Cute romance. I actually wish some of these scones existed or had recipes so I could make them cause they sound so special and different.

Despite the cutesy book cover, The Break-Up Pact has surprising depth which I adore in a Rom-Com. While I have never experienced quite as catastrophic (and public) of a break-up as our leading MMC and MFC, I found their vulnerability to be delightfully relatable and intriguing. This book has it all - delightful tropes (friends to lovers, fake dating, etc), great humor, fantastic dialogue, excitement, and open-door adult romance. I am excited to read more from Emma Lord!!

This is a long-time friends who become estranged and then become accidently reconnected in an odd way. The main characters have both been cheated on by their significant others and it makes social media news and goes viral due to the celebrity status of the ex's new relationships. That part of the story is a very modern take on a public break-up and provides the vehicle for the "set-up" of a fake relationship of the old friends to prove they have both recovered from their very public humiliations. With that in mind, I never could understand why the MMC would even consider giving his ex an opportunity to reunite thus creating his motivation to "win her back". He says things like all their history but he has even more history with our FMC. The last half of the book is spent just waiting for these two to talk through all the hesitation and prolong the inevitable. It was at times really painful to feel as if these two really didn't understand each other at all. Overall, it's a decent book if you look past the enormous, excruciating number of times the word scones is used. There are moments when you can feel that slow-burn tension but the story around the romance didn't really pull me in and make me care.

This book was such a disappointment. I give the first 75% 4 stars and the last 25% 2 stars so I’ll average with 3 stars.

It was funny and entertaining but they had a major miscommunication which is my least favorite trope. Generally, when there is a miscommunication, I don’t like it because I think the girl is being silly and they should just talk to each other. Whereas in this case, I thought that he was kind of awful, and I couldn’t understand what she loved about him so much. I didn’t want them to get back together because she deserved better than him.

A big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I’ve really liked the other books I’ve read by Emma Lord but this one fell a little flat for me. There were lots of great moments but overall this wasn’t for me.

Things I liked:
- fake dating
- Levi and June overall

Things I didn’t like:
- lots of drawn out scenes with no dialogue and nothing happening
- hyperfixation on Annie but then no mention of her for many chapters
- miscommunication and drama between June and Levi
- several of the scone flavor combos
- June and Dylan being distant for no reason then automatically resolved
- Sana’s big break article was about gaslighting of all things?

It was overall a quick read but I wouldn’t give it more than 3.5 stars.

A bit of a bland book, if I'm being totally honest. I don't think there was anything stand-out remarkable about The Break-Up Pact.

"The Break-Up Pact" by Emma Lord is a delightful rom-com that blends humor, heart, and a touch of modern-day viral fame into a charming story of fake relationships and real emotions.

June and Levi, once inseparable best friends turned distant acquaintances, find themselves thrust back into each other's lives in a most unexpected way. Their journey from reluctant partners in a fake relationship to rediscovering the bonds of friendship is both heartwarming and entertaining.

What stands out in this novel is the authenticity of the characters' emotions. June and Levi's struggles with their pasts, their ambitions, and their vulnerabilities make them relatable and endearing. The way they navigate the complexities of pretending to be a couple while dealing with their own personal demons adds depth to the story.

Emma Lord's writing style is engaging and filled with witty dialogue that keeps the pages turning. The premise of using social media and viral fame as a backdrop adds a contemporary flair to the narrative, making it feel relevant and relatable to modern readers.

While the romance is undeniably sweet and the chemistry between June and Levi is palpable, what makes "The Break-Up Pact" standout is its exploration of friendship, forgiveness, and self-discovery. It's a story about second chances, not just in love but also in life.

As a reader seeking a light-hearted read with a sprinkle of depth, this book hits the mark. It serves as a delightful palette cleanser, offering a dose of sweetness and humor that leaves a smile on your face. Whether you're a fan of rom-coms or looking for a feel-good read, "The Break-Up Pact" delivers a satisfying blend of romance and friendship that's sure to brighten your day.

I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the love story of June and Levi. At times, Levi annoyed me but in the end he seemed to redeem himself. I enjoyed June's story to be an independent business owner.

June and her childhood friend Levi come up with a plan to pretend they're dating. It's all to help June's business and to help Levi get back with his ex who cheated on him. Their fake relationship gets a lot of attention online. They go on fun dates, like going to museums and doing trivia nights.
But their romantic feelings seem kind of childish, like something out of a middle school movie instead of a story about adults.

