Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this book. This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it. I will be reading more of her books in the near future. This book has complex relationships between friends, that touches on some deep subject matter. Even with the deep subject matter this book felt like a light read and was very enjoyable. This book is from each of the friends point of view and I absolutely loved seeing how each of them viewed the same situations. I could not put this book down once I started it. I definitely recommend reading this book.

This book has it all--great characters (and some really bad ones--Lainey's sister and father), interesting settings from Atlanta to Texas to Italy (my favorite), to Paris, and a surprising plot, and a heartwarming theme of friendship with all its ups and downs. There were many surprises in this book, which keeps the reader on her toes, but there was enough hints about other things that would happen and the reader thinks, "I knew it all the time", which made it kind of fun. Best of all--I finally got the real meaning of the "Summer" pact and it (maybe I'm a little slow) and and it was so clever. My only complaint, and it is probably just me, but I would have loved to see The Pigeon Girl be a big flop--that would have made everything perfect. Read the book and see if you agree.

I feel the plot and characters could have used more depth. It was a cute "chick flick" kinda read, however it wasn't appetite pleasing for me. three stars

A group of four freshmen form a tight friendship in college, but when one of them dies the group is changed forever. Before Lainey, Tyson, and Hannah graduate, they make a pact. If any of them is in dire straits, they won’t hesitate to call their friends who will drop everything to be there for them. So 10 years later when Hannah’s life veers wildly off course, Lainey and Tyson come to her aid. They all agree travels is what they need and they each pick a place to visit.
Along the way, the group dynamic changes again and love is in the air but, the travel also helps each friend think about what they really want out of life.

I chose this book based on the author without even glancing at the description. I figured it would be a happy, light summer read based on the title, but it was SO much more. Emily Giffin always surprises and impresses me with her creativity and how she intertwines characters. This story is heartbreaking and inspiring. Loved it.

Emily Giffin takes her latest novel a few steps beyond the usual beach read with discussions of suicide, racism, and alcoholism. Her crisp writing, and beautifully drawn characters make this a winner.

When college friends confront the suicide of one of their own, they make a pact to always be there for each other. That promise leads to a summer of travel, self-exploration, and love.

Recommended for all. #TheSummerPact #NetGalley
#SaltMarshAuthorSeries

I love Emily Gififin and consider "Something Borrowed" one of my favorite books. I just don't think "The Summer Pact" was for me. I felt that all of the characters seemed stunted and immature. I felt that almost all of the characters' actions in the book were childish and strange. I admittedly feel like life is too short to continue reading a book you don't vibe with so I stopped midway through, so there is a possibility it picks up! Hopefully I like Emily's future work more!

Classic Emily giffin . Great story fabulous character development and everything perfectly wrapped at books end .

Emily Giffin never disappoints. In her latest, we meet three college friends at a crossroads dealing with unsatisfying relationships, family, and the earlier loss of their best friend, Summer.

When the friends take off on a trip, secrets are revealed, and they find forgiveness, themselves, and ultimately love. An enjoyable summer read that explores the meaning of friendship with heavy subjects (Giffin tackles thoughtfully). Well done!

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

The premise:

A group of four freshmen form a fast friendship in college, but then the unthinkable happens, changing their group dynamics forever. Before Lainey, Tyson, and Hannah part ways at their college graduation, they make a pact. If any of them hits rock bottom, they won’t hesitate to call their friends who will drop everything to be there for them. So 10 years later when Hannah’s life is turned upside down, Lainey and Tyson rush to her side. And travel the world together, discovering themselves and figuring out what they want from life.

My thoughts:

Overall, I thought the premise and plot were good. I liked Tyson the most. I also liked the traveling aspect and the imagery of Italy—perfect to read in the summer.

Honestly, I didn’t care for Lainey very much. I know her attitude and behavior are part of the group dynamics and her character development, but I thought she was selfish. I really didn’t connect with any of the characters.

It was a good summer read and especially good if you like themes of friendship, dysfunctional families, and finding yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This might be my new favorite Emily Giffin book. The characters, the storyline, I loved it all. I admit it started out deep and I thought oh no can I do this, but it really is a fabulous book. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an ARC. Everyone should have this on their summer read list!!!

I was immediately struck by a somber trigger warning at the beginning of the story, urging readers to approach the narrative with sensitivity due to its portrayal of suicide. With this solemn reminder in mind, I delved into the pages of the book, bracing myself for the emotional journey that lay ahead.

