Unfortunately, the character development was weak and the overall romance just didn’t work for me. The miscommunication trope came across as immature with these characters and didn’t make for a fun and engaging story.

I loved this book. Loved the cover, loved the content. Just loved! I have read other books by this author so my expectations were high and she did not disappoint.

June and Levi both separately go through their own very public break ups. To fight off the negative attention they make the Break-up Pact to fake date so the public can move on as well as a personal reason for each. These old friends, became estranged and now are reconnecting as they fool the public with their fake relationship.... but how fake is it. hehe this was a fun read and recommend !

Endless thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This is my first Emma Lord book and certainly won't be the last. I was enamoured by her writing - particularly her depiction of grief in this book, how it manifests, how it can be associated with guilt, and how we can move forward from these overwhelming emotions. This exploration into grief and guilt and how they intersect really resonated with me, and I thought she handled this subject with care and authenticity.

I really enjoyed the plot and the setting too. The beach town felt vivid, comforting and familiar - and made me craze scones constantly. The romance between Levi and June was sweet, though I did wish for a little more chemistry to shine through - perhaps through flashbacks of their childhood together- to really hone in on their established connection.

Overall, a super enjoyable, quick paced summer read!
1 like

I’m not sure what it was about this book but I wasn’t feeling it. I felt like it was a rushed story and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters unfortunately

I hated June and Levi and I hated their relationship. They were the problem of their relationship; they kept getting in their own way. Inventing excuses and problems that were simply not there. There wasn't anything on their way. But they kept creating hurdles to overcome.

And there is nothing more happening on the book. The only thread in the story is their relationship. In a really diminished way there is something of motivations and a sad back story. But it is extremely flimsy.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Emma Lord’s writing has a way of captivating me and keeping me hooked. This is her debut adult romance book and it was a hit for me! She balances fun humor and sweet moments with some more serious topics, like grief and trust, really well.

I thought the characters had great chemistry. The pacing of their relationship felt pretty natural, especially considering the social media craze they were the center of. The secondary cast were a hit with me and I adored June’s little tea shop! There were a few things you may have to overlook, but I really enjoyed this one overall!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
•small town romance
•estranged childhood friends to lovers
•fake dating
•slow burn
•social media influence

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Levi & June were great friends until a misunderstanding right before they left for collage. Ten years later they both have returned to their hometown after very public breakups. After a magazine catches them in what appears to be a compromising position, they decide to go along with it, and


I love a fake dating trope and thought it was done perfectly! It was fast paced and well written. There are also some much more serious parts in this book and it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. This was such a heartwarming story that will have me picking up this book again. Loved it!


📘: The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord
🗓️: August 13, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma Lord, and St.Martins Press for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.

The was a cute read, but rather inconsistent. The pacing felt like it was either too drawn out or moved too fast. The relationship between June and Levi felt like it lacked a believable connection, especially considering their long complicated history. And the fact that it took me so long to read is a testament to the lack of connection I had with any of these characters. Don't get me wrong, the book had its moments, but I fear I won't remember it in a few days. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press|St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was very cute, and I did enjoy it (as I enjoy everything written by Emma Lord), but I had a very difficult time with the MMC. He held on to his ex for far too long, and his reasoning wasn’t strong enough. It’s the whole mindset of “I want to be with you but if you don’t want me I’m going to go back to them.” But I think that’s more of a cynical thing on my part - ugh, men sometimes. Anyway, I loved the family dynamic (both related and found), and how everyone dealt with their grief differently. That part rang true. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I have enjoyed this author’s prior young adult novels. I did not really care for this book. I wasn’t interested in the main characters or their story, unfortunately. I tried the audiobook version as well. I will still read books by this author.

I’m a sucker for fake dating and second chance romance so I ATE this UP. I’m obsessed with the characters and the story was so unique! I wish the book was a little more fast paced, but other than that I did not have any complaints! I loved June and Levi and will revisit them again and again.

The plot, while fun, felt over the top and a bit ridiculous at times, making it an enjoyable but ultimately forgettable read. The pacing didn’t quite hit the mark either—some scenes dragged on while others felt rushed, which disrupted the flow of the story.

I was hoping for more from June and Levi’s relationship. Despite their long history, I never really felt the connection I was looking for, especially considering they were close friends before their fallout.

The book had its moments, but it didn’t fully deliver for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an advance digital copy!

I love a good fake dating and this did not dissappoint me one bit. Sprinkle in a little friends to lovers and you have the perfect romance. I also really enjoyed the use of modern day terminology talking about tik tok and memes. I feel like many books don't do that or don't do that as well. Really loved this book so much. And you sprinkled in slow burn! So good. I'm getting excited writing this review all of over again!

This book is adorbs!
Delicious scones, witty banter, a beach town, a much awaited steamy scene 🥵, and the sweetest characters!
I’d read it again and again!

I ultimately liked this book. I feel like it was an easy beach read! Childhood friends to lovers vibes. Overall a great pallet cleanser if you are in a funk!

June and Levi are best friends who haven’t spoken in years, but when their respective breakups both go viral, they agree to fake date to take some of the heat off. Of course, it turns out, they’ve been in love forever, so it’s also friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance. This was both hilarious and heartwarming, and I enjoyed it! I loved the epilogue, and June’s friends and family were so fun! The only problem I had was that June seemed to be a completely different person after she admitted her feelings for Levi; the beginning was sooo funny and sarcastic, and by the end, she was way too philosophical. I understand the author was giving her character growth, but it was a very jarring transition. It was a very fun, quick read, and I look forward to Lord’s next book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. THE BREAK-UP PACT is out now!

I was really looking forward to reading this book. But sadly I just couldn't get into it. I DNFed this book. I just couldn't get into it. Rating it 3 stars because while it wasn't the book for me it might be the perfect book for someone else.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

The premise of this story was the romantic fake dating trope comedy I was eager to add into my summer reading rotation. As much as I wanted to really enjoy it, unfortunately it fell flat.

The adult relationship between June and Levi was too easy and quick, given they have a very complicated history from when they were teens. There were a couple of things that happened between them that would have been a hard “no” but June just brushed it off.

The story ended up having an identity crisis as it was cutesy but also had some tough tragedy. It just didn’t come together smoothly and I was left feeling unsatisfied overall. I don’t regret not dnf’ing, however, it is a somewhat surface level story.

Thank you to Griffin and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wanted to love this, and i really liked the sweetness, maturity, and chemistry of the main couple. However, overall, it felt like too much was going on. So many plot points, side chat stars, inside jokes, backstory, and themes. I got lost in remembering all of the intricacies. Would recommend still, 3.5 stars.