Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVED this book!! I loved the characters and their adventures and the deep friendships! New summer fave!!!!

THE SUMMER PACT
BY: EMILY GIFFIN

I can never pass up reading an Emily Giffin book since I loved her much more Multifaceted and complex novel called, All We Ever Wanted. That was when I discovered what a powerhouse of an author she is. I liked her next one called, The Lies That Bind, maybe a little less but not as much as, All We Ever Wanted. I've been meaning to get to, Meant to Be. I tried reading that one and couldn't get drawn in so I put it aside. I plan to give it another try to see if it was just a timing issue. I definitely plan on rereading the first one since I remember how impressed I felt while reading it. Enough time has gone by where I've forgotten most of it other than what I wrote in my review which kind of refreshed my memory. Sadly her newest one called, The Summer Pact, felt more like a Young Adult novel to me, which it starts out that way as four college aged freshmen meet in the basement of their dorm at the University of Virginia. Even though it quickly ages three of them to thirty two years old, it still felt too Young Adult themed to me.

It seems like this author impressed me so much initially, that with each of her three subsequent novels since it seemed to morph into me liking them less and less. Don't get me wrong, this one was a page turner that I almost read in one sitting. It pulled me in from the very beginning and was able to keep my rapt attention. I know the themes covered are important and should be considered seriously, it just felt less complex to me and I felt like the characters seemed younger than they were.

The title is perfect. Hannah starts out in the beginning in the Prologue explaining how they met which I have written above. To reiterate Hannah, Summer, Lainey and Tyson meet and become friends throughout their four years at the University of Virginia. They are close and something tragic that is all too real happens to Summer. As they grow closer to graduation with Summer wanting to go to Medical school with a 4.0 grade average she has been accepted to three prestigious Medical schools and has run track and cross-country during her four years as an undergraduate. She can run a pretty impressive mile in a little over four minutes, and thirty six seconds. She was the one to get up from reading "The Odyssey," and break the ice by asking Tyson where he was from which he told her Washington D.C. He was taking advantage of the in-state tuition with both his father and his grandfather having attended UVA. She asked him which team he was rooting for since he had been watching a baseball game on mute. Summer was from the Midwest. Tyson was planning on going to Law school to become a lawyer.

Summer then asked Lainey where she was from to which she replied that she was from New York. Lainey had a smile and energy that lit up the room. Lainey is planning on becoming an actress and she was from Encinitas, near San Diego, California. Hannah has social anxiety and wanted to become an Interior designer or something that involves education and she was from Atlanta, Georgia. Hannah relates to the reader how much she really liked Summer because of her down to earth personality with giving off a genuine vibration. Hannah thought Summer even looked wholesome, right down to her strawberry-blonde pigtails and freckles. Hannah has a strong feeling that these three friends might become her people since they weren't interested in joining a sorority. All four of them have a relationship status of being single.

Somehow they all clicked and became a foursome exchanging phone numbers and setting up a group message thread. The four years flew by in the Prologue and Tyson was heading to Yale Law School. Lainey was heading to New York City to take a PR gig to support herself while auditioning. Summer was disappointed because her first choice was Harvard and she was on a waiting list. Summer had been nursing an ankle injury from running and was nervous about taking her very last exam. Hannah tried to cheer her up while they both were sitting together on the Rotunda steps. Hannah was growing irritated with Summer's stress out worries and left Summer to join Lainey and Tyson to attend a Lacrosse party.

Late the next morning Hannah woke up with a mini hangover, regretting having drank that last wine cooler. Hannah checked her phone and saw that she had a missed call and a frantic text from Summer saying "OMG. I'm so screwed. Call Me." Hannah started to call Summer back, but was hit with a wave of nausea that overcame her, putting her head back down on her pillow. She thought their usual song and dance could wait.

About an hour later, Hannah woke up and called Summer back, who didn't answer. Hannah left Summer a message, showered, and walked to their favorite bagel shop. Hannah bought an egg Sandwich for each of them and headed to Summer's room to leave one for her with a congratulatory note on Summer's desk. Regardless of how she had done on her exam, it was a victory to be finished with them, a milestone. Hannah knew that Summer left her door unlocked so she twisted the door knob open.

