I've been a long time fan of Emily Giffin but this one is not it. Messy POVs that all blended together despite being three separate characters. Shallow, one dimensional, immature characters that never seemed to grow up. I had to DNF, it's just not for me.

Warning: this book may be a trigger for people due to several of its themes, particularly suicide.
After the suicide of one of their best college friends, three friends, Lainey, Hannah, and Tyson, draw up a pact to promise that no matter how dark things may seem to them, they will contact each other. Years later, when Hannah walks in on her fiancé in bed with another woman, she calls her best friends, and they drop everything and come. What comes next is an extended road trip while they discover what they really mean to each other and who they really are.

This is not my favorite Emily Griffin book at all and I found it a bit of a slog to get through. Sometimes I was confused by the shift in POV of the three characters (who seemed rather similar) and I thought it was kind of unlikely that a pact made in college would make people years later disrupt their real lives. But of course, it’s fiction!

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. My opinion is my own.

To be honest, this wasn't my favorite book of Giffin's. While I enjoyed their enduring friendship, the characters came off as immature and the romances didn't feel necessary to the story. And although I agree with the political POV shared, it felt out of place to the plot. I don't know. This one just didn't hit for me.

Thanks to Ballantine for the copy to review.

This book was just ok for me. It hit on a few things that are current and made the story more realistic. It had some subtle political things that were pretty much spot on. It dealt with friendships and loss. Suicide and betrayal. Things that don't receive a lot of attention in books sometimes.

While this book was good, it was not great. I didn't like any of the characters and that is not good. I did enjoy this book though and for the most part I enjoyed the scenery of the places these three friends visited.

At the beginning you meet four college students. Just entering college and becoming somewhat grown up in ways. Lainey, Summer, Hannah, and Tyson. They become fast friends and help each other out with everything. Summer is upset over something and takes her life. I still am scratching my head about what exactly happened to cause her to do this. Grades I guess though I honestly don't remember reading that. She texted her three best friends and they all ignored her. Shame on them....

After Summer's suicide the three remaining made a pact to always be there for one another. No matter what. If one felt their lowest the other two would come to them and help. They do stick to this also and from there this story takes off...

Hannah was engaged to a jerk. She caught him in the act but didn't let him know. Yeah right. Anyway she called Lainey and Lainey called Tyson. They all took care of that problem and then went on a long vacation.

I thought Hannah was a bit whiny. She just seemed to be trying to hard to be strong and falling way short. Until she met Olivia that is. I have to admit that I did like Olivia. Lainey was a drunk and seemed to sleep around way to much. And Tyson was unbelievable. He's staying with two beautiful women and not trying anything. I didn't buy that. And I was right. Though I was happy for them after it happened. To me it was like they used each other for their own benefits and didn't really care if the other was hurt. That is my take on the story. Real friendships do not happen like this. I hope.

Great writing and a so so storyline. I could have walked away from this book but was determined to finish it and find out what happened. Though that was pretty much predictable. Happy endings always...

Thank you #NetGalley, #RandomHousePublishing-Ballantine, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

3.5 stars.

Emily Giffin's "The Summer Pact" was a fun summer read, with some tough and serious themes. That sounds a little backwards, but that's exactly how I would categorize it! It was a quick and enjoyable read, but this didn't quite feel the same as her earlier novels.

The story follows a group of college buddies who get together ten years later, during a summer to travel, and subsequently support each other through tough times (and after a tragedy) in their lives. What I did like what the character and friendship development. But I wanted more - I think it was a little slow moving and underdeveloped.

I would pick up another one of her books again, but I do with for a little "more" next time.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Such a heartfelt, wonderful summer read! Emily's books are always the perfect read for summer, evoking a little of every emotion, wrapped up in a bow of immaculate summer vibes.

Love love LOVE emily giffin and she does it again! Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

There were so many things I really loved about this book, including the different dynamics between each duo in the friendship as well as the dynamic between the group as a whole, the twists and turns that hit them throughout their travels, and the people they encountered and grew with along the way.

My only wish is that the finale didn’t happen so quickly. In some ways it felt like we were driving steadily up a mountain and then just sort of plateaued once we got to the top - I wanted more resolved within the main course of the story rather than sort of footnotes at the end in the epilogue.

I still really enjoyed this as a summer read about the importance of staying true to yourself and to your friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this eARC!

Glad to have another Emily Giffin book. I’ll say this is one of my least favorites of hers. There were some parts that felt to rushed (the romance, the epilogue) and other peers seemed to drag out. Overall 3/5 stars

I’d give the writing 4 stars - it’s compelling and the characters make you want to get to know them - typical for this author. However the story only gets 2 stars. I liked the first two thirds of the book but then things became hard to believe. The characters suddenly changed their minds about things that seemed fundamental to their personalities - the result being the story tied up into a neat-yet-very-unnatural little bow. Really disappointed the story turned this way!

3 ⭐️
Let me start by saying thank you to @netgalley and Ballantine books @randomhouse for my gifted e-copy! I’ve really enjoyed Emily’s writing in the past and this was one of my most anticipated books of the year!

Initially, I found myself immersed in the college atmosphere, the grief the characters faced, and the beautiful writing. I really enjoyed the first 30-ish percent and was eager to continue.

