated last month and not the several years we are supposed to believe. I also found the story surrounding June's sister and her death to be rather unfulfilled. There were a lot of emotions surrounding the death (obviously), but not a lot of context of her death and role in June's life within the story. It just felt like there were chapters missing. Not that I was really asking for more chapters, because the story felt pretty long towards the end. As far as couples go, June and Levi were okay. I wasn't really sold on them at the end because they had weird communication and trust things that just didn't align with me personally. When she would "trust" him, I was thinking, "Uhh no, you need to go and check in on that boy," and when she got all inquisitive I thought, "This isn't a big deal." Overall, this book just didn't click for me in a big way.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC of this novel!

2.5 stars rounded up.

Unfortunately, I think the older I get, the less I like Emma Lord's writing, at least her recent books. Nothing has slapped as much as You Have A Match about three years ago. And I think I'm starting to realize why I'm not as in love as before.

I think I'm the wrong target audience. First off, I am not a theatre kid. Yeah, I briefly was in like two plays in middle school, but I was far, far away from being a theatre kid. If I went to an actual school, maybe I would have become one, but I never did. I also am not a millennial. I am nineteen. This book reads like a millennial book. Perhaps it is because the online vibes are just too much. It feels like Lord namedrops stuff like TikTok to stay trendy, but it actually has the opposite effect.

There also is a bit too much miscommunication for my taste. I don't know how to write romance with conflict without it (at least contemporary romance), but I don't like it. This book had a bit too much of it. I also just did not love the plot or the writing. I didn't care much for the characters. I think it was just not my taste, but the execution wasn't also the best. There's so much depth mentioned but not felt within the characters, if that makes sense. I also just found the smut scene to not be put in at a very good time. I don't like smut, so I skipped it anyway, but the lead-up? NONE. There was no satisfaction in it since their relationship was so up in the air.

The epilogue was a banger though. So romantic.