June and Levi both change during the story, but it could've been done better. They still act like they did in high school, with lots of misunderstandings. The story feels too long sometimes, and the characters seem immature. Even though the book has funny parts and a cool beach setting, it's not as good as the author's other books for young adults.

The idea of friends becoming lovers is in the story, but it takes too long and gets too complicated. It's hard to understand why they can't make up their minds. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either. The characters' indecision and the story dragging on make it hard to enjoy. "The Breakup Pact" is funny and entertaining, but it could have ended sooner and been more satisfying.

This is the first time I'm giving an Emma Lord book less than five stars. I'm giving it three stars because, even though I liked it okay, I expected more from one of my favorite romance authors. I hope her next book is better.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me this digital copy to review honestly.

First, let me say this is my type of book. A fun romance with some fake dating, some angst and some pining before these estranged friends become lovers. So I absolutely LOVED this book.
There was some miscommunication that caused their estrangement when they were teens. Not always my favorite, but I thought it made sense given their ages and the situation.
I thought the premise of both of their breakups going viral and the revenge they stumble into was so fun. And the scones made me laugh!
There are some topics in this that may be triggering for some people, such as cheating by the MCs exes and the loss of a loved one.
This was my first Emma Lord book and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from her!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

A fun beach read!
I enjoyed the setup but do think things could've been set up better. More world and character building

Emma Lord has taken the YA Contemporary literary world by storm, and this is her first Adult Contemporary novel.

Full of fun summer vibes and second chances, this is a great book to get readers into beach season! Just beware of the family grief. Lord handles grief over Annie very well, but as June's sister and Levi's best friend, the memory of Annie is everywhere and so, too is the grief that the characters must manage. As it should be.

Pre-order a copy before it's August 13, 2024 release!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

This book is pure summer time perfection <3

If you want a second chance romance set in a small beach town, this is for you!! The perfect combination of fake dating and childhood friends WITH beautiful discussions of overcoming loss. I love the atmosphere of this story, and having the FMC run a cute little tea shop was adorableee. Every time they describe the different scones the shop sells, I was drooling!

This book is packed full of Emma Lord's signature humor, banter, and quirks. This book was an incredible step into the adult romance genre from an author I already adored, and I am truly so excited to see what other adult romances she will come up with in the future!

This is the first book that I have read by Emma Lord, so going into this with good expectations! As someone that chronically reads the romance genre, this book didn't disappoint. It's a classic friends to lovers trope, one that I think should always be explored upon. I'm also a sucker for fake dating tropes ♥ and this one was one of my favorites.

It was an emotional turmoil, I laughed and cried and the characters felt so developed and real! It also toils with themes of grief and how people can get stuck in grief (though rightfully so with the way her boyfriend breaks up with her).

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This book is a good summer read. I thought that some parts of it dragged, but it definitely had a lot of depth to it. There was obviously a romance aspect with the fake dating trope very front and center. However, it also discussed dealing with grief of a loved one, especially when that loved one is young.

The main characters are adorable, but I wish there had been a little bit more conflict between them.

I enjoyed reading this! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy!

This book was cute but something was missing for me! June and Levi go through a second chance romance after they both break up with their previous significant other. I thought it had cute moments but felt like it lacked some depth and had some holes in the story! Overall I would say if you want a cute and easy read that isn’t too deep then it would be a good choice.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first Emma book that I have read. I love a good fake out saying story so I was excited for this one. I love Levi and June. It’s an easy breezy book that moves fast paced.
I enjoyed it

I thought this was a great adult debut! I've read a few of Emma Lord's YA novels that I've really enjoyed and this feels similar but also is just a really solid adult romance.

Oh and the spicy scene! This isn't going to knock your socks off with levels of spice but what we do get is REALLY well done! It's sweet and tender and sexy and is just the perfect blend for this book.

Read this for:
- Fake Dating
- Beach town
- Childhood friends to lovers
- No third act breakup
- so. many. scones.

There was just a little too much drama - particularly Levi going back to NYC and living with his ex but not communicating well - for me to rate this 5 stars but I still really enjoyed it and can't wait to see what Emma does next!

Pretty disappointed with this one. I've read Emma Lord in the past, but sadly I didn't connect to this one or the romance. Too many miscommunications and not enough depth to meet my romance-loving expectations.

The Break-Up Pact is Emma Lord's first book in the new adult/adult genre of contemporary fiction. This romance includes secret feelings, heartache, and fake dating as well as grief and starting over. This was a heartwarming story; however, I would have liked to see more clever banter between the characters. Overall, a great addition to Lord's offerings, but not one I can recommend to my younger readers.