I really enjoyed this book about college friends and the ways they stayed supportive and close through the years, even with some ups and downs in their friendship. I'm always a fan of longstanding friendship stories and Emily Giffin always does a great job writing realistic relationships.

A lovely story about 4 college friends. With the loss of one of the friends, the remaining 3 friends make a summer pact.
The story is told in three POV’s which really let us get to know each one individually.
I thought the deep friendships they had formed was beautiful. Each one is flawed and hurting. Can they find peace and go forward?
(Elements in the story contain suicide, addiction and sexuality)
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have really enjoyed most of Emily Giffin’s previous books and was excited to read her latest!

This one started really strong for me. I love books about friendship and the premise was one I was excited for! The first 30% of the book was a solid 4 stars for me but it quickly went downhill for me.

The characters needed more development and there needed to be more on their friendship developing in order for this book to really work. It was hard to have a time jump and not have the solid foundation for the story to sit on.

I also felt this book tried to do too much. It dealt with suicide, racism, alcoholism, and more with much of it feeling like an after school special.

I had such high hopes after starting this book and it just fell flat. I don’t think I’d recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

While, I have enjoyed previous Emily Griffin, books, this book failed in my opinion. It is a well written book, but I struggled with it. I was disappointed in this book and think it might be my last Emily Griffin read

A book about the power of friendship after tragedy told from multiple POVs. I really like Emily Giffin's earlier novels but it's been a long time since I read one. This one didn't measure up to my memories of her past books. The POVs all sounded the same and became repetitive. It was a quick read but not my favorite.

Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley! To sum it up, In the aftermath of a tragedy, 3 college friends make a pact that will have them meet up 10 years later for a life changing journey. At times, it was hard to distinguish between the POV of the chapters which didn't add to my reading experience. Overall, It was a lighter read with some heavy heavy topics that are revealed in the beginning of the book.

I walked into this book expecting a romance (probably on me for not reading the description closer and going on title/cover vibes), but instead it was a gorgeous story of friendship. I felt like the ending was a little rushed but overall I really loved these characters, their growth throughout the story, and the ways they showed up for each other.

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner is the perfect summer read if you are a book lover! Shelby Archer, an author, comes to Cape Cod to run her friend's bookstore for the summer. This book includes second chance romance, friendship drama, and author/publishing roles. I thoroughly enjoyed being engrossed in all things books!

Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced digital copy of the book.

I have read many of Emily Griffin’s books and I was so excited to be gifted an advanced read, thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books! I really enjoyed the premise of the story - three best friends bound together by a special pact after losing their friend Summer in a tragic way. However, once they call upon their pact and set off on a trip together, things became a bit ridiculous. The situations were either too much or seemed forced to get in as many situations as possible to be inclusive to too many situations that can be experienced by young adults hoping to find their place in the next chapters of their lives. I definitely enjoyed the ride and still think it’s a great summer read.

I went into this book completely blind and I had no idea what was meant by the Summer Pact. It turns out it is a pact three friends make after their 4th friend commits suicide early into the book. They all came from different backgrounds and met freshman year at college and became the best of friends. After their 4th friend dies and they graduate college, 10 years passes by. The three remaining friends reconnect again and that's when the story takes off.

I always love Emily Giffin's books. I think I have read all of her books. This one was definitely heavier but with a good message. I enjoyed the journey but I wouldn't say it's my favorite of hers. It felt a tad bit drawn out but overall was an entertaining read. It might not be the best fluffy summer read as the title and cover might suggest. There are definitely some trigger warnings to check out before picking this one up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

I'm a big fan of Emily Giffin, but this book wasn't quite what I expected. The story deals with some heavy topics, like suicide and addiction, which can be tough to read about. She does a good job handling these issues, but it makes for a pretty emotional rollercoaster.

I loved the travel parts of the book and the reasons why the friends were traveling. It was interesting to see the story unfold from different characters' points of view. It really helped me understand their friendships.