As the novel progressed, I wish the characters would have progressed a little more with it. Lainey and Tyson both felt immature, whereas Hannah felt disrespectful of her friends’ boundaries.

While I enjoyed both romances, I would have enjoyed them more if they could have been more fleshed out. Specifically, I would have liked to see Hannah and her (not going to spoil) partner dive a little deeper.

With all that being said, there were many things I enjoyed. The multiple POVs are always a yes for me, as well as the European setting. The writing was also well done.

If you’re looking for somewhere to start with Emily’s books, I would recommend All We Ever Wanted as a first pick!

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin is a story about healing after loss, the power of friendship and chosen family and of finding yourself.

The anticipation to read a new EG book is synonymous with summer. Sadly this one wasn’t a hit for me. It’s told from the perspective of 4 college friends that endured a tragedy and make a pact with each other. There are sensitive subject matters so reader beware. Each chapter is the pov from each of the friends. I’m not sure if this disrupted the flow of the story or if it was lack of depth with the story itself. I did feel character development was done well. The travel aspect made the story a bit more engaging. By novels end Tyson, Hannah, Lainey do learn things about themselves and are willing to brave a different path or at least are open to the exploring them. Is is where they thought they’d be all these years later of course not. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own.

For whatever reason, the book just wasn’t for me. I have been on a summer romance, reading kick, and I was really excited to dive into this one.

It started out really heavy, which isn’t the reason why I didn’t like it. But it definitely added to less of a fluff, enjoyable, summer read, and more of a dark topic.

At this point in time, it’s just not a book that I loved or enjoyed

**Book Review: *The Summer Pact* by Emily Giffin**

Emily Giffin’s *The Summer Pact* is a compelling addition to her body of work, blending poignant storytelling with the author’s signature wit and emotional depth. The novel delves into themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery, offering readers an engaging narrative filled with relatable characters and thought-provoking dilemmas.

Set against the backdrop of a sun-soaked summer, the story revolves around three lifelong friends who reunite to honor a pact they made years ago. Each character brings their own set of issues and desires to the table, and as the summer unfolds, the pact becomes a catalyst for exploring deeper truths about their lives.

Giffin’s strength lies in her ability to create authentic, multi-dimensional characters. In *The Summer Pact*, she excels at illustrating the complexities of long-standing relationships and the way time and distance can alter perceptions. The protagonists are well-crafted, each struggling with personal challenges while trying to uphold the promises made in their youth.

The narrative is well-paced, with Giffin skillfully weaving together past and present to build a rich, immersive story. Her prose is sharp and evocative, capturing the nuances of both the serene summer setting and the internal conflicts of her characters. Readers will appreciate the emotional resonance and the moments of humor that provide relief amidst the drama.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of how friendships evolve over time. Giffin does an admirable job of depicting the tension between nostalgia and reality, showing how the ideals of youth can clash with the complexities of adulthood. The resolution of the summer pact is both satisfying and realistic, leaving readers with a sense of closure while also inviting reflection on their own relationships.

However, some readers might find the plot a bit predictable, especially if they are familiar with Giffin’s previous works. The themes and character arcs, while compelling, follow a somewhat familiar trajectory that might not offer much new ground for those who have read her novels extensively.

Overall, *The Summer Pact* is a heartfelt and engaging read that showcases Emily Giffin’s talent for crafting emotionally resonant stories. It’s a celebration of friendship and personal growth, set against a backdrop that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Fans of Giffin will find much to love, and newcomers will be drawn in by her skillful storytelling and rich character development.

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin was a quick grab for me due to my love for her last release. Unfortunately an hour into reading I knew I was going to have a bit of a problem. I do always appreciate the warning of potential triggers that will occur in the book, that was a plus. The storyline was there being mostly about three of the friends at crossroads in their life and make a pact to stay together and help one another. It just fell flat for me, it wasn’t enough to create the great feel I had in her previous novel Meant to Be. I will definitely be looking forward to see what else comes next from this talented author. I’m sure there’s a great target audience for The Summer Pact.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Underwhelming and forgettable. I made no connections with any of the characters (they're discontented elder millennials! Like me! This should've been a slam dunk.) The pop-culture references to the Eras tour and even Travis Kelce were odd and took me out of the story. And, nothing really happens? Which is wild considering that the characters are globetrotting Eat Pray Love style.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A beautiful and moving story of friendship & finding yourself.

This one started out so strong & I was instantly hooked. Filled with emotion and [trigger warning] the death of a best friend by suicide, this book captures you from the start.

I found the middle to be a little slow, and the way some things wrapped up at the end seemed a little off, but overall a powerful story. Definitely a great one to check out!

This was a super sweet story about love, friendship and grief. It was done very well through the incredibly heavy topics the book talked about.

Review: The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin 3

In the wake of tragedy, a group of friends make a pact that will cause them to reunite a decade later and embark upon a life-changing adventure together.

I have been reading Emily Giffin for over a decade and find her books usually strike a balance between easy to read while also dealing with a tragedy. The Summer Pact fell short for me, while it was super to read (short chapters and simple dialog) it lacked something that made it memorable. Some of the storylines felt a bit rushed and added in to check the box. Overall, I would skip this one and look into her backlist if you haven't read some of her older books.