Nothing could prepare Hannah for what happened and became one of the worst moments of her life. There will be something else that happens that she is shocked about when she sees something else when the time jumps ahead after the Prologue, and Hannah, Lainey and Tyson are thirty two years old all working in their chosen career paths. They will each serve as best friends and support systems for each other. Hannah's mother is a narcissist and still bosses her around. Lainey is working as an actress and Tyson is a lawyer. They both come to Atlanta, Georgia to help Hannah rally after something else happens. Tyson and Lainey come to her rescue by jumping on the next flight. The chapters are headed by each of these three friends points of view.

Even though this had a Young Adult feel to it, I still would recommend it. I read most of it in one sitting. The characters all grew and it was a novel that completely held my interest. I did enjoy it even though the themes are heavy.

Here is the link to My Review of "All I Ever Wanted." https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2414405575

Publication Date: July 9, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Emily Giffin and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine. Ballantine Books for generously providing me with my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheSummerPact #EmilyGiffin #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBallantineBooks #NetGalley

I love Emily Giffin and will read anything and everything she writes so I was happy to read The Summer Pact. Told from 3 different points of view the Summer Pact takes you through the lives of three friends who have been there for each other since college. While I found one of the characters super whiney and annoying, I enjoyed the other two and their growth. I did find the overall plot a little weak and not likely to happen, but I enjoyed the story overall, I didn't devour it as quickly as books in the past. 3.5 stars if I could give it a half.

Oh my goodness! What an enjoyable read! Ii loved the characters even when i guessed what was going on with Hannah. The relationships between the four main characters were so real - their love and care for one another through all the missteps showed strong. I look forward to reading more of Emily Griffin’s novels.

Anything written by Emily Griffin is a must read in my opinion and The Summer Pact did not disappoint. I loved the three main characters, Hannah, Tyson and Lainey. They each had a dysfunctional story to tell and issues to resolve and they did it together The ending was predictable but perfect. Definitely read The Summer Pact. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this great book.

Emily Giffin knocks it out of the park once again with this heartfelt story of family, friendship and grief. A fascinating and dramatic read.

I enjoyed how this was told in several perspectives I felt like I was able to understand the characters better. Great book to read in the summer by the pool or beach! I do wish that this book was a little less predictable I wasn’t kept on my toes as much as I had hoped. However it is a good book if you want to just relax!

fun read. sometimes sounded whiny, but that might just be me. glimpse into true friendship and standing for each other.

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin is a heart rending look at the friendship of four friends, Summer, Tyson, Lainey and Hannah who have become close through college and are devastated by Summer's suicide right before graduation. They support each other as life goes on, through their trials and tribulations, but until Hannah breaks off her engagement because he fiance cheats on her, they never delve into their individual relationships with summer. They take off on a trip together and so much about themselves comes to light as they travel, changing their lives forever. I loved this novel.

This didn’t feel like a typical Emily Giffin book. I’m not sure if that was because of the settings or the characters but something about it just didn’t feel the same as her previous books. She did handle a tougher subject than usual, and I think she did a great job.

The multiple POVs worked well too but I was disappointed at the predictable ending. I had kind of hoped it would have surprised me and worked out a different way. I typically purchase all of her books even if I get a free advance copy, but I don’t think I want to read this one again.

Giffin's novel follows a tight-knit group of friends, best friends since college, who make a pact to support one another when one of them is in need. Fast forward to their 30s and each of the three main characters is struggling with something. They decide to travel together, on a trip to support each other. Told in 3 perspectives, which I appreciated, although ultimately the drama in this book felt a bit too forced for me. Still, some may enjoy this summer read. "What makes a friendship? What makes us choose to love the people we love?

After the first couple chapters, I wasn't sure I was emotionally equipped to read this book. But, it was a beautiful story of 4 friends. A pact that was made and in the end finding themselves despite tragedy and heartbreak and other obstacles. Finding oneself against all odds with your best friends beside you is what I got from this beautiful book!