If you're looking for a book that's not just about a fun vacation, but also explores deeper issues, this is a good choice.

Wow, was this awful! I've read 10 books by this author and have given them an average of 4 stars each. Not this one! I actually DNF at 61% and I'm surprised I made it that far. Terrible characters, unnecessary virtue signaling throughout, a lot of telling and no showing. I could go on. Thanks anyway Netgalley.

I really enjoyed the first part of this book. It had depth, it had heartbreak, and it proved how powerful friendship can be. Everyone needs a ride or die group, and Tyson, Lainey, and Hannah were fiercely loyal. They were found family at its finest. I was surprised how quickly I got sucked into the story with such a tragic topic.

Then, the second part took a wild turn, and I wasn’t a fan of where it went. All of the sudden, our wonderful cast became immature and judgmental. I didn’t like the decisions they made or the secrets they hid from each other.

Sadly, this one was a miss for me, but I have seen some good reviews if you’re still wanting to try it!

Emily Giffin knocked it out of the park again with this one! She develops very real characters with very real problems. Reading about this group of friends and the deep subject matter was both moving and devastating. This is a book that is great for anytime but it’s not a light beach read. It’s heavy and you’ll need tissues. It was so much more than I expected. It’s truly a beautiful story.

Emily Giffin does it once again with this amazing story of friendship. Her books are so heartfelt and tug at your heartstrings. Her books make you laugh and make you cry but in the end always leave you with a perfect story.

I have been lucky enough to meet Emily on several occasions and she is an absolute delight. She care so deeply for the things she believes in and she has said on many occasions that she writes for her readers. She is the kind of author that deserves every success she has received.

I loved Hannah, Lainey and Tyson and hope she will continue their stories in another book!!!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the honor to read and review this book!!!

Emily Giffin has once again crafted a masterpiece with The Summer Pact. This novel is a delightful blend of love, friendship, and self-discovery that will captivate readers from the very first page.

Giffin's storytelling prowess shines brightly as she weaves together the lives of her characters in a way that feels both intimate and universal. The plot is engaging, with unexpected twists that keep you eagerly turning pages, yet it's the depth and authenticity of the characters that truly stand out. Each one is richly developed, their emotions and experiences so vividly portrayed that you feel as if you’re living their journeys alongside them.

The themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the complexity of human relationships are explored with nuance and sensitivity. Giffin has a remarkable ability to write about real-life issues with both honesty and hope, making The Summer Pact not just a compelling read but also an emotionally resonant one.

Each setting the friends travel to is beautifully described, giving slightly Eat, Pray, Love vibes without the seriousness of that novel.

This was a great read about friendships and being there for each other. About the line between friendships and love. About mental health and reaching out when you need help. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you NetGalley, author and publishers for this ARC.

2.5 stars

What in the world happened to Emily Giffin?! She used to be one of my favorite chick lit writers, but after this book, I’m kind of concerned and confused on what direction she is going.

I read this book since I usually enjoy her books since they are usually just a cute beach read, but this book had extremely odd interjections of political and racial tangents that came out of nowhere. They were so unnaturally sprinkled in, it honestly wrecked the book. It felt like she took a bet with someone to see if she could add as many political cliches into one book. She even referenced Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. 🤦🏼‍♀️

If you took out the awkward interjections, I actually liked the book. It was cute and funny at times, but it was pretty dark throughout the book.

I kind of struggled with the characters. I had a hard time connecting with them and they are all kind of unlikeable.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin was a story about healing and friendship and how those bonds can restore your faith in humanity. There were definitely some heavier topics in this book, but I really appreciated how the author approached them. I also really enjoyed the three different points of view throughout the story. It was nice to read one story but have it seen through many different lenses.

I have been a fan of Emily Giffin for the majority of my life, so when I saw that she had a new book out, i knew that I had to read it. This book was beautiful. I loved the friendship theme above all and how we can overcome even the worst tragedies with friends by your side, This book reminded me how lucky I am to have those friendships myself and not to take them for granted.