What unfolded was a poignant tale of life amidst the shadow of death—a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against the backdrop of college life, "The Summer Pact" captured the essence of a formative period in my own life, evoking nostalgia and a deep sense of connection to the characters and their experiences. Throughout the story, I found myself drawn to the richly developed cast of characters, each grappling with their own struggles and insecurities in the wake of a devastating loss. From the steadfast bonds of friendship to the intricacies of romantic relationships, the characters navigated the complexities of life with honesty, vulnerability, and unwavering support for one another.

What truly resonated with me was the authenticity of the characters' emotions and experiences. As they navigated grief, guilt, and the uncertainty of the future, I found myself empathizing with their struggles and cheering for their triumphs. It is a testament to the skill of the author that these characters felt like old friends, their joys and sorrows becoming intertwined with my own.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a fan of Emily Giffin from Something Borrowed, which I loved. I've been a big fan of hers and was excited to see she had a new book out. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me in the way her past books have. In fact, I ended up not finishing it. The story follows Tyson, Lainey, Hannah, and Summer, a group of friends graduating from UVA. After a tragedy, they form a support group for Hannah, and then plan a trip to to bond and heal. But it fell off once they got to the trip. It was full of plot holes, unnecessary twists and cliched issues. The romances even felt rushed. The characters were not developed enough and I didn't really want to root for any of them. There were three POVs which is one too many, in my opinion. However, even though this did not work for me, I will be trying the next book on offer from Emily Griffin. I still think she's a gifted writer.

Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Giffin, and Random House Publishing for sending me this advance copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you Random House for the ARC via NetGalley. The Summer Pact is the story of a tight knit group of college friends and the impact that tragedy has on their group. The college friends make a pact to forever be there for each other in times of trouble. The story is told from three points of view, often rehashing events through others perspectives. The main setting on the island of Capri was wonderful. You could smell the salt, seafood and wine. I enjoyed the characters but the eventual romantic relationships felt a bit rushed and I would have enjoyed hearing more about them. Overall I enjoyed the book.

I love Emily Giffin, and will request every book she writes. However, this book made no sense to me. I don't honestly understand the point of it. I finished it, but didn't want to...I wanted to understand more of the insight of Summer but I never got to find out all of it. All I got were a bunch of people blaming themselves. I am sad to say I found it to be a weak and disappointing read . The story follows Tyson, Lainey, Hannah, and Summer, a group of friends preparing to graduate from UVA. After a tragic event, they form a group to support Hannah, plan a trip to seek forgiveness and healing. However, the last 25% of the book is filled with cliches and plot twists, leaving readers disappointed and feeling meh, in my opinion. The characters are very two-dimensional. Maybe there are too many perspectives and too much of an effort to end on an HEA.

Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Giffin, and Random House Publishing for this ARC for an honest review.

Decent friendship journey; characters all read similarly even though they were of different genders/races. The character change seemed a little forced.

Four people who met in college and became best friends until something tragic happens in thier group. From that point on they make a pact to always come together when someone hits their lowest point. When Hannah walks into her fiances house and catches him cheating on her she consieres it her lowest point and calls up her firends to come help her back up. From that point on they each find something about themelves they didn't know they needed.

A classic Emily Giffin... this story was so heartwarming. Trigger warning: there is heavy mention and discussion of suicide, strained parental relationships, cheating, and alcohol abuse. The friendship described in this beautifully written novel is one that any human would give their right kidney for - unrelenting, supportive, and everlasting. And the travel destinations don't suck either!

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC!*

Great summer read! I read through this book in just a couple days because once I got started, I had to find out what happens! Emily Giffin does a great job getting you invested in these characters early on and writes the issues they are facing so realistically. This is a perfect quick summer beach read!

Emily Giffin did it again with another spectacular summer read in "The Summer Pact." Engaging characters, and a gripping plot line; I also loved the play on words with the title! This is a must-read for the summer of 2024.

Four college friends, one tragic accident, and a bond that leaves them inseparable; this book has it all! When Hannah's life bottoms out, she knows there are only two people to call, Lainey and Tyson. The three find themselves all in the middle of a life change. What do they do next? Where do they go from here? Their decisions lead to love, heartbreak, and finding themselves in the midst of the new normal. What they leave in the past will stay as the three open themselves up to a new and vibrant life.

Way to go, Emily, this one rocked!