Three friends grieved the loss of a fourth friend when she died by suicide at the end of their senior year in college. Now, a decade later, the remaining three come back together to keep a promise--a Pact they made in Summer's memory--when one needs help after a devastating breakup. Traveling together, the friends dig deep into their relationships both past and present. I wished for a little "more" from the characters, particularly Lainey, but this was a very enjoyable novel.

Emily Giffin's latest book was almost a "Do Not Finish" for me. Honestly, I was so disappointed. This is by far the weakest book that she has ever written, filled with "woke" propaganda and sprinkled with Giffin's liberal political beliefs and cliches. I missed the days when readers could not tell that she is a far-left liberal. Stay in your lane, Emily!

Now for the synopsis. The story begins with Tyson, Lainey, Hannah, and Summer preparing to graduate from UVA and begin their "real lives". Then an unspeakable tragedy occurs, one that changes their group forever. A promise is made, and "The Summer Pact" is born. Now, roughly ten years have passed, and everyone is living their own lives, scattered around the country. When Hannah experiences another life-changing event, the group gathers together to support her in her time of need. The friends plan a trip to chase down past dreams, bond with one another, and ultimately seek forgiveness and healing.

Without giving too much away, things change on the trip. Lainey addresses ghosts from her past, Tyson has to finally come to grips with the tragic events of the summer from so long ago, and Hannah begins to experience unexpected emotions for a new friend.

This book had some potential, but the last 25% was just filled with ridiculous cliches and plot twists. I was supremely disappointed, as Gifinn's books circa 15 years ago were SO good. Considering she only writes a novel every two-three years, I expected more from her. In my opinion, this is one book that you can easily skip.

There is a lot of story in this book. Everyone is going through something in this 3-way friendship. Despite all of the details, I felt like the character development was shallow and the plot was loose. The actual pact is far-fetched for adults who are busy adulting. It was a quick read and fans of Emily Griffin will enjoy it despite the flaws.

It’s hard not to move an Emily Giffin book straight to the top of the stack. She can do no wrong! This one is different than her other books and the story tackles some hard issues like suicide, mental health, alcoholism, and infidelity. But Giffin does what she does best, she makes the reader care about her characters and their struggles. Her writing is easy to read and you become invested. I read this in one sitting. It is exceptional.

I’ve never met an Emily Giffin book I didn’t like, and The Summer Pact is no exception. I really appreciate the way she handled the content warnings at the front, and the sensitivity she had with the subject matter itself.

As always, Giffin’s ability to write from so many different POVs is such a gift!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC!

One of the best books I have read in a very long time. When I first started this book I was expecting a light summer read, what I got was an amazing thought provoking novel. I feel most will be able to relate to the characters, because all of us have flaws and can see ourselves in them. We have dealt with sadness, addiction, and some of us racism in our lives.
I will be recommending this book to many people this year.

Emily Giffin is talented, but I liked this less than her other works. It’s not as light-hearted as the cover might suggest, although it does involve international travel.

A tragedy happens as friends are graduating college that encourages actress Lainey, law student Tyson, and interior decorator Hannah to make a pact to always be there for one another. Now, a decade later, these three friends are each facing some troubles, and come together.

It’s told from different points of view, and that is well done—not an easy feat for a writer to pull off. We learn about how they became friends, their college years, and what’s going on with them now, each with a unique perspective on what happened/what’s happening. Somehow the friends manage to almost always say the supportive thing. I’ll be honest, if I’m angry, even at someone I love, the words out of my mouth may not always be incredibly understanding of a person screwing up or being caught lying to me.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 9, 2024.

I don’t review a lot of adult titles because I work with elementary kids but Emily Giffin is one of the authors I spent my early adulthood reading so seeing her new book come up, I had to read it!

I couldn’t put it down. Every moment I had not at work over 2 days was spent reading this story that brought out all sorts of emotions. TW: it does involve suicide and some abuse of alcohol